Whispers Of Spiritual & Lay Life of Bhutan 11 Days and 10 Nights

Day by day Itinerary

Day 1 — Paro: Arrival & gentle exploration
Arrive Paro and be welcomed by an expert from your Bhutan Travelplus. Transfer to your hotel, rest and begin with a gentle orientation: Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Drukgyal Dzong ruins. Evening briefing on the programme’s spiritual and lay‑life focus.

Day 2 — Paro → Bumthang (flight) • Sacred Bumthang sites
Take a short domestic flight to Bumthang. Explore Tamshing, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. Afternoon hike to Thangbi Lhakhang and visits to nearby villages. Evening cultural welcome and traditional household hospitality.

Day 3 — Tang Valley • Me‑bar Tsho & Pemacholing Nunnery
Drive to Tang Valley to visit Me‑bar Tsho (Burning Lake) and Pemacholing Nunnery. Where possible arrange a short ritual or blessing. Overnight at Ugyen Choling guesthouse with local cultural performance.

Day 4 — Bumthang → Trongsa • Trongsa Dzong
Drive to Trongsa with scenic stops. Visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong and local museum; learn about its historical role in Bhutan’s monarchy and monastic traditions.

Day 5 — Trongsa → Phobjikha (Gangtey) via Pele La • Valley hike
Cross Pele La and descend into Phobjikha. Guided valley walk to Gangtey Goempa, learn about crane conservation, and witness meadow farming life.

Day 6 — Gangtey → Punakha • Farm immersion & Chhimi Lhakhang
Short morning hike to Gangtey Monastery then drive to Punakha. Visit Chhimi Lhakhang and spend time at a local farmhouse — share lunch, join simple farm tasks and meet host families.

Day 7 — Punakha Dzong, Khamsum Yuley & community school visit
Explore Punakha Dzong and the hillside Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. Afternoon visit to a community school — interact with students, support local projects and learn about rural education.

Day 8 — Punakha → Thimphu via Dochula • Temples & markets
Drive to Thimphu via Dochula Pass (108 chortens) and Buddha Dordenma. In Thimphu visit National Memorial Chorten, Textile & Heritage Museums and the Crafts Bazaar. Evening at the Centenary Farmers’ Market (weekend) or local cultural meal.

Day 9 — Thimphu • Nature hike, nunneries & monastery interactions
Morning hike from Buddha Point to Changangkha Monastery. Visit a local nunnery to learn about monastic education and women’s programmes. Optional meditation or private audience with monastics where available.

Day 10 — Thimphu → Paro • Final sacred sites & Tiger’s Nest briefing
Transfer to Paro, visit Ta Dzong and Paro town. Evening briefing and rest for next day’s pilgrimage.

Day 11 — Paro • Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) • Depart
Early trek to Taktsang Monastery for a profound pilgrimage experience and cliff‑side contemplation. After descent visit Kyichu Lhakhang. Transfer to Paro Airport for your departure. Tashi Delek!

EXPERIENCE FOCUS

• Sacred access: respectfully arranged audiences, blessings and short teachings where permitted.
• Agrarian immersion: authentic farm stays, participation in seasonal activities and community school engagement.
• Folklore & storytelling: evenings with village storytellers and curated folk performances.
• Hikes: daily gentle to moderate walks to hermitages, temples and viewpoints (tailored to ability).
• Responsible tourism: all interactions arranged with community consent and clear, mutual benefit.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

• Fitness: Moderate — short uphill walks and one full‑day pilgrimage hike.
• Attire: Modest clothing for temples; layered outdoor wear for mountain climate.
• Photography & conduct: Always request permission before photographing monastics, children or rituals.
• Health & altitude: Stay hydrated, rest after flights; inform us of any medical needs.
• Customisation: Option to extend to Laya, Lunana, Merak & Sakteng highland lifestyle treks or design Unseen Bhutan expeditions for filmmakers and researchers.

PACKAGE COST

Prices provided on request and depend on season, accommodation category, group size and any bespoke arrangements (private audiences, special access, domestic flights).

Package cost Includes

Inclusions:

• 6N Accommodation in hotels as per package selected on twin sharing basis.
• 2N Phuentsholing, 1N Thimphu, 1N Punakha & 2N Paro Stay.
• Meals as per package selected.
• 1 Tourist Sim Card with 100 Minutes Talk Time.
• Daily 2 Water Bottle per head.
• Pickup/ Drop from IXB (Bagdogra Airport).
• All Transfers and Sightseeing on SIC basis.
• Assistance for Tourist Permits to Travel to Thimphu and Punakha.
• All Hotel Taxes and GST.
• Licensed Bhutanese Trip Coordinator to assist throughout the trip.

Package cost Includes

Exclusions:

• Any Airfare / Train Fare.
• Lunch.
• Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered.
• Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.
• Monument Entrances, and activities Charges.
• Any expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as rescheduling or cancellations e.g. flights cancellations, any accidents, weather conditions, medical evacuations, riots, strikes etc. Such expenses will have to be paid directly.

• Any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure.

• Any tips to drivers, hotel staff and any meals apart from the ones mentioned above.
• Travel Insurance.
• Anything specifically not mentioned in the ‘Inclusions’ column.

Note: Itinerary may change for different dates & packages.