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 lovely day hikes from 1-4 hours, allowing time to explore and relax and finishing in comfortable 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, French or German-speaking Bhutanese guide.

US$4,450*

12 NIGHT tour
DEPARTS: paro, bhutan

Best time to visit: 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, French or German-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

• Bean coffee and cakes

• Laundry

• Tips for guide and 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 and driver. Explore the charming town centre on foot and stroll across the picturesque wooden Nyamai Zam Bridge. Walk up to the magnificent Rinpung Dzong above. Visit the National Museum before continuing to the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Continue to your hotel to relax.
Walking time: 1 hour
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 then walk from Jambay Lhaghang to Kurje Lhakang and onto Tamjing Lhakhang.

In the afternoon do the Pema Sambhava temple hike starting at Tshomo farmhouse.  Stop at the Dorjibi Weaving Centre which trains young people in traditonal weaving skills. Continue on a gradual incline to the Pema Sambhava temple offering wonderful views of the valley below.

Flight time: approx. 25 mins
Walking time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 3

Bumthang: Walk from Kikila to Tarpaling.

In the afternoon visit the Wangdichoeling Palace Museum.

Driving time: 2 hours
Walking time: 4 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 4 

Bumthang:  Drive for around 50 mins to Toktok Sampa where we start our hike to Nga Lhakgang hike. Visit the micro-brewery and cheese factory and return to the hotel to relax.

Overnight: Bumthang
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 5 

Phobjikha:  Drive to Trongsa stopping at the Ta Dzong ( watch tower) museum. Continue to Phobjikha where we visit Gangtey Monastery. Walk down through the village for the nature trail hike. This lovely hike takes you through forests of blue pines and open meadows. In the winter, you will have a good chance of seeing black necked cranes. Your vehicle will meet you at the end of the trail to transfer to your hotel.
Driving time:  4 hours

Walking time: 1.5 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 3,000 m

DAY 6

Phobjikha: Drive towards the Lawala Pass (3,400 m) where we start our hike through open pastures and woodland. You may well meet yaks along the way and there are stunning views of the valley below. The walk finishes at the Ku-bum temple (3060m)

Walking time: 2.5-3 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. Leaving Phobjikha, we rejoin the main highway descending to much lower altitudes. Take the road to Punakha stopping at Sobsokha village for the short hike through the paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang. Continue to Punakha Dzong.
Driving time: 3 hours
Walking time: 1-2 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude: 1,310 m

DAY 8

Punakha: Trek through the fertile Punakha Valley today. Drive to the village of Samdingkha and start your hike to the suspension bridge. This lovely 7km walk follows the Pho chhu river before a gentle climb to a view point. There are good chances of seeing the white billed heron along the way. The walk descends to the suspension bridge. 3-3.5 hours.

In the afternoon, there is an optional extra hike to the Khamsum Yulley hike ( 1.5 hours return)

Walking time: 2.5-3 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude 1,310 m

Day 9

Thimpu: Drive over the Dochula Pass (3,140m) to see the scenic view of the Eastern Himalayan mountains.  After lunch, visit the memorial stupa and visit the big buddha statue where you hike to Changangkha village.

Walking time: 1.5 hours
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Thimpu
Altitude: 2,320 m

Day 10

Thimpu: Visit the Takin reserve and the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts. After lunch visit the textile museum. Do the Wangitshe hike. In the late afternoon visit the dzong to see the changing of the guard.
Walking time: 1.5 hours
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:  Walk 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