11-day Bhutan tour: Thimphu, Paro, Tiger's Nest hike

Hike to Tiger's Nest, cook with locals, stay in the heart of Bhutan's valleys

An 11-day guided tour of Bhutan starting in Thimphu and Paro, built for solo travelers who want to hike, learn to cook and move through the country without arranging transport or logistics. The itinerary includes the Tiger's Nest Monastery trek, stays at dzongs and temples across five valleys, cooking lessons at farmhouses, and all meals and accommodation in 3-star hotels. You can request a male or female guide, and the guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Thimphu landmarks and markets

• Visit Buddha Dordenma statue
• See National Memorial Chorten
• Tour Tashi Chhodzong fortress
• Observe arts and crafts students
• Explore National Museum exhibits
• Visit Century farmers market

Day 2: Discover Punakha cultural sites

• Visit Punakha Dzong fortress
• Walk Punakha Suspension Bridge
• Explore Chimi Lhakhang temple

Day 3: Hike Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten

• Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten
• Enjoy rice paddy field views

Day 4: Visit Gangtey Monastery and valley

• Tour Gangtey Monastery
• View Phobjikha Valley scenery

Day 5: Explore Trongsa Dzong and surroundings

• Visit Trongsa Dzong fortress
• See Ta Dzong watch tower
• Tour Kuenga Rabten Palace
• Photograph Mangde Chhu Valley

Day 6: Tour Jakar religious sites

• Visit Jakar Dzong fortress
• Explore Jambay Lhakhang temple
• See Tamshing Lhakhang temple

Day 7: Discover Tang Valley and temples

• Visit Mebar Tsho Burning Lake
• Tour Tangsibi Lhakhang temple
• Explore Tang Valley landscape

Day 8: Fly from Bumthang to Paro

• Take 30-35 minute flight to Paro
• Enjoy scenic mountain views

Day 9: Hike Tiger's Nest Monastery

• Hike 6-7 km to Taktsang Monastery
• Visit iconic pilgrimage site
• Relax in hot stone bath

Day 10: Conclude journey with memories

• Prepare for onward journey

The experience

The tour opens in Thimphu with visits to the gilded Buddha Dordenma and the National Memorial Chorten, then moves through the National Museum and the Century farmers market to see how Bhutanese life actually moves. From there you travel to Punakha Dzong, a fortress built at the meeting of two rivers, cross the Punakha Suspension Bridge, and visit Chimi Lhakhang temple. The route then carries you through Phobjikha Valley and past Gangtey Monastery, with a hike through rice paddies to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten for views across the valley floor.

The middle stretch takes you east through Trongsa Dzong and the Mangde Chhu Valley, then into Bumthang to see Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang (one of Bhutan's oldest temples), and Mebar Tsho, known as Burning Lake. A short flight from Bumthang brings you back to Paro, where the centerpiece is the Tiger's Nest Monastery trek: a round-trip hike of 6 to 7 kilometers that usually takes 5 to 6 hours, climbing to the iconic pilgrimage site perched on a cliff face. The tour includes a soak in a hot stone bath after the hike.

Cooking lessons happen at farmhouses along the route, and you eat all meals (breakfast, brunch and dinner) as part of the package. Accommodation is in 3-star hotels throughout. Transport is by SUV for one or two people, a Toyota Hiace for three or four, and a Toyota Coaster bus for larger groups. Coffee and tea are offered twice daily. The guide is live and present for all visits and commentary, and you can choose whether you prefer a male or female guide when you book.

What’s included

• Accommodation in 3-star hotels for all 11 nights.
• all meals (breakfast, brunch and dinner).
• entrance fees to temples, dzongs, museums and monuments.
• transport by SUV, Hiace or Coaster bus depending on group size.
• cooking lessons at farmhouses.
• a hot stone bath after the Tiger's Nest hike.
• coffee and tea twice daily.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Italian or German.
• and the option to request a male or female guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (20 to 80 years) · Under 20: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mindu from BHUTAN

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want a guide who speaks your language (English, Spanish, Italian, or German) and prefer a set route through five valleys and five dzongs rather than building your own itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Italian.

What is the Tiger's Nest Monastery hike actually like?

Tiger's Nest Monastery is a round-trip trek of 6 to 7 kilometers that takes 5 to 6 hours. The hike climbs to a temple perched on a cliff face and is the iconic pilgrimage site in Bhutan. A hot stone bath follows the walk.

Do I cook the meals myself, or is this a cooking class?

Cooking lessons happen at farmhouses you visit during the tour, so you learn to prepare Bhutanese dishes with local hosts. All other meals (breakfast, brunch and dinner) are included and prepared for you at the hotels and stops along the route.

What cities and valleys does the 11-day itinerary cover?

The tour moves through Thimphu and Paro, then travels east through Punakha, Phobjikha Valley, Trongsa, Bumthang and back to Paro. You visit dzongs (fortresses), temples, monasteries and valleys, with a flight from Bumthang to Paro partway through.

Can I request a female guide if I'm traveling solo?

Yes, you can choose a male or female guide when you book. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or German and travels with you for all visits and commentary throughout the 11 days.

What's included in the price, and what do I pay for separately?

The tour includes all accommodation in 3-star hotels, all meals (breakfast, brunch and dinner), entrance fees to temples, dzongs, museums and other sites, transport by vehicle, and coffee and tea twice daily. Tips for the guide and driver are optional. Alcoholic drinks and travel insurance are not included.