Tour Overview
| Duration | 10 Days / 9 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Bhutan — Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa & Bumthang (Asia) |
| Price From | $3,095 per person (twin share, incl. SDF) |
| Tour Style | Comprehensive Spiritual & Cultural Journey |
| Data Source | Agate Travel Bhutan 2026 pricing |
Itinerary Highlights
Days 1-3: Thimphu & Punakha
Arrive Paro, transfer to Thimphu for the capital’s highlights: Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong. Cross Dochula Pass to Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong and fertility temple Chimi Lhakhang. Overnights in Thimphu and Punakha.
Day 4: Phobjikha Valley — Black-Necked Crane Sanctuary
Journey to the glacial Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Monastery and walk the nature trail. Observe black-necked cranes (October-February). Overnight in Phobjikha farmhouse.
Day 5: Phobjikha to Trongsa — The Gateway to Central Bhutan
Drive across Pele La Pass (3,300m) with views of Mount Jomolhari. Arrive at Trongsa, whose massive dzong (1644) is the ancestral home of the Wangchuck dynasty — every Bhutanese king must first serve as Trongsa Penlop (governor) before ascending the throne. The dzong’s strategic position, built across a mountain spur above a gorge, once controlled all east-west trade. Visit the Tower of Trongsa museum in a 1652 watchtower. Overnight in Trongsa.
Day 6: Trongsa to Bumthang — The Spiritual Heartland
Cross the Yotong La Pass (3,400m) into Bumthang, considered Bhutan’s spiritual heartland — a region of four valleys (Chokhor, Tang, Ura, Chumey) holding the country’s oldest temples. Visit Jakar Dzong (1549), the “Castle of the White Bird” overlooking Chamkhar Valley. Afternoon: Jambay Lhakhang, built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, and Kurjey Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche left a body imprint on a rock wall. Bumthang produces Bhutan’s finest honey, cheese, buckwheat noodles, and apple brandy. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 7: Bumthang Valley Exploration
Full day exploring Bumthang’s sacred sites: Tamshing Lhakhang (1501), founded by the treasure-revealer Pema Lingpa and housing uncensored 16th-century wall paintings; Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), a narrow gorge where Pema Lingpa dove with a butter lamp and emerged holding treasure texts; and the Swiss farm where you can sample Bumthang cheese and Red Panda beer (Bhutan’s first craft brewery). Walk the Ura Valley, a cluster of traditional stone houses among buckwheat fields. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang to Punakha
Long but scenic drive back west (6-7 hours), retracing the route through Trongsa and over the passes with a different light. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 9: Paro & Tiger’s Nest
Drive to Paro for the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) hike — the iconic cliffside monastery. Evening: farewell dinner with traditional Bhutanese cultural performance. Hot stone bath. Overnight in Paro.
Day 10: Depart Paro
Kyichu Lhakhang and last views of the Paro Valley. Airport transfer.
Inclusions
- 9 nights accommodation (incl. farmhouse)
- All meals + SDF + visa included
- Licensed Bhutanese guide + private vehicle
- All dzongs, temples, museums entry
- Taktsang Monastery hike
- Bumthang Swiss farm cheese & beer tasting
- Traditional hot stone bath
- Airport transfers
