Western Bhutan Tour – 7 Days

International Airport lies in a green valley surrounded by mountains and traditional houses. Your Bhutanese guide will greet you at the airport and accompany you on a drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city.

Savor views of the Himalayan Mountains and rustic farms as the highway weaves past the countryside. After reaching Thimphu, check into your hotel and get some rest. Later in the evening, you can take a stroll around the city.

Overnight in Thimphu.

You start your exploration of Thimphu by visiting the King's Memorial Chorten. The Chorten is a massive white stupa built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. He is regarded as the 'Father of Modern Bhutan' for bringing modern reforms and opening Bhutan to outsiders.

Next, you will visit the School of Arts and Crafts or National Institute of Zorig Chusum and discover the students learning the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. There's a small gift shop inside the institute where you can buy handicraft items made by the students.

Later you head to a hill overlooking Thimphu city to experience the grandeur of one of the biggest sitting Buddha statues in the world. Known as Buddha Dordenma, the enormous gilded statue of Lord Buddha holds 1,25,000 small statues of Buddha inside.

After taking pictures and enjoying the panoramic view of the city and the mountains, you drive down to the Royal Takin Preserve and watch the unique national animal of Bhutan grazing inside the reserve.

Your guide will also take you to the Junshi Handmade Paper factory, where you can experience the traditional art of paper making or Deh-sho using the barks of trees.

A tour of Thimphu city is incomplete without a visit to the grand Tashichho Dzong, and your guide will take you there. The dzong, dating back to the thirteenth century, houses government offices, monastery, chapels, and the king's throne room.

You head back to your hotel after an eventful day and take a well-deserved rest,

Overnight in Thimphu.

Leaving Thimphu, you get on the road and drive past a scenic highway. On the way, you stop at the mountain pass of Dochula, from where you can enjoy stunning views of Bhutan's tallest peaks. The pass is decorated with 108 chortens built in memory of the slain Bhutanese army men who lost their lives in the line of duty.

After reaching Punakha, your sightseeing tour begins.

You will visit Chimi Lakhang or the Fertility Temple, which is a popular pilgrimage site for childless couples. The temple built in the fifteenth century is said to have been blessed by the Divine Madman or Drukpa Kuenley, the patron saint of Bhutan. You will have to hike through paddy fields and farms to reach the temple.

Later you will visit the Punakha Dzong, the most famous landmark in Punakha. The beautiful fortress is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pa Chuu rivers. The magnificent fortress houses government offices, monasteries, and chapels.

Overnight in Punakha.

Today you will take a drive to the picturesque Gangtey or Phobjika Valley. Nestled beneath the Black Mountains, this vast glacial valley is the winter home of the Black Necked Cranes. The cranes stay in the valley from October to February. You will get to visit the Crane Information Centre and learn more about these endangered birds.

Before leaving Gangtey, you will visit the ancient Gangtey Gompa, the largest Nyingmapa Monastery in Western Bhutan. From the monastery, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the vast Gangtey Valley. The gompa holds the annual Black-necked Crane festival, which is quite popular among locals and tourists.

Overnight in Gangtey.

After a delightful stay, you bid goodbye to Gangtey and drive towards Paro. On the way, you will visit the grand Druk Wangyel Lakhang, built in memory of the fourth king of Bhutan. The temple lies close to the Dochula Pass, and one can enjoy 360-degree view of the surrounding valleys and mountains from here. Inside the lakhang are paintings and murals of the royal family and Buddhist deities.

After a long drive, you finally reach Paro. Head to your hotel and retire early as you have a busy day tomorrow.

Overnight in Paro.

Wake up early and have your breakfast. Your driver will drop you off at the trailhead of the Tiger's Nest Hike. Led by your knowledgeable Bhutanese guide, you start your hike toward one of Bhutan's iconic pilgrimage sites. According to Buddhist legend, Padmasambhava flew to this site on the back of a tigress from Tibet. His meditation cave is located inside the monastery.

Taktsang Monastery or Tiger's Nest is perched on a cliff and can be accessed by hiking through a moderately difficult trail for 2 to 3 hours. If you don't want to walk the whole way, you can hire a pony (rental charge is not included in your package) which will take you up to the cafeteria or the midpoint of your hike.

You will have a gentle start through a dirt trail shaded by pine and fir trees. From the path, you can see the monastery looming above the hill. The ascent is tough on your legs, but there are many photo opportunities en route. You can enjoy gorgeous views of the Himalayan Mountains and Paro Valley. You stop for rest and refreshment at the Taktsang Cafeteria. Later you continue your journey and walk the final few steps to the monastery. After exploring the monastery, you descend to the car park and return to your hotel in Paro.

Overnight in Paro.

After a week of traveling through this ancient kingdom and creating some unforgettable memories, it's time to bid goodbye to Bhutan and head home. Your guide will escort you to the Paro International Airport on time to catch your flight.