7 Days Bhutan Cultural Tour
Places You’ll See
Introduction
Explore the western Bhutan attractions on this week-long tour. Beginning from Paro, you will visit Thimphu, Punakha and Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley. You will have a chance to see ancient temples, Dzongs and medieval villages. Highlight will include a visit to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on a cliff top.
Itinerary
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be greeted by our guide and take you to one of the restaurants for lunch. After lunch, you can walk to the Rinpung Dzong crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. In the evening, you can drive to Thimphu.
Sightseeing in Thimphu includes King’s Memorial Chorten (which was built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck), School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Buddha Statue, and Motithang Takin Preserve. In the evening, visit the Tashi Chhoedzong, known as the “Fortress of Glorious Religion”.
Enjoy scenic drive to Punakha. Stop at Dochula pass (3150 meters) where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill to Metshina Village, where you can take 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Divine Madman’s temple popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. Take lunch in one of the restaurants and continue drive to Punakha. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan.
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 Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Later in the afternoon, you can hike in Phobjikha valley, the home to the rare Black Necked Cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.
Today, you will return to Paro. En route, visit Royal Botanical Garden and Druk Wangyal Monastery, which is the only of its kind in the country. After lunch in Thimphu, continue drive to Paro. In the evening, you can stroll in Paro town.
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.
In the morning, you will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.
What's Included
Customer Reviews
4.9 / 5
Based on 26K+ reviews
Sarah M.
London, UK
7-Day Cultural Tour,
“Without question the best cultural tours in Bhutan I could have chosen. Our guide Karma arranged a private blessing ceremony at a monastery not on any tourist map. I cried. Best Bhutan tour experience of my life.”
James T.
New York, USA
27 May 2024
10-Day Heritage Tour,
“I’ve done cultural tours across Southeast Asia and nothing compares to this Bhutan travel package. The farmhouse stay alone was worth the entire trip. Already planning to return for the Paro Tshechu next spring.”
Let's Customise Your Dream Bhutan Adventure
Why travellers love planning with us:
- Visa guaranteed — or your money back
- Design your day — change activities even while you're in Bhutan
- Add a vibrant festival — timing around Bhutanese celebrations is pure magic
- Hike more, or hike less — totally your pace
- Experience Bhutan like a local — hot stone bath, cooking session, astrology reading