Country | Bhutan | Max-Altitude | 3,180m/10,430ft | ||
Trip Start | Paro, Bhutan | Trip End | Paro, Bhutan | ||
Group Size | Min 2, Max 12 | ||||
Meals | Breakfast throughout the trip | ||||
Accommodation | A and B category hotel throughout the trip |
Bhutan Cultural Tour with Day Hikes takes you to discover some of the ancient heritage sites in Bhutan, which can only be accessed by foot. Sitting shrouded in mist-covered hills and forests of pine and rhododendron, these secluded monasteries and dzongs are perfect destinations for day hikes.
Bhutan, the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon', is the perfect holiday destination for those who seek tranquil spaces and a unique cultural experience. With more than seventy percent of the total land area covered by forests, Bhutan is the greenest destination in Asia. Here in the quiet trails and rustic towns, you will find yourself connecting with nature while discovering the rich culture and heritage of the Bhutanese people.
Your seven-day Bhutan Cultural Tour with Day Hikes starts with an exploration of Paro, the city with the only international airport in Bhutan. Enjoy a visit to the famous Paro or Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lakhang. An invigorating hike to Zuri Dzong, a hilltop fortress overlooking the scenic Paro valley, sets the tone for the rest of the trip.
Your next destination is Thimphu, where you will explore the centuries-old Buddhist monasteries of Tango and Cheri. To reach these monasteries, you walk through a trail shaded by moss-covered hemlock, birch, and rhododendron trees. From Lungchuzeka Goemba, you can savor 360-degree views of the highest mountains in Bhutan.
In charming Punakha, you will visit the iconic Punakha Dzong and the sacred Chimi Lakhang or the Fertility Temple. You end your trip with a memorable hike to Tiger's Nest or Taktsang Monastery, a monastery built on an overhanging cliff face.
This short trip to Bhutan is an ideal holiday for passionate hikers and adventure-loving families traveling with kids. It is also a great option for those who have already visited Bhutan’s popular sites and are seeking to explore some hidden destinations.
Though spring and autumn provide the ideal conditions for traveling, Bhutan Cultural Tour with Day Hikes can be done year-round.
One can enjoy pleasant weather with clear skies and warm days during spring and autumn. Bhutan receives a lot of rainfall during the summer, while winter can be cold.
Included meals: No
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
The flight to Paro is an unforgettable experience as you fly above the Himalayan Range, the world's highest mountain range. Paro International Airport lies in the middle of a mountainous valley surrounded by hills, charming traditional houses, and paddy fields.
Our Bhutanese guide will welcome you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. After checking in, you can have your lunch and a bit of rest. Later your guide will take you to visit the historic Rinpung or Paro Dzong and the sacred Kichu Lakhang.
Built in the seventeenth century, Paro Dzong stands atop a hill overlooking Paro. This fortress was used by the Bhutanese army during medieval times to fight the rival Tibetan troops. This majestic dzong now houses a monastery and government offices.
Next, drive north of the city and explore Kichu Lhakhang, a Buddhist temple said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan king Songsten Gampo during the seventh century. Inside the sacred temple are ancient Buddhist relics and statues of Buddhist deities. Before heading back to your hotel, enjoy a stroll around the local market.
Overnight in Paro.
Included meals: No
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Distance: 1 hour drive (55km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Tashi Yoedling
You take an early morning hike to Zuri Dzong, an ancient fort located above the National Museum or Ta Dzong. You will be driven to the trailhead next to the museum, and from there, you will take the dirt track leading to Zuri Dzong.
Overlooking the Paro Valley and surrounded by tall cypress trees, the six-storied Zuri Dzong was built in 1352 to defend Paro from marauding forces. It takes around thirty minutes to hike past a forested trail to reach the fort. Not many tourists frequent this place, and you can enjoy the superb views in peace.
Later you check out of your hotel and head to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Distance: 1 hour drive (55km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Tashi Yoedling
Distance: 2 to 3 hours hike (4km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Tashi Yoedling
Today you hike to Tango and Cheri monasteries, which lie on two grassy hills to the north of Thimphu. The hike is easy on a well-maintained and paved path. The trail weaves through a thick forest of oak, rhododendron, and pine, where herds of deer and mountain goats frolic. You can savor fantastic views of the valley and mountains from the top.
Tango Monastery was established in the thirteenth century. It houses precious relics and six temples or lakhangs – Guru Lakhang, Trulku Lakhang, Longku Lakhang, Namsey Lakhang, Choeku Lakhang, and the Gonkhang. You can interact with monks while exploring the monastery.
Cheri Monastery lies on the next hill, and you have to cross a ridge to reach the nonastery. Established in the seventeenth century, Cheri or Chagri Monastery is an important teaching and retreat center for monks of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
After exploring the two monasteries and enjoying the natural views, you descend to the highway and drive back to your hotel.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Distance: 2 to 3 hours hike (4km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Tashi Yoedling
Distance: 2 to 3 hours hike (4km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Four Boutique Hotel
Leaving Thimphu, you drive towards your next destination, Punakha. En route, you stop by Dochula Pass and take a short hike to Lungchuzekha Goemba.
The trail is guarded by tall moss-covered trees which grow close together. You feel as though you are taking a walk in an enchanted forest. On reaching the hilltop monastery, you can enjoy three sixty-degree views of the tallest mountains in Bhutan – Gangkhar Puensum(the tallest unclimbed mountain in the world), Jomolhari, Table Mountain, and Masang Gang.
Later walk down to the highway and continue your drive towards Punakha. On reaching Punakha, you check into your hotel and take a well-deserved rest.
Overnight in Punakha.
Distance: 2 to 3 hours hike (4km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Four Boutique Hotel
Distance: 4 hours drive (120km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Explore the old capital city of Bhutan. Before Thimphu rose into prominence and became the most important city, Punakha was the capital of this tiny Himalayan kingdom. This beautiful city is home to the majestic Punakha Dzong and numerous sacred Buddhist sites. Your guide will take you to explore the Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lakhang Temple.
Built at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers, the seventeenth-century Punakha Dzong is one of Bhutan's most beautiful traditional fortresses. Inside the massive dzong are government offices, a monastery, and temples.
Later your guide will take you to Chimi Lakhang, or the Fertility Temple, which is an important pilgrimage site for childless couples. To reach the temple, you have to walk past paddy fields and traditional farms.
After exploring the temple, you will be driven back to Paro.
Overnight in Paro.
Distance: 4 hours drive (120km)
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Distance: 5 to 6 hours hike
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Today you will visit a sacred and iconic Buddhist monastery. You will hike to Taktsang Monastery or Tiger's Nest, which is built on the exposed face of a rocky cliff. Depending on your pace, it takes around 2-3 hours to ascend the hill where the monastery is located.
You take a ride to the base of the hill, which lies about 10 kilometers to the north of Paro. After reaching the trailhead, your guide will purchase the entrance tickets, and you will start your hike.
It's an upward ascent on a dirt trail shaded by pine and rhododendron trees. During spring, the path comes alive with beautiful red and pink rhododendron blooms. Midway there's a café where you can stop for refreshment. To reach the monastery, you will have to climb down and up a stone staircase.
Photography inside the monastery is not allowed, so you must leave your phone and camera in a locker. Inside is the cave where Guru Padmasambhava or the Second Buddha meditated after arriving at this location on the back of a flying tigress. After exploring the monastery, you descend to the highway and return to your hotel.
Overnight in Paro.
Distance: 5 to 6 hours hike
Included meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Included meals: Breakfast
It's time to bid goodbye to Bhutan and head homewards. Our driver will drop you off at the Paro International Airport well on time to catch your flight.
Included meals: Breakfast
During your travel, you will be staying at Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro, Hotel Tashi Yoedling in Thimphu and The Four Boutique Hotel in Punakha. All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. A single supplement will be served on request and will cost USD 350. 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 the booking, A and B-category hotels will be provided in this tour. You will be accommodated in A category hotel in Paro and Thimphu and B category hotel in Punakha.
Breakfast is included during your stay in Bhutan. A variety of meals are available in most hotels – the most popular being Indian, Chinese, and the more common continental food. Non-vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan - pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advice is to ask the hotel and restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season.
Spring and Autumn are the most popular time to visit Bhutan. During Spring, one can experience cultural Bhutanese festivals, especially during April and May. It is also warmer and skies are clearer for amazing sightseeing tour. The climate is also favorable during Autumn (September and October) for a perfect hiking holiday exploring ancient fortress of Bhutan.
Yes, of course you can visit Bhutan during Summer/Monsoon (June to August) and Winter (December to February). You can enjoy the hiking tour with less crowd but the climatic conditions are not quite favorable during these seasons. Summer and Monsoon will be wet and the winter has very cold weather, thus you may not experience the best holidays in Bhutan during these seasons.
Visa confirmation letter is the first important document, so keep it with you all the time and make a copy of it too. We shall help in your visa processing for Bhutan prior to the start of your trip.
Also take a copy of your tour itinerary with you.
You can carry up to 20 kg in economic class and 30 kg in business class. An extra 5 kg is also allowed to store in overhead baggage bin or under passenger’s seat.
Yes, definitely. We can arrange you a private tour too as per your demand and flexibility but under Bhutanese state laws.
We offer customization in the itinerary to our valued clients. After all it is you traveling and it must be beneficial to you according to your interests. Indeed, we have carefully crafted and specially designed our itinerary but you have the right to amend it and make necessary changes. Please let us know and we shall make changed accordingly.
You will travel in a comfortable, cleaned and well maintained 4WD car and Hiace. You can request for a change if you are not comfortable with it.
Meals are included on your trip cost. You can enjoy a variety of exotic food in the land of Thunder Dragon. Hotels serve Indian, Chinese and continental food as your wish. You can try the Emadatse, the national diet of Bhutan which is spicy chilies mixed with a cheese sauce. Both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes will be available. Red and white rice will be served in all the meals. You may ask the hotel/restaurant for better sugge
It is better to purchase mineral water which is readily available all along the Bhutan tour. Choose the recognized brand rather than the local brands and avoid the tap water which is not quite safe.
stions regarding seasonal food.
It is better to purchase mineral water which is readily available all along the Bhutan tour. Choose the recognized brand rather than the local brands and avoid the tap water which is not quite safe.
Many people do not have altitude sickness problem though the altitude in Bhutan is higher. But this may be a problem to few ones. Altitude sickness can be avoided if you make some preparations before you arrive in Bhutan. Being physically fit and in good shape helps a lot. It is also advised that you consult your local doctor regarding AMS and medicines in case of emergencies.
All foreign nationals are required to obtain a visa in order to enter Bhutan. A Bhutanese Visa must be obtained prior to your arrival i.e. before entering in Bhutan because Druk Air allows boarding only after your visa clearance from Bhutan government. Since, no embassy abroad or foreign mission can grant a tourist visa, your visa needs to be processed by local tour operator, thus we will be assisting you to obtain tourist visa. Your passport must be at least 6 months valid after you leave Bhutan. Please send us a copy of your passport in order for us proceed to apply for the visa. Also, bring at least 3 recent passport photos (for your Bhutan Visa, Entry permit, etc.)
For further information please visit http://www.mfa.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/b...
It is mandatory for joining any of the Extollo Adventures trips is that all clients must be insured, it is strongly recommended that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. There could be comprehensive expenses that might incur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please note that we do not arrange or sell insurance.
You need to keep extra money to cover miscellaneous expenses. It is advised to carry US$ for personal expenses. This would be for travelers’ spending money for requirements like beverages both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, purchasing toiletries, souvenirs, paying for laundry service, bar bills, phone bills, extra porters, bottled water, tipping, and other services not listed and recreational expenses. You need to consider your own spending habits when it comes to using money for the above mentioned expenses. There could be unforeseen circumstances like natural calamities, landslides, political disturbances, strikes, changes in government regulations, flight cancellations etc that are beyond Extollo Adventures' control, for which emergency funds will be highly recommended.
Generally, we do not charge solo travelers any extra charge. You will be paired up with another traveler of same gender and hotel room will be provided on twin sharing basis in Bhutan. On request, you will be provided a single room in Bhutan with a single supplement charge.
Dress Code: One should remember to dress appropriately while visiting Dzongs, monasteries and temples.
Must wear:
Collared shirt (either full or half sleeve)
Full-length pants/long skirt
Shoes with socks
* Tie is not required.
You will not be allowed to enter if you are wearing:
Hats/caps
Shorts/short skirt
Slippers/sandals
T-shirts
Photography: Bhutanese in general pose for photographs. However, make sure to ask for permission from the concerned person before you take a shot. Taking pictures inside dzongs, temples, monasteries and museums are prohibited.
Smoking/Tobacco prohibition: Bhutan bans smoking in public places, and prohibits growing or importing tobacco. You must always be able to produce proof of purchase of products such as Invoice or bill at the airports or entry points (borders). On demand, you must also produce a receipt of tax payment, failing to adhere to this rules will result in third degree felony punishable by three years in prison.
The maximum number of tobacco or tobacco products a person can carry for personal consumption at a single time includes:
200 sticks of cigarette or
30 pieces of cigar or
150 grams of other tobacco and tobacco product
*Tobacco products imported from India shall pay 100% Sales Tax and from countries other than India shall pay 200% duty.
Have you read our ‘Trip FAQs’?
We have answered your each and every possible question; kindly have a glance through them.
If you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip, please feel free to contact us by email or call us anytime at locations and numbers convenient for you from the list attached above.
With a management office in California and operational center in Kathmandu, Extollo Adventures simplifies your trip preparations to various destinations.
Our travel experts will answer your every query through email, online chat or phone calls as per your convenience 24 hours, 7 days a week.
We are a licensed tour operator, located in the heart of San Francisco Bay area and have lasting partnerships with reputed banks.