8-Day Cultural Tour of Western Bhutan with Tiger's Nest Hike

8 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

During this 8-day guided tour, traverse Western Bhutan and discover major cultural and scenic attractions in Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha, Paro, and Haa. Visit lan...

Duration: 8 Days · Tour type: Private · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Gangtey, Haa Valley · Languages: English

Know before you go: We can provide hotel and air ticket booking assistance.

About Gangtey

Bhutan

Gangtey

Gangtey is one of Bhutan's most beautiful places; get a guide from Everest Global Hub to help you revel in its rare beauty, set deep between the peaks of the Phobjika Valley.

Explore Gangtey Bhutan All destinations

What's Included

A minimum of 3-star accommodation certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan
All meals
Bottled water in the car
Monument fees (dzongs and temples) and museum fees
A licensed Bhutanese English-speaking tour guide for the duration of your stay
All transport (transfers and sightseeing)
Sustainable Development Fee and visa fee
Travel insurance

Not Included

Air transport/flights
Personal expenses such as laundry, tips, etc.
Drinks and beverages
Bank transfer charges

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Transfer to Thimphu

Meet your tour guide at Paro International Airport. Meet your tour guide at Paro International Airport. Drive to Thimphu, the capital city, on a one-and-a-half-hour journey. On the way, visit Tamchog Lhakhang. Drive to Thimphu, the capital city, on a one-and-a-half-hour journey. On the way, visit Tamchog Lhakhang. Reach Thimphu and check in to the hotel. Reach Thimphu and check in to the hotel. Enjoy lunch, then visit the National Memorial Chorten, where you can see elderly people praying and circumambulating the stupa. Enjoy lunch, then visit the National Memorial Chorten, where you can see elderly people praying and circumambulating the stupa. Visit the Post Office to get a personalized stamp with your picture and see the postal museum. Visit the Post Office to get a personalized stamp with your picture and see the postal museum. See Tashichho Dzong, known as the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion." Stay overnight in Thimphu. See Tashichho Dzong, known as the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion." Stay overnight in Thimphu.
2

Day 02

Thimphu Cultural and Heritage Sightseeing

Enjoy breakfast, then visit Kuensel Phodrang, where the Big Buddha statue stands. Enjoy breakfast, then visit Kuensel Phodrang, where the Big Buddha statue stands. Walk inside Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. From here, you get one of the best views of Thimphu Valley, with the mountains behind. Walk inside Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. From here, you get one of the best views of Thimphu Valley, with the mountains behind. Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, also known as the Mini Zoo, and see Bhutan's national animal. Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, also known as the Mini Zoo, and see Bhutan's national animal. See the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to Bhutan's rural past through its exhibitions. See the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to Bhutan's rural past through its exhibitions. After lunch, visit the Handmade Paper Factory to see the process of making traditional Bhutanese handmade paper. After lunch, visit the Handmade Paper Factory to see the process of making traditional Bhutanese handmade paper. Go to the Crafts Bazaar for authentic Bhutanese-made crafts. Go to the Crafts Bazaar for authentic Bhutanese-made crafts. Walk along Norzin Lam, the main downtown street of Thimphu. Stay overnight in Thimphu. Walk along Norzin Lam, the main downtown street of Thimphu. Stay overnight in Thimphu.
3

Day 03

Drive from Thimphu to Gangtey via Dochu-La Pass

Drive to Gangtey, a journey of around 3 to 4 hours. Drive to Gangtey, a journey of around 3 to 4 hours. Stop at Dochu-La Pass (3,100 meters), which offers an incredible view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chorten, with its 108 stupas. Stop at Dochu-La Pass (3,100 meters), which offers an incredible view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chorten, with its 108 stupas. Continue to Phobjikha Valley via Punakha and Wangdue. Continue to Phobjikha Valley via Punakha and Wangdue. On arrival in Gangtey, visit the Crane Information Center, where you can learn more about the valley. Stay overnight in Gangtey. On arrival in Gangtey, visit the Crane Information Center, where you can learn more about the valley. Stay overnight in Gangtey.
4

Day 04

Gangtey Nature Trail and Transfer to Punakha

Enjoy breakfast, then hike across the Gangtey Nature Trail for about one and a half hours and enjoy the breathtaking view of Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, which dates back to the 17th century. Enjoy breakfast, then hike across the Gangtey Nature Trail for about one and a half hours and enjoy the breathtaking view of Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, which dates back to the 17th century. Drive back to Punakha. Drive back to Punakha. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviour. He is also considered a symbol of fertility, and many childless couples visit the temple for blessings. Stay overnight in Punakha. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviour. He is also considered a symbol of fertility, and many childless couples visit the temple for blessings. Stay overnight in Punakha.
5

Day 05

Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten and Punakha Dzong

Eat breakfast, then go for a 45-minute hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, with picturesque views of the rice terraces along the river. Eat breakfast, then go for a 45-minute hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, with picturesque views of the rice terraces along the river. Visit Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress located between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. See the longest suspension bridge across the dzong. Visit Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress located between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. See the longest suspension bridge across the dzong. Enjoy lunch, then drive back to Paro. Enjoy lunch, then drive back to Paro. Walk around Paro town, known for its traditional look. Stay overnight in Paro. Walk around Paro town, known for its traditional look. Stay overnight in Paro.
6

Day 06

Tiger's Nest Hike and Paro Heritage Tour

Eat breakfast and hike to Taktsang Monastery, a wooden structure that stands bravely on a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The walk takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours one way. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and established this monastery when he brought the teachings of Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century. Eat breakfast and hike to Taktsang Monastery, a wooden structure that stands bravely on a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The walk takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours one way. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and established this monastery when he brought the teachings of Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century. Enjoy lunch, then visit the Paro National Museum. Enjoy lunch, then visit the Paro National Museum. See the Paro Rinpung Dzong. See the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Visit a farmhouse to experience traditional Bhutan, taste Bhutanese cuisine, and dip in a traditional hot stone bath. Stay overnight in Paro. Visit a farmhouse to experience traditional Bhutan, taste Bhutanese cuisine, and dip in a traditional hot stone bath. Stay overnight in Paro.
7

Day 07

Day Excursion to Haa via Chelela Pass

Drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3988 m) and visit Kila Nunnery. Drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3988 m) and visit Kila Nunnery. In Haa, visit Lhakhang Karpo and walk around Haa town. In Haa, visit Lhakhang Karpo and walk around Haa town. Drive back to Paro. Stay overnight in Paro. Drive back to Paro. Stay overnight in Paro.
8

Day 08

Departure from Paro

Drive to the airport for your flight to the onward destination. Drive to the airport for your flight to the onward destination.