9 Days Authentic Bhutan Tour by Local Experts

Visit the National Museum of Bhutan housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. We also visit an auspicious 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang which is believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. If time permits, you'll have an opportunity to witness the game of archery where you can see archers dancing and singing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Haa valley via Chelela, the highest motorable mountain pass in Bhutan where you'll spend sometime enjoying the grand views of the Himalayan mountains. Haa valley is one of the least visited destinations in Bhutan having opened to tourism only in 2002 to safeguard its sacredness and unspoiled culture. You'll visit 7th-century White Temple locally known as Lhakhang Karpo located in the foothills of the three sacred mighty mountains in the valley.

In the morning, drive to the beautiful village of Katsho where you'll have opportunity to meet with the local people and get insights into their daily lives. You'll visit Katsho Gonpa, a temple on the hillside overlooking the Haa valley. After lunch, transfer to the capital city Thimphu. En route, stop at Chelela Pass and do a 1.5-hour hike through the mountain ridge to Kila Gonpa nunnery home to dozens of nuns (optional). From there, continue the journey to Thimphu and visit the weaving center. Weaving is an integral part of the culture and tradition of Bhutan. You will see both men and women at work weaving some of the most intricate designs and sophisticated patterns of traditional Bhutanese textiles using traditional handlooms.

After breakfast, visit one of the tallest sitting Buddha statues in the world located on the hill overlooking Thimphu valley. You'll visit the 13th-century national treasure Changangkha Lhakhang where newborns in Thimphu are brought to this holy shrine to get names. From there, we drive to see Takins, the national animal of Bhutan at the only animal enclosure in Bhutan, Royal Takin Preserve in the northern outskirts of Thimphu. Next, we stop at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum where the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan are taught (closed on Sundays and Government Holidays). A traditional lunch will be served at Folk Heritage Restaurant. After lunch, visit Craft Bazaar (optional) along the main Thimphu street and visit Bhutan Postal Museum to learn about the evolution of Bhutanese communication systems. You can also print stamps using your own photo and mail postcards to your friends or loved ones at home.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in memory of the Third King. People from all walks of life come here to offer prayers and seek solace. We then drive to Phobjikha valley via Dochula, a sacred mountain pass at an altitude of 3150m asl and enjoy the grand panoramic views of some of the highest mountains of Bhutan (weather permitting). From there, we continue to drive and descend to a much warmer valley and stop at the village of Sopsokha to visit the famous 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the "Temple of Fertility" owing to its prowess to bless childless couples with fertility and ability to have children. After lunch at one of the local restaurants, continue to drive to Phobjikha valley.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Gangtey Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan and an important landmark in the valley. You’ll have the opportunity to meet monks and offer prayers. From there, venture out on an exciting Gangtey Nature Hike through the pristine valley and understand the life of people living in rural Bhutan. The exhilarating hike is about 5km and takes about 2.5-3 hours. After lunch, transfer to Punakha valley and visit the 17th-century Punakha Dzong considered as the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. You'll spend some time appreciating the intricate woodwork and sacred wall paintings. We then walk to Bhutan's longest suspension bridge over the glacial-fed Phochu river. Punakha Dzong is built on the confluence of the Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers. From there, we drive to the idyllic village of Nobgang overlooking Punakha valley. A unique and exotic local cuisines home-cooked by the local community will be served for dinner.

After breakfast, hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten on a hilltop overlooking the Punakha valley with Mochu river meandering through the valley. The round trip hike takes about 2-2.5 hours through the rice fields and a short climb before reaching the sacred site. After the hike, drive to Paro and stop at Dochula Cafeteria for lunch. On the way, you'll also visit the oldest fortress Simtokha Dzong built in 1631 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of the nation-state of Bhutan. One of the main artifacts inside Simtokha Dzong is the magnificent statue of Buddha of Compassion among many other troves of national treasures.

After early breakfast, hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery. Originally built in 1692, the iconic sacred site popularly known as Tiger's Nest is perched on an 800-meter rock cliff above the valley floor. The round trip hike takes about 4-5 Hours for most visitors but you can hike at your own pace. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up to the midpoint (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria). After lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria, we retrace our footsteps back to the base and drive to Paro town for some leisure time. Towards the late afternoon, visit Tshering Farmhouse for home-cooked authentic local cuisine. If there are no other guests, you can participate and learn how to prepare some popular Bhutanese dishes. You may also want to experience a therapeutic and revitalizing traditional hot stone bath for about USD20 per person paid to the owner.

be transferred to Paro International Airport.