Tour overview

This tour will take our valued guests through the natural beauty of Bhutan while sampling some of the most delicious Bhutanese cuisine.  The tour will offer some great insights into the culinary world of the small hermit nation with the help of cooking lessons in authentic traditional village homes around popular destinations in Bhutan.

Tour Highlight

• Buddha Dordenma
• Memorial Chorten
• Takin Preserve
• Tofu Production at Aum Damchey homestay
• Yiga Chocolate Factory
• Folk Heritage Restaurant
• Babesa Village Restaurant
• Simply Bhutan Museum
• Centenary Farmer’s Market

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival at Paro & Drive to Thimphu

The most common way to enter Bhutan is by flying to Paro. Paro valley is home to the only International Airport in the country. Flying to Bhutan has its perks as it treats the visitors with the spectacular view of the Himalayan Range.  Upon landing you will be greeted by your tour agent representative, probably your guide for the rest of the tour.  You will be driven to Capital city, Thimphu which is a swift 45 minutes drive away from Paro. Upon arriving at Thimphu, you will be checked into your assigned hotel and after having settled into your rooms. You will be taken for lunch to Babesa village restaurant. The restaurant is set at the outskirts of the capital on the Express way. The restaurant serves authentic Bhutanese cuisine making it one of the best places to explore Bhutanese food.  After lunch your driver and your guide will take you around for some light sightseeing.

DAY 2: Thimphu sightseeing

Today you will visit popular attractions in the capital. You will start by visiting tofu production farm at aum Damchey’s homestay in Kawangjangsa.  After which you will have lunch at Folk Heritage Restaurant in the vicinity of folk heritage museum. You will visit the museum after lunch. The owner at the restaurant, aum Kesang is a huge advocate for organic foods and also uses organic ingredients for preparing all her dishes.  After lunch you will visit some more attractions. You can also choose to dig deeper into exploring Bhutanese food as you will be experiencing and learning the art of preparing some of the delectable dishes in Bhutan. Cooking classes will be given by some of the renowned chefs in the capital. You will be given an insight into the basics of Bhutanese food and the organic ingredients, their origin and a bit of food tradition in Bhutan. After the refreshing cooking classes you will be driven around for some more sightseeing.

DAY 3: From Thimphu to Punakha

After an early breakfast, you will be driven towards Punakha. At about an hour drive from Thimphu, you will stop at Dochula pass to take in the breath taking view of the Himalayas. The pass is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Bhutan and is also one of the few motorable passes. The pass is also decorated with 108 miniature stupas. Resuming your drive for another 1 and a half hours you will be finally in the beautiful Punakha valley. At Punakha, you will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong. Punakha valley is also the former capital of the country and it still plays a significant role in the political affairs of the country.

Punakha valley is dotted with traditional two storey houses enclosed with rice fields neatly surrounding the houses.  The valley offers great opportunities to spend a stay at such a farm house. The best part of staying at a farmhouse is that you can sample delicious delicacies straight out of the home kitchen prepared with love by the mother and with fresh organic ingredients.  You can also engage in cooking with the family members at the farm house.

DAY 4: From Punakha to Phobjikha

After you bid your farewell to the family, you will drive towards to Phobjikha, Wangdue Phodrang district. Just as you depart from Punakha, you will make one last stop at the infamous Fertility Temple which is considered one of the must visit attractions in the district.
The idyllic Phobjikha valley is also home to the endangered bird species of black necked cranes. The whole valley has been declared as a nature reserve for these beautiful birds. The valley also offers ample opportunities to spend a night at a farmhouse or homestay to experience the village up close.  Phobjikha valley is known best for their potatoes. At the homestay you can sample delicious meals prepared with their delicious potatoes.  Other activities you can engage in are, visiting the Gangtey Monastery. You can even hike the Gangtey Nature trail which is a moderate hike.  And you can later unwind with a warm herbal hot stone bath at the farm house.

DAY 5: Drive to Paro

Today you will drive towards Paro and explore the quaint little valley. The valley is home to the only international Airport in the country.  You will visit popular attractions like the national museum, Paro Dzong (fortress), Kyichu Lhakhang and many more.

DAY 6: Hike to Taktshang Monastery

After having your breakfast, you will be directly driven to the base of Taktshang monastery from where you will begin to hike up the challenging trail. The hiking trail will take the hikers through lush green forest. The hike takes about 4 hours to reach the monastery but the view from the monastery once at the top is just amazing. The monastery is built on a rock-face hovering over the valley below.

After the grueling hike you will be driven to your hotel for a much deserved break and rest.

DAY 7: Depart

You will be driven to the Airport for your departure.