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15-Day Cultural Tour with Day Walks & Festivals

Customisable Itinerary
4.8 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

Explore Bhutan in a unique way on this 15-day cultural tour which includes a day at a local spiritual festival and plenty of hikes enabling you to explore Bhutan's most beautiful landscapes on foot!

Beginning in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, you'll explore the city and its surrounding valley before making your way to Punakha via the Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, which boasts stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. From Punakha, you'll continue on to Bumthang via Trongsa.

You'll spend a few days in the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with some sightseeing around Bumthang followed by a day hike to Babzur via Petseling monastery. The next day, visit Ugyencholing Palace in the remote Tang valley, which is now a museum, before taking another hike to Kuenzangdrak, located on the face of a cliff.

A day at Domkhar local festival in Chumey where you will see masked dances and traditional dancing, and the locals celebrating in their finest dress. You'll then start your journey back west visiting the Phobjikha Valley before returning to Paro to explore the sights of the valley finishing your 2 weeks in Bhutan with a hike to the mighty Tiger's Nest!
Sightseeing
Hiking & Trekking
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Food & Drink

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Paro & Travel to Thimphu

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Welcome to Paro & Travel to Thimphu

Today, you'll arrive in Paro. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang. Take a walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Galingkha3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free time in Thimphu

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

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    Destinations

    Thimphu

Day 2

Thimphu Sightseeing

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Thimphu Sightseeing

Today, you'll explore Thimphu with your local guide. Your guide can plan the day based on what takes your interest. You can visit the weekend market, the revered Memorial Chorten and the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. You can also visit Changangkha temple, perched on the hilltop overlooking the town. You may like to visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin. The choice is yours!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Galingkha3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Thimphu Sightseeing

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Thimphu

Day 3

Journey from Thimphu to Punakha with a hike from Tashigang Gompa to Lungchotse

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Journey from Thimphu to Punakha with a hike from Tashigang Gompa to Lungchotse

This morning, you will drive to just above Hongtsho below Dochu La where you will turn onto a farm road and drive about 30 minutes to Tashigang Gompa. Here, you can visit the Gompa – about 30 monks live here during the warmer months. From the monastery, you'll walk two hours up towards Lungchotse Gompa. From here, you will walk down another 1.5 hours to Dochu La pass at 3050 metres for a hot drink. Then, you'll continue your drive approximately two hours to the old capital, Punakha.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Zhingkham Resort4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Journey from Thimphu to Punakha with a hike from Tashigang Gompa to Lungchotse

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Punakha

Day 4

Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten

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Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten

You can hike an hour or so up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, 30 metres tall and dedicated to the fifth king. From the top, you will see a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding villages. On the way back, you can visit the Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. From here, you will cross one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan and continue hiking towards Mendrelgang. On the day, you can decide how far you'd like to hike with your guide and your driver will meet you.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Zhingkham Resort4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Punakha

Day 5

Travel from Punakha to Bumthang via Trongsa

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Travel from Punakha to Bumthang via Trongsa

This morning, you'll drive approximately 4.5 hours to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 2180 metres. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, commands the eye from miles away. You can also visit Ta Dzong, the museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty. You'll then continue a further 2.5 hours through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang, an area of high valleys at 2580 to 3100 metres.

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    Accommodation

    Jakar View Lodge

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trongsa Dzong

    Ta Dzong Museum Trongsa

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Punakha to Trongsa

    Private Driver from Trongsa to Bumthang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Punakha

    Trongsa

    Jakar

Day 6

Bumthang Sightseeing

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Bumthang Sightseeing

Today, you'll spend the day sightseeing in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with its many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces. Bumthang is the collective name for an area of four valleys - Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chumey. Your guide will take you on a fascinating walking and/or driving tour of a variety of sacred sites. You can also visit Bhutan’s largest Dzong (Jakar) overlooking the Chokhor valley and the famous Swiss cheese factory and dairy farm.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Jakar View Lodge

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bumthang Sightseeing

    Jakar Dzong

    Bumthang Swiss Cheese And Wine Shop

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Bumthang

Day 7

Day Hike to Babzur via Petseling Monastery & Overnight in Tang

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Day Hike to Babzur via Petseling Monastery & Overnight in Tang

Today, you'll take a day hike to Babzur via Petseling monastery. You'll hike for around 1.5 hours to a tiny village called Changbi where you will be welcomed with hot tea and snacks arranged by your guide. You'll continue on to Petseling monastery, home to around 70 monks. From here, you will have a panoramic view of the Bumthang valley. You'll then continue on to Babzur and after lunch here, you'll walk for another 1.5 hours then your driver will meet you and take you to Tang.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Tang Ugyencholing Guest House

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Day Hike to Babzur via Petseling Monastery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Padtselling Monastery to Tang Gewog

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Jakar

    Bumthang

Day 8

Ugyencholing Palace, Hike to Kuenzangdrak & Journey to Chumey

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Ugyencholing Palace, Hike to Kuenzangdrak & Journey to Chumey

Today you can visit Ugyencholing Palace still owned by a descendant of the Bhutanese aristocracy and now housing a fascinating museum. Then, you'll drive to start your walk for a couple of hours to Kuenzangdrak which is located on the face of a cliff. It was founded by Terton Pema Lingpa, the treasure revealer, in the 15th century and it consists of three temples. After, you'll drive until you reach the village of Chumey, stopping at Membar Tsho, one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Chumey Nature Resort

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ogyen Choling Palace and Museum

    Hike to Kuenzangdrak

    The Burning Lake

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ogyen Choling Palace and Museum to Kuenzangdrak

    Private Driver from Kuenzangdrak to Chumey Nature Resort

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bumthang

Day 9

A Day at Domkhar Local Festival

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A Day at Domkhar Local Festival

Today you will visit the Domkhar Local Festival, which takes place at Domkhar temple. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, or depicting significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of Bhutan's patron saint, Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche).

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Chumey Nature Resort

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Domkhar Local Festival

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bumthang

Day 10

Chumey to Gangtey & Explore Gangtey Gompa

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Chumey to Gangtey & Explore Gangtey Gompa

This morning, you'll drive approximately four hours to Gangtey at 2900 metres. You'll enjoy the views of the immense and remote Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges on the way. Upon arrival, you'll visit Gangtey Gompa (one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and recently extensively renovated) and explore the valley where the villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. This is the site where black-necked cranes visit in their hundreds in November each year.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gangtey Monastery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Chumey Natural Resort to Gangtey Monastery

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bumthang

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 11

Day Hike in Phobjikha Valley

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Day Hike in Phobjikha Valley

Today you can do a day walk around the Phobjikha Valley. You can start your walk at Khewang temple. Then, you'll continue walking along the farm road towards Gophu and Dogsena villages. You'll then continue your walk up to the top of the village called Pangsa village then to Jangchub Gompa. You'll then walk uphill towards Gangtey Gompa, through forests of blue pine trees covered with lichen. Your car can collect you whenever you are ready. In total, the walk is around seven to eight kilometres.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Day Hike in Phobjikha Valley

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 12

Gangtey to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang

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Gangtey to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang

Today you'll return to Paro, a drive of approximately 5-6 hours, via Wangdi. Wangdi (also known as Wangdue Phodrang) was originally considered Bhutan’s secondary capital and it commands an important central position. Sadly, Wangdi Dzong was gutted by fire in June 2012, destroying in a few hours not only a magnificent building that had stood proudly for hundreds of years. Renovation work is underway but meanwhile, there is little now to see in Wangdi and after a brief stop continue on your way.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Olathang3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Wangdi sightseeing

    Free Time in ParoOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bumthang to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Paro

Day 13

Paro Sightseeing

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Paro Sightseeing

Today, you'll spend the day exploring Paro. You can visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). You can see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. Near to the museum, you may also be able to see a demonstration of traditional woodturning skills by local artisans.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Olathang3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Paro Sightseeing

    Paro Ta Dzong National Museum

    Rinpung Dzong

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 14

Hike to Tiger's Nest

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Hike to Tiger's Nest

Today, you'll take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. Tiger's Nest is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria with a spectacular view of the monastery. After, your guide will suggest something for you to see.

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    Accommodation

    Hotel Olathang3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Tiger's Nest monastery

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 15

Departure Day

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Departure Day

We hope you've enjoyed these 2 weeks in Bhutan. Early in the morning, your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

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What’s included?

  • 14 nights accommodation
  • 20 activities
  • 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

Please note that the rate quoted includes a mandatory government tax of 200 USD per person per day. This is a flat tax that is payable by all tourists travelling to Bhutan.
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