Itinerary Details
This 8-day Bhutan family holiday is the combination of local culture and endless beauties of the hidden country. You will explore beautiful Bhutan, including capital Thimphu, lush Punakha valley, peaceful Phobjikha valley and attractive Paro, to enjoy the picturesque natural beaty, tranquil ambiance, gorgeous architectures, and beautiful Buddhist Temple. The trip to Bhutan will be a memorable escapade that brings immense joy to you and your family.
lunch and dinner
Welcome to Bhutan!
Upon arrival at Paro Airport, our guide will be waiting for you at the exit and welcome you with our traditional scarfs. Then we will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, which takes about 1 hour. En route, you can walk across the long standing Tachhogang Bridge. After reaching Thimphu, lunch will be planned for you at a traditional restaurant with authentic Bhutanese cuisine. After lunch, transfer to hotel and check in.
In the afternoon, you will start to visit beautiful Bhutan. You will first make a visit to National Institute of Zorig Chusum. This institute, also known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses of Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialise in each skill, such as painting, sculpturing, wood carving, embroidery, weaving, etc. The showroom sells good-value pieces made by students.
Next, you will head to the Zilukha Nunnery. It boasts tranquil and harmonious atmosphere like all temples in Bhutan, and offers a wonderful perspective overlooking the Thimphu fortress. You can stroll around the nunnery and meet the nuns.
In the late afternoon, pay a visit to the Tashichhoe Dzong, also known as "fortress of the glorious religion". It is initially built in 1641 and now is the office of Majesty the king and the government. This magnificent architecture is adorned with many traditional delicate patterns. It is at its most splendid and elegant appearance from outside when the lights come on at dusk. After the tour, return to hotel.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Osel
- (3 Ratings)
Tashichhoe Dzong
breakfast and lunch and dinner
After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel. You will first visit the Memorial Chorten. This beautiful Tibetan style chorten was built in 1974 in memory of the Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is the center of daily worship for Bhutanese.
Next pay a visit to the Buddha Dordenma statue. It is the largest statue in the country with 51.5 meters high. Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, you can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang).
We then visit the Changangkha Temple built in the 12th century. It is a fortress and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. From the temple courtyard, you can catch the fascinating views of Thimphu valley. Have lunch in local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue your excursion to the Mini Takin Zoo, a sanctuary for Takins, to see the National Animal of Bhutan. Here you can take an easy walk in the wonderful nature.
Afterwards, we will visit Bhutan Post Office to personalize your own Bhutan stamps. Nowadays, Barehutan is still the world leader in stamp design, printing and material diversity. You can use your own images to customize your Bhutan stamps and send it with postcards and letters to your friends and family. Later, return to hotel.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Osel
- (3 Ratings)
Thimphu Takin Zoo
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today we will drive to Phobjikha valley via Dochula Pass. Dochula Pass(3150m) offers splendid views of the distant snow-capped Himalayas in clear day. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains while sipping your tea or coffee at the cafeteria where we will stop.
At the same time, you can also admire the 108 stupas located here. It is called the "Chukwangye Monument" and was established in 2005 by the Bhutanese government to honor the victory of the war. The stupas are surrounded by colorful prayer flags flying in the wind.
Continue the journey, you can enjoy the peaceful villages and lush paddy fields and may come across wild yaks. When you walk into the hinterland of the Phobjikha valley, you will surely immerse yourself in the beauty of tranquility and harmony. It is a breathtaking valley and the home of the endangered black necked crane during the winter months. Take a trek follow your guide through jungles, streams, swamps and villages, and you will get the best views of Phobjikha valley.
Dinner will be planned for you at a farmhouse with a family, which will be a wonderful experience for you.
Overnight at Phobjikha Valley.
Accommodation option:
- Dewachen Hotel & Spa
- (3 Ratings)
Phobjikha Valley
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Wake up in the morning to embrace the beautiful landscape. Then, we will visit the Gangtey Monastery. Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of Bhutan. As a magnificent Buddhist architectures, Gangtey Monastery not only offers a stunning view of the surrounding sceneries, but collect a large number of wonderful thangkas, Buddhist statues and Buddhist scriptures, etc.
We then drive to the lush Punakha Valley (1300m). Punakha is served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Along the way you will explore Rinchengang Village.The village consists of beautiful adobe houses, with little clusters all attached to each other.
Upon arrival at Punakha, you will visit the Chimi Lhakhang. Situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, it is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as "Divine Madman", who lived in the late 15th century. He was the representative of strong fecundity. Chimi Lhakhang impresses tourists more with the phallus belief which can be easily seen in every corner of the surrounding villages and the temple. Now the Temple is known to be a sacred place to pray for having a baby. Lunch will be planned for you at a local restaurant near the fields.
We will continue to visit the Punakha Dzong. The most beautiful fortress in Bhutan was strategically built at the confluence of two rivers Pho Chu (Father River) and Mo Chu (Mother River) in 1637. You will marvel at the majestic architecture and the wonderful murals, as well as its numerous precious relics. The ancient Dzong, clear river and beautiful purple-blue flowers compose a peaceful and romantic picture.
In nearby, you can take a walk in a magnificent suspension bridge connecting the villages. You may come across the locals walking home via the bridge.
Overnight in Punakha.
Accommodation option:
- Drubchhu Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Punakha Dzong
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today we return to Paro with 3 hours driving. Paro owns scenic and fertile valley producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields. After checking in, you can relax or explore Paro Town on your own.
Overnight in Paro.
Accommodation option:
- Rema Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Dochula Pass
breakfast and lunch and dinner
After breakfast at hotel, we will spend the most of the day hiking to the Taktsang Lhakhan. Taktsang Lhakhang, known as Tiger’s Nest, is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. It is also one of the most prestigious holy places of Guru Padmasambhava in Bhutan. Your trip in Bhutan would be incomplete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
It miraculously clings to a sheer cliff nearly 1,000 meters above the Paro Valley. You need to follow a steep trail to reach the temple for around 2 hours. It could make you exhausted but the spectacular view along the way definitely well-worth your try. You may come across many locals who are exhausted but full of strength and pious expression.
There is a viewpoint halfway to the Tigers Nest. On the way up, you can stop for a coffee break and on the way down have lunch at the same cafeteria. After the hike, it is the best choice to enjoy the traditional hot stone bath to wash away your tiredness.
Overnight in Paro.
Accommodation option:
- Rema Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Taktsang Lhakhan
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Begin your day by visiting the National Museum. It was once the watch tower built to defend Rinpung fortress below during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, since 1967 Ta Dzong is served as the National Museum of the country. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and exquisite postage stamps.
Then you will visit Paro Fortress. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong and the beautiful scenery around. It is also the venue of Paro Festival, held once a year in the spring.
The next destination is Kyichu Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage temples in Bhutan. It is also the oldest temples of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century. The temple complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in original pattern.
Later, you can explore Paro town with your guide and spend some time visiting the little cafes and shops. In the evening, cultural performances and dinner will be prepared for you.
Overnight in Paro.
Accommodation option:
- Rema Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Rinpung Dzong
breakfast
It’s time to say goodbye to beautiful Bhutan. About 3 hours before your scheduled flight, your guide will pick you up and transfer to the airport for your departure flight.