CENTRAL & WESTERN BHUTAN WALKING HOLIDAY

FOR INTREPID HIKERS

12 NIGHTS | FROM US$4,450* | DEPARTS: PARO, BHUTAN

This 12-night Bhutan walking holiday is designed for very keen walkers who enjoy quite challenging walking trails with hikes from 3-6 hours. The tour takes you off the beaten track in the quaint and isolated Bumthang Valley in Central Bhutan. This beautiful, fertile valley is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples in the kingdom. Head westwards to the vast glacial valley at Phobjikha, winter home to the black necked cranes. Explore the picturesque Punakha valley before heading to Thimpu and Paro. Finish your walking holiday with a hike up to the miraculous cliff-hugging Tiger's Nest monastery.

Enjoy a variety of magnificent day hikes, finishing in comfortable boutique accommodation each night. Visit ancient monasteries and picturesque off-the-beaten track villages. Learn about Bhutan's unique culture and traditions from your expert guide.

* Price based on twin-share accommodation. Single room supplement available for US$55 per night, subject to availability. Please note that groups of one or two people will incur surcharges. .
Find out approximate trip price in your own currency here 

Availability: All year - choose your own dates                               
Minimum group size: 1 person

Trip Inclusions

• Transport by private vehicle

• Domestic flight from Paro to Bumthang

• All meals, mineral water, tea and coffee

• 12 nights handpicked hotel accommodation

• All entrance fees at monasteries and museums

• Bhutan daily fee including visa, Bhutan government tourism royalties and local taxes

• English-speaking Bhutanese guide

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrive in Paro, Bhutan: Your journey begins in the beautiful Paro Valley where you will be met at the airport by your guide and driver. Explore the charming town centre and stroll across the picturesque wooden Nyamai Zam Bridge. Walk up to the magnificent Rinpung Dzong above. Visit the National Museum before continuing to the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Continue to your hotel to relax.
Walking time: 2-3 hours
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

DAY 2

Bumthang: Take the short flight to Bumthang, one of the most beautiful and sacred valleys in Bhutan. Do the Padtselling Monastery Hike from Swiss Guest House in Jakar to the large ‘Lotus Grove’ Monastery. This is a strenuous uphill through a mix of forest, meadows and villages, and you are rewarded with great views. Wildflowers and medicinal herbs are a common sights. In the afternoon visit Jakar Dzong and then walk from Jambay Lhaghang to Kurje Lhakang and onto Tamjing Lhakhang.
Flight time: 30 minutes
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 3

Bumthang: Walk from Kikila to Tarpaling. In the afternoon visit the Wangdichoeling Palace Museum. Visit the Cheese factory and micro-brewery the guesthouse run by a Swiss-Bhutanese family.
Driving time: 3 hours
Walking time: 4 hours
Overnight: Bumthang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 4 

Bumthang:  Drive for around 50 mins to Toktok sampa where we start our hike to Nga Lhakgang hike ( 3-4 hours). Visit the micro-brewery and cheese factory and return to the hotel to relax.
Overnight: Bumthang
Walking time: 3-4 hours
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 5 

Phobjikha:   Drive to Trongsa stopping at the Ta Dzong ( watch tower) museum. Continue to Phobjikha where we visit Gangtey Monastery. Walk down through the village for the nature trail hike. This lovely hike takes you through forests of blue pines and open meadows. In the winter, you will have a good chance of seeing black necked cranes. Your vehicle will meet you at the end of the trail to transfer to your hotel.
Walking time: 2 hours
Driving time:  5-6 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 3,000 m

DAY 6

Phobjikha: Setting off from Gangtey Lodge, the breathtaking Lawala Hike takes you through dense forests of rhododendron to Khumbu Lhakhang and the 15th-century Khewa Lhakhang with impressively large Buddha statues.
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 3,000 m

DAY 7

Punakha: Visit the impressive Gangtay Monastery dating from the early 17th century, one of the two main centres of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in Bhutan. Continue towards the fertile Punakha valley, visiting the Temple of Fertility at Chimi Lhakhang. In the afternoon there is an optional hike to Khamsum Yulley Temple.
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Walking time: 1-2 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude: 1,310 m

DAY 8

Punakha: Trek through the fertile Punakha Valley today. Walk through rice paddies to Khamsum Chorten and climb to the hill-top temple at Giligang built 300 years ago. Enjoy spectacular views before gently descending to the valley and crossing Changyul Bridge to Punakha Dzong.
Walking time: 5-6 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude 1,310 m

Day 9

Thimpu: Drive over the Dochula Pass towards Thimphu, the quirky little capital of Bhutan. Explore the Lamperi hike on the way.
Walking time: 2 hours
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Thimpu
Altitude: 2,320 m

Day 10

Thimpu: In the morning hike through forests to the impressive Cheri monastery established in 1620. Visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts in Thimpu, the best place to see traditional arts being created or the colorful Textile Museum. In the afternoon walk the Debsi trail (1.5 hours) or hike from Buddha Point to Changangkha Lhakhang (2-3 hours).
Walking time: 1.5 hours + optional hikes
Overnight: Thimpu
Altitude: 2,320 m

Day 11

Paro: Return to Paro. Explore the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan and visit the formidable Paro dzong (fortress). Do the short Zuri Hike (approx. 1 hour) or the longer Jili Dzong Day Hike (4 hours). This is the first section of the Druk Path trek and offers magnificent views of the entire Paro valley.
Walking time: varies (1-4 hours)
Driving time: 1.5 hour
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

DAY 12

Paro:  Bumdrak Hike up to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery. An unforgettable hike to the Taktshang Gomba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). The walk through blue pines, passing water-powered prayer wheels, leads you to the holy site. This ancient monastery clings miraculously to a sheer cliff above the valley floor. The views are magnificent over the Paro Valley.
Walking time: 5 hours
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

day 13

Depart Paro

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