12 Days Bhutan Tour

Arrive in Paro and drive to Thimphu. Thimphu is the nation’s crown, the district includes some of the most advanced and remotest parts of the Kingdoms. The capital city moves in step with the 21st century with a sophisticated urban lifestyle while the highlander places like soe, and Lingshi Naro are only accessible by foot over cold mountains. If time permits visit the folk heritage museum, Trashochhodzong the seat of the King, and the Largest standing Bhudha statue over looking Thimphu valley.

Distance: 60Km from Paro to Thimphu.
Driving Time: 1 Hour
Altitude: 2200m at Thimphu
Best places to visit in Thimphu. After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built-in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch, we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work.

Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the national government, and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel.

Distance: 80Km from Thimphu to Punakha.
Driving Time: 2.5 Hour
Max Altitude: 3200m at Dochula
Final Destination at Punakha is 1242m
Visit the old capital of Bhutan. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government.

The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952.

Distance: 80Km from Punakha to Phobjikha.
Driving Time: 3 Hour
Altitude: 2800m
The land of Black-necked cranes. After breakfast drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Before we proceed we visit the longest suspension bridge connecting village with Punakha dzong.

Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated with other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. Dinner and overnight at Home Stay.

Note: Nineteen local households have been trained to deliver homestay service in Phobjikha.

Distance: 91Km from Paro to Thimphu.
Driving Time: 3 Hour
Max Altitude: 3423m at Pelela Pass
Trongsa altitude is 2170m
Trongsa the places where Royal descended. After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong of Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and the first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. Overnight in Hotel.

Distance: 79Km from Paro to Thimphu.
Driving Time: 2.5 Hous
Max Altitude: 3436m at Yotongla Pass
Bumthang Altitude: 2800m
Visit the most scenic Bumthang. After breakfast drive to Bumthang. Bumthang is the most scenic place in Bhutan is home to some of the ancient and Kingdom’s most precious Buddhist sites. The elevation range from 2400m to 6000m above sea level. Upon arrival visit, the Castle of the White Bird (Jakar Dzong) built-in 1677. The Dzong functions as the administrative and religious seat of the district. Below the Dzong flows the river of Chamkhar which is famous for its healthy stock of trout. Overnight at Hotel.

Note: Yotong La is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.436m (11,272ft) above sea level, located in the Bumthang District of Bhutan. It’s one of the highest mountain roads in the country.

Bumthang is cultural hub of Bhutan. There are many secret sights in Bhutan and Bumthang has the highest. Our tour starts with Visit Jambay Lhakhang, built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here.

After lunch, Visit Chakhar (Iron Castle) Lhakhang, which is the site of the palace of the Indian King, the Sindhu Raja who invited Guru Rimpoche to Bumthang. The Original palace was made of Iron and hence the name Chakhar. We then visit Kurjey Lhakhang which is named after the body print of Guru Rimpoche, built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa. Visit Kunchosum Lhakhang. In the evening, visit Membarstho which literally means, “The burning Lake”. Overnight in Hotel.

Distance: 124Km from Bumthang-Ura-Bumthang.
Driving Time: 4 Hour
Max Altitude: 3423m at Pelela Pass
Ura Valley’s altitude is 2170m
Explore the oldest valley of Bhutan. The valley lies 3100m above sea level and Ura is the highest of the main inhabited valleys. It is one of the highest of the Bumthang valleys and is believed to be the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan.

Distance: 311Km from Bumthang to Paro.
Flight Time: 25 minutes
Paro Altitude: 2300m
25 minutes of flight from Batpalathnag airport to Paro airport. Our team from Tour Bhutan will receive you at the airport and drive you to Drugyel Dzong for sightseeing. The victory of Dzong is recently restored after it was completely destroyed by fire. Explore the Dzong and on a clear day, you can see the Majestic Mt. Jumolhari. On the way back visit 6th-century Kichu Monastery. Over Night at Hotel.

Tour the Paro District. The wide and fertile Paro valley has both an ancient and a modern face. It is home to some of the most revered temples in the Kingdom and it also boasts the only International airport in Bhutan. With annual bounties of paddy, Parois justly considered to be the rice bowl of the Country. Spread over 1285.5sqkm the region’s farms produce some of the finest yields of Bhutan staple red rice. Some of the best places to visit in Paro are Paro Dzong, Tiger Nest Temple, Taa Dzong, and Paro Town. Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.

Hiking Distance: 12 km from Paro Base Camp.
Hiking Time: 3 Hours
Max Altitude: 90m above Paro Valley
Hike 3 hour’s uphill walk from the base camp and enjoy the best view of Paro valley from the monastery. The monastery also offers great selfies for those who love to take pictures.

Your 12 Days Tour in Bhutan ends today. Our Guide and driver will see you off at the Paro airport or drive you to Phuntsholing border.