11 Days Bhutan Tour
The 11 days Bhutan tour itinerary covers the best of central and western Bhutan. Discover the breathtaking and pristine villages and towns of Bhutan, the home to hundreds of Buddhist monasteries and temples. The tour covers 7 districts of Bhutan with visit to the beautiful Phobjikha valley and Cheli la pass (3988 m).
Highlights of the Tour:
- Ancient monasteries, temples & dzongs.
- Most scenic landscapes.
- Visit to the beautiful villages and farm house.
- Meet local people.
- Archery matches.
- Panoramic mountain flight.
Sketch Itinerary:
- Day 1. Arrive Paro – Thimphu sightseeing | 54 km | Drive: 1 hour | Altitude: 2334 m.
- Day 2. Thimphu sightseeing | Altitude: 2334 m.
- Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha sightseeing | 76 km | Drive: 2 hours | Altitude: 1242 m.
- Day 4. Punakha – Wangdue Phodrang – Gangtey sightseeing | 75 km | Drive: 2 hours | Altitude: 3000 m.
- Day 5. Gangtey – Trongsa sightseeing – Bumthang | 185 km | Drive: 5 hours | Altitude: 2600 m.
- Day 6. Bumthang sightseeing | Altitude 2600 m.
- Day 7. Bumthang – Ogen Choling palace museum | 40 km | Drive: 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Day 8. Bumthang – Paro sightseeing | By Mountain flight | 25 minutes | Altitude: 2200 m.
- Day 9. Paro – Haa sightseeing – Paro | 60 km | Drive: 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Day 10. Paro – Hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery | 7 km | Hike: 4 hours.
- Day 11. Paro – Departure (End of 11 days Bhutan tour itinerary).
11 Days Tour - Detail Information
Upon your arrival at Paro airport, your guide and driver will welcome you and drive you to Thimphu. Take a brief stop to admire Tamchog Monastery, constructed in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo.
During the afternoon, explore the Memorial Chorten, the tallest statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, the Takin Preserve Center, and Dupthop Nunnery.
In the evening, enjoy free time to wander through the town for shopping and photography.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, explore the National Postal Museum, Craft Bazaar, Textile Museum, and the School of 13 Arts and Crafts (Painting School).
Enjoy lunch at the Simply Bhutan Museum.
During the afternoon, observe an archery match at Changlimithang Stadium.
In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, the royal secretariat.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, journey to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan during the reign of the second king.
En route, make a stop at Dochu La Pass (3140 m).
Continue the journey with a visit to Chimi Lhakhang, dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, the divine madman, and popularly known as “The Temple of Fertility.”
During the afternoon, explore Punakha Dzong, where the famous annual Punakha festival takes place, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also served as the venue for the first national assembly in 1952, convened by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Embark on a hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
In the evening, take a stroll on the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 meters).
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, journey to Gangtey with a brief stop en route to admire Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, constructed in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Upon reaching Gangtey, explore Gangtey Gompa Monastery, the venue for the annual Gangtey Festival, built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley. Continue to the Black Necked Crane Information Center.
During the evening, discover the scenic beauty of the Phobjikha Valley (3000 m), known as the winter roosting ground for the rare black-necked cranes.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, embark on a journey to Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and the birthplace of Pema Lingpa.
En route, explore Trongsa Dzong, constructed in 1648, and then visit Ta Dzong, built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, now converted into a museum.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, explore Jakar Dzong and Jambay Lhakhang, both established by King Srongtsen Gampo in the year 659 AD. Next, visit Chakhar Lhakhang and Kenchosum Monastery, both built in the 6th century.
During the afternoon, tour Tamshing Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and Kencho Sum Lhakhang.
In the evening, enjoy leisure time for a stroll in the town.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, venture to the picturesque Tang Valley, making a stop on the way to explore Mebar Tsho, also known as “The Burning Lake.”
Within the Tang Valley, visit the Ogen Choling Palace Museum, a former palace transformed into a museum to safeguard its heritage and serve as a space for religious studies, research, and solitude. The captivating exhibits, accompanied by detailed captions, provide genuine insights into the lifestyle of Bhutanese nobility.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Paro. Upon your arrival, your guide will be there to greet you and drive you to the hotel.
During the afternoon, explore the Ta Dzong, which serves as the National Museum of Bhutan. Following that, visit Rinpung Dzong, constructed in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It stands as a superb example of Bhutanese architecture and craftsmanship, with such impressive features that even scenes from the 1995 film “Little Buddha” were filmed here.
In the evening, enjoy leisure time for a stroll in the town, indulging in shopping and photography.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, journey to Haa Valley, making a stop at Cheli La Pass at an elevation of 3988 m to explore. This pass boasts the highest motorable road in Bhutan and acts as a geographical divide between Paro and Haa Valley. From here, you can marvel at the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, including Mt. Jomolhari. Just above the pass, you’ll find the sky burial site.
While in Haa Valley, visit the Dzong, a relatively new administrative center for the valley.
During the afternoon, explore Chorten Nagpo (Black Temple) and Chorten Karpo (White Temple). These temples were both constructed by the Tibetan King Srongtsen Gampo in 659 AD on the same day as Kichu Monastery. Continue the visit to Kila Gompa Nunnery.
Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
In the morning, drive to Satsam chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang). It is the highlight of 11 days Bhutan tour itinerary.
In the afternoon, visit Drugyel dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Then visit Kichu lhakhang built it in 659 AD by King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet. It is one of the 108 temples built by him in a single day across the Himalayan region. In the inner courtyard, you’ll see a mural of King Gesar of Ling. He was a popular Tibetan warrior-king, whose epic poem is said to be the longest in the world.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell (End of 11 days Bhutan tour itinerary).
Trip Cost Includes:
- All meals [breakfast / lunch / dinner and evening tea].
- Accommodation [twin / double sharing basis]. Single room supplement is extra.
- All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
- Sustainable development fee.
- Bhutan visa fee.
- English speaking local guide.
- Sightseeing.
- Bottled water through out the tour.
Trip Cost Excludes:
- Entrance fees for museums / monuments & festival visits.
- Drukair / Bhutan Airlines fares.
- Travel insurance premiums.
- Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
- Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
- Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, soft drinks, camera charges, incidentals, portage, bellboy charges tips or any other services.
- Hot stone bath.
- Cycling around Paro valley.
- Practice archery.
- Bhutanese cooking class.
- Bhutanese cultural show featuring various mask dances and folk dances.
- Talk on Gross National Happiness / Buddhism.
- Consulting an astrologer.
- Practice dart.
- Performing religious ceremony.
- Marriage ceremonies.