9-day Bhutan tour: Thimphu, Bumthang Valley & Paro Taktsang

Nine days across Bhutan's dzongs, valleys and sacred monasteries

A 9-day guided tour of Bhutan starting in Thimphu and traveling through Bumthang Valley to Paro, visiting major dzongs, ancient monasteries and the cliffside Taktsang. The itinerary includes entrance fees, all meals, air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking guide. Pickup is included and children from age 1 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Thimphu sightseeing

• Arrive at Paro Airport
• Drive to Thimphu
• Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue
• Visit Memorial Chorten
• Visit Tachog Lhakhang Temple

Day 2: Drive to Bumthang via Trongsa

• Drive from Thimphu to Bumthang
• Stop at Pele La Pass
• Visit Chendebji Chorten
• Visit Trongsa Dzong
• Visit Trongsa Ta-Dzong Museum

Day 3: Bumthang sightseeing

• Visit Jakar Dzong
• Visit Jambay Lhakhang Temple
• Visit Kurjey Lhakhang Monastery

Day 4: Bumthang to Phobjikha sightseeing

• Drive from Bumthang to Phobjikha
• Visit Gangtey Monastery
• Visit Black-Necked Crane Information Centre
• Explore Phobjikha Valley

Day 5: Phobjikha to Punakha sightseeing

• Drive from Phobjikha to Punakha
• Visit Punakha Dzong
• Walk on Punakha Suspension Bridge
• Visit Chimi Lhakhang Temple

Day 6: Punakha to Thimphu sightseeing

• Drive from Punakha to Thimphu
• Visit Dochula Pass
• Visit Simtokha Dzong
• Visit Simply Bhutan Museum
• Visit Tashichho Dzong

Day 7: Drive to Paro and sightseeing

• Drive from Thimphu to Paro
• Visit Chele La Pass
• Visit Paro Airport Bird’s Eye View Point
• Visit Paro Penlop Heritage Home Museum
• Visit Rinpung Dzong

Day 8: Paro sightseeing

• Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

Day 9: Departure from Paro

• Depart from Paro Airport

The experience

The route moves through Bhutan's spiritual heartland, beginning in Thimphu with stops at the 169-foot Buddha Dordenma statue and the Memorial Chorten, then driving east through Pele La Pass toward Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress in the country, which cascades down a ridge overlooking the Mangde River. From there you reach Bumthang, where four days let you explore Jakar Dzong, the 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang monastery with its sacred rock imprint of Guru Rinpoche. The pace is built around the sites themselves: you move between valleys by vehicle, then walk through dzongs and monasteries at a relaxed rhythm that leaves room for the landscape and the local detail.

The journey then turns west toward Phobjikha Valley, where Gangtey Monastery sits on a hilltop overlooking meadows famous as the winter home of black-necked cranes. The Black-Necked Crane Information Centre explains their migration and conservation. From Phobjikha you drive to Punakha, where Punakha Dzong stands at the confluence of two rivers and Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple, sits among rice fields. A day in Thimphu on the return includes Dochula Pass with its 108 chortens, Simtokha Dzong and the Simply Bhutan Museum, where you can try on traditional dress and sample local food. The final stretch takes you to Paro for the hike to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest Monastery clinging to a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor.

All entrance fees, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Your English-speaking guide travels with you throughout. The itinerary assumes moderate fitness (the Taktsang hike is the most demanding section), and the tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy or significant cardiovascular concerns. Pickup is included. Children from age 1 can join, though infants sit on an adult's lap or in a specialized infant seat if arranged.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all dzongs and monasteries.
• government fees.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
• English-speaking guide for all nine days.
• hotel accommodation (minimum 3-star) in Thimphu, Bumthang, Phobjikha, Punakha and Paro.
• airport pickup on arrival.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (21 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 20 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

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 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic 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?The tour moves by vehicle between valleys and walks through sites at a relaxed pace, so you experience each dzong and monastery without rushing. The Taktsang hike to the Tiger's Nest is the most demanding section and requires moderate fitness, but the rest of the itinerary suits travelers who prefer to explore on foot at their own speed rather than cover long distances daily.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 20 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What is Paro Taktsang and how do I get to it?

Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger's Nest Monastery, is Bhutan's most sacred landmark, built in 1692 on a cliffside about 900 meters above the Paro Valley. You reach it by hiking a scenic trail through forests and past prayer flags. The hike is the most strenuous part of the 9-day tour and requires moderate fitness.

How many nights do I spend in each location?

You stay one night in Thimphu on arrival, one night in Bumthang after the drive from Trongsa, one night in Bumthang again for the second day of sightseeing, one night in Phobjikha, one night in Punakha, one night back in Thimphu, one night in Paro before the Taktsang hike, and one final night in Paro before departure: nine nights across eight locations.

What is Bumthang Valley known for?

Bumthang Valley is Bhutan's spiritual heartland, home to some of the country's oldest and most sacred temples. Jambay Lhakhang dates to the 7th century and is one of 108 temples said to have been built in a single night; Kurjey Lhakhang holds the sacred rock imprint of Guru Rinpoche; and Jakar Dzong overlooks the valley as an administrative and monastic center.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Yes, all meals are included: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the tour. You eat at your hotel and at local restaurants along the route, experiencing Bhutanese cuisine and regional specialties.

What is the highest altitude I will reach?

Chele La Pass, between Paro and Haa valleys, stands at about 3,988 meters (13,084 feet) and is one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. Dochula Pass, between Thimphu and Punakha, reaches 3,100 meters and is known for its 108 chortens built to honor soldiers.

Do I need to arrange my own transport between locations?

No, transport is fully included. An air-conditioned vehicle and driver accompany you throughout the 9 days, moving between Thimphu, Bumthang, Phobjikha, Punakha and Paro. Pickup from Paro Airport on arrival is also included.