6 Days Best of Bhutan Tour
6 Days Best of Bhutan Tour
On this 6 Days 5 Nights adventure through the hearts of 4 western districts of Bhutan, you’ll go on nature hikes and appreciate the pristine natural environment, explore and ramble through rural villages and gain firsthand experience on its culture and people. Come visit Bhutan with us and explore one of the most unique and extraordinary countries in the world.Bhutan remained isolated for centuries from the rest of the world until it opened its door to the outside world in the 1960s. Bhutan is one of the most beautiful and least traveled countries in the world and the last living Vajrayana Buddhist Kingdom.Bhutan has both natural beauty and cultural wealth so carefully preserved and passed down from generation to generation, that visitors are not surprised to hear its nickname ‘Kingdom of Happiness’.
Book This ExperienceA glimpse of the journey
Your Itinerary
A curated journey through the experience
National Museum of Bhutan འབྲུག་གི་འགྲེམས་སྟོན་ཁང་།
We then drive to the capital city Thimphu. The total driving distance is 55km and takes about 1.5 hours.
3 hoursGagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
Arriving in Thimphu, you'll visit one of the weaving centers. Weaving is an integral part of the Bhutanese culture and tradition. You will see both men and women at work weaving some of the most intricate designs and sophisticated patterns of traditional Bhutanese textiles.
45 minutesBuddha Dordenma
Day 2: Hike to Tango Monastery & Sightseeing in Thimphu
30 minutesTango Gompa
After the hike, drive back to the town where traditional lunch will be served at one of the traditional restaurants.
3 hoursNational Institute for Zorig Chusum
After lunch at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving). These thirteen arts and crafts are an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage that has been practiced from time immemorial. If the class is in session when you arrive, you will be allowed to enter the classroom and observe students as they get hands-on training.
45 minutesNational Library and Archives of Bhutan
Visit National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as a national treasure of Bhutan and fundamental source of Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts and culture
45 minutesChanglimithang Stadium & Archery Ground
Day 3: Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha valley (1200m)
30 minutesDochula Pass
After early breakfast, drive to Punakha valley via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass. About 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan. Before the construction of these beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Choetens (stupas) in 2004, this mountain pass remained only as a sacred place blessed by a famous Buddhist saint, Lam Drukpa Kuenley in the late 15th century. From Dochu La Pass, we will continue driving towards Punakha, passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually and the road winds through the pine trees. You will feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to a warmer subtropical valley at 1,200m.
2 hours 30 minutesChimi Lhakhang Temple
Chimi Lhakhang is located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha about 20-30 minutes walk through beautiful terraced rice fields and traditional farm houses. The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 15th-century Tibetan Lama Drukpa Kunley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” for his obscene behavior and outrageous ways of cleansing people from religious dogmatism and egoistic self-possession by exhibiting his strong desire for sex. One of the relics of Chimi Lhakhang is a phallus. The blessing of the phallus is considered sacred particularly to couples who are unable to have children as it brings fertility giving them the ability to bear offspring. Because of this belief, people like to call Chimi Lhakhang as “Temple of Fertility”.
1 hourPunakha Dzong
From there walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan which runs over the Phochu (male river), one of the two glacial-fed rivers which form confluence near the Punakha Dzong.
2 hoursPunakha Suspension Bridge
Day 4: Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten / Transfer back to Paro valley (2200m)
40 minutesKhamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
After breakfast, drive to the nearest road head and then hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten and then after lunch transfer to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey. Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten: Located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper coloured mountains). From the nearest road head, you walk across a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields and a short climb before reaching the peaceful chorten. Normally it takes just under one hour to reach the serene site of the marvelous chorten. The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile Punakha valley.
2 hoursMochu Rafting Point
(OPTIONAL) White Water Rafting on Mochu River: If interested, you can go white water rafting on Mochu river graded 1-2 making it possible for all ages to try and experience rafting. The rafting distance on Mochu is 10kms and takes around 1.5 hours maximum. One raft which carries 6-8 passengers will cost around USD200 which is divided equally among the passengers. The best season for rafting is from March to June and September to November. After lunch, we drive to Paro via Dochula Pass. The total driving distance is 115 and takes about 3.5 hours.
2 hoursKyichu Lhakhang
Day 5: Hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery & later visit a beautiful farmhouse for home-cooked local cuisine
30 minutesParo Taktsang
After early breakfast, hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery. Originally built in 1692, the iconic sacred site Taktsang is perched on the 800-meter rock cliff above the valley floor. The round trip hike takes about 4-5 Hours for most visitors. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up to the midpoint (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria). The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan but also “a must-visit” place for tourists. After lunch at the Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria, we retrace our steps back to the base where the driver will be waiting.
5 hoursAum Choden Homestay
Day 6: Transfer to Paro International Airport
3 hoursParo International Airport
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- Visa Fee & Processing. You'll receive your e-Visa within 4-5 business days.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) and light snacks
- Twin-sharing accommodations at 3-star hotels certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan.
- Entry fee for National Museum
- All ground transportation including round trip airport transfers
- Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide.
- Medical treatment at a hospital in Bhutan if you sustain injuries while in Bhutan
- All internal taxes for the services listed above
- Accommodation included: 5 nights
- Entry/Admission - Aum Choden Homestay
- Entry/Admission - Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Entry/Admission - Punakha Suspension Bridge
- Entry/Admission - Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
- Entry/Admission - Tango Gompa
- Entry/Admission - Dochula Pass
Not Included
- Travel insurance is highly recommended.
- International flights. Let us know if you need help with arranging flights to and from Bhutan.
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges
- Gratuity to guide and driver
- Emergency evacuation
- Guide speaking other major languages can be arranged for an additional fee.
- Any other expenses of personal nature
- All Entry fees except for National Museum
Good to Know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- This tour can be customized and run on a private basis just for you and your group.
- We highly recommend booking at least a few months before the departure date so that we have enough time to ensure the flights are available. If you already have flight tickets to and from Bhutan, we can take bookings up to a week before the departure date. To process visa, it only takes 4-5 business days.
- There are only two airlines that connect Bhutan with the outside world and so securing air tickets can be difficult especially during the months of high season. Currently, Bhutan is connected with these cities - Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore. We recommend you book your international flights a few months in advance especially if you plan to visit during the high season months of March to May and September to November. If you need help in arranging flights to/from Bhutan, please let us know much in advance.
- After you book the tour, kindly send us clear passports copies of all the participants. A biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. Passports should have a minimum of 6 MONTHS validity from the day you depart from Bhutan. You may also want to check the passport requirements by your next destination country after Bhutan. A copy of your e-Visa will be emailed to you once it is approved. It only takes 4-5 business days to get visa approval and it is 100 percent guaranteed as long as we receive clear passport copies of all the participants. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival. Send the passport copies to the Local Supplier E-mail address.
- Youth between the ages of 13-18 MUST send us a copy of their valid Student Photo ID Card/Document to keep the discounted price. Without a copy of valid Student Photo ID Card/document, the full adult price will apply.
- Most travelers can participate
- Participants below the age of 18 years old MUST be accompanied by at least one full-paying adult.
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
- All tourists are required to provide a full COVID-19 vaccine certificate and a negative RT-PCR test taken not more than 72 hours before the date of entry.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Tickets & Cancellation
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 percent cancellation fee.If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.