- Duration
- 11 days · 10 nights
- Group size
- Private journey for 2 or more guests
Overview
Starting and ending in Delhi, this eleven-day journey goes deep into Bhutan. The flight into Paro is one of the most spectacular in the Himalaya. In Thimphu you visit the Memorial Chorten, the giant Buddha at Kuenselphodrang, the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Textile Museum, Simply Bhutan, Pangri Zampa and Trashichhoedzong.
Over the Dochula pass (3,080 m) you reach Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness, and Chimi Lhakhang. Then the road heads east over the Pele-la (3,300 m) and Yutong-la (3,400 m) passes, by way of Chendebji Chorten and Trongsa Dzong, to the open valleys of Bumthang and Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery.
Back in Paro, the highlight is a hike to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger's Nest, followed by Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples.
The route
Day by day, at a glance
Day 1 · Delhi
Arrival in Delhi
Day 2 · Thimphu
Fly to Paro, Drive to Thimphu
Day 3 · Thimphu
Thimphu
Day 4 · Punakha
Over the Dochula Pass to Punakha
Day 5 · Bumthang
Trongsa and On to Bumthang
Day 6 · Bumthang
Bumthang Valley
Day 7 · Punakha
Back to Punakha
Day 8 · Paro
Simtokha Dzong and Paro
Day 9 · Paro
Tiger's Nest
Day 10 · Delhi
Fly to Delhi
Day 11 · Delhi
Departure
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 1 · Delhi
Arrival in Delhi
After you clear immigration and customs, you are met and transferred to your hotel (check-in from 14:00). Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2 · Thimphu
Fly to Paro, Drive to Thimphu
Early-morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Paro, one of the most spectacular flights in the Himalaya. On arrival, drive to Thimphu (55 km, 1.5 hours) and check in. In the afternoon, visit the King's Memorial Chorten and the Buddha Point (Kuenselphodrang). Overnight in Thimphu (2,400 m).
Le Méridien Thimphu (suggested)Day 3 · Thimphu
Thimphu
After breakfast, visit the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Textile Museum, Simply Bhutan and Pangri Zampa. In the afternoon, visit Trashichhoedzong. Overnight in Thimphu (2,400 m).
Le Méridien Thimphu (suggested)Day 4 · Punakha
Over the Dochula Pass to Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Punakha (75 km, 3 hours) over the Dochula pass (3,080 m). In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness. Later, an excursion to Chimi Lhakhang. Overnight in Punakha.
Dhensa Resort (suggested)Day 5 · Bumthang
Trongsa and On to Bumthang
After breakfast, drive to Bumthang (218 km, 6–7 hours) over the Pele-la pass (3,300 m / 10,830 ft) by way of Trongsa. Stop at Chendebji Chorten, which is modelled on Kathmandu's Swayambhunath stupa, and have lunch in Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong. A further 68 km drive over the Yutong-la pass (3,400 m / 11,155 ft) opens onto the wide, farmed Bumthang valley. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 6 · Bumthang
Bumthang Valley
After breakfast, tour the Bumthang valley. In the afternoon, take a short hike to Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 7 · Punakha
Back to Punakha
After a short stroll around town, set off on the long, scenic mountain drive to Punakha (200 km, 7 hours). Overnight in Punakha, or in Wangduephodrang, 17 km from Punakha.
Dhensa Resort (suggested)Day 8 · Paro
Simtokha Dzong and Paro
After breakfast, drive back to Paro (125 km, 4 hours), visiting Simtokha Dzong on the way. After you check in, walk down the trail to Rinpung Dzong in the afternoon. Overnight in Paro.
Le Méridien Paro Riverfront (suggested)Day 9 · Paro
Tiger's Nest
After breakfast, an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger's Nest (about a 5-hour walk). On the way back, stop at Drukgyel Dzong, then visit Kyichu Lhakhang. This 7th-century temple is one of 108 built across the Himalaya by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. In the evening, explore Paro's main street and market. Overnight in Paro.
Le Méridien Paro Riverfront (suggested)Day 10 · Delhi
Fly to Delhi
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 11 · Delhi
Departure
Morning transfer to the international airport for your flight home.
Where you'll stay
Accommodations
Days 2–3 · Thimphu
Le Méridien Thimphu (suggested)
Days 4–7 · Punakha
Dhensa Resort (suggested)
Days 8–9 · Paro
Le Méridien Paro Riverfront (suggested)
How it works
Made to order
- Every Tourcan trip is built by a specialist, not a template — the route, hotels, and pace are tuned to how you want to travel.
- Dates are flexible. There are no fixed departures; we plan around your calendar.
- Quotes and bookings happen by phone and email with your specialist — no automated checkout, just a real conversation.
What's included
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
- Accommodation in hand-picked hotels on a twin-sharing basis, hotel taxes included
- Daily breakfast, plus meals as noted in the itinerary
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- All touring and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- English-speaking local guides for sightseeing
- Entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary
- All current government taxes
Not included
- International flights and airport taxes
- Visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance
- Gratuities for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone and bar bills
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Any services not mentioned in the itinerary
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not included in the price of any Tourcan itinerary. We strongly recommend comprehensive coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and baggage.
Photos
From the road
Your specialists
Plan this trip with Dinesh, Mukesh, and Crista
Dinesh Sapra
Senior Travel Consultant
Senior Travel Consultant specializing in Europe, Asia and the South Pacific.
Mukesh Sharma
Senior Travel Consultant
Senior Travel Consultant specializing in Asia and the South Pacific.
Crista Bongais
Tours Coordinator - Asia
Add Experiences
Make more of your time
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