The Western Tour

Trip Highlights

Scenic mountain drives across Dochula Pass (3,100 m) and Chele La Pass (3,988 m) with panoramic Himalayan views
Spiritual and cultural exploration of Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Punakha Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Gangtey Monastery, Rinpung Dzong, and Tashichho Dzong
Immersive experiences in Phobjikha Valley, known for its wide glacial landscape and traditional village life
Hands-on cultural encounters including wearing traditional Bhutanese attire (gho and kira), visiting rural hamlets, and interacting with monks and villagers
Balanced pacing with time for photography, light nature walks, scenic stops, cultural sightseeing, and personal exploration

Trip overview

This 8-day journey explores Bhutan’s culturally rich Western region, taking you through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley, and Haa Valley, where sacred monasteries, grand dzongs, fertile valleys, and dramatic mountain landscapes create a deeply immersive experience. Highlights include the iconic pilgrimage hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), scenic mountain passes such as Dochula Pass and Chele La Pass, and meaningful encounters in traditional villages and craft centers. The journey blends spiritual discovery, cultural exploration, gentle walks, scenic drives, and authentic local interactions, offering a well-rounded introduction to the heart of Western Bhutan.

Why Book This Tour?

Discover Western Bhutan’s most iconic cultural and spiritual landmarks in one thoughtfully curated journey.
Experience Bhutan’s landscapes from fertile valleys to alpine passes in a comfortable, well-paced itinerary.
Travel with experienced local guides who share deep insights into Bhutanese history, architecture, beliefs, and daily life.
Enjoy a harmonious blend of cultural depth, spiritual reflection, scenic beauty, and authentic village experiences.

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Itinerary

Day 01:

Arrival in Paro – Transfer to Thimphu

Arrive at Paro International Airport, one of the world’s most scenic mountain airports. Weather permitting, enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Himalayan peaks such as Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. After completing immigration formalities, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide.Begin a scenic drive to Thimphu, following the Paro Chhu River past terraced fields, traditional farmhouses, and forested hills. En route, visit Tamchog Lhakhang, a sacred temple linked to the Tibetan saint Thangtong Gyalpo, renowned for building iron chain bridges. Walk across the suspension bridge and explore the temple set above the river valley.Continue to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, where tradition meets modern life. Check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure. Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02:

Thimphu Sightseeing

Spend a full day exploring the cultural and spiritual highlights of Thimphu Valley. Begin at the Memorial Chorten, where locals gather to spin prayer wheels and offer prayers, offering a glimpse into Bhutan’s living Buddhist traditions. Continue to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), home to one of the world’s largest seated Buddha statues, with sweeping views over the valley.Visit the Arts and Crafts School to see students practicing traditional painting, wood carving, and weaving. Stop at Sangaygang Viewpoint for panoramic views of the capital, then visit the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s national animal.In the afternoon, explore the National Library, which houses ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Folk Heritage Museum, showcasing traditional rural life. Conclude the day at Tashichho Dzong, the impressive fortress-monastery that serves as the seat of Bhutan’s government and monastic body. Overnight: Thimphu

Day 03:

Thimphu – Punakha / Wangdue Phodrang

Depart Thimphu and drive toward Punakha, ascending through forests to Dochula Pass (3,100 m). On clear days, enjoy sweeping views of the eastern Himalayas, framed by the 108 memorial stupas

of Druk Wangyel Chorten, with time for photos and a short walk.Descend into the fertile Punakha Valley, famed for its rice fields and riverside villages. Visit Punakha Dzong, perched at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers, and explore its ornate courtyards, temples, and riverside walkways.Later, take a gentle walk through villages and rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple linked to Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman. End the day with a stroll across the long suspension bridge for scenic valley views. Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Day 04:

Punakha – Gangtey / Phobjikha Valley

Travel onward through winding mountain roads to the high-altitude Phobjikha Valley, a broad glacial valley surrounded by pine forests and dotted with traditional villages. Visit Gangtey Monastery, dramatically perched on a ridge overlooking the valley, and learn about its importance within the Nyingma Buddhist tradition.Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, passing through forests, streams, prayer flags, and farmhouses. Stop at the Black-Necked Crane Information Center to learn about the valley’s ecology and the seasonal arrival of these sacred birds.Take part in a cultural experience by wearing traditional Bhutanese attire (gho and kira) for memorable photos amid the valley’s stunning landscapes. Overnight: Hotel in Phobjikha Valley

Day 05:

Gangtey – Wangdue Phodrang – Paro

Depart Phobjikha Valley and drive toward Paro, stopping at the restored Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, once a strategic fortress overlooking the Punatsangchhu River. Continue to Rinchengang Village, one of Bhutan’s oldest villages, known for its clustered stone houses and traditional village layout. Walk through the narrow lanes and interact with locals to experience daily rural life.Continue the scenic drive to Paro Valley, passing rivers, forests, and terraced farmland. Arrive in Paro and relax in the evening, with time to explore nearby shops or enjoy views of the valley. Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 06:

Paro – Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) Hike

Embark on a memorable hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most iconic spiritual site, perched 900 meters above Paro Valley. The trail winds through pine forests, prayer wheels, and scenic viewpoints, offering breathtaking views of the monastery clinging to sheer cliffs.After descending, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, believed to be part of a network of sacred sites built to subdue negative forces. Continue to Rinpung Dzong, an imposing fortress overlooking the Paro River, known for its impressive murals and traditional Bhutanese architecture. Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 07:

Paro – Haa Valley Excursion

Drive from Paro to the secluded Haa Valley via Chele La Pass (3,988 m), Bhutan’s highest motorable road, offering sweeping views of Himalayan peaks, prayer flags, and alpine landscapes. In Haa Valley, visit the sacred twin temples of Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo, deeply revered by local communities.Explore the quiet valley, observe traditional farmhouses, and enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery. Visit a local trout farm before returning to Paro in the evening, reflecting on the serene beauty of this less-visited valley. Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 08:

Departure from Paro

After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Depart Bhutan with lasting memories of sacred monasteries, mountain passes, peaceful valleys, and the warm hospitality of the Bhutanese people—carrying home a deeper appreciation for Bhutan’s living traditions and natural beauty.

Cost Details

Cost includes

Accommodation
Full Board Meals
English speaking Guide
Transportation
Entrance fee, Visa fee
Unlimited bottles of mineral water
Applicable government taxes(5%GST)
SDF
Trying out of traditional Bhutan attire.

Cost exclusion

Medical & personal insurance
Personal expenses
Emergency evacuation charges
Tips for the guide and driver
Airfare
Pony Ride to Taktshang (Tiger Nest)
Hot Stone Bath
Raffting

Trip Facts

Trip Duration 8 Days / 7 Nights

Trip Price 1900

Single Supplement 294

Districts Paro, Thimphu, Wangdue Phodrang, Punakha, Haa Valley

Region Covered Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Haa

Accomodation Comfortable hotels / boutique lodges

Entry Paro

Exits Paro

Ideal Seasons Spring and Autumn (pleasant weather and clear mountain views)

Difficulty: Moderate

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Hotels/Accommodations

Hotels where you’ll be staying during this trip

Our Bhutan tour packages are specifically curated with the travellers in mind. As a reputable Bhutan travel agency, for the past 23 years, our tour guides and travel specialists have dedicatedly served travellers from all over the world. We want to show you what Bhutan has to offer, and we’re committed to making your trip to Bhutan a special and memorable one. We have a deep love for the Kingdom, and we hope that you’ll come to love it too.

Explore other Hotels in Bhutan

5 Star Hotels

Transportation

Choice of vehicles for this trip

Private SUVs for Couples 2 Seater

Toyota Innova (2 Units) 5 Seater

Coaster Buses (4 Units) 25 Seater

Mini Bus (8-Seater) 8 pax. Seater

Restaurants

Food and Drink

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 89 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Carolann M 
 
 
 
 Verified An unforgettable week in Bhutan! An unforgettable week in Bhutan with Happiness Kingdom In July 2025, I joined a 7-day group tour of Bhutan with Happiness Kingdom, and it was truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish. I had a fantastic time and enjoyed every single moment of the trip. From the very beginning, I felt incredibly well looked after and completely safe, which allowed me to fully relax and immerse myself in the experience. The organisation was excellent, and I was especially impressed by how much we managed to see and do in just one week without ever feeling rushed. Our tour guide, Karma, was absolutely outstanding. His knowledge, professionalism, and warm personality made the journey even more special. He went above and beyond to ensure everyone was comfortable, informed, and enjoying themselves, and his passion for Bhutan really shone through. Thanks to Happiness Kingdom and Karma, this trip created memories I will cherish forever. I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a visit to Bhutan — you won’t be disappointed.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Rachel L 
 
 
 
 Verified A fantastic Bhutan trip! We had a wonderful experience exploring Bhutan’s rich culture with Jigme Thinley and Tenzin Wangchuk. Jigme is incredibly knowledgeable and provided engaging explanations about Bhutan’s history and traditions. We thoroughly enjoyed learning from him. Every story, explanation, and insight added depth and meaning to the places we visited. At one point, Jigme even prepared a simple makeshift heat pack to ensure we stayed comfortable in the cool mountain weather. That thoughtful gesture made all the difference and showed just how dedicated he is to his guests’ comfort. Shoutout to Tenzin as well, a wonderful and skilled driver. We felt safe and comfortable throughout our journey. Both of them were exceptionally helpful and attentive. Each day was well-scheduled and relaxed, letting us take in the experience without rush.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Becky S 
 
 
 
 Verified Best value to see Bhutan in a cultural tour We selected this tour company both because of reviews and cost. Flights to and from Bhutan cost more than our 10-days in Bhutan with Happiness Kingdom. Our guide, Tschering Namgay, and driver, Tashi, were great! Both were so polite and helpful. Tashi was a safe driver. Namgay was a very knowledgeable cultural guide. He explained all the temples and fortresses, the stories and history of Bhutan, and the nuances and meanings of Buddhist sculptures and paintings. He had a good sense of humor and worked hard to ensure we got to see and do all that we wanted to do. Communication with the tour company was delayed, because of the time difference, but always responsive. They were happy to rearrange the plans to accommodate what we wanted to do instead of the standard, without leaving out the important things we didn't even know we wanted to see. Our hotels were comfortable, restaurants with good and sufficient food, and although our schedule was full, we were not rushed (just tired) every day. We got to see the black-necked cranes and several other birds. We enjoyed the Takin Preserve to see some of the more difficult species of animals. Word of caution though - if you are unfit, need a cane, walker, or wheelchair, Bhutan is NOT for you. There are stairs and hilly climbs everywhere. It is not ADA-compliant. But, if you want to take a tour of Bhutan, we recommend Happiness Kingdom as your tour company & #tscheringnamgay, #tashi as your guide and driver.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Sam B 
 
 
 
 Verified Great 6-day trip in Bhutan Really enjoyed our 6 day tour of Bhutan with our guide Bhim and driver Tshering. They were both very attentive to our every need, and took us to some great places. We loved the hike to Tiger's Nest and the visit of Punakha Zhong. Bhim was very knowledgeable and gave us all the context and history we needed while visiting all the religious sites. Thanks again for everything!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   ik298 
 
 
 
 Verified Wonderful trip 7days Bhutan Trip 19.th – 25th. of October 2025 I had booked the 7days trip to Bhutan via Asia Odyssee travel agency. This trip was really a great adventure and everything was wonderful. Well Bhutan I is a very special and amazing country with such a beautiful landscape, very cultivated architecture and overall deep religious life. Well let me give you some details of my tour: The first 3 days I spent with 5 other persons from all over the world. On the second day we made the hike to Tiger nest. I am not so used to climb steep mountains (Steps!!!), so my knees were already quite hurting from my former trek in Nepal. Our driver, Phub Gyeltshen, carried all the way up my backpack and motivated me all the way up to carry on. All the three days he was always there when somebody needed anything, everybody found on his place freshwater bottles. His drive was safe and very relaxed. The last days I travelled alone with the same guide and the driver Gembo. There we had quite long drives – over Dochu La. Also his way to drive was save and forward-looking. I really could enjoy to be on routes. But the main contribution of this wonderful trip layed in the responsibility of the guide (all 7 days!) Sonam Phuntsho. He is such a mindfulness person and always tries to make that everybody feels well. His explanations at the different sites where really detailed and showed that he has a great knowledge, specially religious belongings. Two of the other travellers were Tibetans and he could give always profound answers even from them, who had a great knowledge of the Bhuddist religion. In the day when I was travelling alone, we talked a lot about the social life, education, regime (your King), environmental protection and much more. So I got a deep insight of the life in Bhutan. So I really want to thank you for this wonderful days. Before this trip Bhutan seemed to be an unreachable country and somehow unreal, but now it is a part of my dreams, a country were I really could feel the meaning of happiness and mindfulness. .
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Paul W 
 
 
 
 Verified Amazing place. Wonderful people. I did a 7-day trip through West Bhutan and loved the tour overall. It was very well organised and Bhim (Narayan) and Dorji (Wangchuk) were a pleasure to spend time with. Friendly, helpful and a credit to the hospitality of their country. My personal highlights were the dzong at Punakha, getting to enjoy two tsechus (festivals) at Wangdue and Thimphu, and the hike to Tiger's Nest. The addition of a homestay was also a nice way to see a different side to Bhutan. I can thoroughly recommend both visiting Bhutan and this trip.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   thierry w 
 
 
 
 Verified Great travel in Bhutan Very well organise 10 days tour group in Bhutan. the guide Tashi and Phuba the driver were fantastic. Adapting the time for us to discover places without rushing us. 'the hotels were we stayed were nice and the food very good. I would highly recommand happiness kingdom travel to anyone who decide to travel to bhutan
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Chris K 
 
 
 
 Verified Fantastic tour, well organised, great Guide and Driver. Excellent in all aspects Did a small group tour of Bhutan over 10 days with Tashi and driver Phuba. The tour took our group from Paro to Thimbu, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley and Bumthang Valley. A lot of logistics to get that to go off smoothly; stayed in good hotels, always with extremely enthusiastic staff, saw lots. But what really set this off was Tashi; extremely knowledgeable and equally extremely patient with guiding the group through from zero to at least a vague understanding of Bhutan Buddhist culture and history. Tashi, your sense of humor and tolerance really made this trip work. And Phuba always there and ready to assist.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   MK L 
 
 
 
 Verified A memorable journey! It was our first visit to Bhutan, and it turned out to be an incredibly unforgettable journey -- stunning views, awesome culture, and super friendly locals! We arranged this exclusive 6-day trip via a travel agency in Hong Kong. We landed at Paro Airport on 7 Sept and proceeded to Thimphu, then Punakha, before returning to Paro for the Tiger's Nest. Huge thanks to our amazing guide Jigme for his expertise, organization, and dedication in making the journey truly memorable. He possesses great knowledge and has revealed to us the charm of Bhutan. Jigme attentively looked after us in every way, including informing all the restaurants of my dietary preference, and ensured we were comfortable to fully enjoy each moment throughout the trip. We are grateful for our friendly driver Tashi and his outstanding abilities. The ride was so comfortable and smooth! We couldn't have requested a better team! 👍👍 I was also impressed that Jigme not only spoke fluent English but also knew French! A heartfelt thank you to Jigme and Tashi, and I wish you both the very best! 🙏🙏
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Madam Wong 
 
 
 
 Verified The Guide Who Turned Our Bhutan Trip Into a Masterpiece . TE25070007AT Bhutan is a country rich in culture and steeped in deep historical traditions. Our tour guide, Mr. Trashi Dhendup Namgyel, demonstrated exceptional professionalism throughout our journey. He was highly knowledgeable and consistently able to answer all of our questions with clarity and insight. Mr. Namgyel also went out of his way to accommodate our requests whenever possible, ensuring that our experience was both comfortable and memorable. We are truly grateful to have had him as our guide on this meaningful trip. — Madam Wong

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