Bhutan Culture Tour

Welcome to Bhutan! The journey to Bhutan begins with a flight from Tribhuvan International airport in Kathmandu to Bhutan’s airport in Paro. As you land, our representative will welcome you at the airport. After welcoming you, they will take you in a private vehicle at Thimpu at 2320m. It is an hour-long from Paro to Thimpu via scenic drive with a surreal view of Bhutan’s landscape. Our crew member will drop you off at your Hotel in Thimpu. After checking in, you can rest or visit the surrounding area. Your dinner and overnight stay are at Thimpu’s Hotel.

Good Morning! Your exploration of Bhutan begins today with a cultural tour. On this day, you will explore Thimpu and some of the prominent sites in the area. After breakfast at your Hotel, we will pick you up and take you to the National Postal Museum. Established in 2015, the Postal Museum showcases the evolution of transportation, communication, and postal services in Bhutan through different phases. On the visit, travelers can explore the five galleries, each representing the development of Bhutan’s postal system. After the Postal Museum, the drive moves towards Memorial Chorten, also known as Thimpu Chorten, in the southern-central part of the city. Built in 1974, the Chorten is a prominent site in Bhutan with its golden spires and bells. After Memorial Chorten, you will visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Textile Museum, and Trashichhoedzong. Then, you will drive back to your Hotel for an overnight stay and dinner.

Early in the morning, after a warm breakfast at your Hotel, you will drive towards Punakha, 1300m from Thimpu. The drive passes through breathtaking landscapes and historic landmarks that provide cultural insights into Bhutan’s rich heritage. Dochula Pass is one of the remarkable points from which the drive passes. The route passes via a winding road with lush forests and terraced rice fields alongside the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers as it descends from Dochula Pass. Upon reaching Punakha, the first and most prominent landmark you will notice is the Punakha Dzong. You can visit the Nerby area of Punakha as you get there. It is a 2-3 hour drive from Thimpu to Punakha, covering 84.6 km. Your overnight stay and dinner will be at the Punakha tea house.

You will spend time appreciating Punakha’s beauty while having a morning meal. After breakfast, the drive continues towards Bumthang at 2600m. In the initial phase, the drive heads towards Wangdue Phodrang via lush valleys and terraced fields. Passing through Wangdue Phodrang, the drive ascends to Pele La Pass, which offers a stunning panorama of snow-capped peaks. Descending from the pass, the drive passes via a rhododendron forest before reaching Trongsa. The drive navigates through Yotong La Passbegore, getting to Bhumthang. The distance from Punakha to Bumthang is 212.4km, taking 7-8 hours to drive. You will stay overnight at the Bumthang and have dinner there.

The fifth day is for exploration of the Bumthang. After you finish your morning meal, you will drive towards Kurjey Lhakhang. It is the holy site in the Bhutang in the Bumthang district. One hundred eight chorten walls and three revered temples, including Guru Lhakhang, Sampa Lhundrup Lhakhang, and Ka Gon Phor Sum Lhakhang, surround the temple. After Kurjey Lhakhang’s visit, the journey moves toward Jakar Dzong. The Dzong is on a ridge above the Jakar village of Chamkhar Valley in Bumthang. The prominent feature of Jakar Dzong is 50 meters high Utse. Likewise, the architecture of the Szong attracts several travelers every year. On the Bumthang exploration day, you will also visit Tamshing Lhakhang, a cheese factory, and a Bhutanese farmhouse. After the visit, we will drop you off at the Hotel. Have a warm sleep and a hearty dinner at the Bumthang’s Hotel.

With a warm breakfast at the Bumthang’s Hotel, you will drive towards the day’s destination, Gangtey, at 3000m. The journey begins with moving through a winding road via beautiful villages and lush greenery. Trongsa is the first stop after the drive from Bumthang while going to Gangtey. The drive continues towards Pele La Pass via a narrow and winding road. Driving further, it takes you to Gangtey through dense forests of rhododendrons and pine trees. The distance from Bumthang to Gangtey is 188km, taking 5-6 hours. You will settle in a Hotel after reaching Gangety. Your night stay and dinner are at the Gangety’s Hotel.

Gangtey, at 3000m, is a beautiful place in Bhutan. Day seven is your exploration day in Gangtey. After breakfast at the Hotel, you will start exploring the area. Gangtey Gompa is the first destination you will explore in Gangtey. The Gompa is simple yet stunning, with two significant buildings. Gangtey Gompa is on the hilltop and offers breathtaking views. After visiting the Gangtey Gompa, you will drive toward the Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre, a popular destination in Gangtey. The center is on the edge of the forest and wetland of the Gangtey Valley and is a popular place to witness the crane. Moreover, you will explore Khewang Lhakhang, Dargay Goempa, and Kuenzang Chholing Shedra. After exploring the entire area, our driver will drive you to your Hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day eight takes you to Paro from Gangtey. After a morning meal at your Hotel, you will drive towards Paro. The distance from Gangtey to Paro is about 164km, and it takes 6-7 hours through a scenic drive through diverse landscapes. Wangdue Phodrang, Dochula Pass, and Thimphu are the prominent stops and areas from which the drive passes before getting to Paro. Your eight-day accommodation is at the Paro Hotel.

The ninth day is the final day you will explore Bhutan. After breakfast at Paro’s Hotel, you will move towards Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. You must hike for a while to get to the monastery. The monastery is one of the prominent Buddhist sites of Bhutan, at 3120m above sea level. Along with religious significance, the monastery is also a famous tourist destination. From the monastery, you can appreciate the view of the surrounding area, as the monastery is on a hilltop. Also, you can observe the interior design with its luxury beauty during your visit to the temple. Moreover, you can see the eight caves within the Taktsang monetary. The visit to Paro concludes with exploring nearby local markets of Paro. However, you will return to your Hotel for accommodation and meals.

The tenth day is the end of your Bhutan Culture tour. You will have breakfast at the Paro Hotel. Depending on the flight schedule, we will drop you off at the airport for your departure. You can take a direct flight to your homeland or even fly to Nepal for other adventurous activities. However, you must bid farewell on this day. We wish you a safe flight and hope to meet you soon.