This 12-night Bhutan walking holiday takes you off the beaten track in the quaint and isolated Bumthang Valley in Central Bhutan. This beautiful, fertile valley is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples in the kingdom. Head westwards to the vast glacial valley at Phobjikha, winter home to the black necked cranes. Explore the picturesque Punakha valley before heading to Thimpu and Paro. Finish your walking holiday with a hike up to the miraculous cliff-hugging Tiger's Nest monastery.

Enjoy a variety of magnificent day hikes, finishing in comfortable boutique accommodation each night. Visit ancient monasteries and picturesque off-the-beaten track villages. Learn about Bhutan's unique culture and traditions from your expert English-speaking guide.

US$4,450*

12 NIGHT tour
DEPARTS: paro, bhutan

Availability: All year - choose your own dates                                Minimum group size: 1 person

* Price based on twin-share accommodation. Single room supplement available for US$55 per night, subject to availability. Please note that groups of one or two people will also need to pay a supplement.
Find out approximate trip price in your own currency here 

Trip Inclusions

• Transport by private vehicle

• Domestic flight from Paro to Bumthang

• All meals, mineral water, tea and coffee

• 12 nights handpicked hotel accommodation

• All entrance fees at monasteries and museums

• Bhutan daily fee including visa, Bhutan government tourism royalties and local taxes

• English-speaking Bhutanese guide

TRIP EXCLUSIONS

• International airfare to Bhutan. (This can be arranged for you. Please contact us for details)

• Stopover hotel if needed

• Comprehensive travel insurance.

• Additional activities (e.g. massage, hot stone bath)

• Alcoholic or soft drinks

• Laundry

• Tips for guide or driver

ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrive in Paro, Bhutan: Your journey begins in the beautiful Paro Valley where you will be met at the airport by your guide. Drive the short distance to your hotel and settle in. You will stay in a charming Bhutanese-style hotel located on the edge of a forest. In the afternoon, hike from your hotel through the hills to Olathang Hotel, the oldest hotel in Bhutan.
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

DAY 2

Bumthang: Take the short flight to Bumthang, one of the most beautiful and sacred valleys in Bhutan. Visit Jakar Dzong and Kurje Lhakhang. Visit the Cheese factory and micro-brewery the guesthouse run by a Swiss-Bhutanese family. Do the Pedtsheling Hike which starts at Jakar above Swiss Guest House, the trail passes through pine trees. It ascends through villages until you reach Pedtsheling temple where there are great views of Bumthang valley.
Flight time: approx. 25 mins
Walking time: 2-2.5 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 3

Bumthang: Visit the remote Burning Lake and Pemacholing Nunnery before continuing to the Tang Valley where you visit the 16th-century Ugyen Choling Palace. From here, walk to the tiny village of Gamling known for its traditional Yathra weaving. Continue to Talung where your car will collect you to return to Jakar.
Driving time: 3 hours
Walking time: 1-2 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 4 

Bumthang:  Walk from Jakar to Chumey. Starting at Lamey Goempa, just outside Jakar, the trail takes you to Tharpaling monastery and then finally to Gaytsa, Chumey. Your car will pick you up here and transfer to your nearby hotel.
Overnight: Chumey, Bumthang
Walking time: 5 hours
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 5 

Phobjikha:  Drive to Phobjikha via the fascinating museum in the historic town of Trongsa. The Kilkorthang Trail hike will take you through traditional villages with charming Bhutanese-style rammed earth houses.
Walking time: 2 hours
Driving time:  5-6 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 3,000 m

DAY 6

Phobjikha: Setting off from Gangtey Lodge, the breathtaking Lawala Hike takes you through dense forests of rhododendron to Khumbu Lhakhang and the 15th-century Khewa Lhakhang with impressively large Buddha statues.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 3,000 m

DAY 7

Punakha: Visit the impressive Gangtay Monastery dating from the early 17th century, one of the two main centres of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in Bhutan. Continue towards the fertile Punakha valley, visiting the Temple of Fertility at Chimi Lhakhang. In the afternoon there is an optional hike to Khamsum Yulley Temple.
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Walking time: 1-2 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude: 1,310 m

DAY 8

Punakha: Trek through the fertile Punakha Valley today. Walk through rice paddies to Khamsum Chorten and climb to the hill-top temple at Giligang built 300 years ago. Enjoy spectacular views before gently descending to the valley and crossing Changyul Bridge to Punakha Dzong.
Walking time: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude 1,310 m

Day 9

Thimpu: Drive over the Dochula Pass towards Thimphu, the quirky little capital of Bhutan. Explore the Lamperi hike on the way.
Walking time: 2 hours
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Thimpu
Altitude: 2,320 m

Day 10

Thimpu: In the morning hike through forests to the impressive Cheri monastery established in 1620. Visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts in Thimpu, the best place to see traditional arts being created or the colorful Textile Museum. In the afternoon walk the Debsi trail (1.5 hours) or hike from Buddha Point to Changangkha Lhakhang (2-3 hours).
Walking time: 1.5 hours + optional hikes
Overnight: Thimpu
Altitude: 2,320 m

Day 11

Paro: Return to Paro. Explore the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan and visit the formidable Paro dzong (fortress). Do the short Zuri Hike (approx. 1 hour) or the longer Jili Dzong Day Hike (4 hours). This is the first section of the Druk Path trek and offers magnificent views of the entire Paro valley.
Walking time: varies (1-4 hours)
Driving time: 1.5 hour
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

DAY 12

Paro:  Bumdrak Hike up to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery. An unforgettable hike to the Taktshang Gomba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). The walk through blue pines, passing water-powered prayer wheels, leads you to the holy site. This ancient monastery clings miraculously to a sheer cliff above the valley floor. The views are magnificent over the Paro Valley.
Walking time: 5 hours
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

day 13

Depart Paro