12 Nights 13 Days Bhutan Tour
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A Brief Description
12 Nights/13 days in Bhutan
Experience the originality of Bhutan on this 12Nights 13Days Bhutan Tour of the Kingdom of the Thunder Dragon. A wealthy tour of the nation’s most gorgeous landscapes, ancient monasteries, and vibrant cultural heritage explores the inaccessible and untouched beauty of Eastern Bhutan. Begin in Paro, location of Bhutan‘s famous Tiger‘s Nest Monastery. Journey to the capital city, Thimphu, and visit the Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten, and bustling markets. Next, travel to the former capital city of Punakha, famous for the Punakha Dzong and Dochula Pass, with spectacular Himalayan views. Continue eastward through the serene Gangtey Valley, known for the endangered black-necked cranes, and Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland, where you’ll explore ancient monasteries like Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang.
Visit the off-the-beaten-path Eastern Bhutan. In Mongar, see for yourself the unique architecture of Mongar Dzong. Go to Trashigang, the largest district, with its remote villages and vibrant local markets. And experience the region‘s traditional weaving culture as well. Uncover Lhuentse, where Bhutan‘s royal dynasty had its roots, famous for its refined Kishuthara textiles and the regal Lhuentse Dzong. Backing your trip, travel to Trongsa, which is home to the majestic Trongsa Dzong, before you head back to Paro through Thimphu. Enjoy beautiful drives, cultural performances, and warm interactions with people.
This 12 nights/ 13 Days Bhutan Cultural Tour offers an ideal blend of culture, spirituality, and adventure, immersing you in the deeper treasures of Bhutan for a memorable experience.
- Hike to the Iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery – End your journey with a hike to the legendary Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan’s most iconic and sacred pilgrimage site.
- Explore the Capital City – Thimphu – Discover the cultural heart of Bhutan with visits to Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten, Folk Heritage Museum, and local artisan markets.
- Scenic Drive Over Dochula Pass – Enjoy panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayas and explore the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens along this picturesque mountain pass.
- Discover the Peaceful Phobjikha Valley – Explore the glacial valley home to Gangtey Monastery and the rare black-necked cranes (seasonal, November to March).
- Uncover Royal History in Trongsa – Tour the grand Trongsa Dzong and the Ta Dzong Museum, showcasing Bhutan’s monarchical past
- Explore Sacred Sites in Bumthang Valley – Visit the spiritual heartland of Bhutan with sacred temples like Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, and the Burning Lake
- Authentic Local Experiences – Enjoy a traditional farmhouse stay, taste Bhutanese cuisine, and participate in local customs and hospitality.
Day 01. Arrive to Paro –Thimphu
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air or Bhutan Airline, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks like Gangkar Puensum, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from Authentic Bhutan Tours– For Your Bhutan Experience! will warmly welcome & greet you on arrival, and then drive you to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through peaceful countryside. It’s a small & charming capital city located in the heart of the Himalayas.
Lunch will be served in Thimphu. Sangaygang Cross Country Hike, the hike is through the pine forest and we can see Thimphu Valley and Tashichho Dzong so beautifully from this hike. The hike will take about 1hr 30mins. Towards the evening, we will visit Tashi Chho Dzong, seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Stroll around Thimphu town.
Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel, Thimphu.
Day 02. Thimphu – Stay
After our breakfast at the hotel, we will do sightseeing in the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.
Memorial Chhorten, built in 1974 in the memory of third king late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhism and its philosophy. Buddha Point, to see the tallest Buddha Statue in the world. Mothithang minizoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin), Zulikha Nunnery, the Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Riley Jadrel and today it houses the sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practices. Folk Heritage Museum, this Folk Heritage Museum is a showcase, the 19-century farmhouse and the living style of the Bhutanese family.
Lunch in Thimphu town. After lunch, visit Paper Factory, where Bhutanese Traditional Papers & paper products are made. Weaving Center produces hand-woven textiles on site and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. This is one of the few places where you can watch weavers at work. Then stroll around the town visiting authentic Bhutanese handicrafts.
Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel.
Day 03. Thimphu – Stay
After our breakfast, we will do sightseeing in Thimphu. Drive to Dodena. Hike to Tango Monastery – The monastery is located 14km to the north of Thimphu. It was founded by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and built by Tenzin Rabgye, in 1688. Lunch picnic lunch at the riverside. Drive back to Thimphu via Kabesa Village. Visit to Pangrizampa Lhakhang. This temple was built by Lam Ngwang Chogyal, the great grandfather of Zhabdrung and this temple appeared in Zhabdrung’s vision which directed him from Tibet to Bhutan. Stroll around Thimphu Town. Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel.
Day 04. Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdi
After our breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Punakha valley, the old capital of Bhutan over Dochula pass. The pass is adorned with 108 small stupas and with many prayer flags. On clear days, you will see the panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges so beautifully. Then the road descends through lush forests to the fertile valley of Punakha & Wangdi Phodrang. Visit to Chhimi Lhakhang – the temple of fertility. Lunch will be served at Punakha. Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. It was the winter capital of Bhutan until 1955 when the capital was permanently shifted to Thimphu. It still served as the winter resident for the central monastic body. Longest Suspension Bridge in Bhutan – walk over the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha/Wangdi Hotel.
Day 05. Punakha/wangdi – Bumthang
After our breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Bumthang. The drive will take about 6hrs. The road will slowly ascend until Pelela passes (3400m). You may spot Yaks grazing along the roadside by Pele la Pass. The road descends through semi-tropical vegetation and an alpine environment, with rhododendron trees and dark green dwarf bamboo. You will stop by at Chendebji Chhorten, the chorten is patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed at this spot. As you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan appears on the far side of a deep valley.
Lunch will be served at Trongsa. Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan and it shows one of the most artistic and magnificent works of traditional Bhutanese architecture. Tower of Trongsa-Religion and Power in Bhutan. The Tower of Trongsa is a museum in which aspects of Bhutanese culture and history are explained by beautiful objects, while for others it is a sacred place of encounter with the gods.
Then continue the drive to Bumthang through the hairpin bends with the dense forest of rhododendron, conifers, alder and oak crossing Yotong La, 3425m. The road then comes out into a wide-open cultivated valley – which is the Chumey Valley, the first of Bumthang’s four valleys. From here the road goes on straight until we see Jakar Dzong and then drops into bends before straightening out again in the main valley at Chamkhar.
Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang Traditional Farmhouse.
Day 06. Bumthang Halt
Today’s day begins with visiting Jambay Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century. Kurjey Lhakhang, is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings. Tamshing Lhakhang – which was established by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501 and is the most important Nyingma Goenba in the country.
For Lunch in the Bumthang Lunch we will visit Mebertsho (Burning Lake) – This is a very sacred lake for Bhutanese people. Terton Pema Lingpa discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s hidden religious treasures from this lake.
In the evening we will visit Hot Stone Bath (Dhotsho) and try Traditional Archery at Farmers house. Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang – Traditional Farmers House.
Day 07. Bumthang – Lhuentsi
After the breakfast drive to Lhuentshi with picnic lunch over Thrumshingla. Lunch will be served around the Sengor area. On reaching Lhuentshi we will visit Lhuentshi Dzong – This Dzong also known as Lhundup Rinchentse. This dzong was built in 1654 by Trongsa Penlop, Chogyal Minjur Tenpa.
Then we drove to Khoma village – This village is known throughout the country for its signature woven textile, the Kishuthara. The women sit in a row of makeshift textile cottages, weaving intricate designs and patterns.
Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at Khoma Village – Traditional Farmhouse.
Day 08. Lhuentshi – Mongar
After our breakfast we will explore the Khoma Village – where you will see our young girls and women weaving so beautifully, interaction with them will be a great experience in your life. Lunch will be served at the farmhouse. Then we will drive to Mongar. Mongar Dzong – This Dzong was established in 1930 to replace the original Zhongar Dzong, although the original use dates from an early age. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel – Mongar.
Day 09. Mongar – Trongsa
After our breakfast we will drive back to Trongsa with a picnic lunch. On the way back offers another chance to view the amazing Himalayan ranges. Stop along the way to take photos wherever you find the best spot for the photography. Dinner and overnight stay at Trongsa Hotel.
Day 10. Trongsa – Phobjikha
After breakfast, we will drive to Gangtay, Phobjikha. Lunch will be at Phobjikha hotel.
Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang, which is one of the most important Lhakhang in Nyingpa Sect of school. Gangtey Natural Hike. The hike will take about 1hr 20 minutes through pine forest and farmhouses where we could see the Phobjikha Valley so beautifully. Phobjikha Valley is a glacial valley and is the winter home of the black-necked cranes. This valley is a designated conservation area and borders to Black Mountain National Park. Towards the evening – Visit to Gangtey Shedra – Get some basic teachings of Buddhism. Interaction with monks at Shedra. Walk around and explore the valley. Dinner and overnight stay at Traditional Farmhouse.
Day 11. Phobjikha – Paro
After breakfast, we will drive to Haa. The drive will take about 6hours. At Wangduephodrang we will visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, founded in 1638 by Lama Zhabdrung. Then continue the journey to Haa.
Lunch will be served on the way. On reaching Paro, we will visit the Paro National Museum. National Museum – is a cultural museum of Bhutan.
Evening stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro hotel.
Day 12. Paro Halt
Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “TigerNest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2hours and 30minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.
Lunch will be served at Taktshang cafeteria. While coming back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan king, who is also the manifestation of avoloketeshivara, commonly known to Bhutanese as Chenrize). Evening at leisure,
dinner and overnight stay at Paro Hotel.
Day 13. Paro – Airport
After our breakfast, we will drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.
Start planning your tailor-made Dream Holiday to Bhutan – The Land of happiness!
In order to experience the best and rewarding fulfillment clients must plan in advance the different logistics that you have in your minds before actually venturing into the world of trips. You might have wishes and hopes for which you need to plan.
The following information will help you to plan your dream trip to Bhutan.
1. When and how to visit Bhutan?
Choose your traveling date like Arrival/Departure date. You also need to choose entry/depart Bhutan via AIR or LAND.
By Air: Druk Air, the national carriers is the only service operator in the kingdom and operates several flights per week from Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi & Kolkata (India) and Kathmandu (Nepal) to Paro (Bhutan). The Paro International Airport is located about an hour and a half drive from Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Paro airport is daylight restricted, and the flights are totally dependent on the weather. As a result, sometimes flights are delayed. It is therefore a good idea to keep at least 24 hours of transit time for connecting flights out of Paro. You might also want to consider traveling on a non-restricted ticket so that if you miss a connecting flight, you can be rerouted or seated on the first available carrier.
Sometimes flights into Paro are disrupted because of unfavorable weather conditions. If this occurs, the flight will stop for the night at the transit airport. To be prepared, you may want to carry your essential personal items in your carry-on luggage.
By Land: Phuentsholing, a Bhutanese town in the southwest has road access to India. It is located about 170 km from the Indian domestic airport at Bagdogra, West Bengal. Phuentsholing is about 172 km from Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan and is about 6hours drive distance.
2. What are your itineraries?
All the tours can be customized and extended as per our valued client’s requirements. There are sample itineraries for your kind reference and it will give you some general idea of the likely trip scheduled.
Complete the tour request form and submit it to us. Send us correct name list. We will send you the flight reservation status via email.
After confirming your reservation, we need the scanned copy of member’s passport.
Please remit us full payments and send us the copy of remittance paper via email. Visa will not be accepted without full payment.
We will send you the flight ticket copy and Visa Clearance Copy prior to your departure to Bhutan via email. You need to print out and carry along with you.
Start packing and looking forward to have a memorable trip in the LandThunder Dragon, DrukYul.
Hot stone bath (Dhotsho) is a traditional bath of Bhutan, where a tradition of heating up stones and then soaking in the water that is in turn heated by the stones. This is also a curative method and is used throughout the country We Bhutanese belief that this bath has so much of medicinal benefits. Some diseases are curable-like joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorder, arthritis and many other minor
diseases. Especially for the old age, where we have lots of body pains, joints pains helps a lot by this Hot Stone Bath (Dhotsho).
I think, the minerals in the rocks have certain chemicals, which can cure certain disease of our body. Hot stone bath has no side effects. It is in its pure natural form. We can organize the hot stone bath during your stay in Bhutan.
The cost for experiencing this will be USD 20 per person.
The Bhutanese textiles are rich, vibrant, and colorful and are a complex art form as well as an integral part of the Bhutanese culture. This Bhutan weaving experiences will give you an insight about the rich textiles in Bhutan. You can sit one of the handlooms of Bhutan and weave your self practically. We promise that you will really enjoy this with great satisfaction in your life.
We will also see or learn the natural coloring and dyeing. You can bring your own materials like handkerchief to dye and color. So visit Bhutan and experience it practically by yourself.
So to arrange this you need to pay extra payment of USD 50 per person.
Folk Performing Arts & Music in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. We have Cultural Program Performing groups, which they will perform like Traditional folk songs, dances and keeps original tunes and dances alive. Moreover, new choreography for some traditional and regional songs is sometimes developed.
The troupe also performs mask dances that have historical and spiritual significance.
The program will be about 1hr program and the cost will be USD 100/program. Usually we organize this in the evening before your dinner. But any time of the day can be organized.
Tiger’s Nest is most visited spot in Bhutan and it is much awaited by every tourist who visits Bhutan to climb to Tiger’s Nest.
It takes about 2 hrs 30mins up steep climb through the forest of pine, oak and Rhododendron. However you can ride the horse and climb till the Taktshang cafeteria.
The price will be approximately USD 12-15. So we can arrange the horses and let us know.
