11-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Tiger's Nest and Black-Necked Cranes

11 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Satiate your curiosity as you witness some of Bhutan's most important sights on this journey through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang, and Trongsa. E...

Duration: 11 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Moderate · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: No · Cities: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthnag, Trongsa, Jomolhari · Languages: English

Know before you go: The suggested hotels in the itinerary are 3-star properties (by local standard) in the cities, but some nights are in basic guest houses as well, where there may not be as many choices as you can find in a hotel. To make it a different experience, we have even planned one or two nights in private homes and lodges as we travel to the far corners of eastern Bhutan, where facilities are limited.; The hotels are usually small, with 15-20 rooms, built in local architectural style with traditional decor and providing utmost comfort. However, there is often disparity in rooms, and sometimes members of the same group may end up getting different types of room. In the private home, you will have a private bathroom with hot and cold water facilities, with a few exceptions. Sometimes, there can be power outages, and there may or may not be hot water available.; While the hotels ensure fundamental comforts, hair dryers, irons, and ironing tables may not be available in some hotels. We have to be prepared to adjust our normal routine and mentally be OK with things that may not work or be available when we want them to.; As there are limited hotels in Bhutan, the hotels listed in the itinerary are suggestions only, and there will be huge demand for accommodations during October and again in April. In case we fail to secure a reservation in the suggested hotel, we will book you in the next best available property. Your final trip dossier, which we send you about a month ahead of the trip, will contain the final list of hotels.; There are some international chains of resorts like Uma, Taj, and Aman Resorts, which are luxury properties and are not included in our tour cost. If you are interested in staying in these properties, we can certainly book you in them at an additional cost.; Food includes rice and corn. Tourists can also have beef, pork, poultry, goat, yak, and fish. Yak and cattle cheese are part of the diet of upland people. Meat soups, rice or corn, and spiced chilies comprise daily food; beverages include buttered tea and the famous Red Panda beer, unfiltered from cereal grains. Menus in Bhutan are a fantastic concoction.; As your trip will be an all-inclusive package, expect to eat most meals at your hotel. Buffet fans are in for a treat. Your guide can arrange dinner at tourist-standard local restaurants, but beware, traditional Bhutanese food always features spicy chilies, and the most popular dish is ema datse, made with large green or red hot chilies in a cheese sauce. Though there is plenty of white rice, Bhutanese prefer a local, slightly nutty, red variety.; At high altitudes, wheat is the staple food. Several Tibetan-style dishes are common, including momos (dumplings) and thukpa (noodles). Pork fat is popular in the wilds because of its high energy content. There are no slaughterhouses in Bhutan, and only a few cold storage facilities, so even the keenest non-vegetarians should consider being vegetarian during their stay.; Usually, you will have breakfast and dinner at your hotel. In the countryside and during long drives, we often have picnic lunches. In some cases, we will stop by roadside restaurants, which can be an adventure. Please do not overeat, and stay within your limit if you consume alcohol.

About Trongsa

Bhutan

Trongsa

Home to the breathtaking Trongsa Dzong, this high-perched town in the midst of Bhutan’s regal heartland is a must for any tourist. Unravel its dynastic histories with help from a local guide.

Explore Trongsa Bhutan All destinations

What's Included

3-star category hotel in a twin-sharing room
All meals
Government royalty
Entrance fees
Visa and permit
Overland transportation within Bhutan
Sightseeing as per itinerary with an English-speaking guide
Necessary hotel arrangements
Airport transfers within Bhutan

Not Included

Insurance
Airfares
Beverages
Airport taxes
Personal expenses
Excess baggage
Tips to guides and drivers

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Paro and Transfer to Dochula

Arrive at Paro and transfer to Dochula. Arrive at Paro and transfer to Dochula. En route, stop at Wangsimu and visit the 900-year-old Bhutanese house with nine doors, belonging to Khandro Sonam Pelden from the 12th century. En route, stop at Wangsimu and visit the 900-year-old Bhutanese house with nine doors, belonging to Khandro Sonam Pelden from the 12th century. Visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. Visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. Overnight at Hotel Dochula or similar. Overnight at Hotel Dochula or similar.
2

Day 02

Dochula Sunrise and Phobjikha Valley

Witness the early morning Bhutanese sunrise and then leave for Phobjikha Valley, known for black-necked cranes. Witness the early morning Bhutanese sunrise and then leave for Phobjikha Valley, known for black-necked cranes. Visit the 15th-century Gangte Goemba and the crane information center. You may walk along the nature trails near the crane roosting ground. Visit the 15th-century Gangte Goemba and the crane information center. You may walk along the nature trails near the crane roosting ground. Overnight stay in the hotel. Overnight stay in the hotel.
3

Day 03

Through the Black Mountains to Bumthang

Today, you will pass through the Black Mountain range with dense forest on your way to Bumthang. This forest is home to diverse wildlife, including Himalayan black bear, red fox, royal Bengal tigers, and more. Today, you will pass through the Black Mountain range with dense forest on your way to Bumthang. This forest is home to diverse wildlife, including Himalayan black bear, red fox, royal Bengal tigers, and more. Upon arrival, check in to the guest house, freshen up, and get ready to attend the theological debate held by the monks at Kharchu Monastery. The Wangdicholing Palace is one of its kind, as it was not designed as a fortress but built on the battlefield where Penlop Jigme Namgyal became victorious. Upon arrival, check in to the guest house, freshen up, and get ready to attend the theological debate held by the monks at Kharchu Monastery. The Wangdicholing Palace is one of its kind, as it was not designed as a fortress but built on the battlefield where Penlop Jigme Namgyal became victorious. Overnight stay in the guest house. Overnight stay in the guest house.
4

Day 04

Bumthang Valley Exploration

Drive to Jambey Lhakhang, from where you will be able to hike through the valley to Kurje and cross over the suspension bridge to visit Yathra Weaving Center. Drive to Jambey Lhakhang, from where you will be able to hike through the valley to Kurje and cross over the suspension bridge to visit Yathra Weaving Center. Overnight stay in the accommodation. Overnight stay in the accommodation.
5

Day 05

Temples, Weaving Traditions, and Trongsa Dzong

Visit the Prakhar Temple and the weaving center at Zhungney, where weavers have mastered the art of weaving using sheep wool and yak hair. Visit the Prakhar Temple and the weaving center at Zhungney, where weavers have mastered the art of weaving using sheep wool and yak hair. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral homeland of the Wangchuck Dynasty, and Ta Dzong, which showcases many ancient holy books and original statues dating to the 8th century. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral homeland of the Wangchuck Dynasty, and Ta Dzong, which showcases many ancient holy books and original statues dating to the 8th century. Overnight stay in the accommodation. Overnight stay in the accommodation.
6

Day 06

Scenic Chendebji and Chimi Lhakhang

Today, we visit Chendebji, one of the most scenic picnic spots, where visitors may have time to circumambulate the chorten and accumulate some merits. Today, we visit Chendebji, one of the most scenic picnic spots, where visitors may have time to circumambulate the chorten and accumulate some merits. Next, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kunley, believed to have been built on a hill shaped like a woman's breast. Next, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kunley, believed to have been built on a hill shaped like a woman's breast. Overnight stay in the accommodation. Overnight stay in the accommodation.
7

Day 07

Khamsum Yulley Hike and Punakha to Thimphu

Drive north of Punakha to begin your hike to Khamsum Yulley. Visit the huge Punakha Dzong, Dzong Chuung, and the Buddhist monk school. Drive north of Punakha to begin your hike to Khamsum Yulley. Visit the huge Punakha Dzong, Dzong Chuung, and the Buddhist monk school. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, drive to Thimphu. Overnight in the accommodation. Overnight in the accommodation.
8

Day 08

Thimphu Cultural Sightseeing

Today, you will visit Gongsar Chorten, the local arts and crafts school, National Library, Folk Heritage Museum, Royal Academy of Performing Arts, and take a leisurely walk in the local market. Today, you will visit Gongsar Chorten, the local arts and crafts school, National Library, Folk Heritage Museum, Royal Academy of Performing Arts, and take a leisurely walk in the local market. In the evening, go for a stroll in town, look for souvenirs, and explore one of the few capitals in the world that still has no traffic lights. In the evening, go for a stroll in town, look for souvenirs, and explore one of the few capitals in the world that still has no traffic lights. Visit Tashichho Dzong, a must-visit place where you may witness the flag-lowering ceremony outside the dzong. You will also visit the traditional handmade paper factory at Langjophaka. Visit Tashichho Dzong, a must-visit place where you may witness the flag-lowering ceremony outside the dzong. You will also visit the traditional handmade paper factory at Langjophaka. Overnight stay in the accommodation. Overnight stay in the accommodation.
9

Day 09

Paro Taktsang Hike and Bhutanese Family Visit

In the morning, drive to Paro to hike up to the highlight of this tour - Paro Taktsang. Also known as Tiger's Nest, this beautiful site is perched on a cliff, with Paro Valley on one side. In the morning, drive to Paro to hike up to the highlight of this tour - Paro Taktsang. Also known as Tiger's Nest, this beautiful site is perched on a cliff, with Paro Valley on one side. Interact with the Bhutanese family living next to the temple and enjoy some traditional tea while experiencing a Bhutanese way of living. Interact with the Bhutanese family living next to the temple and enjoy some traditional tea while experiencing a Bhutanese way of living.
10

Day 10

Paro Heritage Sightseeing

Today, you will visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. On a clear day, you can even get views of Mt. Jumolhari. Later in the day, you will visit Kyichu Lhakang, Paro Ringpung Dzong, Dungtse Lhakhang, the National Museum, and Dzongdrakha. Today, you will visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. On a clear day, you can even get views of Mt. Jumolhari. Later in the day, you will visit Kyichu Lhakang, Paro Ringpung Dzong, Dungtse Lhakhang, the National Museum, and Dzongdrakha. Overnight in the accommodation. Overnight in the accommodation.
11

Day 11

Departure from Bhutan

Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. End of the tour. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey. End of the tour.