Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure to Delhi
Your flight gets you into Delhi late in the evening or overnight. From there you'll be picked up and driven to your hotel so you can settle in for the night.
Landmarks Indira Gandhi International Airport - Day 2
Delhi
If you land early enough, check into your hotel and the day is yours to do as you like. You can wander around Delhi or just relax at the hotel and use the facilities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 3
Paro to Thimphu
After flying out of Delhi, your guide meets you at Paro airport and drives you to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city at 3,250 meters/10,660 feet. This place has no traffic lights or tall buildings, which makes it quite different. You'll see traditional weaving centers, visit Simtokha Dzong monastery, check out the memorial chorten and Changangkha temple, then see the 50-meter Buddha Dordenma statue. Dinner happens at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner in a local restaurant with classic regional dishes)
Included Activities
- Visit traditional weaving art center
- Simtokha Dzong monastery visit
- Memorial Chorten visit
- Changangkha Temple visit
- Buddha Dordenma statue visit
Landmarks Simtokha Dzong Changangkha Temple Buddha Dordenma Memorial Chorten - Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha
Start with a walk through Thimphu's farmers market and have a tasting. Then drive on winding roads up to Dochu La pass at 3,088 meters/10,131 feet, where 108 chortens and colorful prayer flags mark the spot, and you can see the eastern Himalayan peaks. Coming down the other side, walk through rice fields and visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple before reaching Punakha Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Snack, Dinner
Included Activities
- Farmers' market visit and tasting
- Dochu La mountain pass visit
- Rice field walk
- Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple visit
Landmarks Dochu La Pass Chimi Lhakhang - Day 5
Punakha
See the suspension bridge over the Po Chu River and do an easy hike through the countryside. Pack a picnic lunch with local dishes that you'll eat by the river. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan's most important and beautiful fortresses.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic by the river with local dishes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Po Chu River suspension bridge visit
- Easy countryside hike
- Punakha Dzong guided tour
Landmarks Punakha Dzong - Day 6
Punakha to Bumthang
Start at Kaja Throm market to grab snacks for the road. Drive over Pelela Pass at 3,100 meters/10,171 feet through changing landscapes and mountain views. Stop in Trongsa to photograph the dzong, then cross Yutong La Pass at 3,400 meters/11,155 feet before arriving in Bumthang's beautiful valleys.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kaja Throm market visit
- Trongsa Dzong viewing
Landmarks Trongsa Dzong - Day 7
Bumthang
Spend the day exploring Bumthang Valley's four mountain valleys, which are spiritually significant. Visit Jamba Lhakhang monastery and join a butter lamp ceremony at Kharchu Lhakhang. After checking out a farmers cooperative and having a picnic, do a short hike to Membar Tsho, the lake pilgrims call the 'burning lake'. End with a visit to Pema Choling nunnery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
Included Activities
- Jamba Lhakhang monastery visit
- Butter lamp ceremony at Kharchu Lhakhang
- Farmers' cooperative visit
- Membar Tsho pilgrimage site hike
- Pema Choling nunnery visit
Landmarks Jamba Lhakhang Kharchu Lhakhang Membar Tsho Pema Choling Nunnery - Day 8
Bumthang to Gangtey
Leave Bumthang early and drive to Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley, also called 'Crane Valley'. You'll stop several times along the way and eat lunch at a local restaurant. Once there, visit Gangtey Monastery, then walk the Gangtey Nature Trail, a 4-kilometer route that takes about 1.5 hours and is fairly easy.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a local restaurant en route), Dinner
Included Activities
- Gangtey Monastery visit
- Gangtey Nature Trail hike
Landmarks Gangtey Monastery - Day 9
Gangtey to Paro
Drive back toward Paro on spectacular mountain passes with stops along the way. Your guide explains what prayer flags mean and you'll get to hang some yourself. In the afternoon, visit a traditional Bhutanese farming family home to learn how they live. Back in Paro, explore Paro Dzong, which shows some of the finest Bhutanese architecture around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Prayer flag hanging activity
- Bhutanese farming family home visit
- Paro Dzong visit
Landmarks Paro Dzong - Day 10
Paro
Hike up to Taktshang Monastery, the famous 'Tiger's Nest' that sits on a cliff like an eagle's nest. You choose how far to go based on your fitness level. The hike to the cafeteria is moderate at about 2 hours with 300 meters of altitude gain and gives great views. After that, visit Kyichu Lhakang Temple, one of the country's holiest and most important temples. In the evening, have your farewell dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Taktshang Monastery hike and visit
- Kyichu Lhakang Temple visit
Landmarks Taktshang Monastery Kyichu Lhakang - Day 11
Paro to Delhi
Fly back to Delhi from Paro. Once you arrive, the rest of the day is free. Rest up or explore Delhi if you feel like it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 12
Return to Frankfurt
Early morning flight from Delhi to Frankfurt. You'll land the same day.
