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Cultural Safari

9 Days / 8 Nights
Rendezvous with Happiness

Tour Overview

Myth and legacies of great Buddhist saints permeate the Bumthang valley. Approaching and entering the valley can be as though entering the inner sanctum of a sacred temple. With many sacred Buddhist sites spread across the valley, the whole place feel blessed. Experience the indigenous hospitality of Bumthang valley.

Tour Highlights

  • Historic Bumthang Valley 
  • Tashichodzong – 17th century Fort
  • Memorial Chorten
  • Zorig Chusum 
  • Punakha Dzong
  • Chimi Lhakhang
  • Home stay experience
  • Nature trail at Phobjikha
  • Trongsa Ta Dzong Museum
  • Chumey Yathra Weaving Center
  • Chakhar Lhakhang
  • Mebar Tso (The Burning Lake)

Daily Itinerary for Cultural Safari (9 Days)

Day 1

Arrive in Paro

After arriving at Paro, your guide and driver will be waiting for you and after welcoming you to Bhutan, they will drive you to Thimphu.
Drive from Paro to Thimphu
Distance: 54 Km|Driving Time: 1 hour

You will be driven through Thimphu-Paro highway where you will pass the Chuzom, the Paro and Thimphu river confluence and from there Thimphu is just 30 minutes away. Once in Thimphu, you will be checked into your decided hotel and after lunch, you will be taken around for sightseeing. You will visit some attractions like:

Places and attractions:
Thimphu Buddha Dordenma Centenary Farmers Market Authentic Craft Bazaar Memorial Chorten VAST Studio Tashichhodzong National Institute for Zorig Chusum

Accommodation options:
Le Meridien Hotel Bhutan City Hotel

Day 2

Drive to Punakha

Drive from Thimphu to Dochula
Distance: 31Km|Driving Time: 1 hour

Located at an elevation of 3100 meters; Dochula pass is one of the most idyllic passes that are accessible by road. The pass is decorated with 108 chortens which were built to honor unwavering service of our Royal Bhutan Army. On a clear beautiful day, the view from the pass is just breathtaking as the Himalayan ranges can be seen.

Lunch at Dochula Cafeteria
After the sightseeing, you will be served lunch at Dochula Cafeteria after which you will be proceeding towards Punakha.
Drive to Punakha from Dochula
Distance: 63Km Driving |Time: 1 and a half hour

Punakha offers the most authentic experiences of being in Bhutan. The valley is still adorned with lush greenery from the agricultural farmlands and the scene is best in late spring through summer from the striking fresh greenery from the sprouting paddy fields and during fall when the lands turn color to classic golden beauty. The valley still takes pride in their old traditional homes.
Moreover, Punakha holds great historic significance as most of the history that built Bhutan was all witnessed in this valley.

Places and attractions:
Punakha Dochula Pass Lungchutse Hike Punakha Dzong - The Palace of Great Bliss Punakha Suspension Bridge Chimi Lhakhang - The Fertility Temple

Accommodation options:
Zhingkham Cottages Drubchhu Resort

Day 3

Early Drive from Punakha to Phobjikha

Distance: 78 Km |Driving Time: 3 and half hours
While driving to Phobjikha, you will make one more stop at the famous fertility temple on the way.

Places and attractions:
Phobjikha Valley Gangtey Monastery Black Necked Crane Information Centre Gangtey Nature Trail Hot Stone Bath in Gangtey

Accommodation options:
Amankora Gangtey Dewachen Hotel Gangtey Goenpa Lodge

Day 4

Drive from Phobjikha to Trongsa

Distance: 120 Km |Driving Time: 5 hours

The drive from Phobjikha to Trongsa will take you through a rich forest of rhododendrons and oak woods. On your way, you will bypass Pele la pass at 3,351 meters of elevation. You will also pass Chendebji Chorten which is believed to be built at a point where the three ridges and the three edges of the sky meet. Upon reaching Trongsa since you will be halting here for the night you can choose to do a little sightseeing after some break and refreshments. You can visit:
Ta Dzong Museum- the museum is set up in an old watch tower which exhibits historical artifacts and the watchtower was constructed in 1652 to watch out for invaders.

After which you can stroll along Trongsa town and take rest at your hotel.

Places and attractions:
Trongsa Chendebji Chorten Ta Dzong Museum Trongsa Trongsa Dzong

Accommodation options:
Yangkhil Resort

Day 5

Drive from Trongsa to Bumthang

Distance: 79 Km| Driving Time: 3 hours

The drive from Trongsa to Bumthang is very swift and you will cross yet another mountain pass called the YotongLa Pass at 3.436m of elevation. As you enter Bumthang valley you will feel as though you are entering into a sacred place. Bumthang Valley is considered as the religious heart of the country as many myths and legacies of great Buddhist saints flood the valley. With many sacred Buddhist monasteries and sites spread across the valley, the whole place will feel blessed.

Places and attractions:
Bumthang Mebar Tso Ura Village Kurjey Lhakhang Jambey Lhakhang Yathra Weaving Center

Accommodation options:
Moutain Lodge Amankora Bumthang

Day 6

Drive back to Thimphu OR Fly to Paro

Over night at a hotel in Thimphu

Please note that the flight ticket cost is subject to additional charges and is NOT included in the package price

Places and attractions:
Thimphu

Accommodation options:
City Hotel Le Meridien Hotel Bhutan

Day 7

Drive to Paro

Over night at a Hotel in Paro

Places and attractions:
Paro Paro Rinpung Dzong Paro Town National Museum Paro Ta Dzong Kyichu Lhakhang

Accommodation options:
Tashi Namgay Resort Haven Resort Le Meridien Paro Riverfront

Day 8

Hike to Taktsang

After breakfast, you will be driven to the base of the Tiger’s nest monastery from where you will either decide to ride a horse to the monastery or just hike till you reach the top which is actually more rewarding. The 4 hours of hiking trail will take the hikers through a refreshingly verdant forest which provides fresh air and shade for the hikers. The fluttering prayer flags along the way accompany the hikers to the top. Taktshang monastery or tiger’s nest is dangerously suspended on a cliff at over 900m hovering over the Paro valley below. The establishment of the monastery is credited to the greatest Buddhist master Guru Padmasambhava. Legend has it that he flew here riding a flying tigress. After which he meditated in a cave for many years. The monastery was built enclosing the cave. Upon completing the challenging hike, you will be driven back to your hotel where you will take rest.

Places and attractions:
Paro Tigers Nest Hike

Accommodation options:
Tashi Namgay Resort Haven Resort Le Meridien Paro Riverfront

Day 9

Depart From Paro

End of Trip

Payment & Cancellation Policy

Payment Terms
  • The approval of tourists VISA is contingent on the full payment of the tour
  • Flight ticket payment is subject to the Ticketing Time Limit issued by the airlines
Tour Cancellation and Refund Policy
  • 30 to 15 days prior to arrival - 20% of the total tour cost will be levied as cancellation fee
  • 14 to 7 days prior to arrival - 50% of the tour cost will be levied as cancellation fee
  • Less than a week prior to arrival - 100% cancellation charge will be levied as cancellation fee
Flight Ticket Cancellation and Refund Policy
  • Subject to the cancellation terms of the Airline
Rescheduling Tour Dates:
  • There are no charges for rescheduling your trip. However the minimum daily tariff, hotel rates, airline charges are subject to change depending on your new travelling dates.