Bhutan Nature & Cultural Hiking Tours
12 Days
$3,890
Per Person
Overview
This cultural tour and day hike in Bhutan is a combined tour covering both cultural and natural majestic beauty of Bhutan to get the most out.
This tour includes day hikes to lead you to the imperial Dzongs (fortresses) that are fundamental to Bhutanese Buddhism, hike to the remote villages of Bhutan to explore their traditions and lifestyles, visit several monasteries, and on the way enjoy - the beautiful diverse landscapes. We finally end our tour by hiking to the Tiger Nest Monastery - the best part of this tour.
This day hike in Bhutan is one of the ideal ones as anyone can easily accomplish this which takes around 12 days to complete. This tour begins with a scenic airstrip to Paro where on the air we get beautiful views of Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake along with other Himalayan peaks. We then explore Paro by visiting several monasteries and then drive to Thimpu. On the way, we pass the Chele La pass to get the beautiful views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.
We be sightseeing Thimpu by visiting heritage museums, memorial chorten, art and paintings institute etc. Next, we drive to the ancient capital of Bhutan - Punkaha crossing the striking Dochu La Pass into the subtropical vales and if the weather permits, will also get the spectacular views of Himalayan peaks. We then visit the Punakha Dzong and as sightseeing, we visit some of the villages to experience the traditions and lifestyle of people living here. Next, we drive to Bhumthang to visit the ancient monastery - Jambay Lhakhang and many other including the Dzongs, etc.
We then have a sightseeing drive to Wangdue and then to Paro. Lastly, we will be hiking to the Taktsang monastery which is the focal point of this tour. We then wrap up and fly back to our destination.
This tour is designed for those people having a limited vacation time of 12 days or so to cover the rich culture, heritage sites and hike to the valley with the pristine subtropical environment. If the above mention days are not flexible with your schedule, then you can try some other ones from our galley as according to your vacation schedule. The best part of exploring Bhutan is that you can travel in every season. Other Himalayan countries have some specific season but Bhutan can be relished anytime. For more information about this tour, please feel free to contact or email us.
Here we list our itinerary for Bhutan Nature & Cultural Hiking Tour:
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro (2250m /7382ft)
As during your flight to Bhutan you will be witnessing the fabulous view of the Himalayas including with the Bhutan peak Jumolhari and Jichu Drake which are the sacred peak of Bhutan. As reaching the airport of Bhutan our representative team of Accent Himalaya will be greeting you and then they will take us to the respective hotel. After freshening up in the hotel we will start our tour where we will begin exploring first by visiting the Rinpung Dzong which means the fortress heap of jewels erected in 1646. After that we will be visiting the ancient temple of the Bhutan- Kichu Lhakhang then we will be heading to visit the Drugyal Dzong which was built by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal in 1646. We will be spending our night at Paro.
- Meal: Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Excursion to Chele La Pass then drive to Thimphu: 174km, 5 – 6 hours
After having our breakfast we will take a scenic drive to Chele La pass which is at 3810 meters. Hiking sideways the high crests spread with vibrant Buddhist prayer flags and the magnificent sights of Mt. Jumolhari and other several peaks as well as unbelievable panoramas into the vales beneath the pass. We will be having our lunch at the pass. Then we will be hiking down to the ridges to reach the Kila Gompa -Nunnery which is snuggled in a rugged patch beneath the pass and perched precariously sideways a rock face. We will be walking for a few miles via the dense forests and head towards the roadside and at road our car will be there and then our driver will drive us to Thimphu. We will be spending our night at Thimpu.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Sightseeing in Thimphu
In the morning after the breakfast we will be visiting the memorial Chorten which was built in the honor of the 3rd king who ruled over this country from 1952- 1972. Then after that we will be visiting the nunnery temple and the mini zoo of Bhutan and here we get to spot the national animal of Bhutan which is Takin and after that we will be exploring some of the landmarks of Thimpu and also we will be visiting the traditional medicinal institute and the traditional painting school, museum, Tashi dzong and the paper factory. As for Saturday and Sunday most of the landmark are usually closed so if we reach during the weekends then we will be exploring the Bhutan market. We will be spending our night at Thimpu.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha (1,250m/4,100ft): 76 km, 2 - 3 hours
Today after the breakfast our driver will drive us to Punakha and on the way we will stop at Dochu la Pass which is at 3100 meters to enjoy the stunning view of the Himalayas and then we will drive from the pass via the dense hemlock, fir and rhododendron forests. Before reaching Punakha we will transient through the rice fields alongside the river banks. Then we will have our lunch and then we will visit the Punakha Dzong one of the second largest and the second ancient dzong of Bhutan. We will be spending our night at Punakha.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Punakha Village Tour
Today we will drive to Punakha Dzong and then we will be walking across the suspension bridge and then following the way to farm houses we will progressively ascend to Dompola Hills and here we can enjoy the marvelous view of Dzong, Mo- chu and Pho –chu river and the incredible village surrounding with dense pine forests. After that we will be hiking uphill for two hours to reach Limbhukha-one of the beautiful village known for its serene nature. We will be touring the village and also explore their culture and their way of living. The people will serve you the local butter tea and the local wine called Chang. After finishing the tour and exploring the village we will get on the car and our drive will take us to the hotel of Punakha. We will be spending our night at Punakha.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Punakha to Bumthang (2,850m/9,350ft): 214 km, 7 hours
After having our breakfast our driver will drive us to Bumthang- the cultural heartland of Bhutan. The trail we will be heading is the windy trail where we will be crossing the Pele La pass which is at 3300 meters and on the way you might also get to spot yaks. For the lunch we will be stopping at Trongsa and after that we will be visiting the Trongsa Dzong and then we will head through the dense forests and valley to Bhumthang. On the way we will stop at Yathra- textile weaving factory and there we will be viewing the weavers designing the different textile. We will be spending our night at Bhumthang.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Sightseeing in Bumthang
We will be sightseeing Bhumthang by visiting the Jakar Dzong- the organizational center of the valley and after that we will be visiting the oldest monasteries Jambey Lhakhang and then Kurje Lhakhang one of the well-known sacred places which is said that in this cave there is a mark of the spiritual Guru Rimpoche where he did his meditation and in this cave there is mark of this Guru. And then we will be having our lunch at Tamshing Lhakhang and in the evening we can wander around the local shops. We will be spending our night at Bumthang.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: Excursion to Tang Valley then back to Bumthang: 84km, 3 hours
We will be exploring the Tang valley the most isolated valley of Bumthang as well as we will be also visiting the nearby villages. After that we will be hiking to Ugyen Chholing Palace one of the 16th-century old which was earlier huge hall now it has turned into a museum. Then we will be visiting Mebar Tsho which means Burning Lake. We will be spending our night at Bumthang.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Bumthang to Wangdue (1,240m/4,068ft): 197 km, 5 - 6 hours
Today we will be sightseeing the Bumthang market and our driver will drive us to Wangdue. We will stop for our lunch at Chendebji Chorten. It was constructed in the 18th century by lama Shida. Before reaching Wangdue we will be crossing the two remarkable high passes. We will be spending our night at Wangdue.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 10: Wangdue to Paro: 124 km, 4 - 5 hours
Today we will head to Paro and then we will stop at Metshina village and then we will be hiking for 20 minutes via the rice- fields to Chimi Lhakhang then we will reach at Dochu La pass after that we will be visiting Druk Wangyal monastery. We will be spending our night at Paro.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Today after breakfast we will be hiking to Taktsang also known as Tiger Nest Monastery which is situated on the high cliff at 3,180 meters which are the well-known monastery and most visited monastery by the travelers. It is said that Guru Rimpoche one of the spiritual masters of Buddhism has flown on the back of a tiger to meditate in the cave of Taktsang Monastery. We will be having our lunch at the cafeteria restaurant which is situated nearby midway to the mountain. After that we will be hiking down to the valley and then we will retrace back to Paro. We will be spending our night at Paro.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Final departure
Today the journey finally comes to an end and our team will drop you at the airport three hours than your flight so, you reach safely to your own destination.
- Meal: Breakfast
