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Duration

10 days

Max. Elevation

Group size

Level

EASY

Transportation

Private Vehicle/Tourist bus

Best Season

September- June

Accomodation

Double/Twin sharing in hotel

Meals

on full board

Starts at

Paro, Bhutan

Ends at

Paro, Bhutan

Trip Route

Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Jakar, Bhumthang Valley-Trongsa-Paro

Highlights

Explore the best places in Bhutan; Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Jakar and Trongsa
See some of the most iconic landmarks such as the Tiger’s Nest Taktsang Monastery
Visit some of the most authentic villages in Bhutan
Incredible views along scenic routes
Go sightseeing in Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu and ancient capital Trongsa
A unique exploration tour around the Bhumthang Valley

Go on an amazing journey across Bhutan from West to East in Trekking Planner’s Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days. This incredible sightseeing tour in Bhutan takes you to some of the most famous places and landmarks that this country has to offer! Furthermore, in this Explore Bhutan tour, Trekking Planner brings you deeper into the country by exploring the famed Bhumthang Valley. Go on a journey for 10 days across Bhutan and visit Paro, Thimphu, the Bhumthang Valley and the ancient capital of Trongsa!

With this Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days you’ll get to see some incredible sights and culture. Trekking Planner does advice to try and book this tour to start on Wednesdays as then you can enjoy the local market and see the national archer games on day 4 in Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. If you want to explore around the country of dragons and see more than just the famous touristic places, we do recommend booking this incredible Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days! The tour includes a short hiking trip as well.

The route of the 10 days Explore Bhutan tour:

Have a look below to see every sightseeing place of the 10 days Explore Bhutan tour with a short description.

Paro:

It all starts in Paro, home to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. After you land at Paro’s International Airport your guide and Trekking Planner’s representative will already be waiting to meet and greet you. After a short but pleasant formality we drive of to you hotel for check in and some refreshments. In the afternoon we go on a short guided tour sightseeing at Paro’s Museum and the Buddhist Shrine located in an old watchtower. At the evening we see the first of Bhutan’s nightlife and enjoy a pleasant dinner before turning in for the night. The next morning after breakfast, we go sightseeing at some of Paro’s famous places such as; the Paro Rinpung Dzong, the Kichu Temple and the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong. After lunch we head up to the famous Taktsang Monastery also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The climb can be strenuous for the inexperienced but you can always hire a donkey or pony to take you up! The monastery is just incredible and possible the biggest highlight of the day. After enjoying the sights and listening to an informative explanation about the monastery and its origins from our guide we head back down for dinner.

Thimphu:

On day 3 of the 10 days Explore Bhutan tour we head to the capital city Thimphu. Depending on whether you arrived in Paro on a Wednesdays you can enjoy some extra activities here. The drive is really pleasant and the views just as incredible. On the way to Thimphu you can see views of the Bride of Kanchenjunga, Mt Chomalhari (7,326m/24,035ft). After we check in to our hotel and enjoy lunch we head out to explore the first sights of Thimphu. We start by visiting the famous white Memorial Chorten, followed by a short walking tour around Thimphu. Enjoy dinner back at the hotel before heading out as the nightlife has a lot to offer as you would expect from a capital city! The next day we visit Thimphu’s famous places before lunch such as; the School of Arts & Crafts, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon we go sightseeing at the Motithang Takin Reserve Park, the Tashicho Dzong and the Zangdopelri Temple. After dinner you can enjoy the last sights of Thimphu as the next day we drive to Punakha!

Punakha:

Today we head deeper into the country by driving to Punakha via the famous Dochula Mountain Pass at an altitude of 3,150m/10,335ft! Just past the mountain pass you’ll see 108 Buddhist Stupas and on clear days you can see the highest mountain in Bhutan, Mt Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m/24,840ft)! We check into our hotel and enjoy lunch before going out and exploring Punakha. This afternoon we visit the beautiful Punakha Dzong and the Souvenir Making Center. For those who are up to it, we can do also a short evening hike up to the Khamsum Yuley Lakhang Stupa and the Chimi Lakhang temple.

The Bhumthang Valley:

During days 6 and 7 of the Explore Bhutan tour, we go exploring around Bhutan’s Bhumthang Valley! Our first destination is the village of Jakar. We start of by driving through the Pele La Mountain Pass at a height of 3,420m/11,221ft. Followed by a short visit to the Chendebji Chorten and a lunch break in Trongsa. Afterwards we head through the Youtong La at a height of 3,425m/11,237ft and continue on until reaching Jakar. Depending on your preference and availability we check in to our hotel or mountain lodge and enjoy dinner before turning in for the night.

Today we explore the Bhumthang Valley and go sightseeing at the Jambav Lhakang Temple, the Iron Castle (Chakar Temple), and the Kurjey Monastery Complex. Afterwards we leave our vehicle behind and prepare for a short hike through the valley to the Swiss farm. Hiking through the county side lets you experience more of authentic Bhutan and see some unique sights of nature! During thing the hike we’ll visit also the Tamshing Lhakang Temple and the the Kunchok Sum Temple. At the Swiss farm our vehicle will be waiting to drive to our next hotel or mountain lodge for lunch and check in. In the afternoon we go more sightseeing and visit the newly built Namhai Nyingpo Monastery, the traditional Hospital, the Lamay Gompa, and Bhutan’s largest Dzong, the Jakar Dzong!

Trongsa:

Known as the seat of Bhutan’s royal ancestors, Trongsa our next day’s destination is truly worth the visit! Having already enjoyed lunch here you might have noticed the incredible Dzong. This is the Trongsa Dzong and was built by the founding rulers of Bhutan! After arriving back at Trongsa and checking in to our hotel or mountain lodge to enjoy lunch we go sightseeing here. Afterwards, we visit the Ta Dzong watchtower and ancient temple.

The next day we make our way back to Paro, which will take up most of the day. Passing back by Punakha and Thimphu we reach back Paro in the afternoon. After dinner we enjoy some of the last sights and take a stroll around Paro’s old town. The next day after breakfast you’ll be transferred back to the airport for your ongoing departure.

Trekking Planner can extend this Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days for more days in Bhutan or even with a visit to Nepal as well! Just inform us during your booking so we can organize your Himalayan adventure!

Important Note

To offer an even better service to our travelers, we ask you to take a look at these information points before booking your trip with us.

Best seasons for the Bhutan sightseeing tour of 7 days:

Either fall/autumn or spring will be the best seasons for the Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days days. In the fall/autumn which last from September until early November the weather is a bit cooler but the skies are clear blue. Do note that the days are shorter during the fall/autumn season. In spring the weather is warmer, but in the afternoon more clouds can block of the views.

Itinerary Disclaimer:

Trekking Planner’s Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days follows our standard itinerary published within this page. While some days may end up longer or shorter due to travel times, all accommodation, transportation and meals as per the itinerary are included while on tour in Bhutan with Trekking Planner. If any changes need to be made on the itinerary while on tour due small chance of political, or natural occurrences, our representative will take full responsibility in completing your itinerary where possible.

Climate and Weather:

Before booking any trip to a Himalayan country it’s important to understand the climate and weather of the country you plan to visit. As stated above the best seasons are spring or fall/autumn. When you think spring you think warm weather, in Bhutan this is as well but in the morning and night the temperatures can get below zero! So always make sure to check which season you which to travel and what to pack.

Trip Itinerary

• Trekking Planner’s representative awaits you with your name card at the airport
• Meet and greet with your local guide
• Transfer to your hotel for check in
• Afternoon Paro Museum visit
• Visit the Buddhist shrine
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveler's note: Did you know that the Paro Museum is located inside an old watch tower? The Buddhist shrine shows a unique lineage tree accompanied by four Buddhist statues representing the four schools; The Sakya, Gelug, Nyingma and Kagyu.

• Hotel breakfast
• Enjoy guided sightseeing in Paro:
• Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong
• Visit the Kichu Temple
• Visit the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong
• Lunch
• Head up to the famous Tiger’s Nest, the Paro Taktsang Monastery
• Either hike up or choose to hire a pony
• Enjoy a few hours at the monastery
• Head back down to the hotel
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveller’s note: Did you know that the word Dzong means fortress in Bhutanese. Today you’ll be able to visit 2 famous Dzongs in Paro. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is located at a height of 3,120m/10,236ft? Build in the 16th century by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye in honour of the Guru Rinpoche, the Paro Taktsang Monastery is one of the highest landmarks of Bhutan!

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive to Thimphu
• Hotel check in and lunch
• Visit the famous Memorial Chorten
• Explore around Thimphu
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveller’s note: Did you know that the drive from Paro to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu only takes about two hours? During the drive you can see amazing views of Mt Chomolhari (7,326m/24,035ft). Also pronounced as Mt Jomolhari, meaning “the bride of Kanchenjunga”!

• Hotel breakfast
• Enjoy guided sightseeing in Thimphu: Visit the School of Arts and Crafts, Visit the Folk Heritage Museum and Visit the National Library

• Lunch
• Enjoy afternoon guided sightseeing in Thimphu: Visit the Motithang Takin Reserve Park, Visit the Tashicho Dzong and Visit the Zangdopelri Temple

• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveller’s note: Did you know that on the weekends you can check out Thimphu’s archery competition and the local market. Make sure you arrive in Paro on a Wednesday in order to be in Thimphu for the weekend! Did you know that the Takin is the national animal of Bhutan? At the Motithang Takin Reserve Park (a mini zoo) you can see this exotic animal.

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive by private vehicle to Punakha
• Stop at the 108 Buddhist Stupas
• Arrival at Punakha
• Hotel check in and lunch
• Enjoy guided sightseeing at Punakha: Drive to and visit the legendary Punakha Dzong and Visit the Souvenir Making Center
• (Opt.) Enjoy an evening hike to: Khamsum Yuley Lakhang Stupa and Chimi Lakhang temple
• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel

Traveller’s note: Did you know that during our drive to Punakha we pass the Dochula Mountain Pass (3,150m/10,335ft). From here you can see the highest mountain in Bhutan, Mt Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m/24,840ft)! The Punakha Dzong is considered to be the most beautiful of all Bhutan’s fortresses? It was built somewhere in the 16th century and houses a temple with complex and beautiful architecture. Also known to be the second largest fortress and the second oldest.

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive by private vehicle to the Pele La Mountain Pass
• Continue the drive on to the Chendebji Chorten for sightseeing
• Stop at Trongsa for lunch
• Drive further via the Youtong La Mountain Pass to Jakar
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel/lodge

Traveller’s note: Did you know that the Pele La has a height of 3,420m/11,221ft and the Youtong La has a height of 3,425m/11,237ft! After descending the last pass we stop briefly at Zugney village, in Chume, one of the four valleys of Bhumthang. Here you can witness how they make authentic Yathra, woollen textiles.

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive though the Bhumthang Valley and visit: The Jambav Lhakang Temple, The Iron Castle (Chakar Temple) and The Kurjey Monastery Complex
• Enjoy a light sightseeing hike: Hike to the Chamkhar Chu River, Continue on to the Tamshing Lhakang Temple, Visit the Kunchok Sum Temple and Reach to the Swiss farm
• Pick up by your private vehicle and transfer to your hotel/lodge for check in
• Lunch
• Afternoon sightseeing in the Bhumthang Valley: Visit the newly built Namhai Nyingpo Monastery, Visit the traditional Hospital, Visit the Jakar Dzong and Visit the Lamay Gompa
• Drive back to your hotel
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel/lodge

Traveller’s note: Did you know that the Jambav Lhakang Monastery is one out of three monasteries build to supress an evil demoness? Did you know that the Tamshing Lhakang Temple houses over 95 Buddhist monks and is recently listed on the World Heritage Sites tentative list! The Jakar Dzong is one of Bhutan’s largest Dzongs, and was built on the grounds of an ancient temple.

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive back to Trongsa
• Enjoy the last sights of the Bhumthang Valley
• Arrival at Trongsa + check in
• Lunch
• Afternoon sightseeing at Trongsa: Visit the famous Trongsa Dzong and Visit the Ta Dzong watchtower & temple
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel/lodge

Traveller’s note: Did you know that the Dzong at Trongsa is one of Bhutan’s most impressive Dzongs as ancient kings ruled over the country from here! Temple at the Ta Dzong watchtower is made in honour of the first king of Bhutan’s father, Jigme Namgyel! Trongsa is known to be the village of where the royal family of Bhutan started to rule the country. The ancient capital!

• Hotel breakfast and check out
• Drive back to Paro
• Visit the Chendebji Chorten on the way back to the Pele La Pass
• After crossing the Pass we drive further back through Punakha
• Continue on back to Thimphu for lunch
• Drive further back to Paro
• Hotel check in
• Enjoy the last evening by exploring Paro’s nightlife
• Dinner and overnight stay at your hotel

Traveller’s note: Did you know that Paro’s old town is great for some last souvenir shopping? You can explore around the evening markets and see the nightlife of Paro and Bhutan for a last time!

• Check-out
• Our team will transfer you to the airport approx. 3hrs before departure
• We hope you enjoyed the Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days with Trekking Planner, and can’t wait to organize your next trek in Bhutan, Tibet or Nepal!

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Includes

All airport pick up drop by private vehicle
All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner] with tea and coffee
Twin/double shearing accommodation in 3 star hotel
Guided sightseeing tours private vehicle and all necessary entrance fees
A highly experience, helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, English speaking, well-trained, Government license holding guide. Price includes his salary, food, drinks, accommodation, transport and insurance.
Bhutan Entry visa fees
All applicable government and local taxes per the itinerary

Doesn't Include

All the International air fare to and from Paro, Bhutan (no need to pay departure tax for international flight).we do organize international flight ticket, please contact us if you need it.
Single room supplementary
Personal travel and health insurance as well as insurance for helicopter evacuation
Your personal expenses such as (laundry, phone calls, bar and beverage bill, water, etc)
The tips to the trekking crews and drive

Complimentary

Welcome dinner in an authentic restaurant
First add kid box
Trekking Planner’s T-shirt, cap, duffel bags, city and trekking route maps – if necessary.
Arrangement of emergency evacuation service (should have insurance for emergency evacuation and will be paid by your travel insurance company)

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to extend your tour further to Nepal, than Trekking Planner can connect your flight from Bhutan to Nepal and organize sightseeing in Nepal. For more info please check out our multi country packages via the website’s top menu bar, or use the quick inquiry.

If you love those Himalayan temples and monasteries, want to see some of the most beautiful natural sights and discover an authentic culture than the Explore Bhutan tour is definitely worth it! Trekking Planner has carefully planned out the best itinerary to explore Bhutan from west to east in just 10 days. For first time visitors and even previous visitors the Explore Bhutan tour gives a more authentic and unique experience as you’ll see more of the country and its landmarks!

We do recommend to give some amount of tips to your driver and guide, as they work hard to provide you one of the best and most informed services. 10USD a day for your guide and about 5 to 6USD per day for your driver is considered as a normal amount for tipping. Please do hold in mind that tipping is not obligated in Bhutan but considered more as a formality and material way of thanking your team for their services.

The most famous landmarks in Bhutan are:

 The Paro Rinpung Dzong
 The Tiger’s Nest Monastery aka the Paro Taktsang Monastery
 The Memorial Chorten
 The School of Arts and Crafts
 The Folk Heritage Museum
 The National Library
 The Motithang Takin Reserve Park
 The legendary Punakha Dzong
 The Iron Castle (Chakar Temple)
 The Kurjey Monastery Complex
 The Jakar Dzong
 The Trongsa Dzong

All of these famous landmarks and more are included in Trekking Planner’s Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days!

You’ll need an agent to book any type of trips, treks or vacation in Bhutan. Trekking Planner has been organizing tours, trips, treks and vacations in Bhutan for over 10 years and has many different vacation packages ready made for you to visit Bhutan. Check out our website for more info and options.

While with 7 days you can visit the most famous places in Bhutan, with 10 days you can see much more authentic and traditional places, villages and sights. Depending on your travel budget you’ll have to choose yourself, but we do recommend spending at least 5 to 7 days in Bhutan to make your trip really worth it!