Experience the essence of Bhutan on this 9-day luxurious cultural tour through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Phobjikha, with exclusive overnight stays at Six Senses 5-star lodges. Travel in comfort as you explore iconic sites like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Punakha Dzong, and the peaceful Phobjikha Valley. Discover Bhutan’s rich heritage through ancient temples, traditional arts, and spiritual experiences. Along the way, enjoy exceptional wellness treatments, stunning landscapes, and gourmet Bhutanese cuisine. This journey offers the perfect blend of culture, nature, and luxury for an unforgettable Himalayan escape.
Overview
Tour Highlights:
- Hike to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro
- Discover Bhutanese arts, crafts, and the Giant Buddha in Thimphu
- Visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s most beautiful fortress
- Walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility
- Explore the tranquil Phobjikha Valley, home to black-necked cranes
Tour Plan
Day 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport
- Get blessings at the oldest temple Kichu lhakhang, built in 629 AD by a Tibetan king.
- Visit Paro Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower turned into one of the best museums of Asia.
- Rinpung Dzong “Fortress of the Heap of Jewels.”
- Time at your leisure
- Overnight in Paro/ Six Senses 5* (Alt; 2320m).
Day 2: Thimphu Cultural Tour
- Drive to Thimphu (60km/ 1hr). Thimphu is a charming capital city nestled at the heart of Himalayas.
- Sangay-gang where the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin, is found in captivity.
- Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue, which offers a spectacular view of Thimphu city is one of the biggest in the world.
- Visit the General Post Office. You can create personalized postage stamps with your own photo for souvenir or sent home on postcard.
- The Tashichhoe Dzong, the main secretariat building, the office of the King and Throne room and also the house of the State Monastic Body.
- Evening at your leisure
- Overnight in Thimphu / Six Senses 5*
Day 3: Spiritual Hike to Tango Cheri
- After breakfast, drive 14 km away from Thimphu city and hike to the picturesque Tango Cheri . Hike to Cheri monastery glued to the rocky cliff 300m above the river valley. (2hr hike).
- Visit the holy shrines, and spend some time meditating. It’s believed here meditation happens on its own.
- After picnic lunch by the river side at the base, drive back to Thimphu
- Circumambulate around Memorial Chorten (huge stupa). This is the favorite spot for the locals of all age to chant mantras, prostrate, pray and practice their devotion.
- Visit the Farmer’s Weekend Market for organic fruits & nuts
- Overnight in Thimphu/ Six Senses 5*
Day 4: Gangtey Valley Expedition (155km/ 4-5hr)
- Drive on different vegetation of alpine, subtropical and glacial. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the north western tip of the Black Mountain. It’s also one of the roosting grounds of the Black-necked cranes.
- En route stop by Dochula pass (3150m) to enjoy spectacular views of the eastern Himalayan mountain range. Stroll around 108 stupas and enter Drukwangyel (Royal temple).
- On arrival, embark on the Nature trail hike across the refreshing Blue-pine forest to Kewa village (1hr hike). Visit a farmhouse for traditional butter tea and snacks.
- Visit the Crane Info Centre to watch the Black Necked Cranes in their natural inhabitants
- Free to walk around village or drive to your hotel for rest.
- Overnight in Phobjikha / Six Senses 5* (2900m)
Day 5: Phobjikha - Longtey Hike
- After breakfast,embark on the Longtey Hike, starting with a 30-minute drive from Phobjikha to Longtey village, located along the East-West highway.
- Begin the hike, which is approximately 7–8 km long and takes around 5–6 hours.
- The trail ascends through lush forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, with occasional views of the valley below.
- Enjoy scenic viewpoints that offer sweeping vistas of the Phobjikha Valley and surrounding mountains.
- Reach the summit, where you’ll find a small monastery and fluttering prayer flags.
- Take time to rest and immerse in the tranquility of the area, with a chance for reflection or meditation.
- Descend the same trail, heading back to the starting point.
- After the hike, return to your accommodation
- Overnight Phobjikha/ Six Senses 5*
Day 6: Discovering Punakha & Wangdue (65km/ 2.5hr)
- In morning, visit Gangtey gomba; the largest Nyingma Monastery of the kingdom. Interact with the monks
- En route drive for mountain-view at Pele La pass (3,300m). It’s common to spot yaks along this pass.
- On arrival, visit the Punakha Dzong, "Palace of the Great Happiness". This beautiful fortress lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female river.
- Try walking on the 200m suspension bridge above Phochu river to Gidagom village
- Easy hike along the Metshina village to Chimi lhakhang, a solitary “fertility temple” where a childless couple who comes to pray is usually blessed with a child.
- Overnight in Punakha & Wangdue/ Six Senses 5* (Alt; 1240m)
Day 7: Day Excursion to Talo & Nobgang Village
- After breakfast, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which takes about an hour. The Queen of Bhutan built the stupa in 2004 and sits on a hill and looks over the Punakha Valley.
- Drive to Talo and Nobgang village, the native village of the four Queen mothers. These villages are spread out on the hillsides and are famous for being very clean and tidy compared to other villages in Punakha.
- Visit the Sangchen Lhundup Nunnery along- side the hill and spend time with the nuns
- In the evening, drive back to Punakha.
- Overnight in Punakha & Wangdue/ Six Senses 5*
Day 8: Getaway to Dzongdakha & Paro Detour (174 km/ 5hr)
- En route stop for coffee at Drukwangyel Café and enjoy distant snowcapped mountains.
- After check in at Paro, visit the Dzongdakha Monastery. This ancient beautiful monastery is also a pilgrim spot for the locals.
- In evening, leisurely stroll around Paro town and shop for souvenir.
- Overnight in Paro / Six Senses 5* (Alt; 2280m)
Day 9: Excursion to Mystical Taktsang
- After a wholesome breakfast, hike up the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and scenic icon. Tiger’s Nest clings to sheer cliffs of 900m above Paro valley.(4-5hrs round trip).
- Picnic lunch at the hillside cafe with close Tiger’s Nest view.
- Overnight in Paro/ Six Senses 5*
Day 10: Depart from Paro International Airport
- Our representative will bid you farewell at the airport. TashiDelek!
Included
- Visa Fee
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Accommodation in 5 star hotels on twin sharing
- All meals ( breakfast, lunch and dinner )
- Entrance fees for monuments and cultural sites
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Airport transfer and all transportation
- Bottled water during the tour
- Picnics en route to other Six Senses Lodges
- Non-alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic items in minibar, laundry (averaging up to 3 pieces per person per day) and wifi at the lodges
- One 60-minute spa treatment per person
- All applicable taxes and service charges
Excluded
- International airfare to/from Bhutan
- Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses (phone calls, shopping, etc.)
- Alcoholic and specialty beverages
- Tips for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
- Additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Additional expenses due to unforeseen events (weather, flight cancellations, etc.)
Good to know
- More than 45 days before the tour: Free cancellation
- Within 30 days: 35% of the total cost
- Within 21 days: 50% of the total cost
- No-show in Bhutan: 100% of the total cost
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