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Punakha Monastery Dzong

Discover Bhutan

Small Group Tour - Example 7 Day Tour
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On a weeklong small-group tour, discover Bhutan, Asia's best-kept secret. It is a relatively new travel destination, overshadowed and nestled between China and India, with many untold secrets hidden in its natural beauty and peaceful villages. The landscape is dotted with monks dressed in red, historic Buddhist temples, and warm smiles. It is a serene country where gross national happiness is valued more than money, where chilies are consumed as a vegetable rather than a spice, and where the thunder dragon, Druk, is inscribed on the national flag, symbolizing the Bhutanese people: loyal, patriotic, and living in a complete sense of belonging within the kingdom.
Tiger's Nest TemplePunakha ValleyBhutan's YakParo DzongParo - Tiger's Nest MonasteryPunakha Monastery Dzong
Highlights
  • Hike Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten monastery built to bring peace to the world
  • Visit Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory and Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center
  • Discover Thimphu, the world's only capital without traffic lights!
  • Hike Tiger's Nest, a tiny monastery perched 900 metersĀ above the valley floor.
Places Visited
Activity Level: Moderate
Activities that provide a reasonable level of physical challenge and elevate the heart rate. Focused on more active pursuits including multisport tours. Travelers may be active 5-7 hours total each day. Recommended for travelers with active lifestyles.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Paro | Thimphu

After arrival at Paro Airport and making your way through immigration and customs formalities, meet and greet your guide and driver and warmly welcomed to the enchanting Land of the Thunder Dragon. Drive for approximately 2 hours alongside mountains, rivers, and fields of red rice to Thimphu, the Bhutan capital city. After lunch, you may visit Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory, Bhutan's famous traditional incense maker, as well as the colorful Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre. Once everyone has arrived, join the meeting and dinner before wandering and exploring the fascinating streets of Thimphu, the world's only capital city without a traffic light!

Included Activities:
  • Thimphu - Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
  • Thimphu - Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer

Day 2: Thimphu, Bhutan

  • Hotel
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today begins with a pleasant walk that meanders gently up the valley through paddy fields, pristine woodlands, and a Tibetan village, a trail that continues uphill (1 hour) to the Cheri Dorji Dhen monastery – built-in 1620 by Shabdrung, the first ruler of Bhutan. Enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Thimphu for an afternoon of sightseeing. Begin by visiting the National Memorial Chorten – many Thimphu residents consider this to be the heart and soul of Thimphu and gather here every day to pray and walk clockwise around the chorten. Afterward, visit Drubthob Nunnery, the Choki Traditional Art School, and the incredible National Textile Museum. Visit the National Handicrafts Emporium which, offers high-quality traditional goods and a small family-run enterprise that manufactures paper and paper products using traditional methods.

Included Activities:
  • Thimphu - National Memorial Chorten
  • Thimphu - Village walk & picnic lunch
  • Thimphu - Choki Traditional Art School
  • Thimphu - Drubthob Nunnery
  • Thimphu - National Textile Museum

    Day 3: Punakha, Bhutan

    • Hotels
    • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
    This morning, drive to Punakha – the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop at Dochu-La pass for a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, the majestic Gangkhar Puensum. Continue the journey before taking another break. Enjoy a short walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple built in 1499 by lama Drukpa Kunley. With its three towers and wonderful location, a confluence of the two rivers is considered by many to be the most beautiful of Bhutan’s 21 Dzongs. Arrive in Punakha for a goodnight's rest before another day of exploration tomorrow.

    Included Activities:
      • Punakha Valley - Chimi Lhakhang
      • Punakha - Punakha Dzong

      Day 4: Punakha

      • Hotels
      • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
      Head down to the convergence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers, two of the main rivers of Bhutan, and admire breathtaking views of the majestic Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and second-largest Dzong in the country, as well as the cantilever bridge that spans across the river. Afterward, join your leader for an optional hike to Khamsum Yulley Monastery – an elaborately decorated Chorten, built to ward off evil spirits and bring peace and harmony to all living things. As with many monasteries in Bhutan, your leader will need to hunt around for the caretaker with the keys to have a look inside!

      Day 5: Thimphu | Paro

      This morning head back over the Dochu-La and continue to Thimphu (approximately 4 hours). The roads in Bhutan are narrow, and the distances do not appear to be very far, due to the nature of the road. With the many valleys they pass through, traveling can take some time – so this is a good chance to relax and refresh. After lunch in Thimpu, continue by vehicle into the Paro Valley. This evening, experience Bhutanese hospitality and a taste of tradition with a home-cooked meal at the rustic Tshering Farm House. Soak up the friendly atmosphere and try your hand at Bhutan's national sport, archery, with an introductory lesson.

      Included Activities:
          • Paro - Home cooked dinner & family visit

          Day 6: Tiger's Nest Monastery | Paro

          After an early breakfast followed by a short drive, prepare for your hike to the legendary Taktsang (Tigers Nest) – a magnificent Monastery clinging to a rock cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. After approximately 1 hour of ascending the mountainside, reach a small teahouse that has a wonderful panoramic view of the temple and is the ideal place to enjoy lunch. For those interested, it’s possible to get a more intimate view by hiking another 45 minutes to 1 hour (in each direction) to reach the small chorten directly across from the temple.

          Included Activities:
                • Paro - Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike

                Day 7: Paro | Return Home

                • 1 Breakfast
                Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel before a departure transfer to Paro airport for your flight out of Bhutan

                Included Activities:
                        • Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer

                        Accommodations

                        Pedling Hotel & Spa - Thimphu

                        Pedling Hotel & Spa
                        Pedling Hotel & Spa
                        Hotel Restaurant

                        Tenzinling Resort

                        Tenzinling Resort
                        Tenzinling Resort
                        Tenzinling Resort

                        Punakha Valley - Hotels

                        Dates & Prices

                        My Preferred Start Date

                        Per person starting at
                        $5,145
                        Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.

                        Notes

                        Select a Date
                        Rates are capacity-controlled and are subject to increase at any time. Book early to get the best rate.
                        Included
                        • 6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners
                        • 6 Nights Accommodations
                        • 6 Days Locally Hosted Guide Service
                        • Accommodations as listed
                        • Ground transportation as listed
                        • Activities as listed
                        • Meals as listed
                        • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
                        • Sustainable Development Fee
                        Excluded
                        • Gratuities
                        • Travel Insurance
                        • Personal Expenses
                        • Flight costs (please request a quote)
                        • Additional excursions during free time
                        • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
                        • For those traveling internationally with Intrepid: emergency evacuation and medical insurance are mandatory, and comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See here for more details

                        Map

                        When to Go

                        Jan
                        Feb
                        Mar
                        Apr
                        May
                        Jun
                        Jul
                        Aug
                        Sep
                        Oct
                        Nov
                        Dec
                        Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
                        Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.

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