Private 8 Days Best Bhutan Tour with Exclusive Guide and Car

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrival in Paro, Transfer to Thimphu for half-day sightseeing⌄

   Upon landing at Paro Airport, your private guide and driver will welcome you and escort you on a 1.5-hour drive to Thimphu, crossing the Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge.

   After checking in at the hotel, you will have a Thimphu city tour including the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is actually a stupa, housing many valuable religious paintings and Buddha statues. Over here you will see many local people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day.

   Next, we’ll visit the Buddha Dordenma statue. Besides its impressive size, the highlight is the 360-degree panoramic views of Thimphu.

   Our final destination is Tashichho Dzong, which functions as a stunning Tibetan Buddhist monastery and the government’s administrative center. Later, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel for dinner.

   Meals: Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Hotel Bhutan Home, Thimphu (3 stars) or similar

2. 2Thimphu: Tango Monastery, School of Thirteen Arts & Crafts, Folk Heritage Museum, Takin Preserve⌄

   After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and head to Thimphu Valley. We’ll then hike for over 30 minutes along smooth, forested trails to reach Tango Monastery, Bhutan’s top-ranked Buddhist learning center.

   After lunch, we’ll visit the School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, where apprentices are deeply engaged in creating handicrafts such as thangkas, wood carvings, and embroidery. Next, we’ll explore the Folk Heritage Museum, designed to mirror a traditional Bhutanese home.

   Conclude your day with a visit to Bhutan’s national animal at the Royal Takin Preserve Motithang. Finally, enjoy a private escort back to your hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Hotel Bhutan Home, Thimphu (3 stars) or similar

3. 3Thimphu - Simtokha Dzong - Dochula Pass - Punakha Dzong⌄

   After hotel pickup, join your guide and driver for a trip to Punakha. Shortly after departure, we’ll stop at Simtokha Dzong, a fortress-monastery.

   After roughly an hour’s drive, we’ll reach Dochula Pass. The pass is highlighted by 108 stupas arranged in circles, honoring soldiers who fell while suppressing the rebellion.

   Continue driving for 1.5 hours until we reach Punakha, where your guide will lead you around the Punakha Dzong. Established in 1637, the dzong showcases traditional Bhutanese architecture.

   Take in the detailed Buddhist murals, then cross the nearby suspension bridge. The gentle sway of the bridge will add an exciting touch! At the end, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel in Punakha.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Hotel Zangto Pelri, Punakha (3 stars) or similar

4. 4Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang - Phobjikha Valley⌄

   After meeting your guide and driver at your hotel, embark on a short trip to Chimi Lhakhang, known as the ‘Fertility Temple’. Since cars cannot reach the site directly, your guide will accompany you on a 30- to 40-minute walk from the parking area. Along the way, large phallus patterns adorn the houses – some wrapped in ribbons, others entwined with dragons, and some with eyes – all depicted in bold, upright forms.

   Next, we’ll drive 2.5 hours to Phobjikha Valley, passing through Wangdue Phodrang and crossing Pelela Pass at 3400m (11,155 ft). After checking into your hotel, relax in preparation for tomorrow’s sightseeing.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Gakiling Resort, Phobjikha (3 stars) or similar

5. 5Phobjikha Valley: Nature Trail Hike, Black-necked Crane Center, Gangtey School & Monastery⌄

   You will spend a full day exploring Phobjikha Valley with your guide and driver. While hiking the Gangtey Nature Trail in about 45 minutes, you may spot cattle grazing; take photos to your heart’s content to capture the moment!

   Later, you will be accompanied to visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre, and have a good time with the kids in Gangtey Primary School.

   Then, we’ll visit Gangtey Monastery, where you will see the cranes in Buddhist murals. After exploring local villages and farmhouses to experience authentic Bhutanese life for the rest of the day, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Gakiling Resort, Phobjikha (3 stars) or similar

6. 6Phobjikha Valley - Dochula Pass - Paro: Visit Rinpung Dzong & Ta Dzong (National Museum)⌄

   Today, we will drive 4.5-5 hours back to Paro via Dochula Pass.

   Once there, we’ll visit Rinpung Dzong. After crossing the traditional wooden cantilever bridge, we’ll explore the main hall of the central tower, which houses clay statues, stupa models, and a ceiling decorated with nine mandalas representing the cosmic order of Tibetan Buddhism. Next, we’ll ascend the hill to Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. Explore the country’s rich history through more than 3,000 artifacts. As the visit ends, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Hotel Olathang, Paro (3 stars) or similar

7. 7Paro Tour: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Visit Kyichu Lhakhang & Old Town⌄

   After breakfast, gear up for the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery with your guide! Perched on a 3,120-meter (10,236 ft.) cliff, the majestic monastery resembles a fierce tiger in its nest, offering multiple photo opportunities on the 7-8 km (4-5 mi) round-trip trail.

   In the afternoon, we’ll visit Kyichu Lhakhang Temple to enjoy the peaceful ambiance under its renowned orange trees, believed to bloom and bear fruit year-round.

   Then, stroll around Paro Old Town to cap off the day. Finally, your guide and driver will whisk you back to your hotel.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Hotel Olathang, Paro (3 stars) or similar

8. 8Paro Airport See-off⌄

   Your best Bhutan tour will conclude today. After the checking out procedures, our guide will chauffeur you to the airport and see you off there. Please enjoy your homeward flight!

   Meals: Breakfast