8 Nights Bhutan Private Tour - Daily Departures

Day 1: Arrival in Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m)

1. Paro
   2h
   Arrive Paro & meet at the airport then transfer to Paro for lunch. Visit Paro Ringpung Dzong in Paro then drive to Thimphu. Proceed with sightseeing in Thimphu visiting King’s Memorial Chorten, Buddha’s point, Centenary farmer’s market, handicraft market etc.
2. Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point
   30m
   Paro airport is the only international airport in Bhutan.
3. Rinpung Dzong
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Paro Rinpung dzong is the center of attraction in Paro.
4. Thimphu
   8h
   Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan.
5. Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)
   30m · Admission ticket included
   King's Memorial Chorten is one of the sightseeing attractions of Thimphu.
6. Thimphu’s Weekend Market
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Weekend market is where the local farmers sell their rest and organic produces.
7. Thimphu Handicrafts Market
   30m
   Handicraft market is closer to the weekend market where one can find many collectible items for gifts etc.
8. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Buddha's point is the largest statue of Lord Buddha atop hill overlooking the beautiful Thimphu Valley.

Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha (1310m)

1. Thimphu District
   30m
   After breakfast, drive to Gangtey crossing over Dochla pass (3050m) which commands great views of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Getting closer to Punakha Valley, take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang ‘the fertility temple’ dedicated to Drukpa Kuneley. After driving for some time will soon reach Punakha.
2. Dochula Pass
   30m
   Dochula pass is en-route Thimphu to Punakha and commands spectacular Himalayan panorama of the eastern mountains in a clear day.
3. Chimi Lhakhang Temple
   45m
   Chimi Lhakhang is the temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley.
4. Wangdue Dzong
   Pass by
   Wangdue and Wangdue Dzong is en-route Thimphu to Gangtey.
5. Phobjikha Valley
   Pass by
   Phobijikha Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan.
6. Punakha
   8h
   Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan.
7. Punakha Dzong
   45m · Admission ticket included
   Punakha Dzong is arguably one of the most beautiful monasteries in Bhutan.

Day 3: Punakha – Gangtey (2320m)

1. Punakha
   30m
   After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. The road climbs up after Wangdue and reaches one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan 'Phobijikha Valley' and eventually to Gangtey.
2. Wangdue
   Pass by
   Wangdue is en-route Punakha to Gangtey.
3. Gangtey
   8h
   Gangtey is a beautiful village in Bhutan.
4. Phobjikha Valley
   Pass by
   Phobijikha Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan.

Day 4: Gangtey – Bumthang (2800m)

1. Gangtey
   30m
   Visit Gangtey Dzong at the center of Gangtey Village. Then drive towards Bumthang. En-route pass along Trongsa, a small highway town. Trongsa has the enormous fortress-monastery Trongsa Dzong. Further, continue drive will reach Bumthang.is a small town along Gangtey to Bumthang highway.

Day 5: Bumthang Valley – sightseeing and walks in Jakar

1. Bumthang District
   1 day
   After breakfast, go for cultural sightseeing around Bumthang visiting several monasteries and temples like Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang including Jakar Dzong. Afterward, back at the hotel.
2. Jambay Lhakhang Temple
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Jambay Lhakhang is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day.
3. Kurje Lhakhang
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Kurje Lhakhang is the final resting place of the remains of the first three Kings of Bhutan.
4. Tamshing Lhakhang Temple
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Tamzhing monastery was built in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. This temple is well known for most unique mural paintings.
5. 30m · Admission ticket included
   Thangbi Lhakhang is located beyond Kuje Lhakhang with an easy 2 hr walk through the beautiful upper Chhoekhor Valley from where the motorable road ends. It was founded in 1470 by the 4th Shamar Rinpoche (the red hat Karmapa)
6. Jakar Dzong
   45m · Admission ticket included
   Jakar Dzong is the monastery or fortress in Bumthang. It is located on a ridge above Jakar town in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang – Gangtey (2320m)

1. Bumthang District
   30m
   Trace the same route back to Gangtey from Bumthang passing along Trongsa en-route. Upon arrival, check-in hotel & take a rest or you can explore the beautiful Phobijikha Valley.
2. Trongsa District
   Pass by
   Trongsa is a little stopover from Bumthang to Gangtey highway.
3. Gangtey
   8h
   Gangtey is a small village in western Bhutan.

Day 7: Gangtey – Paro

1. Gangtey
   30m
   After breakfast, drive to Paro from Gangtey passing along Dochula pass and one more time to witness the eastern Himalayas from the pass.
2. Dochula Pass
   30m
   Dochula pass is en-route Thimphu to Punakha and commands a spectacular Himalayan panorama of the eastern mountains on a clear day.
3. Paro
   8h
   Paro is the entry and exit point of Bhutan if you are flying in/out of Bhutan.

Day 8: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery (3210m)

1. Paro
   1 day
   In the morning, drive to the base of Taktsang Monastery outskirts of Paro town then begin the hike up to the monastery. After two hour’s hike will reach the cafeteria from where a beautiful view of the monastery can be seen. Then further hike up to reach the monastery, explore around and head downwards to the road point. Drive to Paro en-route visit Kychi Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples of Bhutan.
2. Paro Taktsang
   6h · Admission ticket included
   Takstang monastery is the main highlight of any Bhutan tour. The monastery is perched in a vertical hillside defying all engineering logic where it's believed that Guru Padma Sambhava came on a back of a flying tigress from Tibet in the 8th century and meditated here, thus the name 'Tiger's Monastery'
3. Kyichu Lhakhang
   30m · Admission ticket included
   Kyichu Lhakhang is the oldest temple in Bhutan.

Day 9: Paro - Depart

1. Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point
   30m
   After breakfast, drive to the Paro International Airport for your onward flight to your next destination & bidding farewell to the land of the thunder dragon.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult