9 Days Western Bhutan Walking Holiday Tour

Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days

Destination Covered : Paro, Punakha, Thimphu, Wangdue Phodrang

Tour Activities : Sightseeing

Tour Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys, Religious & Pilgrimage, Culture & Heritage

Price on Request

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Paro, Punakha and Thimphu Tour Overview

Explore Western Bhutan's stunning landscapes on foot with a variety of magnificent day hikes, staying in comfortable hotel accommodation each night. Visit ancient monasteries, including the miraculous cliff-hugging Tiger's Nest monastery, and picturesque off-the-beaten track villages. Learn about Bhutan's unique culture and traditions from your expert English-speaking guide.

Explore serene forested valleys, hike up to panoramic views and soak up the unique culture of this refreshing and idyllic country. The hikes on this Bhutan Walking Holiday can be adjusted to suit your preferences and levels of fitness. Our itineraries are completely flexible with optional extra nights.

Trip Facts

Duration:9Days
Best season:March - May &Sep - Nov.
Hiking Grade: Easy/Moderate
Group Size:1& above
Accommodation: Hotels
Avg. Walking Dist.:3 - 5 Km
Avg. Walking Time:3 - 4hours
Max. Elevation: 4100m
INSURANCE

Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.

Package Highlights
Beautiful hiking trails through villages, woods, mountain ridges often coming to solitary monasteries and into the deep valleys and beautiful meadows. Bhutan is truly a paradise.
Dream come true of visiting Tiger Nest Monastery, an icon and a rare place in the world. You are truly in Bhutan, a place that has never been invaded.
Meeting and interacting with Bhutanese people, the point when you will learn about Gross National Happiness.
Visiting historical places like Dzongs and Monasteries as far as from 7th century. Bhutan is indeed rich in cultural heritage.
Peaceful place and a great escape for people from fast world country. Bhutan is a place like that and you will find yourself falling in Love with Bhutan.

Paro, Punakha and Thimphu Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Paro, Bhutan

Walking time: 1 hour
Altitude: 2,200m

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. Walk from your hotel into Paro, crossing the famous Nyamai Zam bridge to Paro Rinpong Dzong. Overnight hotel in aro.

Day 2

Paro â€“ Punakha

Walking time: 2 hours

Driving time: 3.5 hours

Overnight: Punakha

Altitude: 1,500 m

Drive over the Dochula Pass (3,140m) and hike to Lungchutse Monastery, passing huge rhododendron trees for a spectacular Himalaya view. Descend into the Punakha valley, where the magnificent Punakha Dzong stands on the confluence of two rivers.

Day 3

Punakha

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Overnight: Punakha

Altitude 1,500m

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.

Day 4

Punakha â€“Phobjekha

Walking time: 2 hours

Driving time: 2.5 hours
Altitude: 2,700m

Following breakfast, you will head to remote Gangtey with short stopover in Wangdue to get a glimpse of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that dramatically sits on the ridge. After Wangdue, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Pelela pass. Drive downhill for about 15 minutes to the starting point in Longtey village on the East-West highway. Start by walking downwards following the path to the right of the road. The path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully coloured rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. Continue straight through the village upwards until you reach the start of mystifying old-growth rhododendron forest.

The last part through the forest is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass with impressive views of the GangteyGoemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley down below. Before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu village. You will be picked up from here.

Day 5

Phobjekha â€“ Thimphu

Walking time: 1 hour

Driving time: 3 hours

Altitud, Thimphu: 2260m

After breakfast visit the crane information center and continue with Gangtay Nature trail hike going right through the valley and finishing at Gangtey Monastery. After visiting the Monastery, you will drive to lawo la pass for a wonderful view of Jomolhari and deep valley scenery down below. Continue driving to Thimphu for another 2 hours.

Day 6

Thimphu sightseeing with day Hikes

In the morning hike through forests to Tango Monastery and then to Cheri monastery. In the afternoon visit Memorial Chorten where you will see locals circumambulating the stupa and if you are lucky, you will see some rituals taking place. From here you will visit giant Buddha Statue at Kuenselphodrang – its 169 feet largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Then you will head towards north of the valley to visit the Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. You will walk around the compound to see the animals.

In the evening walk into Thimphu Street, visit crafts market and weekend vegetable market where locals from different parts come here to sell their farm products.

Day 7

Thimphu â€“ Paro with Chelela Gungkarpo to Kila Gonpa Nunnery Hike

Early morning drive to Chelela pass for your ChelelaGungkarpoto Kila Gonpa Nunnery Hike in Paro which is one of the most scenic local hiking trails in Bhutan. Its takes about 2 to 3 hours (One Way). On clear days one will have the breathtaking view of Mt. Jumolhari (7,326 Mtrs) which is the 2nd highest mountain in Bhutan and also Mt. Jichu Drake.This hiking trail is one such destination from where both Paro and Haa valley is seen.The Kila Goenpanestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside precariously sits along rock face. The name Kila meant (Ki-Peaceful; La: Mountain).The monastery was founded by Chogyel Norbu in 9th century and it is one of the oldest nunneries in Bhutan. Surrounding the monastery, we will see several retreat houses.

Day 8

Tiger Nest Hike

Today, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate.

Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.

Day 9