7-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour from Thimphu with Tiger's Nest Hike

7 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Sign up for this rich cultural heritage tour in this tiny Himalayan kingdom, also known as the last Shangri-La. See some of Bhutan's best monuments and natural...

Duration: 7 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Thimphu, Wangdue, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Gangtey · Languages: English

Know before you go: Hotels in Bhutan are approved and classified by the government as grade A, B, and C. These government-approved hotels are equivalent to 3-4 star hotels elsewhere. Based on availability at the time of booking, we will be accommodated in A-grade hotels in Paro and Thimphu and a B-grade hotel in Punakha. We use Hotel Namgay Heritage in Thimphu, Meri Puensum Resort in Punakha, and Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement is available on request and costs USD 345.; All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included during your stay in Bhutan. A variety of meals are available in most hotels, with Indian, Chinese, and continental food being the most popular. Non-vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan, including pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advice is to ask the hotel and restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season.

About Wangdue

Bhutan

Wangdue

The nerve center of Vajrayana Buddhism and one of the most mythical locations in the Himalaya, Wangdue and its great dzong rarely fail to impress. Get a local guide to show you around.

Explore Wangdue Bhutan All destinations

What's Included

Bhutanese visa fee
Pick-ups and drop-offs from hotels and airports
Government-approved A and B category hotels on a twin-shared basis
All meals, tea, and snacks
Transportation in comfortable private vehicle(s)
English-speaking, trained, and experienced Bhutan guide and staff
All entrance and permit fees for visits to monuments and museums
Company services and all required Bhutanese government taxes and royalties

Not Included

Airfare for international flights to and from Bhutan
Items of a personal nature (personal gear, telephone calls, beverages, internet, laundry)
Trip cancellation and medical/evacuation insurance
Tips for staff (guide and driver)
Travel insurance

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Transfer to Thimphu

Be assisted by a representative who will take you to your hotel in Thimphu. Be assisted by a representative who will take you to your hotel in Thimphu. However, if your flight arrives early and you want to visit a few places in Thimphu, this can be arranged as well. Overnight in Thimphu.
2

Day 02

Thimphu Sightseeing

Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, the Nunnery Temple, and a mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, the Nunnery Temple, and a mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Discover other landmarks of Thimphu, including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Bhutanese traditional painting school, the Folk Heritage Museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong, and the handmade paper factory. However, some of these landmarks are closed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekend, we will explore the Weekend Market instead. Discover other landmarks of Thimphu, including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Bhutanese traditional painting school, the Folk Heritage Museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong, and the handmade paper factory. However, some of these landmarks are closed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekend, we will explore the Weekend Market instead. Overnight in Thimphu.
3

Day 03

Drive from Thimphu to Punakha via Dochu La Pass

Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100 m), where, on a clear day, we get spectacular views of the Himalayas. Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100 m), where, on a clear day, we get spectacular views of the Himalayas. Head downhill through rhododendron, fir, and hemlock forests. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Head downhill through rhododendron, fir, and hemlock forests. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Reach Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Reach Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha.
4

Day 04

Excursion to Wangduephodrang and Gangtey

Explore Wangduephodrang in the morning. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. Explore Wangduephodrang in the morning. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. Drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Gangtey, a beautiful village surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains. Gangtey Monastery is perched atop a small hill rising from the valley floor. From here, enjoy views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges and the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Gangtey, a beautiful village surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains. Gangtey Monastery is perched atop a small hill rising from the valley floor. From here, enjoy views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges and the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Roam around the Phobjikha villages before driving back to Punakha for an overnight stay. Roam around the Phobjikha villages before driving back to Punakha for an overnight stay.
5

Day 05

Drive from Punakha to Paro

Begin your drive to the Paro Valley. Begin your drive to the Paro Valley. Visit Rinpung Dzong, which means "fortress made from a heap of jewels." Visit Rinpung Dzong, which means "fortress made from a heap of jewels." Continue to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country, and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. Continue to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country, and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. Overnight in Paro.
6

Day 06

Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery

Hike for 4 to 5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery, situated at 3,180 meters. Hike for 4 to 5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery, situated at 3,180 meters. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. Trek back down to the valley floor. Trek back down to the valley floor. Overnight in Paro.
7

Day 07

Departure from Paro

Bid farewell to this tiny Himalayan kingdom and its friendly people. Druk Air generally departs early in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Bid farewell to this tiny Himalayan kingdom and its friendly people. Druk Air generally departs early in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Transfer to the airport in the morning for your final departure after breakfast. Transfer to the airport in the morning for your final departure after breakfast.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Airport Road, Paro 12001, Bhutan · Tour start: Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.