Bhutan Odyssey: A 14-Night Expedition through the Land of the Thunder Dragon

Trip description

Embark on the Bhutan Odyssey—an extraordinary journey through breathtaking landscapes and immersive wonders. Traverse Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa, and Bumthang, each offering unique experiences. Hike scenic trails, explore ancient fortresses, and immerse in Bhutanese culture. Forge connections with locals and maximize your exploration time with our curated itinerary. Plus, enjoy seamless travel with a domestic flight from Bumthang, leading to the iconic ascent to the Tiger’s Nest monastery. Prepare for wonder and adventure—join the Bhutan Odyssey now!

Trip Overview

• Day 1: Welcome to Bhutan
  Upon your enchanting flight across the Himalayas, touch down at Paro International Airport, where our friendly guide eagerly awaits your arrival. Journey to Thimphu, soaking in the picturesque scenery of idyllic villages and iconic monasteries along the way. Explore the Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong, architectural marvels blending modernity with tradition. Make sure to visit the Crafts Bazaar to discover indigenous handicrafts and experience the national sport of Bhutan, archery, at the national stadium in the evening.
• Day 2: Explore the gyms of the Capital City

  Experience the unique fusion of ancient traditions and modern delights in Thimphu. Begin with the majestic Buddha Dordenma statue and a scenic hike from Buddha Point to Changangkha for stunning valley views. Dive into Bhutan’s culture at the Zorig-Chusum school and museums. After lunch, visit the General Post Office and Takin Preserve, followed by a hike to Wangditshe Goenpa. Conclude your day with a leisurely stroll and a local beer at one of Thimphu’s popular bars.

• Day 3: Dodeydra Monastic School Excursion

  Embark on a journey to the Dodeydra Monastic School, nestled in Thimphu’s serene Blue-pine forests. As you hike, encounter a heartwarming scene—a group of young monks immersed in spirited games of football and volleyball. Explore the monastery, then hike back to Thimphu, carrying memories of an enchanting day in Bhutan’s tranquil landscape. If you prefer , stay overnight at the monastery for an even deeper immersion into Bhutanese culture.

• Day 4: Hike on Trans-Bhutan Trail and Continue Drive to Punakha

  Embark on a scenic drive to Punakha via the breathtaking Dochula Pass, with the majestic Himalayas as your backdrop. Choose your adventure: hike the trans-Bhutan trail or opt for a leisurely drive, stopping to visit the iconic Chimmi Lhakhang temple. Relax in a cozy resort overlooking the valley, where panoramic views await.

• Day 5: Punakha Valley Exploration with Scenic Hiking Trails

  Explore the historic Punakha Dzong, a magnificent fortress with the longest suspension bridge nearby, offering ideal photography opportunities. Continue your journey to the popular Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal monastery, a testament to Bhutanese craftsmanship and spirituality. Enjoy a delightful picnic lunch amidst the serene surroundings before visiting the Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrupcholing nunnery and the Nalanda Buddhist university.

• Day 6: Journeying from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley

  In the morning, journey to the picturesque Phobjikha Valley, renowned as the winter sanctuary of the endangered Black-necked cranes. Often referred to as “Little Switzerland,” this glacial valley captivates with its pristine beauty. Explore the valley’s trails to witness daily farm life and discover cultural gems like the Gangtey Goenpa Monastery, the Black-necked Crane Information Centre, and Kewang Lhakhang.

• Day 7: Drive to my ancestral farm-house- Trongsa

  Embark on a journey to Tangsibje village, a hidden gem rarely visited by outsiders. Stay in my grandfather’s heritage house, hosted by my cousin sister and her husband, the “Strongest Man of Bhutan.” Experience the village’s musical legacy and Indulge in a sumptuous dinner prepared by your host family, featuring fresh organic vegetables and herbs harvested from their garden.

• Day 8: Drive to Bumthang- The spiritual heartland of the country

  After breakfast, head to Bumthang through Trongsa town. Explore the Tower of Trongsa museum, showcasing Bhutan’s royal history and the iconic Raven Crown. Then, visit Trongsa Dzong, overlooking the Mangdechhu River, a testament to Bhutan’s rich heritage. After lunch, continue to Bumthang, stopping to admire Yathra Textile shops en route for unique Yak wool textiles. Experience a day of cultural immersion and historical marvels

• Day 9: Bumthang Valley Discovery

  After a hearty breakfast, delve into the cultural gems of Chamkhar valley. Visit Jambay Lhakang, a sacred monastery dating back to the 7th century. Then, explore Kurje Lhakhang, surrounded by 108 stupas symbolizing Buddha’s triumph over evil spirits. Hike to Tamzhing Lhakhang, built in 1501 by revered lama Pema Lingpa. Discover the local cheese-making process at the Cheese Factory and savor Bumthang Cheese and Red Panda beer. Visit Jakar Dzong and wander through the town in the evening, immersing yourself in local life. Enjoy a memorable evening at a favorite restaurant, indulging in unique local cuisines and locally brewed beer. Enhance your experience by meditating in the temples and offering butter lamps or prayer flags.

• Day 10: Ura Valley Expedition

  After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Ura Valley, an ancient settlement believed to be the earliest inhabited place in Bhutan. The road winds through open countryside, occasionally passing through forests, offering stunning views of Gangkar Puensum from Ura La (3600 m).

  Explore the unique clustered houses in Ura village and visit Ura Temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. Experience the transformation of Ura from a marginal community to a prosperous valley over the past 25 years.

  If interested, coordinate with your tour leader to visit a farmhouse and witness local life firsthand.
  After a picnic lunch, return to Bumthang valley. En route, stop at Maebar Tsho, the sacred “burning lake” where Saint Terton Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered sacred relics of the Buddha. Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

• Day 11 Domestic flight to Paro

  Experience the convenience of a domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro, followed by captivating sightseeing with a visit to the National Museum, housed in an ancient watchtower for a peek into history and ancient temples like Kichu and Dungtshe Lhakang. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Paro town in the evening.

• Day 12. Excursion to Chumphu Nye

  Enjoy a leisurely hike along the river through lush green forests to Chumphu Nye, situated on a hilltop. This enchanting seven-hour round trip, at an easy pace, will immerse you in Bhutan’s natural beauty and serene landscapes.

• Day 13: Excursion to Haa Valley

  Take a day trip to Haa Valley via Chelela Pass, the highest motorable road in Bhutan at 3,920 meters. The valley, recently opened to tourism, is dominated by the sacred ridges of Miri Punsum and is home to Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), named after two birds from Tibet. If time permits, hike to Kila Goenpa, one of Bhutan’s oldest nunneries, dating back to the 9th century.

• Day 14: Excursion to Tiger’s Nest and Paro Sightseeing

  End your journey on a high note with a serene hike to the Tiger’s Nest. This spiritual pilgrimage is both challenging and rewarding, offering panoramic views of the valley below and a profound sense of peace at the monastery. Reflect on your journey as you descend, carrying with your memories of Bhutan’s timeless beauty and enduring spirit.

• Day 15 : Farewell

  Busy morning! Packed and ready for the airport after breakfast. Saying goodbye to the guide, onto the next adventure!

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Bhutan Travel Now

4.9

Based on 21 reviews

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Alex

2 months ago

My family and I had always dreamed of visiting Bhutan. After nearly booking with a German agency, we were recommended Bhutan Travel Now, and we are so incredibly glad we chose them and worked with Sherab!
From the very beginning, Sherab was exceptionally prompt and organized a perfectly flexible itinerary tailored to our family's needs. He provided excellent recommendations and handled all the logistics seamlessly, including booking our flights to Paro and organizing our visas. He accommodated all our wishes, reacted flexibly to changes, and truly made everything possible.
We had so many highlights: witnessing both the Paro Festival and the Haa Spring Festival, and even exploring an off-the-beaten-path family heritage house in Trongsa. Our guide was professional, highly knowledgeable, and very friendly. Together with our excellent driver, Drupthop, they formed a fantastic team—always reliable, helpful, and in a great mood.
Sherab shared deep insights into the Bhutanese people, their culture and religion, and their way of life—even my 18-year-old daughter was absolutely thrilled! We also loved the perfect balance of the trip, enjoying many wonderful short and longer hikes through the stunning landscape and tasty local food.
If you are looking for a personal, reliable, and deeply authentic Bhutan experience, we cannot recommend Sherab and Bhutan Travel Now highly enough!

jane-marie franklyn

2 months ago

Cindy Stein

3 months ago

I have travelled many times to Bhutan in the past few years and Sherab arranged incredible itineraries every time. Each time was a unique and amazing experience and I feel like I got to understand the culture, kindness, and beauty of this amazing and special place. I highly recommend the home stay experience, camping in Bumdra, and, attending a festival. The hotels and restaurants were all great and accommodating to a vegetarian. Sherab and his team are very easy to deal with and truly customize trips to your interests. Highly recommend!

Gurmanjot Singh

4 months ago

We travelled to Bhutan with our family and had a really lovely time 😊 We booked through Bhutan Travel Now and everything was nicely arranged from the beginning. Sherab and his team were very kind and always making sure our family was comfortable.

We visited beautiful monasteries, enjoyed the mountain views and spent peaceful time together. The trip felt relaxed and well managed, which was great especially while travelling with family.

Thank you Sherab for taking such good care of us. It was a wonderful family trip 😊

Sachin Malhotra

6 months ago

I really enjoyed my trip with Bhutan Travel Now everything was well arranged and the hotels were comfortable. Sherab Dorji and his team were very friendly and helpful, they really took good care of us. the farmhouse stay and the hike to Tigers Nest was something i will always remember. I would definitely recommend Bhutan Travel Now to anyone planning to visit Bhutan.
Hope to come back to Bhutan again very soon

Andrew

8 months ago

We traveled without doing much research because we wanted to keep our expectations simple, and Bhutan ended up surpassing everything we imagined. The food, culture, and the way tourist sites are organized truly impressed us.

Bhutan Travel Now provided exceptional service from start to finish. Sherab Dorji was incredibly helpful and responsive, making the entire process smooth. Our driver and guide were knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Even when a minor vehicle issue came up, they resolved it quickly and kept the journey seamless.

Every part of the itinerary felt well planned, and we always felt cared for. The warm hospitality and thoughtful arrangements made the trip even more memorable.

Tania vinding Hansen

9 months ago

I did a 5 day tour as a solo traveller to Bhutan with this company in end October visiting Thimpu, Punakha and Paro. The trip was nothing but perfect! My guide was awesome and so was my driver, and the CEO of the company even took the time to have dinner with me one evening. Hospitality at it’s best and at a level I have not experienced anywhere else (and i am a globetrotter going on my 67th country). Moreover, the hotels were really nice and so was the food.
I will remember Bhutan for it’s beautiful sceneries, it’s fascinating and unique buildings and its friendly and warm people. It makes me want to come back one day.
Thank you to Bhuthan Travel Now for making my stay there memorable.
I give the company my warmest recommendations

SaLa

10 months ago

12/10!
I had the trip of a lifetime with Bhutan Travel Now on my 11-day solo journey. My guide Sherab and driver/guide Karma were outstanding-knowledgeable, caring, and always going the extra mile. The itinerary was tailored to my interests, with a great mix of hikes and cultural experiences, including hidden trails and sights off the beaten path. The accommodation and food far exceeded expectations, and Sherab's local connections even got me a few lovely upgrades along the way.
As a female solo traveler, I always felt completely safe and well taken care of. I cannot recommend Bhutan Travel Now highly enough for anyone wanting a truly personalized and unforgettable Bhutan experience!

Petra van Ree

1 year ago

Petra
Willunga, Australia12 contributions

Our trip of a lifetime
Apr 2024 • Family
We spent 10 days in Bhutan in April 2019, which was organized by Sherab when he still worked for his family business. When we arrived at Paro airport, after an exciting approach, we were very warmly welcomed by the tour company.
Our journey was very well organized and we visited many cultural places.
One of the most memorable was the school in the middle of nowhere. The children were so well behaved. One teacher for 90 children over 3 classes.
Also very impressive was the climb over the Chelela pass and the Tiger's Nest Monastery. And many more memorable places....
We highly recommend to visit Bhutan with Sherab.

J L

1 year ago

We spent two weeks in Bhutan and our trip was coordinated by Sherab. We went from Paro to Phobjika Valley. It was a very well organised trip and we were well taken care of, also learning many things about Bhutan and her wonderful people along the way. All accommodations arranged were fantastic and we greatly enjoyed our time in Bhutan. Sherab even came down to meet us on the last night for dinner and gave us some souvenirs of Bhutan that we could take home with us.

Chris Heywood

2 years ago

I wanted to write a review after my trip to Bhutan as it was such an unforgettable experience! A fantastic adventure cycling across the country & seeing the landscape together with meeting & interacting with the Bhutanese people - a different culture & wonderfully polite, happy personalities.
Our tour guide Sherab was brilliant to take care of us throughout, explaining & answering all our questions & advising us for example when we visited a temple, in terms of dress & how we must behave - also many aspects about the country & history. The whole support team, driver/chef, were fabulous - we had food 'on the road' from the bus, which was excellent, prepared the night before for our travels.
Our accommodation(s) were also superb, sometimes with incredible views!
I would thoroughly recommend a trip with this company. (I may even book again myself!)