12 Days Bhutan Tour

12 days in Bhutan lets the journey breathe on the way back as well as out. Where shorter itineraries return west in one long push, this one pauses in Punakha for the walk through rice terraces to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - a temple built by the Queen Mother above a silver bend of the Mo Chhu - and stops at Kuengarabtan's palace en route from Bumthang. Add the Tango Monastery hike above Thimphu and the Tiger's Nest finale, and you have our most contemplative itinerary: three proper hikes, the kingdom's holiest valleys, and enough slack in the schedule to sit in a temple courtyard for an hour because you feel like it. For travellers treating Bhutan less as a destination than as a retreat.

Tour Highlights

Buddha Dordenma - 51m tall statue
Takin Preserve Center
School of 13 Arts and Crafts
Dochula Pass - 108 chortens (3,140m)
Chimi Lhakhang - Temple of Fertility
Punakha Dzong - Palace of Great Happiness
Phobjikha Valley - Black-necked Crane habitat
Gangtey Gompa
Trongsa Dzong - Royal ancestral home
Trongsa Museum (Ta Dzong)
Jakar Dzong - Castle of White Bird
Jambay Lhakhang - 7th century temple
Kurjey Lhakhang - Body print of Guru Rinpoche
Tamshing Lhakhang - Founded by Pema Lingpa
Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho)
Ura Valley & Temple
Kuengarabtan Palace
Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten hike
Tango Monastery hike
Cheri Monastery
Tashichho Dzong
National Library & Folk Heritage Museum
National Museum (Ta Dzong) Paro
Rinpung Dzong
Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (2,600m to 3,100m)
Kyichu Lhakhang - 7th century temple

Duration 12 Days

12 Days Bhutan Trip Cost

12 Days Bhutan Tour — 12 Days Bhutan Trip Cost by group size
Solo Traveler	$3,395
2 Pax	$2,790 per person
3 Pax or more	$2,680 per person

What's included in the cost? What's included in the cost?

Nature of Tour: The tour will be a private tour, with your own guide and a Driver (which means your group will not join any other group).

Free & no obligation — we'll reply within 24 hours.

Your 12 days in Bhutan at a glance

Day 1: Arrival in Paro - Drive to Thimphu

Paro to Thimphu · 54 km · 1.5 hrs · Altitude 2,320m
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass

Thimphu to Punakha · 77 km · 3 hrs · Altitude 1,200m
Day 3: Punakha to Phobjikha Valley

Phobjikha (2,900m) · 78 km · 3 hrs
Day 4: Phobjikha to Trongsa to Bumthang

Bumthang (2,580m) · 196 km · 6 hrs
Day 5: Bumthang Valley Sightseeing

Bumthang (2,580m) · Full day
Day 6: Day Trip to Ura Valley

Bumthang (2,580m) · 45 km · 1.5 hrs
Day 7: Bumthang to Punakha via Kuengarabtan Palace

Bumthang to Punakha · Full day · Altitude 2,580m
Day 8: Punakha to Thimphu via Khamsum Yuelley Chorten

Punakha to Thimphu · 77 km · 3 hrs + hike · Altitude 1,200m
Day 9: Tango Monastery Hike

Thimphu · 92 km · 3-4 hrs hike · Altitude 2,800m
Day 10: Thimphu to Paro

Paro (2,280m) · 65 km · 2 hrs
Day 11: Tiger's Nest Monastery Hike

Paro (2,280m) · 5-6 hrs hike
Day 12: Departure

Paro (2,280m)

12 days Bhutan itinerary, day by day

Day 1: Arrival in Paro - Drive to Thimphu

Paro to Thimphu · 54 km | 1.5 hrs · Altitude 2,320m

You will be received by a representative from Byways Tours and Travels at the airport and driven to Thimphu.

After lunch, visit Buddha Dordenma, the tallest Buddha statue in the world at 51 meters. Then visit the Takin Preserve Center to see Bhutan's national animal, followed by the Nunnery and the School of 13 Arts and Crafts (Zorig Chusum), famous for traditional carving and freehand art. Here you will find students whose aptitude is more artistic than academic. After lunch, visit the authentic Bhutanese Craft Market. In the evening, stroll around Thimphu City for shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass

Thimphu to Punakha · 77 km | 3 hrs · Altitude 1,200m

After breakfast, drive to Punakha Valley via Dochula Pass (3,140m). We stop at the pass to admire the 108 memorial chortens, and if the weather is clear, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges.

Upon reaching Punakha Valley, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of Fertility, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (the Divine Madman) in the 15th century. Then visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, beautifully situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the reign of the second king, it served as Bhutan's capital. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, meaning Palace of Great Happiness. Punakha remains the winter residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo). Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 3: Punakha to Phobjikha Valley

Punakha to Phobjikha · 78 km | 3 hrs · Altitude 2,900m

After breakfast, drive to Phobjikha Valley (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes) via Wangduephodrang. Along the way, stop to photograph the reconstruction of Wangduephodrang Dzong, which was destroyed by fire in 2012.

In Phobjikha, visit Gangtey Gompa, founded in 1613 by Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa. If interested, enjoy a beautiful 45-minute hike from Gangtey Gompa to the valley floor. Then visit the Black-Necked Crane Center, where you can observe these rare migratory birds through telescopes. Black-necked cranes winter in Bhutan and return to the Tibetan Plateau in summer. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Phobjikha to Trongsa to Bumthang

Phobjikha to Trongsa to Bumthang · 196 km | 6 hrs · Altitude 2,580m

After breakfast, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Museum (Ta Dzong), a former watchtower converted into a museum in 2008. Then visit Trongsa Dzong, built in 1643 by Chogyel Minjur Tempa. The official name is Chhoekhor Raptentse Dzong, also known as Choetse Dzong. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal family—the first two hereditary kings ruled from here, and tradition dictates that the crown prince serve as Trongsa Penlop before ascending to the throne. The current king became Trongsa Penlop in 2004.

After lunch, continue driving to Bumthang Valley. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Bumthang Valley Sightseeing

Bumthang (2,580m) · Full day

After breakfast, visit Jakar Dzong (Castle of White Bird). Legend has it that when lamas assembled in 1549 to select a monastery site, a large white bird rose and settled on a hill spur—an important omen. The current structure was built in 1667 with a circumference of over 1,500 meters. Its official name is Yuelay Namgyal Dzong.

Visit Jambay Lhakhang, believed to have been built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, the same day as Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro. Continue to Kurjey Lhakhang, named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche (Kur means body, Jey means print).

After lunch, visit Tamshing Lhakhang, established in 1501 by the great saint Pema Lingpa. Also known as Tamshing Lhendup Chholing (Temple of Good Message), it is one of the most important Nyingma monasteries in the kingdom. Finally, visit the Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho). Stroll around the small town of Bumthang in the evening. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 6: Day Trip to Ura Valley

Bumthang to Ura (3,100m) to Bumthang · 45 km | 1.5 hrs

After breakfast, embark on an excursion to the beautiful Ura Valley and visit the Ura Temple. Ura is the highest of Bumthang's valleys and is believed by some to have been home to the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. It remains one of the most isolated valleys in the kingdom.

Enjoy lunch at a traditional farmhouse. After lunch, explore Ura Valley before driving back to Bumthang. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Bumthang to Punakha via Kuengarabtan Palace

Bumthang to Punakha · Full day · Altitude 2,580m

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. At Trongsa, visit Kuengarabtan Palace, located 23 km south of Trongsa. This was the winter palace of the second king, Jigme Wangchuk, and is now used as a monastery.

After lunch at Trongsa, continue driving to Punakha. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Punakha to Thimphu via Khamsum Yuelley Chorten

Punakha to Thimphu · 77 km | 3 hrs + hike · Altitude 1,200m

After breakfast, hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. This 30-meter tall chorten (also known as the Nyergang Lhakhang) took eight years to build and was consecrated in 1999. The chorten is dedicated to the fifth king and serves to protect the country.

After lunch, drive to Thimphu. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Tango Monastery Hike

Thimphu · 92 km | 3-4 hrs hike · Altitude 2,800m

After breakfast, embark on a hike to Tango Monastery. It takes around 45 minutes to drive from Thimphu city to the starting point. The hike climbs 280 meters and takes about 45 minutes.

Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded the site in the 12th century, and the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kunley, built the present building in the 15th century. In 1616, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited Tango and meditated in a cave nearby for three years. The head lama, a descendant of Lama Drukpa Kunley, presented the monastery to the Zhabdrung, who carved a sandalwood statue of Chenresig and installed it in the monastery.

After lunch, you may also visit Cheri Monastery on the opposite side, or explore handicraft shops in town if interested. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Thimphu to Paro

Thimphu to Paro · 65 km | 2 hrs · Altitude 2,280m

After breakfast, visit the National Library, which houses a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, followed by the Folk Heritage Museum.

Drive to Paro and visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower built in 1656, renovated in 1968, and converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. Then visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong currently houses the administrative offices of Paro District and a monastery. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Tiger's Nest Monastery Hike

Paro (3,120m) · 5-6 hrs hike

After breakfast, embark on an excursion to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang). The total distance is 7.4 km (4.5 miles) round trip and takes a minimum of 5 hours. The elevation at the starting point is 2,600m, and the monastery sits at 3,100m above sea level.

A 25-minute drive from the main town of Paro takes you to Satsam Chorten, where the trail begins. The path climbs through beautiful pine forests, with many trees festooned with Spanish moss and occasional groves of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for rest and refreshments at Taktsang Cafeteria, then continue until we see Tiger's Nest Monastery clearly within reach. The history dates back to the 8th century when Guru Rinpoche, a tantric master, flew to this place on the back of a flying tigress—said to be his Tibetan consort Yeshe Tsogyal—and meditated in a cave nearby. The temple was built in the 17th century by Penlop Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer cliff that plunges 600 meters into the valley below.

After lunch, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest Buddhist temples, built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. In the evening, stroll around the charming town of Paro for final shopping. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Departure

Paro (2,280m)

Early morning, drive to Paro International Airport for your departure. Bid farewell to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Tashi Delek!

What's Included & Excluded

Accommodation in 3* Hotels on twin sharing basis
All Three Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). Lunch will be served in a local Tourist Restaurant.
Daily Tariff.
Visa Fee.
Royalty and Government Taxes.
SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) of USD 100 per night per person, which directly goes towards free education, Free Healthcare and infrastructure development.
Transportation from receive till drop.
Museum and Monument fee.
Bottle Water in Car.
Sightseeing.
Guide.
Driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to do the 12 day Bhutan tour?

Spring and autumn are the two windows most travellers choose. March to May brings the rhododendrons into bloom; October to December gives the clearest Himalayan views. Both carry the big tshechu festivals — Paro in March or April, Thimphu in September or October. Winter is quieter and colder but the valleys stay open, and the monsoon months are green and uncrowded. Our month-by-month guide breaks it down in detail.

How much does the 12 days Bhutan tour cost?

From US$2,680 per person for three or more travellers, US$2,790 each for two, and US$3,395 travelling solo. Those are all-inclusive figures: the Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per person per night — US$1,100 across your eleven nights — and the one-off US$40 visa fee are already inside them, along with 3-star hotels, all meals, a guide, driver and private transport. Nothing further is payable on arrival.

Is the Tiger's Nest hike included in the 12 days Bhutan tour?

Yes. The hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) sits on your last full day, once you have had 11 nights to acclimatise. The round trip is about 7.4 km and takes roughly five hours including the tea-house stop.

Which places does the 11 nights / 12 days Bhutan tour cover?

Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Trongsa, Bumthang and Ura.

Can I visit Haa on a 12 days Bhutan tour?

Not in 12 days. Haa is reached on our 13 Days Bhutan Tour, the shortest itinerary that gets there.

Is the tour private or will I join a group?

Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and your group is never merged with another.

Refund Terms and Conditions

More than 30 days before arrival: Full refund minus processing fees
15-30 days before arrival: 50% refund minus processing fees
7-14 days before arrival: 25% refund minus processing fees
Less than 7 days before arrival: No refund
No-shows: No refund
All cancellations must be made in writing via email

Note: We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances.

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