Bhutan travel | Private Tours to Bhutan

highlights

An unforgettable flight to Paro where you will be warmly met by your guide and and transferred to Thimphu where we will check into the hotel for lunch then visit the National Memorial Chorten

Explore the nation's capital Thimphu and see the Textile Museum, traditional medicines hospital, zoo, the Arts and Craft Institute where we wander the classrooms seeing traditional drawing, paintings, calligraphy, embroidery, weaving, wood carving and sculpturing being taught with the objective of preserving techniques and heritage. We walk the nature trail from Buddha Point

Travel to Punakha Dzong, arguably the most beautiful of all dzongs in Bhutan. We meander through this complex architectural structure which is home to hundreds of monks half of the year.

Visit Gangtey and the Phobjikha Valley, declared the first eco-tourism destination of Bhutan by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature, and often said by our clients to be the most beautiful part of their journey. Enjoy a magnificent walk in the Phobjekha Valley and a visit to the magnificent Gangtey Gompa. Finish with a traditional hot stone bath.

Explore the Haa Valley, only recently opened to visitors. Stay in a traditional home where you will enjoy the warm and genuine atmosphere of family life and experience the opportunity to relish home-cooked meals. Haa is one of Bhutan’s most pristine areas and remains very traditional. Visit both Chhundu Lhakhang and Lhakhang Nagpo

Cross Cheli La pass at 3,988 meters marked by hundreds of prayer flags, the highest point we can reach by road in Bhutan

Hike to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) through pine forests. Enjoy a rest stop at the sublime tea house for great views of the monastery. The monastery is a pilgrimage site and every Bhutanese visits at least once in their lifetime

Enjoy simple and delicious Bhutanese dishes that you will find in restaurants, homestays and remote village kitchens.

DAY 01 FLY INTO PARO

Arrival in Bhutan is unforgettable. Your magnificent flight into Bhutan offers views of the Himalayan range that includes Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga and other peaks.
You will be met by AJTB team and driven to Thimphu, and taken to your hotel for lunch before we visit the Memorial Chorten

DAY 02 EXPLORE THIMPHU

Today we explore the capitals major sites and thriving cultural scene. The Indigenous Hospital, the Post Office (we promise, not like any you have ever experienced!) the famous Textile Museum, the zoo, a beautiful paper making factory, the most gorgeous bookshops and more

DAY 03 TRAVEL TO PUNAKHA

Today we visit Punakha Dzong, arguably the most beautiful of all dzongs in Bhutan. We meander through this complex architectural structure which is home to hundreds of monks half of the year. We travel via Dochula Pass at 3100m which is topped with 108 stupas and on a clear day you will have magnificent views of the Eastern Himalayan ranges.

DAY 04 PUNAKHA TO GANGTEY

Today we head to Gangtey and stop on the way to walk through mustard fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

DAY 05 EXPLORE THE PHOBJEKHA VALLEY

A magnificent and unforgettable walk in the Phobjekha Valley and a visit to the magnificent Gangtey Gompa, one of the most isolated Gompas in Bhutan, which is a Buddhist complex with monks’ quarters, a meditation center and schools – all overlooking the Phobjikha valley. . Finish with a traditional hot stone bath.

DAY 06 SPECTACULAR DRIVE TO THIMPHU

Today we head back to Thimphu via the Lawala Pass. Then it’s gradual downhill drive to Wangdi along the Dang Chhu River. On the way, on a clear day there is a great view of Jhomolhari (7314m)

DAY 07 THIMPHU TO HAA

Today we head to Haa. The Haa Valley has only recently opened to visitors. It is one of Bhutan’s most pristine areas and remains very traditional. You will stay tonight in a traditional home where you will enjoy the warm and genuine atmosphere and experience the opportunity to relish home-cooked meals, often prepared from secret family recipes!

DAY 08 EXPLORE HAA

The Haa Valley is a hidden gem that has not been developed, so today you will get a feel for the more traditional way of life that is more commonly seen in the eastern part of the country. We love this valley for its picturesque scenery, its sense of utter peace and excellent hiking.

DAY 09 JOURNEY BACK TO PARO

This morning the smooth winding road heading out of Haa passes thru pastureland often dotted with Yaks, before reaching the Cheli La pass at 3,988 meters. There are many prayer flags and a Panoramic view of sacred Mt. Chomolhari (7329m) and other snow-capped mountains. Descending back into the Paro Valley we will pass thru sub alpine pastures and carpets of mountain flowers before dropping thru mixed forests of blue pine, cypress, larch, fir and rhododendron. Free time in the afternoon.

DAY 10 HIKE TO TIGERS NEST MONASTERY

A highlight for so many, today we hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery with lunch overlooking the Paro valley. The evening is free to stroll Paro, visiting many beautiful handicraft shops for souvenirs before getting ready to leave in the morning.

DEPARTURE

After breakfast, say goodbye to your new friends before we head to the airport.

INCLUSIONS

Dept of Tourism accredited homestay and 3 star hotel accommodation (please let us know if you would like us to quote on 5 star premium hotel)

All meals

Sustainable Tourism Royalty of USD100 per person per night charged by the Government which goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation and the building of infrastructure.

All transfers and sightseeing with experienced English speaking guide for the whole trip

Entrance to all dzongs and monuments

Bottled drinking water daily

Visa fee

EXCLUSIONS

International Airfare to / from Bangkok or place of departure - we recommend you allow us to arrange this for you as it can be difficult outside Bhutan

Travel insurance- must be evidenced

Personal expenses such as bar bills, tips, telephone, laundry etc.

Expenses due to nature / unforeseen events such as flight cancellation, road blockade, no show etc.

Tipping as you wish

Payza

Payza is one of Bhutan’s most experienced and popular tour guides. Julia and Payza met in 2010 with Julia’s first trip to Bhutan, and Payza made it unforgettable. Not only is he highly organized with meticulous attention to detail and speaks fantastic English, but the extra care he puts into ensuring you have the best time possible is awesome. From consideration of special dietary needs to finding the best vantage points for festivals, to negotiating a way to get you that special photograph in a monastery, to telling the most fabulous and unforgettable stories that will have you laughing, Payza is a joy to travel with. He says that what he enjoys most about being a tour guide is sharing how people can live happily. He believes visitors come to understand and appreciate these values better through journeying though Bhutan.