Bhutan Discovered Tour by Intrepid Travel

7 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Thimphu, Bhutan

Ends

Paro, Bhutan

Highlights

Hike to Taktsang, commonly known as the Tiger's Nest, the small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 900 metres above the valley floor, and soak in its magnificence.

Discover the 15th-century fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang, and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, an ancient fortress and religious centre that sits at the confluence of two rivers.

Feel the heat of Bhutanese cuisine when you tuck into traditional meals made with red rice, local cheese and lots of tastebud-tingling chillies.

Experience Bhutanese hospitality in the Paro Valley when you enjoy a homecooked meal at a rustic farmhouse and opt to take a soak in a traditional hot stone bath.

Spend a day exploring Thimphu, from the city to the woodlands, visiting the Cheri Dorji Dhen monastery, National Memorial Chorten, Simply Bhutan and the National Textile Museum.

Itinerary

Travelers who yearn for authentic encounters will be enchanted by the Bhutan Discovered tour—a seven-day moderate journey through the heart of the Himalayas. Beginning in Thimphu and concluding in Paro, this cultural exploration introduces you to the joy-filled spirit and breathtaking landscapes of Bhutan.

Meet local artisans, visit ancient dzongs, and savor a homecooked meal at a Paro Valley farmhouse. Try your hand at archery, the national sport, and embark on a memorable hike to the sacred Tiger’s Nest monastery perched high above the valley. Along the way, your knowledgeable leader unveils Bhutan’s unique traditions and warm hospitality.

The standout feature of this tour package is the depth of cultural immersion—offering rare insights, interactive experiences, and a chance to see why Bhutan is considered one of the world’s happiest countries.

day 1 - Paro - Thimphu

After arriving at Paro Airport and making your way through immigration and customs formalities, you will be greeted by your guide and driver and warmly welcomed to the enchanting Land of the Thunder Dragon. Drive alongside mountains, rivers, and fields of red rice to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. If you arrive in the morning, you'll have lunch and then head out for some sightseeing. Stop in at the Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory, Bhutan’s most famous traditional incense maker, as well as the colourful Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre. If you arrive in the afternoon, you'll meet the rest of your group in the evening for a welcome meeting before heading out together for dinner. Take an evening wander through the fascinating streets of Thimphu, the world’s only capital city without a traffic light!

included:Thimphu - Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre, Thimphu - Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 2 - Thimphu

Today begins with a hike that journeys up the valley through paddy fields, pristine woodlands, and a Tibetan village, a trail that continues uphill (1 hour) to the Cheri Dorji Dhen monastery – built in 1620 by Shabdrung, the first ruler of Bhutan. Back in Thimphu, stop to enjoy the incredible views from the Buddha Dordenma before visiting Simply Bhutan, a living museum where you can explore the traditional homes and lifestyles of the Bhutanese. You may like to try your hand at archery, Bhutan's national sport. Stop by the National Memorial Chorten – many Thimphu residents consider this to be the heart and soul of the city and gather here every day to pray and walk clockwise around the chorten. Afterward, visit a local institute where students become masters of Bhutan's 13 national arts and crafts - from carpentry and masonry to paper making and embroidery. The incredible National Textile Museum is a great way to learn more about the history of craft in Bhutan and if you’re in the mood for a spot of shopping, the National Handicrafts Emporium offers high-quality traditional goods and a small family-run enterprise that manufactures paper and paper products using traditional methods.

included:Thimphu - National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu - Village walk to Cheri Dorji Dhen, Thimphu - National Textile Museum, Thimphu - Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu - Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)