Bhutan – 7 nights/8 Days Highlights of Bhutan Private Tour

After breakfast at your hotel, drive to the BBS tower (Sangaygang viewpoint). From here begin your 2 hour walk on the Sangayang - Wangditse loop. Along the way visit Wangditse Goemba, where the inner chapel houses a two-storey statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Continue on to Pangri Zampa, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan located just north of Thimphu.Here is a monastic school where Buddhist student monks learn Lamaism and astrology based on Buddhist philosophy.

In the afternoon visit the National Library – home to an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (the Painting School) where students undergo a 6 year training course in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts. Visit the Textile Museum, which provides insight into one of the most distinct art forms of Bhutan, and Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people.

Visit the fortress like temple and monastic school of Changangkha Lhakhang perched on a ridge above Thimphu.

In the evening you will have the option to stroll through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar where you can browse the many beautiful examples of Bhutan's fine traditional arts.Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery and much more.

Imp:The National Library is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Government holidays. The Textile Museum is closed on Sundays and Government holidays. The Institute for Zorig Chusum is closed on Sundays, Government holidays and in winter (December to early March). Simply Bhutan is closed on Sundays and Government holidays.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Today drive to Gangtey via Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. 

At Dochula Pass, 108 chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty-five chortens, the second has thirty-six and the top layer has twenty-seven, built around the main chorten.

 The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful and untouched places in Bhutan.

After a steep climb through dense forest, come to a wide, flat valley without any trees - a rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valleys are tightly enclosed. Visit the Gangtey Gompa (monastery), that sits on a ridge overlooking the valley. Then explore the Phobjikha valley, a beautiful glacial valley and the winter home for the endangered Blacknecked cranes. If you are travelling between November and February you may see these winter visitors. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight in Gangtey.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Early this morning visit the Gangtey Gompa (Monastic School) to witness a prayer ceremony.

Then proceed a pleasant walking excursion on Gangtey Nature Trail. This pleasurable walk will give you a nice feel of Phobjikha valley. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goenpa, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. The trail ends at local community school after passing a chorten and Khewa Lhakhang ( around 2 hours walk mostly downhill) 

After lunch you be driven to Punakha back across the Dochula pass.On the way visit to Wangduephodrang Dzong. Founded by ZhabdrungNgawang Namgyal in 1638, on the top of high ridge offering fantastic of the valley below, It holds special place in Bhutan’s history due to the strategic location and the Governor of Wangduephodrang had chance to protect the routes to Trongsa, Punakha, Dagana and Thimphu making him the third most powerful ruler after Governors of Paro and Trongsa. The Dzong had been damaged by fire in 2012 and restored to its original grandeur and splendour recently in 2022 

Overnight in Punakha.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, visit the beautiful Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness) built at the   of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers in 1637.In the past, this majestic dzong served as both the religious and administrative centre of Bhutan. It measures some 180 by 70 metres and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside you can explore the courtyards and religious statues.

Later in the day visit Chimi Lhakhang - a monastery situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley and known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that if couples who do not have children and want one, pray at this temple, they will be blessed with a child. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you a rare glimpse into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.

Overnight in Punakha.

Meals included: Breakfast lunch and dinner

Today after breakfast, we drive to Paro 

In the afternoon visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’. Explore the wooden galleries and fine wall paintings as well as the surrounds of the Dzong - also the site where Bernardo Bertolucci's movie ‘Little Buddha’ was filmed.

Continue on to the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

In the evening your guide can take you on an exploratory walk around the main street and market area.

Overnight in Paro.

Meals included: Breakfast lunch and dinner

After breakfast visit the iconic Taktshang Monastery, also known as "Tiger's Nest Monastery".

It is approximately a 5 hour walk and is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries - you'll see why when you get there!A decent level of fitness is required for the trek. The hike to the first view point is through the forest and there is an option to hire ponies for this section (around USD20 per person and payable directly).This part of the walk is 1.5 hours and there is a cafeteria with a good view of the Monastery. If you are unable/not wanting to do the full climb you can return from this point.Ponies are not permitted from this point onwards.

Later in the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong. Originally built as a watchtower, it is now home to the National Museum with an extensive collection of antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and more.Please note: Ta Dzong is closed on Government holidays.

Continue on to Dungtse Lhakhang. This chorten like temple has three floors representing hell, earth and heaven. The paintings inside the temple are said to be some of the best in Bhutan.

On the way back to town stop at Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. Here you will also see typical farmhouses - colourful, decorative and traditionally built without the use of a single nail. The majority of the population of Bhutan continues to live as it has for centuries – in small isolated farms and hamlets, surrounded by terraced fields of rice, maize and buckwheat.

Overnight in Paro.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight home or onto you next stop. Your guide will help you with the exit formalities and bid you farewell.

Meals included: Breakfast