(Mosaic of Bhutan)
The view of Drugyel dzong in Paro.
9 days Bhutan tour itinerary
The 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary covers western and central Bhutan districts of Trongsa and Bumthang. four small beautiful valleys of Tang, Ura, Chumey and Choekhor constitute Bumthang. It is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan being the birthplace of much revered saint, Pema Lingpa. There are many important landmarks and pilgrimage sites scattered across the valley.
On your 9 days Bhutan trip, you can visit majestic dzongs (Forts), ancient temples and more. The hike to Tiger’s nest monastery and visit to the divine madman’s temple in Punakha are simply amazing.
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Trongsa dzong.
The Iconic Tiger’s nest monastery.
Highlights of the tour:
- Ancient temples, monasteries & dzongs.
- Scenic landscapes.
- Archery matches.
- Meet local people.
- Pristine Bhutanese villages and farmhouse visit.
- Scenic mountain flight.
Sketch Itinerary:
- Day 1. Arrive Paro – Thimphu sightseeing | 54 km | Drive: 1 hour | Altitude: 2334 m.
- Day 2. Thimphu sightseeing | Altitude: 2334 m.
- Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha sightseeing | 76 km | Drive: 2 hours | Altitude: 1242 m.
- Day 4. Punakha – Wangdue Phodrang – Gangtey sightseeing | 75 km | Drive: 2 hours | Altitude: 3000 m.
- Day 5. Gangtey – Trongsa sightseeing – Bumthang | 156 km | Drive: 5 hours | Altitude: 2600 m.
- Day 6. Bumthang sightseeing | Altitude: 2600 m.
- Day 7. Bumthang – Paro sightseeing | By Mountain Flight | 25 minutes | Altitude: 2200 m.
- Day 8. Paro sightseeing – Hike to the Tiger’s nest monastery | 7 km | 4 hours.
- Day 9. Paro – Departure (End of 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary).
9 days Bhutan tour cost:
The rate given below is inclusive of sustainable development fee (SDF) of US $ 100 per person per night and Bhutan visa fee US $ 40 per person.
Entrance fees for monuments and festivals visits to be paid separately.
- Solo travel: US $ 2760 per person.
- 2 Persons: US $ 2280 per person.
- 3 People or more: US $ 2200 per person.
Nature of trip: Private and guided travel to Bhutan.
9 days Bhutan tour itinerary - Detailed
Day 1. Arrive Paro – Thimphu sightseeing (54 km, 1 hour drive):
Meet and greet at the Paro International airport and drive to Thimphu.
On the way, a short stop to view Tamchog monastery built in the 15th century by Thang Tong Gyalpo.
Afternoon – visit to memorial chorten, tallest statue of Buddha, Changangkha lhakhang, Takin preserve center and Sangaygang view point.
In the evening, visit Dupthop nunnery. Then free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 2. Thimphu sightseeing:
In the morning, visit to national postal museum, craft bazaar, textile museum, school of 13 arts and crafts (Painting school).
Lunch at Simply Bhutan museum restaurant.
Afternoon – witness the archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
In the evening, visit Tashichho dzong, the royal secretariat.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha sightseeing (76 Km, 2 hours drive):
In the morning, drive to Punakha.
On the way, visit to Dochu La pass (3140 m).
Then visit Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 to honor Drukpa Kuenley or “The divine madman”. This temple is also popularly called “The temple of fertility”.
Afternoon – Visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first national assembly here in 1952.
Then hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choling monastery.
In the evening, walk the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (160 meters).
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 4. Punakha – Wangdue Phodrang – Gangtey sightseeing (75 km, 2 hours drive):
In the morning, drive to Gangtey.
A short stop on the way to view Wangdue Phodrang dzong.
Note: Upper part of the valley is called Gangtey (where Gangtey Tshechu is held) and lower part is called Phobjikha.
Afternoon – Visit Gangtey monastery built in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley.
– Then visit the crane information center.
In the evening, explore the beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha (3000 m). This valley is the roosting ground of the rare black-necked cranes in winter.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 5. Gangtey – Trongsa sightseeing – Bumthang (156 km, 5 hours drive):
In the Morning, drive to Bumthang.
On the way, visit Trongsa dzong built in 1648 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. In late autumn, the spectacular Trongsa festival is held here.
Then visit Ta dzong, also built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. It is now converted to the royal heritage museum.
In the afternoon, drive further to Bumthang.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 6. Bumthang sightseeing:
Bumthang is one of the most scenic valleys and the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. It is also the birth place of Bhutanese patron saint, Pema Lingpa. There are many sacred temples and pilgrimage sites scattered across the valley.
In the morning, visit Jakar dzong “The castle of white bird”, Jambay lhakhang, Chakhar lhakhang and Kenchosum monastery.
Afternoon – visit to Mebar tsho or “The burning lake”, Tamshing lhakhang and Kurjey lhakhang.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 7. Bumthang – Paro sightseeing (Flight to Paro, 25 minutes):
In the Morning, drive to the Airport and fly to Paro.
Your guide will receive you at the airport and drive to the Hotel.
Afternoon – visit Ta dzong (national museum of Bhutan).
Then visit Rinpung dzong (Where famous annual Paro festival is held) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is the finest illustration of Bhutanese architecture and craftsmanship you’ll see. So impressive it is that even scenes of 1995 film, Little Buddha were filmed here.
In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 8. Paro sightseeing – Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery:
In the morning, drive to Satsam chorten and 2 hour hike till the Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang).
Afternoon – visit to Drugyal dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It was built to commemorate his victory over raiding and pillaging Tibetan armies. The dzong was raged by the fire in 1951, the ruins remain an impressive and imposing sight still. It is under repair now.
Then visit Kichu lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built it in 659 AD by the Tibetan king, Srongtsen Gampo.
In the evening, visit to a Bhutanese farmhouse. Then free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 9. Paro – Departure (End of 9 Days Bhutan Tour Itinerary):
After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary).
Included / Excluded in the cost
Value Added Services
Included / Excluded in the cost
Trip Cost Includes:
- All meals [breakfast / lunch / dinner and evening Tea].
- Accommodation [twin / double sharing basis]. Single room supplement is extra.
- All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
- Sustainable development fee (SDF).
- Bhutan visa fee.
- English speaking local guide.
- Sightseeing.
- Bottled water on tour.
Trip Cost Excludes:
- Drukair / Bhutan Airlines fares.
- Entrance fees for museums and monuments.
- Travel insurance premiums.
- Payments for service provided on a personal basis.
- Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.
- Cost incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, soft drinks, camera charges, incidentals, portage, Bellboy charges, tips or any other services.
Value Added Services
- Hot stone bath.
- Cycling around Paro valley.
- Practice archery.
- Bhutanese cooking class.
- Bhutanese cultural show featuring various mask dances and folk dances.
- Talk on Gross National Happiness / Buddhism.
- Consulting an astrologer.
- Practice dart.
- Performing religious ceremony.
- Marriage ceremonies.
9 days Bhutan tour itinerary - FAQs.
Yes, you can visit the beautiful Bumthang valley in central Bhutan with 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary.
The main highlights of 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary are:
- Panoramic mountain flight to Bumthang from Paro.
- Tiger’s nest monastery.
- Tashichho dzong (The royal secretariat).
- Statue of Buddha Dordenma (51.5 m).
- Dochula pass at 3140 m.
- Chimi lhakhang (The Fertility temple of Devine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kuenley).
- Punakha dzong.
- Khamsum Yulley monastery.
- Phobjikha valley – famous for the rare black-necked cranes in winter.
- Trongsa dzong.
- Kurjey lhakhang where you can see the body print of Guru Rinpoche.
- Jambay lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 657 AD.
The best time for this 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary is after 1st week of October as there will be many festivals during this time.
There is no duration discount on 9 days Bhutan tour cost. The Department of Tourism, Bhutan has revoked group size and duration discount from 23rd September 2022.
No, you cannot visit eastern Bhutan with 9 days Bhutan tour itinerary. Your have to book at least 14 days trip to visit eastern Bhutan.
You can practice meditation at Cheri monastery or Dechen Phodrang monastery in Thimphu if you book 9 days Bhutan tour package.