Classic Bhutan itinerary with Tiger's Nest hike

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Thimphu
• 2 nights Punakha
• 2 nights Gangtey
• 2 nights Bumthang
• 2 nights Paro 

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport. 

Included: International flights

Day 2: Arrive Bhutan

After breakfast, you'll head to the airport for the short flight to Paro in Bhutan. The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas and soon you'll touch down, where you'll take your first breath of fresh mountain air. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and welcomed, before being driven along the Paro Valley to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. 

After checking into your hotel, you'll head out to explore the town with your guide - starting with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, one of Thimphu's most iconic monuments. You'll interact with locals who come to visit the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at a small shrine inside the gate. Next you'll explore the market area, of Ka Ja Thorm, where the modern and traditional elements of Bhutanese life merge. You can browse the handicrafts and taste local street snacks while soaking up the atmosphere - Ka Ja Throm is a quintessential Thimphu experience.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 3: Thimphu

After breakfast, you'll head out to visit the Buddha Dordenma, atop a hill within the Kuenselphodrang Nature Park. It is believed that this statue emits an aura of tranquillity and joy, extending its influence on the entire world. Crafted from bronze and adorned with a layer of golden gilding, this colossal Shakyamuni statue is one of Bhutan's largest monuments. From here, you'll embark on a two hour hike to Changangkha Lhakhang temple, walking past prayer flags fluttering in the breeze and through the pine forest filled with rhododendrons. At the end of the trail you'll arrive at the temple to admire the building, learning about it's history all the way back to the 12th Century. You'll also visit the Zilkha Nunnery with it's spectacular views and the Folk Heritage Museum, to learn about the documentation of local life. 

Finish your day at the Trashichhoedzong, often referred to as the 'fortress of the glorious religion.' This remarkable building serves as the heart of both government and religion in Bhutan and houses the monarch's throne room.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha 

This morning you'll begin your journey to Punakha. The journey is incredibly scenic, taking you through the breath-taking Dochu-la Pass, soaking up the panoramic views and gazing over the Himalayas that peep out above the clouds on clear days. You'll also come across the Druk Wangyal Chortens, where 108 chortens are arranged in three circles, symbolising spiritual reverence. 

Arriving in Punakha, you'll visit Punakha Dzong or ‘Palace of Great Happiness’, built at the junction of the Pho chhu and Mo chhu rivers in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. In the afternoon, you'll stop to visit the Chimi Lhakhang, found on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the Temple of Fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and want one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. You'll enjoy a pleasant walk along a trail through the rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 5: Punakha 

Spend the day exploring Punakha, embarking on a scenic hike leading up to the majestic Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten. The chorten stands as a commanding presence in the upper Punakha Valley, offering breath-taking panoramas that sweep over the Mo Chhu River and extend towards the towering peaks of Gasa and the surrounding landscape. Cross the Punakha Suspension Bridge, gracefully suspended over the rushing waters of the Mo Chhu River. A marvel of engineering, you'll see the prayer flags fluttering in the wind and hear the river's roar below - crossing this bridge provides an exhilarating blend of natural beauty and cultural significance.

After lunch you'll visit Talo Village, where residences are scattered along the hillside of the valley. The beautiful farmhouses of the village have their own flower gardens and are surrounded by wildflower meadows where corns and sweet peas are grown in abundance. You'll spend the afternoon in Nobgang and Talo villages visiting farmhouses and meeting families, experiencing Bhutanese rural life.  

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 6: Punakha to Gangtey

After enjoying a hearty breakfast, you'll head off to enjoy the scenic drive to Gangtey, journeying through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons. On arrival in Gangtey, you'll be greeted by a breath-taking landscape of unparalleled beauty. In the afternoon, you'll visit Gangtey Goenpa, a magnificent monastery perched atop a small hill in the heart of the valley. Notably, it's the sole Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and also the largest of its kind in Bhutan. 

After exploring the monastery, you'll visit the Black Neck Crane Information Centre, strategically located on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha Valley. Equipped with high-powered telescopes and spotting scopes, the centre provides an ideal vantage point for observing the majestic cranes in their natural habitat.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 7: Gangtey

After breakfast, you'll visit Gangtey Goempa, a magnificent monastery perched atop a small hill in the heart of the valley, before embarking on the Longtey Hike.

The trail leads 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. The last part through the forest is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass with impressive views of the Gangtey Goemba, 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 where you'll be picked up and returned to your hotel. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 8: Gangtey to Trongsa & Bumthang

Leaving Gangtey behind, today you'll head to Bumthang via Trongsa. 

You'll traverse the picturesque Pelela Pass, the traditional border between the eastern and western regions of Bhutan. Adorned with clusters of vibrant prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and blanketed by high-altitude dwarf bamboo, the pass provides a serene and mystical ambiance. You'll also stop to admire the Chendbji Chorten, an exquisite stupa constructed in the 18th century by the revered Lama Shida. Exhibiting Nepalese architectural influences, the chorten is adorned with eyes painted at its four cardinal points, adding to its mystical allure.

Soon you'll arrive at Trongsa town, nestled on steep slopes overlooking a breath-taking river gorge. Surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes, Trongsa is full of timeless charm, perfect to explore and have lunch. You'll visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, undoubtedly one of the most impressive fortresses in all of Bhutan, and Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone structure rising five stories, was built in 1652 and now houses a museum.

After lunch you'll carry on to Bumthang, traversing the Yutong-la Pass at an elevation of 3,400 meters (11,155 feet). The road ascends steeply from Trongsa before descending through lush coniferous forests into the expansive Chumey Valley, renowned for its fertile lands and picturesque landscapes.

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 9: Bumthang

Bumthang is made up of four valleys - Tang, Ura, Chumey & Choekhor - and is one of the most richly endowed districts in Bhutan, in terms of historical and cultural legacy. Choekhor valley is the largest amongst all and widely considered as ‘Bumthang valley’. The valleys are broad and gentle carved by the ancient glaciers, housing most venerated temples and monasteries in the country. The fertile valleys of Bumthang are covered with fields of buckwheat, rice and potatoes, apple orchards and dairy farms.

Your day will begin with a visit to Jambey Lhakhang, the ancient temple built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in order to subdue an evil demoness that lay over the Himalayan region. After this, you'll explore Kurje Lhakhang - three temples which are surrounded by 108 chorten walls. The first and the oldest structure of the three, was constructed on the rock where Guru Rinpoche meditated. The second building is also called the Sampa lhundrup temple and houses a colossal statue of Guru Rinpoche. The third building is known as Ka Gon Phur sum lhakhang dedicated to the happiness of all living beings in the kingdom.

Spend the rest of the day visiting other dzongs in the valleys, learning about the history and legends of this region. After a delicious lunch you'll visit Tamshing Lhakhang, a monastery with ancient religious paintings of 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female form of Bodhisattva). 

Enjoy an evening stroll in the village, exploring local shops browsing handicrafts in the market. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 10: Flight to Paro 

After breakfast, you'll be driven to the small airfield in Bumthang for the short flight to Paro. along the scenic highway. On arrival, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel, before spending the afternoon exploring the area.

The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries - after a local style lunch, you'll visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. 

The rest of the day is yours to explore the local area at your leisure. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 11: Tiger's Nest hike 

Spend your final day in Bhutan visiting the most iconic monastery in the country. Head off early on the five hour round trip hike up to Taktshang Monastery, known as Tiger's Nest. Clinging to the side of a cliff above the Paro valley floor, legend has it that Guru Rinpoche arrived at this sacred site on the back of a tigress and engaged in meditation, hence earning it the name 'Tiger's Nest.' It is now a pilgrimage site frequented by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. After this incredible experience you'll be brough back to Paro town, stopping in at Kyichu Lhakhang before spending your final evening in Paro, toasting an incredible trip exploring India and Bhutan. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, touring, 4* hotel 

Day 12: Depart Bhutan

After breakfast, you'll be taken back to the airport for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, international flights

Day 13: Arrive UK