Travelling with a private guide and driver
In Bhutan, you’ll travel with your own local driver and guide from the moment you arrive. They know the country inside out, take you along scenic routes and make sure everything runs smoothly, so you can simply enjoy the journey.
There is still plenty of independence within your trip, as you can stop for photos or snacks when you need to and the routings are not fixed, so if there is a particular place of interest that you want to see, our driver and guide will do their best to incorporate this for you. You can determine the pace of your trip, whilst travelling in comfort and making the most of your travels.
Day 1 – Arrival in Paro
On arrival in Paro you’ll be met by your driver and guide who will be with you for the duration of your trip. After the short transfer to your hotel, take some time to settle in and acclimatise to the fresh mountain air. We recommend taking a gentle stroll through Paro town with its traditional buildings and small shops.
Day 2 – Hike to Tiger’s Nest
No trip to Bhutan is complete without a visit to Taktsang Monastery, better known as Tiger’s Nest. This iconic monastery perches dramatically on a cliff edge high above Paro Valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, founder of Buddhism in Bhutan, flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave at this site. Today you’ll trek up to the monastery. The trail takes around two hours, with colourful prayer flags lining the path and misty views at every turn. There’s a halfway café where you can enjoy a cuppa and amazing views. Once at the monastery, take your time to explore its ornate shrines and meditation caves, and soak up the sense of serenity before making your way back down.
Day 3 – To the charming capital of Thimphu
It’s time to begin your journey through Bhutan and today you’ll drive the short distance to Thimphu – Bhutan’s charming capital. It’s reputedly the only capital city without traffic lights. After checking in to your hotel, spend the afternoon exploring the city, starting at the impressive Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest seated Buddhas in the world. Learn about Bhutan’s unique approach to healing at the Traditional Medicine Institute, where traditional remedies are still prepared, visit the serene Zilukha Nunnery, and pop by Thimphu’s market area for a glimpse of local life.
Day 4 – Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, set off on the scenic three-hour drive to Punakha. You’ll make a stop at Dochula Pass (3,050m) where you’ll find 108 white chortens (Buddhist stupas) arranged in rows on the hillside. If the skies are clear, you can enjoy spectacular Himalayan views before descending into the Punakha Valley.
This afternoon, you’ll visit the stunning Punakha Dzong which is widely considered to be the most beautiful and photogenic dzong in the country. Then enjoy a gentle hike through rice paddies and pine forest to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a temple built to promote peace and harmony, and cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge.
Day 5 – Explore the Punakha Valley
Today you’ll explore the Punakha Valley with your guide. Depending on your interests, you could visit the Temple of the Divine Madman, built in honour of a Tibetan monk known for his unconventional way of teaching Buddhism – expect a rather unusual blessing involving a wooden phallus. Another option is the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, built to bring peace and harmony, with wide views across the valley.
If you would like to experience rural Bhutanese life, we can arrange an overnight stay in a local homestay in Punakha. Ask your Travel Specialist for more details.
Days 6 – Punakha to Phobjikha Valley
Time to head further east into central Bhutan. It’s a three-hour drive today to Phobjikha Valley. This wide glacial valley is famously the winter home of the rare, black-necked cranes (November–March). After checking into your characterful hotel, visit the atmospheric Gangtey Goemba Monastery, that overlooks the whole valley. Then explore the valley on foot on a gentle hike passing farmhouses and meadows. If you wish, in the evening, you can visit a local farmhouse where you can try churning butter, making puffed rice, or helping with dinner preparations. It’s a fun way to spend an evening with a local family.
Day 7 – To Bumthang: Bhutan’s cultural heart
Today you’ll travel to Bumthang – the cultural and spiritual heartland of Bhutan. The journey takes around six hours, but you’ll travel along some of Bhutan’s most scenic passes, covered in prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and through forests of rhododendron and bamboo. There are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way including Chendebji Chorten, a large white stupa said to subdue local demons, and the small, picturesque town of Trongsa with its distinct Tibetan influence. In the late afternoon you’ll reach the town of Jakar, in the heart of Bumthang region. You’ll stay in a cosy hotel outside the centre. If you aren’t too tired after a long day, head out into town to explore the surroundings and walk down the suspension bridge across the river.
Days 8 & 9 – Discover Bumthang’s sacred sites
Over the next two days, you can decide with your guide and driver what you’d like to do.
We’d recommend visiting the impressive Jakar Dzong – one of the largest and holiest dzongs in the country, and Jambay Lhakhang – one of the oldest temples, built in the 7th century. It’s believed to be one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king in one day to fight a demon. You’ll quickly notice that Buddhism is very much alive and thriving in this part of the country.
You could easily spend a day exploring the Tang Valley – one of the four valleys of Bumthang and the most remote. Here you’ll find Mebartsho (the Burning Lake), where legend says a sacred relic was revealed by a saint. You can also see the hand and footprints of Guru Rinpoche preserved in Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, a temple where Guru Rinpoche meditated.
Day 10 – Bumthang to Mongar
Continue your journey eastwards on a spectacular six-hour drive across Thrimshung La Pass (3,800m) to Mongar, which is known as the gateway to eastern Bhutan. The road takes you through dark conifer forests, past rushing rivers and remote hamlets, with ever-changing views of Bhutan’s eastern landscapes. As you cross the Kuru River you’ll see the large stupa at Lingmithang, then the road climbs in zigzags to the small friendly town of Mongar, where you’ll spend the night.
Day 11 – Mongar to Trashigang
It’s a four hour drive this morning to Trashigang – Bhutan’s second largest city – via the Korila Pass (2,450m). As you arrive, you’ll cross an old iron bridge and take in your first views of Trashigang Dzong, perched dramatically on a spur overlooking the Gamri River. This afternoon, after checking into your local hotel, you can take a stroll through the city and explore the dzong. Not many tourists make it as far as Trashigang, but there are numerous bars, restaurants and cafes in town.
Day 12 – Discover remote Trashi Yangtse
Today you’ll take a day trip to the remote Trashi Yangtse Valley. Visit Chorten Kora, one of Bhutan’s largest and most beautiful stupas, built in the 17th century in Nepalese style. Wood carving is very popular in this part of Bhutan and you’ll see impressive examples of work by local artists. You’ll meet local woodcarvers and have the opportunity to try your hand at wood carving with an introductory lesson. Then it’s back to Trashigang for the evening.
Days 13 & 14 – Final stop in Samdrup Jongkhar and depart
Make an early start for the five-hour drive south to Samdrup Jongkhar, near the Indian border. As this is an important trading route you’ll notice more cars and trucks on the road than in other areas of Bhutan. The road passes Sherubtse College, Bhutan’s oldest university, and Deothang, the site of a 19th-century battle where Bhutanese forces famously defeated the British. As you descend, the scenery changes from pine-clad mountains to lush tropical forests of teak and bamboo. Your final night in Bhutan will be spent in Samdrup Jongkhar, a bustling border town with a distinctly India influence. It’s your last chance to stock up on souvenirs!
The following morning your Bhutanese guide will assist with exit formalities and say farewell. From here, an Indian driver will take you across the border and on to Guwahati Airport for your onward flight.
Accommodation
