Journey Overview
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Get the unique chance to visit a hidden, sacred kingdom in the Himalayas, which only recently opened up its borders to tourism and ranks their GDP on communal happiness. Hike in some of the most beautiful and pristine terrain in a country that boasts 60 percent of its land as conservation zones. Tour stunning monasteries and temples, learn about ancient Buddhist practices, and see amazing biodiversity along the way.

Day 1: USA / Paro Valley, Bhutan
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Arrival Airport: Paro Valley International Airport (PBH)

Afternoon: Fly into the quiet and beautiful Paro Valley where you will meet your guide and learn about the history of Bhutan — a country of 155+ monasteries and temples! As your flight nears Bhutan, you can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake Peaks. At the airport, you will be greeted by an Acanela Representative. Visit the Rinpung Dzong, meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels." It has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the courtyard of the Rinpung Dzong are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore. You will walk downhill to the road point crossing the traditional wooden bridge. Your vehicle will be waiting here to take you to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. You may come across an archery match. If not today, you may see one on other days of the tour as the matches are carried out when people get time on ad hoc basis.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner with your group.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Accomodation: Hotel Norkhil Boutique, Thimphu, or similar.

Day 2: Thimphu
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, you will visit Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the Folk Heritage Museum, and the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school).

Lunch: Have a relaxing lunch at a nearby restaurant

Afternoon: Visit the Kuenselphodrang overlooking the Thimphu valley, where the giant Buddha statue is located. The 169-foot statue is reputed to be the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. If you're here on the weekend, visit the popular Farmer’s Market. Stroll through the market to see the variety of food of the country. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. This is perhaps a good opportunity for taking photos and mingling with locals who come from the nearby villages to sell their farm products.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Accommodation: Hotel Norkhil Boutique, Thimphu, or similar.

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha FESTIVAL
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, you will drive to Dochula La (10,200 feet, or 3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.

Lunch: Have a relaxing lunch at a nearby restaurant

Afternoon: After lunch, you will drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir, and hemlock. You will arrive at Punakha after traversing through rice fields and along the bank of river. Visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. The dzong was the ancient capital and is the most beautiful in Bhutan.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Accommodation: RKPO Green Resort, Punakha, or similar.

Day 4: Punakha FESTIVAL & Village Visit
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at your hotel.

Morning: Today you will go for a village hike. The village is connected by a suspension bridge, which is the longest in Bhutan. After crossing the suspension bridge, you will come to a local village. Explore the village farmhouses, the local architecture, and the people's lifestyle.

Lunch: A traditional Lunch will be served in one of the farmhouses with Bhutanese butter tea and “ara,” a local wine.

Afternoon: Later, go for a hike to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten or Stupa perched high on a hill on the bank of the river. The Chorten houses paintings of the oldest Tibetan sect, Nyingmapa. The views of the valley and the surrounding mountains are stunning.

Note: If you are traveling during Festival time on one of our Special Departures, you will spend the day enjoying the Punakha Festival at Punakha Dzong. Enjoy an annual festival introduced by Zhabdrung, the founder of the Bhutan nation-state, to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans. The people come from nearby villages, dressed in their best attire, to attend this festival, which provides ample photography opportunities. Spend a day witnessing the festival and mingling with the locals.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Accomodation: RKPO Green Resort, Punakha, or similar.

Day 5: Punakha to Bumthang
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, you will drive to Bumthang, the cultural heartland of the country. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 10,800-feet-high (3,300-meter-high) Pele La pass, and at certain times of year, it's possible to see yaks!

Lunch: You will stop in Trongsa for a delicious local lunch.

Afternoon: After lunch, you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Then you'll proceed to Bumthang through lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way, you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Accommodation: Wangchuk Lodge, Bumthang, or similar.

Day 6: Bumthang Hike
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Morning: Today you will walk through Chokhor Valley in Bumthang. The best walk is between Kurjey and Tamshing Goenba via Dozam. Visit the Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, where the eighth-century spiritual master, Guru Rinpoche, left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. From north of Kurjey Lhakhang, you will walk a few hundred feet to the east and cross a footbridge, then go uphill to a trail on the opposite side. After some time, you will reach Dorjibi village. You can spend some time visiting farmhouses and meeting families.

Lunch: Lunch will be served in one of the farmhouses with the local families.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will follow the east-bank trail south for 30 minutes to Tamshing Goemba. You will also have a chance to meditate in Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Your car will be waiting here to transfer you to hotel.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Accomodation: Wangchuk Lodge, Bumthang, or similar.

Day 7: Bumthang to Phobjikha Valley
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: Today you will drive to Gangtey. The road from here descends to Chendebji Chorten and then climbs up to Pele La Pass (10,989 feet). With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the pass is the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During clear weather, you can view the high, snow-capped peaks.

Lunch: You will stop in Trongsa for lunch.

Afternoon: After a short while, you will leave the highway and cross a small pass blanketed with dwarf bamboos and arrive at Gangtey village. From Gangtey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjikha Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Phobjikha.

Accomodation: Dewachen Lodge Bhutan or similar.

Day 8: Phobjikha Valley
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: After breakfast today, you will make a visit to the Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa Monastery in western Bhutan. You can then spend some time interacting with the monks studying in the Gangtey Goemba Shedra (Buddhist College). The college offers nine-year course in Buddhist studies.

Lunch: Have a relaxing lunch at a nearby restaurant

Afternoon: In the afternoon, you can set out for the exploratory village walks in the Phobjikha Valley. You can also visit the Crane Information Centre, which has information displays about the cranes and the valley environment.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Phobjikha.

Accomodation: Dewachen Lodge Bhutan or similar.

Day 9: Phobjikha Valley to Paro
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: Today, you will drive back to Paro. En route, stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden to see different species of rhododendron and other plants. The park also has numerous viewpoints, trekking routes, and a lake. You can walk around the green space and enjoy the fresh air filtering through the cool broadleaf and mixed conifer forests.

Lunch: You will stop for lunch at Wangdue.

Afternoon: Check into hotel on arrival and enjoy a free afternoon followed by a delicious dinner with the group.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Paro.

Accomodation: Zhiwaling Resort, Paro, or similar.

Day 10: Tiger's Nest Hike
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Breakfast: Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.

Morning: Hike to Tiger's Nest, or Taktsang Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. It is absolutely breathtaking, situated at 10,400 feet (3,170 meters) and perched on the edge of a steep cliff about 3,000 feet (915 meters) above the Paro Valley. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands.

Lunch: Lunch is served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain.

Afternoon: Explore the monastery and hike back down to the valley floor.

Dinner: Enjoy a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant, known for it's delicious cuisine.

Evening: Overnight hotel in Paro.

Accomodation: Zhiwaling Resort, Paro, or similar.

Day 11: Paro / USA
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Breakfast: Enjoy one last breakfast at your beautiful hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, you will drive to the airport for departure where your Acanela Guide will bid you farewell (unless you join us on our extensions - ask us about extended 11-day Tours from Bhutan, both Classic & Active).

Departure Airport: Paro Valley International Airport (PBH)

Optional Extension: Kathmandu, Nepal (4 days)
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On your way out of Bhutan through Nepal, join us on a trip extension as we enjoy the picturesque Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a local Nepalese cooking course, a mountain biking tour in the countryside, and traditional buildings in Bhaktapur, an old Newari Kingdom.

Optional Extension: Delhi & Taj Mahal, India (4 days)
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On your way out of Bhutan through India, join us on a trip extension to Northern India and have the opportunity to visit the cities of New Delhi and Agra, as well as the majestic Taj Mahal.

+ What is the visa cost for Bhutan and how is it arranged?

Bhutan visas must always be pre-arranged prior to the trip, as they are not given upon arrival at the airport (for all US Passport Holders). There is a nonrefundable visa fee of $40 (USD) that we take from your trip deposit to reserve the visa. Once the payment is processed and approved by the government in Bhutan, we will receive your Visa Clearance Letter. Based on this clearance letter, the Bhutan visa will be granted (stamped into the traveler’s passport) upon arrival at the Paro Airport.

+ Is the daily fee to visit Bhutan included in the price?

Yes, the daily fee is included in the price of the tour.

+ How do I get to Bhutan? What are the best flights?

You must fly to Singapore, Bangkok, New Delhi, or Kathmandu prior to boarding your flight to Paro, Bhutan (and the flight into Bhutan must be booked separately). Please visit the following website to get a local flight to Paro, Bhutan from your connecting city of choice. https://www.drukair.com.bt/

+ Do you tip in Bhutan? If so, how much?

Tipping in Bhutan is not compulsory, but is appreciated of course! If you choose to tip, we suggest an amount of 8 to 10 USD for your guide and 4 to 6 USD for your driver.

+ When is the best time to visit Bhutan? What should I pack?

Preparing for your trip to Bhutan can be overwhelming, so we put together a guide for the best time to visit - including our favorite packing essentials to help you best prepare for your travel experience! Best Time to Visit Bhutan