Bhutan Luxury Road Trip
- TIGER'S NEST: This impressive cliffside monastery is Bhutan’s most iconic site and also its most sacred. Take the pilgrimage, a half day endeavor that rewards with sweeping views and blessings.
- LOCAL INSIGHT: Spend time with a local family in their farmhouse to learn about their rural lifestyle, and enjoy a home cooked meal.
- RELIGIOUS HEARTLAND: Travel out to Bumthang, a land of rustic tranquility and home to some of the oldest temples and monasteries in the kingdom.
You start your Bhutan odyssey in Paro, where you will visit the ancient fortresses the Rimpung Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong, the latter a UNESCO-protected location and perhaps the most important archeological site in the country. After that, visit the Kyichu Lhakhang – a centuries-old Buddhist temple – and in the evening check into a luxurious Paro hotel.
Get an early start to see more of picturesque Paro. First, see the Kila Nunnery located on a cliffside, then learn a bit about local history at the National Museum. In the afternoon, get some insight into local life with a home visit to a farmhouse before enjoying a relaxing night back at your hotel.
Today, make your way to Punakha, a 4-hour drive away and the old capital of Bhutan, enjoying the views from Dochu La Pass on the way. There are many historic sites to explore in Punakha, including the island fortress Punakha Dzong and the Chime Lhakhang, a uniquely-adorned 15th century temple said to bless visiting couples with fertility.
Get out into the fresh mountain air today with a hike to Khamsum Yuley Monastery and the elaborate temple chorten that took 10 years to complete. After that, enjoy rafting along the Mo Chu River. There is the option to visit a local farmhouse today before returning to your hotel for the evening.
You will head to Gangtey today, located some 3 hours away in the picturesque and treeless Phobjikha Valley. Its here in the wetlands that the black-necked cranes nest and you will get to learn more about this intriguing species at the Crane Center. This is also the home of the beautiful old Gangtey Monastery with its elaborate gate and breathtaking valley views. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy leisure time.
Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley offers plenty of opportunities to hike, with marshlands, lots of flat open terrain and, being away from the more heavily touristed areas, ultimate peace and serenity. After a day exploring the area at your leisure return to your hotel for a gourmet dinner and relaxation.
The pretty mountain village of Trongsa, 2 hours drive away, is your next destination. Here, you will see the famous fortress Trongsa Dzong, perched over the village on the mountainside. Next, you will have the chance to learn about Bhutanese history at the Trongsa Museum of Monarchy, with more than 100 years of royal history on display. Tonight, check into the luxurious Yangkhil Resort, offering stunning views over the dzong.
Today you will head 2 hours away to Bumthang, which is home to a high concentration of sacred sites. You will visit the Yathra Center in Chume, the beautiful Kyichu Lhakhang Temple – the oldest monastery in Bhutan – and see the Swiss Farm, which makes its own cheese using Jersey cow milk and brews the national beer, Red Panda. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy leisure time.
Rise early for a visit to Tang Valley, where farm houses and fields are dotted between heavily-forested mountains. You will see Mebartso, the "Burning Lake", a deep pool in the river gorge with religious significance. Today you will also visit Pemacholing Nunnery, a monastic school with nuns from 12 to 70 years of age, situated at the start of Tang Valley. Ura Village is also on the itinerary today, the highest village in Bumthang, with resident sheep and yak herders. Enjoy dinner back at your luxury resort in Bumthang.
Today you begin your journey back to Thimphu, starting with a flight to Paro, then a 1-hour drive on to Thimphu. Visit the Royal Textile Academy detailing the traditional Bhutanese craft of weaving, then continue to the National Library, a major repository for Buddhist scripture holding many rare manuscripts. Check into your luxury hotel and enjoy leisure time.
As Bhutan cultural heart, Thimphu has much to offer travelers. Today you will visit the Folk Heritage Museum, where you have the chance to try a hearty Bhutanese lunch, then its off to the paper mill, where paper is recycled into items such as bags and lampshades. Before returning to your Thimphu resort for the night, you will visit Buddha Dordenma, where a 149-foot bronze statue of the Buddha presides over the capital.
You will return to Paro today and embark upon a hike to the Taktsang Palphug Monastery, also known as the Tiger Nest Monastery. Taktsang Palphug is perched on a cliff overlooking Paro Valley and is one of Bhutan most iconic sites. The monastery is home to sacred paintings, a prayer wheel, several buddhas and many religious relics. After exploring the temples here you will return to Paro for your final night of this tour at your luxury hotel.
Today, enjoy your final day of our itinerary at your leisure. You may stay to enjoy Bhutan or arrange for transport to the airport to continue on your travels.
