15 Days
from
$11,899 pp ex Perth
Tour only from $9,199
Single Supplement – $1,949
Ask us about fares from other cities
Authentic Experiences
Journey through the heart of Bhutan on a 15-day small group tour that captures the country’s beauty, spirituality, and timeless traditions. Stand before the towering Buddha Dordenma overlooking Thimphu Valley, cross one of Bhutan’s longest suspension bridges, and walk through the peaceful courtyards of Punakha Dzong. Discover the remote valleys of Bumthang and Tang, where ancient monasteries and centuries-old murals tell stories of devotion and history.
Celebrate with locals at colourful festivals like Domkhar and Ura, meet skilled weavers in Lhuntse, and explore the vibrant town of Trashigang. End your journey in Paro with the unforgettable climb to the sacred Tiger’s Nest Monastery — a fitting finale to a trip filled with culture, connection, and quiet wonder.
- Visit the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma with it’s incredible view of Thimphu Valley
- Visit the imposing Punakha Dzong built in 1637
- Visit one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan on the Pho Chi hike
- Experience the Domkhar Festival
- Explore Tang Valley, the most remote valley in Bumthang
- Experience the Ura Festival
- Explore by foot and road the small villages of Eastern Bhutan
- Visit Lhuntse famous for it’s weaving traditions
- Visit the huge 3-storey Guru of Takila
- Explore murals and ancient relics from the 15th century
- See the Trashigang Dzong on the hilltop
- Explore the Rangjung Woesel Choling Monastery
- Learn about the history of Guru’s and meditation which Bhutan is famous for
- Explore Paro’s Ta Dzong Houses and streets
- Have the option of climbing all the way to the famous Tiger’s Nest
- Plus so much more!
Journey Map
Fitness Level
Easy
Moderate
Challenging
Tough
Itinerary
Welcome to Bhutan!
Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 2280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu River valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, at 2320 metres. Sightseeing today depends on flight timing
You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Take a late afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.
Welcome dinner at Babesa Village Restaurant.
Accommodation: Norkhil Boutique Hotel 4* Star. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
In the morning visit the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. The impressive 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. Then drive about 25 minutes to Sangaygang (Radio Tower) where you will walk for about 1 hour to Druk Wangditse temple which overlooks the whole Thimphu valley. Druk Wangditse Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in Thimphu and considered an important heritage site of Bhutan.
Hike distance: (4.5 km, 2.5 hours)
Starting elevation – 2680 metres
Highest elevation – 2635 metres
Ending elevation – 2680 metres
After visiting the temple walk back to Sangaygang (Radio Tower) and then visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin. In the afternoon you can visit the farmers market where farmers display their vegetables and other products. Nearby you can also visit Zangto Pelri Lhakhang – the modern chapel was built in the 1990s as a representation of Guru Rinpoche’s celestial abode by Dasho Aku Tongmi, the musician who composed Bhutan’s national anthem.
You may be interested to visit the National Library, and you may like to browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum. Late afternoon, if you would like to view or buy Bhutanese handicrafts, you can walk through the Craft Bazaar which has an array of stalls run by local handicraft shops selling purely home-made articles with no imports. Tell your guide what takes your interest.
Accommodation: Norkhil Boutique Hotel 4* Star or similar. Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast is at hotel.
Thimphu to Punakha. In the morning drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. You will notice the change of climate and vegetation as we approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. Then you can visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley) and set amongst terraced fields in the village of Sopsokha. You may also like to visit Kaja Throm. This is the market where farmers display their vegetables (although much smaller than the one you can see in Thimphu). Afterwards visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu.
Accommodation: Dhensa Hotel 3* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Pho Chu hike (male river hike). In the morning, we drive about 10 minutes to the cremation ground just behind Punakha Dzong where you will set off along the trail. You will walk for a few minutes till you reach one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan where you can walk across and take some photos. From the bridge you will take a left turn and climb up for about 15 minutes and from there you have a gentle walk for about 2 hours along the Pho Chu River through Chir Pine forest enjoying the sounds of the river below to Samdingkha where you will be picked up by your car.
Hike distance: (7 km, 2.5 hours)
Starting elevation – 1250 metres
Highest elevation – 1370 metres
Ending elevation – 1270 metres
In the afternoon drive approximately 4.5 hours to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 2180 metres. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, commands the eye from miles away. You can also visit Ta Dzong, the museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty, which tells the stories of the Dzong and the valley it has watched over for centuries and features personal belongings of the Kings and Queens of Bhutan. Continue a further 2.5 hours through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang, an area of high valleys at 2580 to 3100 metres.
Accommodation: Willing Hotel 3* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Early in the morning you will drive about 2 hours to Chumey Domkhar where you will visit the Domkhar festival in a small village of Domkhar. Domkhar Lhakhang was built by Serkhong Tulku during the 18th century, and it is said that the Lhakhang is the residing place for the Tulku. Domkhar Tshechu takes place over 3 days and includes chams and dances which are performed by the local people of Domkhar village. The chams include mainly the Peling Chams (composition of Terton Pema Lingpa). On the last day of the festival, the Lhakhang displays large thongdrols to bless the people of Domkhar village.
Late afternoon drive about 30 minutes to Jakar where you can visit a local farmhouse for dinner allowing you an experience of traditional Bhutanese village life. If you would like to, you can help with cooking the evening meal. Bumthang is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan, with its many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces. Bumthang is the collective name for an area of 4 valleys – Chokhor, Tang, Ura and Chumey. Late afternoon you may like to visit Jamba Lhakhang and then you can walk along the farm roads through some villages to visit Kurjey Lhakhang.
Accommodation: Rinchenling Resort 3* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Today we take a day excursion to Tang valley, the most remote of Bumthang’s valleys, at 2700 meters. First, we drive about 30 minutes to Membar Tsho (the “burning lake”), which is one of Bhutan’s most important pilgrimage sites. After visiting Membar Tsho, continue your drive for about one hour to Tang Ogyen Choling, where you can visit the palace which is now a museum and gives an interesting insight into life in an aristocratic family in the last century. You can have a packed picnic lunch or take lunch at Ogyen Choling Palace.
Start your journey back to Bumthang. On the way back you will see some picturesque villages and temples and can visit Ta Rimochen Lhakhang – this Nyingma monastery’s name is associated with the stripes of a tiger that are visible on the rock behind the temple. Legend holds that Guru Padmasambhava and his consorts meditated on this rock, leaving their footprints. Founded in the 14th century by Tertoen Pema Lingpa, its establishment was foretold by Longchen Rabjam. The temple was later restored by a descendant of Dorji Lingpa. The exterior features two large rocks representing male and female Garudas, and a throne seat of Guru Padmasambhava. There are also door-like markings on the rock’s face, believed to hold the keys to sacred hidden treasures.
Accommodation: Renchenling Resort 3* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Today you will attend Ura Festival. Drive to Ura village, quite a large village situated at 3100m and dominated by its temple. Ura is in the highest of Bumthang’s valleys and is believed to be the home of the earliest inhabitants in Bhutan. The village has about 40 houses closely set along cobbled streets, giving it a medieval atmosphere. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. They come to watch masked dances, to pray, and to feast. Arrays of colourful brocades whirl through the air as the dancer’s spin and dance the “thunderbolt step”. Masks of glorious demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification take place. Watch for the Atsara (clown). This dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction and luck is increased and misfortune dissipated. While the underlying purpose of the festival is spiritual, dances are more often like plays, telling stories were good triumphs over evil, or depicting significant historical events, especially surrounding the life of Bhutan’s patron saint, Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche).
Accommodation: Renchenling Resort 3* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Bumthang to Lhuntse. Today we will be driving approximately 6 hours through stunning scenery towards Lhuntse, including a crossing of the Thrumshing La pass (3750m). We also drive through deep forest. You will notice the change in vegetation as we enter warmer climes and will see lots of birds along the way, as this is a renowned area for bird watching. Initially you will be taking the route to Mongar but before you reach there you will turn north and drive about forty minutes further to a simple guesthouse some way outside the town. You are now in the isolated district of Lhuntse (the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family).
Accommodation: Phayul Guesthouse 2* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Lhuntse is famous for its weaving traditions. In the morning drive about 1.5 hours to Khoma, a renowned weaving village. You can visit some houses in the village and investigate the different patterns and styles adopted by each weaver. In this place, unusually, the men will do the household tasks such as cooking and cleaning for their wives. Although traditionally this is all women’s work, things are done differently here so that the family can benefit from the income which can be made from the weaving activity. In the early days the women used to weave only for themselves and their families, but now they will take their products to Thimphu to sell, and they can get high prices as one piece of cloth can take up to 3 months to finish because of the intricate pattern’s peculiar to the area. After visiting Khoma drive to Gangzur, once a popular village known for pottery making. There are only a few people who can make pottery, and we may not be able to see it, however it is not very far from Khoma and it is worth visiting the village.
After Gangzur drive back along the route you came on for about 30 minutes and then turn right to Tangmachu to see the huge Guru statue sitting high on a ridge at Takila. Inside there is a 3-storied temple and from the ridge there is a beautiful view of mountains and valleys. Then return to Autsho for the night.
Accommodation: Phayl Guesthouse 2* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Lhuntse (Autsho) to Tashi Yangtse. Tashi Yangtse is about 6 hours’ drive and borders the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. First, we will be driving about 2 hours to Mongar district, which forms the northern part of the ancient region of Kheng. You can spend some time exploring the small town of Mongar before continuing your drive to Tashi Yangtse On the way you can also stop to visit the sacred temple of Gom Kora about 45 minutes north of Tashigang. Guru Rinpoche meditated here and left his body print on the rock. The temple itself contains murals, said to date from the 15th Century, and a variety of sacred relics can be seen here, as well as a passageway enabling you to test your sin level!
Accommodation: Karmaling Hotel 2* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
The small town of Tashi Yangtse is concentrated around the large Chorten Kora, modelled after the Bodnath Stupa of Kathmandu in Nepal and much revered and visited by pilgrims. The town is also famous for its wooden cups and bowls made using water-driven and treadle lathes; it is also a centre for paper manufacture. Few Western Bhutanese have visited Tashi Yangtse as it is so far east and certainly few Western tourists make it this far either!
Here you can walk around the small town and visit Chorten Kora as well as exploring the village of Bechen where we may also be able to see a demonstration of traditional wood turning skills by local artisans who make traditional wooden bowls and cups. Many Trashi Yangtse people receive most of their income from selling such products, since traditionally Bhutanese would eat everything in wooden bowls and drink from wooden cups. Late afternoon drive to Tashigang located at 1070m and two hours’ drive south of Yangtse. Once an important centre of trade with Tibet, Tashigang is in the heart of eastern Bhutan. It is one of the largest towns in the region and the second largest district in Bhutan. Tashigang Dzong, built in 1667 by Mingyur Tebpa, is on a high promontory overlooking the confluence of two rivers and it was the seat of control for the whole of eastern Bhutan from the late 17th until the beginning of the 20th century. Tashigang is also the main market for all the six districts in eastern Bhutan; people from Merak and Sakteng, a remote Eastern region strolls through the town with their unique yak-hair hats and distinctive costumes.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Lodge 2* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Today we will do some sightseeing around Tashigang valley. In the morning, we drive to Bartsham. As we leave Tashigang and make our way to the turning at Reju we will get a glimpse of the majestic Tashigang Dzong on the hilltop overlooking Drangmechu. You may like to stop and get a shot of the beautiful fortress. From Reju we will drive approximately 1.5 hours to Bartsham Chador Lhakhang (depending on road conditions as this road is not yet tarmacked). On the way you will see Bhutanese huts, pine trees and shepherds. Take a walk around Bartsham village with its eye-catching traditional houses and local shops before visiting Bartsham Chador Lhakhang. After a packed picnic lunch, we will drive back along the same road to Reju, where you will turn left for a few minutes to visit Rangjung and explore the surrounding area, including the Rangjung Woesel Choling Monastery.
Accommodation: Lingkhar Lodge 2* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Early morning we will drive about one hour to Yonphu La airport to take a domestic flight to Paro. (flight schedule to be confirmed). Before you check in to your hotel you may like to visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
In the afternoon visit the National Museum located in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. The Ta Dzong houses a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. From the National Museum, take a leisurely 1-hour hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong. The walk passes Gonsaka Lhakhang and then Zuri Dzong and provides wonderful views down over the valley and of Paro Dzong. Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods. Continue your walk down to the Uma Resort junction where you turn right towards Paro Dzong and here again you should have a good view of Paro Dzong and town. Your driver will be waiting at the Paro bridge to pick you up.
Hike distance: (2 km, 1.5 hours)
Starting elevation – 2450 metres
Highest elevation – 2540 metres
Ending elevation – 2200 metres
Accommodation: Ambo Paro Hotel 4* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast
Breakfast is at hotel.
Early in the morning, take a walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest,’ the sacred Taktshang Monastery, which clings to the rock face 900 meters above the valley floor. First, we drive for about 20 to 45 minutes (depending on where you are staying) to the car park, where your hike to Tiger’s Nest begins. From the car park to the cafeteria, the walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The cafeteria offers a spectacular view of the monastery, and you can enjoy a cup of tea if you wish.
From here, you will have the option to continue up to the monastery, which will take another 1.5 to 2 hours. Tiger’s Nest is one of the most sacred places for Bhutanese people and is a highlight for many visitors. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress, and he subsequently meditated there for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites, attracting pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries.
After visiting the monastery, descend to the car park (which will take about 2 to 3 hours) and then we will drive to town for a late lunch. If your walk takes longer, you can have lunch at the cafeteria on your way down. You may like to take a stroll around Paro town and visit some handicraft shops for souvenirs of your trip.
Hike distance: (6.5 km, 5 to 6 hours)
Starting elevation – 2610 metres
Highest elevation – 3145 metres
Ending elevation – 2610 metres
(farewell dinner at Neyphug Heritage)
Accommodation: Ambo Paro Hotel 4* Star or similar Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Breakfast is at hotel.
Transfer to Paro Airport for your flight home. Farewell Bhutan!
What’s Included?
- Economy Class flights with Thai Airways & Druk Air (other airline options available)
- 14 night’s accommodation in Bhutan
- Meals as per the itinerary
- All transfers throughout
- All road transportation throughout
- An English-speaking local guide
- All tours as mentioned in the itinerary
- Yonphula – Paro domestic flight in Bhutan
- Bhutan visa fee
Gallery
Availability
| Start Date | End Date | Duration | Availability | Price |
|---|
Start Date
April 23, 2026
End Date
May 7, 2026
Duration
15 days
Availability
Available
Price
11,899 AUD
Why Choose Mike Drew Travel?
Hand-crafted journeys & immersive experiences
Small group tours providing intimate connections to gain a deeper understanding and emotional connection to the community, tribes, cultures and lands explored.
We’ve walked the walk
Exploring the world’s most remote reaches and challenging destinations requires a high level of expertise which can only be learned from first-hand experience. We know because we go.
Your safety first
In an ever-changing global landscape of rules, regulations and restrictions, rest-assured you are being looked after by those in the know. Given the remote regions that we explore, our passengers safety is our top priority.