Classic Bhutan · Cultural Tours · Easy
The Western Valleys
- Paro
- Thimphu
- Dochula
- Punakha
- …
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the glacial valley of Phobjikha — the classic first journey through Bhutan, paced with room to breathe.
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Cultural Tours · Classic Bhutan
Into the Cultural Heartland
West to centre — from Paro across the Black Mountains to Trongsa and the ancient temples of Bumthang.
- Duration
- 11 days · 10 nights
- Route
- Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Phobjikha …
- Activity level
- Easy · up to 3,420 m (Pele La)
- Best time
- Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
- From
- Price on requestQuoted for your dates and style
Overview
Beyond the western valleys lies a Bhutan that relatively few visitors see. This journey crosses the Black Mountains to Trongsa, the fortress from which the Wangchuck kings unified the country, and continues to Bumthang — four high valleys filled with some of the oldest temples in the Himalaya.
It is a journey for travellers who want depth: unhurried days, quieter roads and time to understand the stories behind the places.
- Paro
- Thimphu
- Punakha
- Phobjikha
- Trongsa
- Bumthang
- Paro
Highlights
- Trongsa Dzong, ancestral seat of the royal family
- Two full days among Bumthang's seventh-century temples
- Crossing Pele La through yak country and dwarf bamboo
- The Burning Lake and the Tang valley
- Punakha, Phobjikha and the Tiger's Nest
Day by day
- Day01
Arrival in Paro, drive to Thimphu Paro → Thimphu
Welcome at Paro airport and a gentle afternoon in Thimphu, finishing at the National Memorial Chorten.
- Airport welcome
- National Memorial Chorten
- Day02
Thimphu Thimphu
A full day exploring the capital: Buddha Dordenma, the traditional arts school, the Textile Academy and Tashichho Dzong at sunset.
- Buddha Dordenma
- Zorig Chusum
- Textile Academy
- Tashichho Dzong
- Day03
Over Dochula to Punakha Thimphu → Punakha
Cross Dochula and descend to Punakha. Walk through the rice terraces to Chimi Lhakhang and visit Punakha Dzong.
- Dochula
- Chimi Lhakhang
- Punakha Dzong
- Day04
To Phobjikha Punakha → Phobjikha
Drive via Wangdue Phodrang to the glacial valley of Phobjikha. Visit Gangtey Goemba and walk the nature trail.
- Wangdue Phodrang
- Gangtey Goemba
- Gangtey Nature Trail
- Day05
Across the Black Mountains to Trongsa Phobjikha → Pele La → Trongsa
Cross Pele La into central Bhutan, stopping at the riverside Chendebji Chorten. Arrive in Trongsa for the dzong and the Ta Dzong museum of royal history.
- Pele La
- Chendebji Chorten
- Trongsa Dzong
- Ta Dzong museum
- Day06
Trongsa to Bumthang Trongsa → Chumey → Jakar
Over Yotong La to the Chumey valley, where women weave yathra wool on their verandas. Continue to Jakar and visit Jakar Dzong in the afternoon.
- Yathra weavers of Chumey
- Jakar Dzong
- Day07
The temples of Choekhor Bumthang
Walk between Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing, three of the oldest and most sacred sites in Bhutan. Visit the cheese and honey producers in the afternoon.
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Tamshing Lhakhang
- Local producers
- Day08
The Tang valley Bumthang
Drive into the Tang valley to Mebar Tsho, the Burning Lake, then walk up to Ogyen Choling palace, a family manor turned museum.
- Mebar Tsho
- Ogyen Choling Palace
- Day09
Return west Bumthang → Paro
Fly back to Paro when domestic flights are operating, or make the scenic road journey back across the passes. Evening at leisure in Paro.
- Return to Paro
- Day10
The Tiger's Nest Paro
Hike to Taktsang in the morning; in the afternoon visit Kyichu Lhakhang and enjoy a farewell farmhouse dinner.
- Tiger's Nest hike
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Farmhouse dinner
- Day11
Departure Paro
Transfer to Paro airport.
- Airport transfer
Staying, eating, travelling
- Accommodation
- 3-star hotels and lodges in the west, comfortable family-run lodges in Trongsa and Bumthang. Luxury options available on most nights.
- Meals
- All meals in Bhutan; Bumthang adds buckwheat noodles, local cheese and honey to the table.
- Transport
- Private vehicle and driver; optional domestic flight Bumthang–Paro (subject to schedule, not included unless confirmed).
- Your guide
- Licensed English-speaking guide throughout.
What is included
Included
- Bhutan visa processing and visa fee
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for each night in Bhutan
- Accommodation as listed
- All meals in Bhutan
- Private guide, driver and vehicle
- Entrance fees to sites in the itinerary
Not included
- International and domestic flights unless confirmed in your quote
- Travel insurance (required)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips
- Single room supplement
When to go & what you need
Best time to travel
March–May and September–November. Plan around the Jambay Lhakhang Drup (autumn) or Ura Yakchoe (spring) for a festival highlight.
- January
- February
- March — recommended
- April — recommended
- May — recommended
- June
- July
- August
- September — recommended
- October — recommended
- November — recommended
- December
Before you travel
- Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
- Travel insurance
- Comfort with several longer mountain drives
Along the way
Questions about this journey
Is the drive to Bumthang long?
The road is winding rather than long — the longest day is about four hours of driving, broken with stops. Flying back from Bumthang to Paro, when flights operate, saves a day of driving.
Places on this route
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- Paro
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- …
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