11-day Bhutan tour: Thimphu to Haa with Tiger's Nest

Six valleys and one of the world's most remote monasteries in a single journey

An 11-day guided tour of Bhutan starting in Thimphu and looping through Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang, Haa and Paro, visiting Tiger's Nest Monastery, sacred dzongs and rural villages with a local English-speaking guide. Private transportation, three-star-minimum hotels, all meals, sightseeing fees and visa processing are included. Children from age 3 are welcome.

The experience

How much of Bhutan can you actually see in one trip? This 11-day route answers that by threading six valleys together (each one distinct in landscape and culture), and anchoring the journey on Tiger's Nest Monastery, the clifftop temple that sits at the edge of what most tours reach. You start in Thimphu, the capital, then move through Punakha's river valleys and the black-necked cranes of Phobjikha before climbing into Bumthang's remote highlands. The route then crosses into Haa, one of Bhutan's least-visited regions, before finishing in Paro. A local guide travels with you the entire way, sharing stories about the monasteries, dzongs and villages you pass, and explaining the Buddhism and architecture that shape daily life here.

The days mix driving through mountain passes with walking through forests and villages on foot. You'll visit ancient dzongs, the fortress-monasteries that anchor each valley, and have time to interact with locals in their homes and fields. Lunch is often a traditional Bhutanese meal, either at a restaurant or as a picnic arranged along the route. The guide handles the logistics: transportation is private, hotels are three-star minimum, and every meal from breakfast to dinner is arranged. Sightseeing fees and visa processing are covered, so the only thing you're arranging from home is your international flight.

The pace is built around what you came to see, not around rushing between checkpoints. You're not herded through a dozen sites in a day. Instead, each valley gets time to reveal itself. The guide's knowledge of local legends, spiritual sites and everyday Bhutanese culture is what turns a scenic drive into something you'll actually remember and want to tell people about.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the 11 days.
• accommodation in three-star-minimum hotels.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
• sightseeing fees at all cultural sites.
• visa processing and SDF fee.
• a local English-speaking guide from arrival to departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 54 years) · Senior (55 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kingdom Tour & Trek

Is this one for you?Eleven days is long enough to move slowly through each valley and actually talk to people, rather than racing through highlights. If you have the time and want to see beyond the standard Paro-Thimphu loop, this route reaches into Bhutan's remoter regions and gives you the space to absorb them.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What is Tiger's Nest Monastery and when do I get to see it?

Tiger's Nest is a sacred Buddhist monastery built into a cliff face in Paro, one of Bhutan's most iconic sites. You visit it on the final days of the tour. The guide will take you on a walk up to the monastery, where you can photograph it and spend time at the site itself.

Do I need to be an experienced hiker to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Walking is part of most days (through forests, villages and up to monasteries), but the guide sets the pace and you can rest whenever you need to. The walks are not technical climbs. They're explorations on foot through the valleys and up to cultural sites.

What are the accommodations like on this tour?

Hotels are three-star minimum throughout the 11 days, so you're staying in comfortable, clean rooms with basic amenities. In remote areas like Bumthang and Haa, three-star is the standard available. In Thimphu and Paro, you may stay in higher-category hotels depending on availability and the operator's selection.

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

The tour includes private transportation, all accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, sightseeing fees, and visa processing. Your international flights to and from Bhutan are not included. You'll book those separately. The guide and all in-country logistics are covered.

How much time do I spend driving versus walking each day?

Days vary depending on which valley you're in and which sites you're visiting. Some days are primarily scenic drives with stops at monasteries and villages. Other days include longer walks through forests or up to hilltop temples. The guide will explain each day's plan in advance so you know what to expect.