Depart your home country for your flight to Paro, Bhutan.
Most suited for
Couples, Solos
Ideal time to visit
March - November
Set off on a two-week Bhutan adventure that takes in three valleys in depth. This holiday is designed so that you spend less time in the car and more time soaking in Bhutan’s natural beauty.
Ideal for intrepid travellers, including those with teenage children, this trip focuses on time in the great outdoors. Accompanied by your driver and English-speaking guide, you’ll venture off the beaten track, hiking through remote villages across diverse landscapes. You’ll stay in a combination of quality hotels and comfortable camping experiences so that you can enjoy different sides of the captivating Kingdom.
Adventure in Bhutan
As with all our holidays, this itinerary is just a starting point. We will create a bespoke package which will be completely unique for you.
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Day 1
Your adventure begins
Day 2
Thimphu
Your guide will be ready to greet you on arrival at Paro airport and take you straight to Thimphu. On this one-hour journey you will spy your first Bhutanaese temple: Tamchog Lhakhang, which you can reach by walking a rickety iron-chain bridge across the Paro Chhu river. Later in the afternoon, after some time to rest, your guide will introduce you to the capital itself.
Get a flavour for the sights and sounds of the city and visit its most iconic monument, the National Memorial Chorten which has some impressive views. If it’s a market day (weekends), you’ll join the hustle and bustle as farmers from all over the country try to sell their wares.
Day 3
Thimphu
Set off on a gentle one-hour walk through shaded rhododendron forests to Tango Monastery, whose origins date back to the 12th Century. Rebuilt in the 15th Century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the infamous Divine Madman, is run as a Buddhist university with 280 monks in attendance.
Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass
Today, you’ll set off with your guide and driver for the scenic drive to Punakha. The journey will take you through pine and cedar forest via the Dochula Pass where, on a clear day, the panoramic views of the Himalayan range are just incredible. Stop to explore the 108 stupas built in honour of fallen Bhutanese soldiers before trying warm Yak milk tea at a cafe. Continue to descend into the fertile Punakha valley before taking a short walk through paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, otherwise known as the Temple of Fertility.
Day 5
Trek to Limbukha
Today you begin your three-day trek at the beautiful and historic Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Mo Chuu and Pho Chu rivers. Follow a 12km trail climbing gradually through terraced farmland and forests to the summit of Dochula Hill before descending into Limbukha, a picturesque hamlet. Here you will camp for the night at an altitude of 1,980m in basic accommodation; the views are spectacular.
Day 6
Trek to Chhunsakha
Today’s trek is 14 km in total, starting on a trail beside DargyelGoempa, an old monastery. Your route later takes you along a ridge ascending to Dochen La, a small pass at 2,645m that is festooned with fluttering prayer flags, and rewards you with incredible views of the Dochu La and Jomolhari mountains. Continue down to Chhunsakha (1,850m), a small village where you will camp for the night in front of the local temple.
Day 7
Trek to Wangdue Valley
Your final morning will see you hiking downhill for 2.5 hours through thick forest before reaching a lunch stop in a clearing with beautiful views over Wangdue valley. Continue into the valley, through terraced fields of mustard and wheat. Your driver will then meet you at the Po Chu River to transfer you to your hotel in Punakha for a 3-night stay.
Day 8
Punakha
The Po Chu or Father river is fed by glaciers in the upper Punakha valley, offering great rafting opportunities. It’s a spectacular spot to get an adrenaline rush as you paddle your way over 15 class 2-4 rapids, ending at the confluence by Punakha Dzong.
Day 9
Giligang Trail
The Giligang Trail is the best day-trek in Punakha. In all, it takes around 4-5 hours and includes a picnic breakfast in the serene gardens of the Khamsum Chorten before the temple’s visitors start to arrive. Your guide will lead you along the trail which traverses rice paddies and pine forests and offers spectacular views of the mountain-tops.
Day 10
Paro
The drive to Paro this morning, where you will be for one night, takes around 4 hours. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation tour of this historic town with your local guide, taking in its main highlights. End the day with tea and local wine over archery at a traditional, old fashioned local farmhouse.
Days 11 - 12
Bumdra Trek (Tiger's Nest)
This two-day moderate trek does require a reasonable level of fitness as you will reach maximum altitudes of up to 4,000m, and the ascent is quite steep in parts. Your destination and camp is underBumdra Monastery, known as the Cave of a Thousand Prayers and located above the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Day one will see you trekking 3-4 hours through forests, ridges and past temples, with a picnic lunch along the way. On arrival at the camp, you may wish to visit Bumdra Monastery, or climb to the north peak at 4,000m to hang your prayer flags – the higher the altitude, the greater the merit! Note that the facilities at this camp are basic, but the unimpeded views of the Himalayas make for a very special experience.
After breakfast on day two, hike 3-4 hours down, zigzagging along the monks’ trail, across a gorge and descending through the gates past a waterfall. Take in Bhutan’s most iconic site, the Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest monastery, clinging to a sheer cliff face, before heading in to explore it. Later descend into the Paro valley where your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for your final night in Bhutan.
Day 13
Fly home
You will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your onward flight.
Great holiday with no worries
We had a 13 day trip to Bhutan [via] Kathmandu. We had the same guide and driver and a detailed itinerary... We flew from London to Kathmandu for two nights at the Dwarikas Resort which was like a retreat. Then to Bhutan to visit several cultures... We did our hike up to Tigers Nest at the end of our trip which meant we were already acclimated and had done a few other treks beforehand. It also meant we ended our holiday on a real high!
Millie
11 May 2025Excellent
850 Reviews
850 Reviews
What’s included:
With ETG, what’s included goes well beyond the basics. From the moment your trip begins to your final farewell, the essentials are already taken care of, leaving you free to immerse, explore and enjoy without the hassle of hidden extras.
Here’s what comes as standard in all of our holidays:
All flights (unless you’ve booked your own!)
Expert guides and drivers
All accommodation
Many meals and snacks
Immersive experiences throughout
All regional transfers
Tips
24/7 In-Country support
Personal travel consultant throughout
Pricing:
As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary depending on destination, flights, hotel choices, inclusions and travel dates. We aim to include as much as possible upfront, so you know exactly where you are. As an approximate guide:
Bespoke Holidays £4,500 - £8,500pp
Bespoke Luxury Holidays £8,500 - £14,500pp
Bespoke Family Holidays from £4,000 - £7,500pp
Meet Our Bhutan Experts
Sara was bowled over by Bhutan’s beauty and deep-rooted traditions. She knows exactly how to shape trips that capture the country’s spirit, from peaceful valleys to the flurry of its festivals.
“This itinerary is all about soaking in Bhutan’s natural beauty and delving into its cultural heart at a slower pace. You’ll trek, raft and camp in remote valleys while experiencing the warmth of local hospitality and the guidance of our expert team.“
Sara
Bhutan Specialist
Explore Our Hotels & Villas
Wherever you go, and whatever you do, at the end of every day you can always be sure of a comfortable rest. Every location on our list of hotels is handpicked, and in its own way, shares the history, the hospitality, and the soul of Bhutan. Below are some examples of the different hotels we use.
The ETG Guarantee
We guarantee you an experience no one else has ever had.
The travel magic you’ll remember won’t be found on a well-trodden – or over-Instagrammed – itinerary. It will be the surprises, discoveries and secrets that you’ll uncover along the way with us.
Do you ever feel like people aren’t listening to you?
We get it. And we will – that’s a promise. Your holiday starts with with a proper, no-pressure call to understand what you want, what you don’t want, and what matters to you.. From there, we create a completely unique adventure, inspired by our conversation together.
And because of our long-standing relationships with trusted partners across Asia, you’ll have access to experiences you can’t find on Google. The kind of special experiences that are literally impossible to find on your own.
Experiences of Bhutan
Crafting bespoke packages is the heart of what we do. Each holiday is specially designed to confound preconceptions and share magical, memorable, and truly exceptional experiences.
Important FAQs about Bhutan
Bhutan offers a rare glimpse into a deeply spiritual way of life, with dramatic Himalayan landscapes, dzongs, and monasteries seemingly untouched by time. Travelling with ETG means experiencing Bhutan through the eyes of our expert guides, who not only know the history and legends of this remarkable kingdom but also share insights into daily life and traditions. From the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery to exploring rural valleys and vibrant markets, we ensure your visit is meaningful, immersive, and carefully planned to uncover the country’s unique charm.
The best times to visit Bhutan are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these months, the skies are clear, the Himalayan peaks are at their most striking, and festivals such as Paro Tsechu and Thimphu Tsechu take place, offering a vibrant window into Bhutanese culture. Winter (December to February) brings crisp weather, fewer visitors, and snow-capped views, while summer (June to August) sees lush green landscapes but also heavier monsoon rains.
Every ETG holiday to Bhutan is carefully designed to be seamless, immersive, and stress-free. Your journey typically includes international flights (if requested), guide throughout and accommodation in hand-picked, characterful hotels or homestays.
You’ll enjoy incredible, immersive experiences unique to you, all planned by dedicated Bhutan specialists, with the added reassurance of 24/7 in-country support from our local team.