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Punakha Dzong Monastery, Punakha, Bhutan

Bhutan

6-night Bhutan Holiday Extension

From £2,395 per person

6 nights

Bhutan

Introduction

Sitting in the Himalayan foothills to the northeast of India is the small, mystical kingdom of Bhutan, known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Remaining isolated from the rest of the world until the mid-twentieth century, Bhutan has strong cultural traditions founded on its Buddhist heritage, making a visit here a special experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Thimphu, 2 nights

Early morning, we travel to the airport for our flight to Paro. Upon arrival, we journey to Thimphu, Bhutan’s compact capital, and transfer to the Hotel Druk, for the next two nights. After lunch, we explore the local farmers’ market before continuing to Thimphu Monastery, the seat of government since the 1960s. We also witness the unique flag down ceremony here. This evening, we meet a Bhutanese Lama for the opportunity to learn more about Buddhism.

Dochula Pass, Bhutan

Included meals:

Packed breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your accommodation:

Hotel Druk

Day 2: Thimphu

Today we start with a visit to the Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the third King of Bhutan. We then head to Buddha Point, home to the grand Buddha Dordenma statue and offering panoramic views of the surrounding Thimphu Valley, before visiting the Institute of Traditional Medicine to gain an insight into ancient healing practices. After lunch, we continue to the Bhutanese Institute of Traditional Arts, where students are trained in the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts. Later, we visit Motithang Takin Preserve for a chance to see the Bhutanese national animal, before returning to the city. Unwind this evening with a taste of Bhutan’s local beer or grain whisky.

a statue of a man sitting on a ledge with trees and mountains in the background

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your accommodation:

Hotel Druk

Day 3: Punakha, Overnight

Tour highlight:

We journey from Thimphu to Punakha today, stopping en route at Dochula Pass, a breathtaking spot at 3,100 metres above sea level offering panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayas. Arriving in Punakha, we settle in at the RKPO Green Resort, our hotel for the night. After lunch we take a scenic stroll, passing rural paddy fields and a traditional village as we head to Chimi Lhakhang monastery. Later, we explore Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and significant monasteries, celebrated for its ornate architecture.

a building on a hill by the water

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your accommodation:

RKPO Green Resort

Day 4: Paro, 2 nights

Returning westwards, we make the scenic drive to Paro this morning, arriving at the Tashi Namgay Resort or the Village Lodge Paro, our accommodation for the next two nights. After lunch, we explore the town’s vibrant local market before visiting a local farmhouse. Here, we don traditional attire and try our hand at Bhutan’s national sport, archery. Later, enjoy a cultural performance before partaking in a home-cooked dinner, a chance to experience true Bhutanese hospitality.

a person shooting a bow and arrow

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your accommodation:

Tashi Namgay Resort, The Village Lodge Paro

Day 5: Paro

Tour highlight:

Start your day with an unforgettable adventure, hiking to view the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a revered pilgrimage site that seems almost suspended in mid-air on the cliffside. For those that wish, the entire hike including return typically takes around five hours. Alternatively, you may choose to take a shorter walk to one of two viewpoints and still be rewarded with spectacular views. From the trailhead, we take a strenuous yet rewarding hike that winds uphill through pine forests. Our first stop at the café takes around one hour to reach. Or climb on to the second viewpoint, a further 40 minutes away, providing great photo opportunities of the monastery. The final section involves steps up and down to visit the monastery itself, sitting at an elevation of over 3,000 metres. Later, we visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, and participate in a blessing ceremony. We end our day at the Namgay Artisanal Brewery where we learn about the craft brewing process before participating in a beer tasting.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Paro, Bhutan

Included meals:

Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Your accommodation:

Tashi Namgay Resort, The Village Lodge Paro

Day 6: Delhi, Overnight

We bid farewell to Bhutan and transfer to Paro airport for our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, we make our way to the Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity or ITC Maurya Hotel for our final evening.

a woman in a wheelchair

Included meals:

Breakfast and dinner

Your accommodation:

Pride Plaza Aerocity Hotel, ITC Maurya Hotel

Day 7: Depart Delhi

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to begin our journey back to the UK.

Please note, if joining our Bhutan Holiday Extension, after our Brahmaputra River & Darjeeling tour, you will require an additional night in Kolkata before starting your tour of Bhutan and you will finish in Kolkata, rather than Delhi. Your exact itinerary will be confirmed at the time of booking.

people sitting in a market

Included meals:

Breakfast, in-flight meals and drinks

What's included

Flights with leading scheduled airlines

Return economy flights to Paro, inclusive of all airport charges, security charges, and any applicable fuel surcharges

Carefully selected hotels

Carefully selected hotels in great locations, with all hotel porterage and applicable taxes

Many meals

Daily breakfast, five lunches and six dinners

Experienced Tour Manager

Services of an experienced guide and driver 

Your accommodation

Hotel Druk Thimphu - WhatsApp Image 2024-11-20 at 1.28.17 PM (2)

Hotel Druk

Official rating

Our rating

Nestled in the heart of Thimphu, Bhutan's compact capital, Hotel Druk offers a charming retreat amid the city’s bustling business, government and cultural hubs. Blending traditiona…

WhatsApp Image 2024-09-25 at 1.24.37 PM

RKPO Green Resort

Official rating

Our rating

Nestled on a hillside in the lush Punakha Valley, RKPO Green Resort is bordered by dense pine forests and renowned for its breathtaking views of terraced paddy fields. Accommodatio…

Tashi Namgay Resort - DI8A1377

Tashi Namgay Resort

Official rating

Our rating

Tashi Namgay Resort offers warmth and serenity set amidst five acres of lush foliage beside the Paro Chhu River, conveniently located just a short distance from town. Many guest ro…

The Pride Aerocity Delhi - Swiming Pool 2- Pride Plaza Hotel

Pride Plaza Aerocity Hotel

Official rating

Our rating

A stone’s throw away from Delhi’s International Airport, the Pride Plaza Aerocity has a truly relaxing atmosphere. For example, in preparation for your flight home, you can unwind …

The Village Lodge Paro - bdae36a8-8694-42e6-9904-b6be3ac2f9a1

The Village Lodge Paro

Official rating

Our rating

Nestled in Tshendona village in the beautiful Paro Valley, The Village Lodge Paro blends traditional Bhutanese hospitality and architecture with modern comforts. The lodge’s striki…

ITC Maurya Delhi - dellc-king-guestroom-5619-hor-clsc

ITC Maurya Hotel

Official rating

Our rating

The ITC Maurya Hotel is a landmark hotel situated in New Delhi’s exclusive Diplomatic Enclave. Known for its distinctive architecture, the hotel’s imposing stepped structure echoes…

Dates & Prices

Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double room.

2026

Date
Price (Per person)

March 2026

From £2,395

April 2026

From £2,395

September 2026

From £2,395

October 2026

From £2,395

November 2026

From £2,395

December 2026

From £2,395

2027

Date
Price (Per person)

January 2027

From £2,395

February 2027

From £2,395

March 2027

From £2,395

April 2027

From £2,395

May 2027

From £2,395

Further information

This extension is available on

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