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7 Days Bhutan Tour with Haa Valley

Embark on a 7-day journey through Bhutan’s hidden gems, from the sacred Tiger’s Nest to the pristine Haa Valley, where tradition meets untouched beauty in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

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Explore Bhutan’s Hidden Gems: Thimphu, Punakha, Haa Valley, and Paro

Explore the beauty and culture of Bhutan with our updated 2025 tour. Start in Thimphu, the capital, where you’ll see modern life mixed with ancient traditions. Visit markets, monasteries, and the famous Tashichho Dzong. Then, head to Punakha, the old capital, known for its stunning Punakha Dzong and green valleys. The special part of the trip is the Haa Valley, a peaceful place that was closed to outsiders until 2002. Even now, very few tourists visit this area. The people here live high in the mountains, growing crops like wheat and potatoes and raising yaks. The drive from Paro to Haa goes through Chele La, Bhutan’s highest road, with amazing views of the Himalayas. In 2023, the road has been improved for a more comfortable ride.

If you visit during the Haa Summer Festival (usually in July), you’ll see local culture come alive. Watch how yak hair tents are made, learn about yak shearing, and try traditional food made from yak milk. The festival also features Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts, where you can buy unique handmade items. End your trip in Paro, where you’ll visit the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery and catch your flight home. With better facilities and a focus on eco-friendly travel, this tour offers a memorable and meaningful experience. Book now to discover the magic of Bhutan in 2025!

Your journey begins as you touch down at Paro International Airport, where your guide will warmly welcome you upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we’ll take it easy to help you acclimatize to the altitude and ease into the rhythm of Bhutan.

Highlights of Your Day
1. Scenic Drive to Thimphu
  • Experience: Enjoy a 1.5-hour scenic drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s vibrant capital. The journey offers stunning views of the Paro and Thimphu valleys, setting the tone for your adventure.
  • Check-In: Arrive at your hotel, where you’ll be greeted with traditional Bhutanese hospitality.
2. First Taste of Bhutanese Cuisine
  • Experience: Savor your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine, a delightful blend of flavors and spices that reflect the country’s rich culinary heritage.
3. National Memorial Chorten
  • Experience: Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a sacred stupa built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Join locals as they circumambulate the chorten, offering prayers and spinning prayer wheels.
  • Photography: Capture the serene atmosphere and intricate details of this iconic landmark.
4. Thimphu Dzong: The Seat of the King
  • Experience: Explore Thimphu Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan and the seat of the King’s office. Marvel at its grand architecture and learn about its historical and cultural significance.
5. Centenary Farmers’ Market
  • Experience: If it’s a weekend, visit the Centenary Farmers’ Market, where locals gather to sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and traditional goods. It’s a vibrant hub of activity and a great place to interact with the friendly Bhutanese people.
6. Buddha Dordenma Statue
  • Experience: Drive up to Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, home to the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Enjoy panoramic views of Thimphu Valley from this serene location.
7. Evening Stroll in Thimphu
  • Experience: After dinner, take a leisurely stroll around Thimphu Town, soaking in the peaceful ambiance and perhaps picking up a few souvenirs.

 

Situated at an altitude of 2,400 meters, Thimphu is the heart of Bhutan’s government, religion, and commerce. This vibrant capital seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, offering a fascinating mix of culture, history, and natural beauty. Today, immerse yourself in the essence of Thimphu, from sacred monasteries to bustling markets and serene nature trails.

Highlights of Your Day
1. Cheri Gompa: A Spiritual Hike

  • Experience: Begin your day with a moderate hike to Cheri Gompa, a monastery built in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This sacred site is where the central monastic body was first established and remains an important pilgrimage destination.

  • Significance: Many revered priests of the Drukpa Kagyu lineage have meditated here, adding to its spiritual aura.

  • Photography: Capture the serene surroundings and the fluttering prayer flags that adorn the trail.

2. National Textile Museum: A Celebration of Weaving

  • Experience: Visit the National Textile Museum, where you’ll learn about Bhutan’s vibrant weaving traditions. Thanks to Queen Jetsun Pema, Bhutanese fabrics are now celebrated as high fashion worldwide.

  • Significance: Discover how the Royal Government preserves and promotes this living art form, ensuring its continuity for future generations.

3. Takin Reserve: Home to Bhutan’s National Animal

  • Experience: Drive above Thimphu to the Takin Reserve, home to the Drong Gemtse, Bhutan’s national animal. Legend has it that this unique creature, with the body of a cow and the head of a goat, was created by the Divine Madman.

  • Photography: Capture the quirky charm of the takin and the lush surroundings of the reserve.

4. Sangay Gang and Wangtse Monastery: A Scenic Trail

  • Experience: Continue to Sangay Gang, where the BBS tower and countless prayer flags create a picturesque setting. Follow a gentle trail through apple orchards, farmhouses, and forests of oak, blue pine, and rhododendron.

  • Destination: Reach Wangtse Monastery, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Tashicho Dzong, Thimphu city, and the Buddha Dordenma statue.

  • Photography: Frame the panoramic views and the tranquil beauty of the monastery.

Today, we’ll set off early from Thimphu after breakfast, perhaps with a quick visit to the weekend market if it’s a Saturday or Sunday. Then, embark on a 2.5-hour scenic drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, crossing the breathtaking Dochu La Pass and descending into the warm, fertile Punakha Valley.

Highlights of Your Day
1. Dochula Pass: A Himalayan Panorama
  • Experience: Stop at Dochu La Pass (3,100 meters) for a coffee break and to admire the 108 stupas built in honor of Bhutan’s victory over Indian insurgents.
  • Views: On a clear day, enjoy enchanting views of the Himalayan range, including peaks like Gangkar Puensum, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
  • Optional Hike: If time and energy allow, take a 1.5-hour hike on the Dochula Nature Trail, a serene path through rhododendron and pine forests.
2. Punakha Dzong: The Palace of Great Happiness
  • Experience: Arrive in Punakha and visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu (Father River) and Mo Chu (Mother River).
  • Significance: Built in 1637, this dzong served as the religious and administrative center of Bhutan until the 1950s. Its stunning architecture and riverside location make it one of Bhutan’s most iconic landmarks.
  • Photography: Capture the intricate woodwork, vibrant murals, and serene courtyards of this historic fortress.
3. Khamsum Yuelley Chorten: A Scenic Hike
  • Experience: Cross a suspension bridge and begin a moderate hike to Khamsum Yuelley Chorten, passing through rice terraces and pine forests.
  • Views: At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the Punakha Valley and the surrounding mountains.
  • Significance: This chorten was built by the royal family to promote peace and harmony in the world.
4. Chimi Lhakhang: The Temple of Fertility
  • Experience: Drive to Lobesa and embark on a 20-minute hike to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman.”
  • Significance: Known for his unconventional methods of teaching Buddhism, Drukpa Kunley is celebrated here, and the temple is a popular pilgrimage site for those seeking blessings, especially for fertility.
  • Photography: Capture the serene setting and the vibrant prayer flags that adorn the temple.

The beautiful Paro Valley is a treasure trove of Bhutan’s ancient monasteries, temples, and stunning landscapes. Home to the country’s only international airport, Paro is also the gateway to Mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters), whose glacier-fed waters form the Pachu River, flowing gracefully through the valley. Today, immerse yourself in the rich history and serene beauty of Paro.

Highlights of Your Day
1. Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): A Fortress of History
  • Experience: Visit the Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong, a massive 15th-century fortress-monastery that serves as the administrative center of the region.
  • Significance: This architectural marvel is a testament to Bhutan’s medieval history and spiritual heritage.
  • Photography: Capture the intricate woodwork, vibrant murals, and stunning riverside location of this iconic dzong.
2. Drukgyal Dzong: A Glimpse into Bhutan’s Glorious Past
  • Experience: Drive north of Paro Valley to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of medieval Bhutan.
  • Significance: Although destroyed by an accidental fire, the dzong’s ruins stand as a poignant reminder of Bhutan’s victorious past.
  • Photography: Explore the ramparts and capture the dramatic backdrop of Mount Chomolhari.
3. Kyichu Lhakhang: One of Bhutan’s Oldest Temples
  • Experience: Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan, believed to have been built in the 7th century.
  • Significance: This temple is a place of deep spiritual significance and is often visited by pilgrims seeking blessings.
  • Photography: Capture the serene atmosphere and the ancient architecture of this revered site.
4. Scenic Beauty of Paro Valley
  • Experience: As you explore Paro, take in the stunning views of the valley, with its lush fields, traditional farmhouses, and the majestic Pachu River.
  • Photography: Frame the picturesque landscapes and the vibrant culture of Paro.

Today, embark on a scenic drive to the secluded Haa Valley, one of Bhutan’s most pristine and least-visited regions. Crossing the breathtaking Chele La Pass (3,988 meters), you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Paro Valley on one side and Haa Valley on the other. This journey offers a rare glimpse into the traditional and unspoiled way of life in Bhutan.

Highlights of Your Day
1. Chele La Pass: A Himalayan Panorama
  • Experience: Drive to Chele La Pass, the highest motorable road in Bhutan, offering stunning views of the Paro and Haa valleys.
  • Picnic Option: Enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the fluttering prayer flags and serene mountain vistas.
  • Photography: Capture the sweeping landscapes and the vibrant prayer flags that adorn the pass.
2. Haa Valley: A Step Back in Time
  • Experience: Descend into the Haa Valley, a hidden gem that was opened to tourists only in 2002. This secluded valley is home to traditional Bhutanese families who continue to live a simple, agrarian lifestyle.
  • Sightseeing: Explore the valley’s quaint villages, lush fields, and serene riverside settings.
3. Katsho Village and Katso Lhakhang
  • Experience: Visit Katsho Village, a charming settlement that offers a glimpse into the traditional way of life in Haa.
  • Katso Lhakhang: Explore the Katso Lhakhang, a sacred temple that holds deep spiritual significance for the local community.
  • Photography: Capture the rustic beauty of the village and the serene atmosphere of the temple.
4. Return to Paro
  • Experience: As there are no tourist-standard hotels in Haa Valley, we’ll return to Paro for the night. Enjoy the scenic drive back, reflecting on the day’s discoveries.

Today, embark on one of the most iconic and unforgettable experiences in Bhutan: a hike to the legendary Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. Perched precariously on a cliffside 900 meters above the Paro Valley, this sacred site is a testament to Bhutan’s spiritual heritage and architectural ingenuity.

Highlights of Your Day
1. Hike to Tiger’s Nest: A Spiritual Journey

  • Experience: Begin your day with an early morning start to avoid the heat and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The one-hour hike to the cafeteria offers a vantage point with stunning views of the monastery.

  • Legend: According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) landed here on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

  • Ascent: Continue your hike, passing prayer flags that adorn the cliffs, and ascend to the monastery itself. Explore its sacred halls, prayer rooms, and balconies, each offering breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility.

2. Sumptuous Local Lunch

  • Experience: After your hike, enjoy a sumptuous local lunch at the cafeteria, savoring the flavors of Bhutanese cuisine while taking in the stunning views of the valley.

3. Kyichu Lhakhang: One of Bhutan’s Oldest Temples

  • Experience: On your way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan, believed to have been built in the 7th century.

  • Significance: This temple is a place of deep spiritual significance and is often visited by pilgrims seeking blessings.

  • Photography: Capture the serene atmosphere and the ancient architecture of this revered site.

Today, it’s time to bid a fond farewell to the enchanting kingdom of Bhutan. An early morning flight will take you back to Singapore, marking the end of your unforgettable journey through the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Highlights of Your Departure
1. Seamless Transfers
  • Experience: Enjoy a smooth and comfortable transfer to Paro International Airport in a private vehicle. Our team will ensure that your departure is as seamless as your arrival, allowing you to relax and reflect on your journey.
2. Lasting Memories
  • Reflection: As you travel to the airport, take in the final views of Bhutan’s breathtaking landscapes and reflect on the incredible experiences you’ve had. From the spiritual serenity of the Tiger’s Nest to the vibrant culture of Thimphu and Paro, your time in Bhutan will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.
3. Until Next Time
  • Farewell: While this may be the end of your current journey, it’s only the beginning of your love affair with Bhutan. We look forward to welcoming you back on another Bhutan Luxury Tour, where new adventures and discoveries await.
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