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Drukyul Walking Tour Bhutan
Grand Walking Tour of Bhutan
arySpanning more than a decade, the Drukyul Walking Tour of Bhutan stands as a cornerstone among our signature journeys. This cherished expedition has gracefully evolved, incorporating subtle modifications over time to account for changing road conditions, enhanced facilities, and invaluable input from our esteemed clients.
Embark on an exquisite journey that captures the sheer delight of traversing lofty hills and wandering through meadows painted with vibrant wildflowers. Wind your way through peaceful hamlets, breathe in the aromatic allure of lush forests, and witness the beauty of sprawling rice fields and flourishing orchards. This trip offers the ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in these captivating landscapes.
This journey doesn’t involve demanding trekking that necessitates outdoor camping and strenuous, long-day walks. Instead, it offers moderate hikes and village excursions, all while enjoying the comforts of your hotel. It’s an active vacation without the need for roughing it! The meticulously crafted itinerary encompasses not only the must-visit tourist sites but also ventures into off-the-beaten-path locations, ensuring a truly comprehensive and unique experience.
This journey doesn’t involve demanding trekking that necessitates outdoor camping and strenuous, long-day walks. Instead, it offers moderate hikes and village excursions, all while enjoying the comforts of your hotel. It’s an active vacation without the need for roughing it! The meticulously crafted itinerary encompasses not only the must-visit tourist sites but also ventures into off-the-beaten-path locations, ensuring a truly comprehensive and unique experience.
During this journey, immerse yourself further by walking to visit villages, farms, monasteries, and ancient temples from towns of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang, and even venturing deep into the Gangtey, Trongsa, and Bumthang District. While traveling between destinations, we’ll make impromptu stops at local villages, adding an authentic touch to your exploration. The day hikes are easy to moderate, and if preferred, you can choose to opt out of them while still enjoying the essence of the trip.
We wholeheartedly believe that walking tours in Bhutan are the most enriching way to savor and encounter Bhutan’s beauty, a philosophy that underscores the tried-and-tested nature of this itinerary honed over the years.
Drukyul Walking Tour of Bhutan Itinerary
Day 1 & 2: Arrive & tour Paro valley.
Day 3, 4 & 5: Fly to Bumthang (Spend two nights in Jakar and one night in Tang or Chumey Valley)
Day 6: Jakar – Trongsa/Gangtey
Day 7: In Gangtey, Phobjikha Valley
Day 8 & 9: In Punakha & Wangdue
Day 10 & 11:In Thimphu
Day 12: Paro (Hike to Takstang)
Day 13: Departure
Note: Our small group tours are planned to coincide with local festivals. This may involve adjustments to the itinerary, including potentially reversing the order of some activities, to ensure a seamless experience that incorporates these exciting events.
Customize a Private Walking Trip to Bhutan
Consider taking this as a private trip, customized to your preferred dates and designed exclusively for you or your loved ones. Create a memorable walking and cultural experience in Bhutan. We can tailor the itinerary to suit your abilities, interests, and schedule.
When to come
- Best Months — March, April, May, October, November
- Good Months — January, February, December
- Lean Months — June, July, August, September
Detailed Itinerary
Full day-by-day Activites
Arrive at Paro International Airport, where your Wind Horse guide and driver welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day settling in and taking a gentle orientation walk around Paro town. On your second day, explore the Paro valley on foot, visiting Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum, and the old iron bridge, with easy walks between farmhouses, rice terraces and orchards. Overnight both nights in Paro.
Two nights in Paro to settle in and acclimatise gently before the flight east to Bumthang.
Take the short scenic flight over the Himalaya from Paro to Bumthang. Spend two nights in Jakar, exploring Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang with easy walks between the valley’s temples, farms and villages. On the third day, walk on to either Tang or Chumey valley for a night away from the main town, getting a feel for rural Bhutanese life, weaving traditions and quiet countryside trails.
The final night moves to Tang or Chumey valley for a quieter, rural change of pace away from Jakar town.
Drive from Jakar over Trongsa, stopping to visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong and watchtower perched above the gorge, before continuing on to Gangtey in the Phobjikha valley. Short walks en route stretch the legs and take in valley viewpoints along the way.
A driving day with short stretch-the-legs walks, including a stop at Trongsa Dzong's viewpoint.
A full day to explore the glacial Phobjikha valley on foot, following part of the Gangtey Nature Trail through pine forest and open meadows to Gangtey Goemba. In winter, keep an eye out for the black-necked cranes that migrate here. The walk is easy and largely flat, giving plenty of time to enjoy the valley’s scenery and village life.
Keep an eye out for the rare black-necked cranes that winter in the Phobjikha valley.
Descend to the Punakha and Wangdue valleys, visiting the magnificent Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, through rice fields and villages, and spend a second day exploring the wider valley on foot, including riverside trails and local farms.
The lowest and warmest point of the trip, ideal for relaxed riverside walking.
Continue to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, for two nights. Combine sightseeing with easy walks around Buddha Dorden Ma, the Memorial Chorten, and the weekend market, as well as a stroll through the National Recreation Centre and nearby neighbourhoods to experience the blend of tradition and modern city life.
Weekend market days bring extra colour and bustle to the walks around Thimphu.
Drive back to Paro for the highlight hike up to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest, perched dramatically on a cliffside. The climb takes around three to four hours round trip, with a stop at the viewpoint cafeteria, rewarding you with breathtaking views and a strong sense of spiritual accomplishment.
The Taktsang hike climbs well above tonight's sleeping altitude before you descend back to Paro.
Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight, bringing your Drukyul Walking Tour of Bhutan to a close. Your guide and driver will see you off after a final breakfast together.
Confirm your onward flight time with your guide the evening before for a smooth departure.
13-day trip, from 3300 per person. Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it exactly.
Included
- Accommodations in hotels as listed
- All three meals (lunches in local restaurant)
- All land transfer and transportation by good quality private vehicle
- Sightseeing with entrance fees
- English speaking Guide.
- Bhutan Visa processing and visa fees
- SDF (Sustainable Dev. Fee) $1200 per person included.
- Internal flights Paro to Bumthang $210 included
Not included
- Flights into and out of Bhutan
- Travel/Medical Insurance
- Personal expenses such as bars, beverages in the hotel, telephone, laundry, tips, and others
Group departures. Open a date to see its status, or reserve a place. Prices are per person, twin share.
Take it privately, on your own dates
Consider this as a private trip, customised to your preferred dates and designed for you or your family alone. Call or email us and we will work through the possibilities with you.
Prices are per person, twin share, and depend on the final group size and season.
Where you sleep each night, day by day through the trip.
A note on the order of days
Departures built around a festival may adjust the order of some days so the festival falls where it should. Your guide will talk the group through the options at the end of each day.
Sonam Loday
A good sense of humour is the currency that prevail everywhere regardless of the time or circumstances. An asset that that has potential to make even the ordinary trip into extraordinary. Sonam Loday has this traits in abundance. This is intrinsic and come as naturally as bees to the flower.…
Yeshi Penjor
One of the guest fondly remarked " Yeshey Penjor may be short in stature but he walks real tall in term of dedication, knowledge and the way he carries and does his work" Except perhaps during the nightmare at night, he wear his smile almost all the time. His soft…
Kezang Norbu
Kezang is a graduate from Gedu Business School college in Bhutan, but he was always interested in the Buddhist Philosophy, which made him alter his ambition to being a tour Guide. He is super polite and Buddhist to the core, because his parents and their parents were all affliliated to…
Pema Dhendup
Pema Dhendup is the one among the few young guns at Wind Horse Tour, Bhutan. He possess an infectious smile and exuberance that rub off to child and old alike. Unwarily, he has a mature head on his young shoulder and it is most conspicuous when he is among guests,…
This Drukyul Walking Tour suits travellers who want to see Bhutan in depth, at a gentle pace, without the demands of a trekking expedition. Expect easy to moderate walks of two to four hours most days – through farmland, forests and villages – combined with comfortable hotel stays every night rather than camping. It’s ideal for curious, reasonably fit travellers of most ages who want a genuine cultural immersion, a taste of local festivals, and time in the off-the-beaten-path valleys of Bumthang and Phobjikha, alongside the classic sights of Paro, Punakha and Thimphu.
Fly into Paro International Airport, where your Wind Horse guide and driver will meet you on arrival. If you are joining a group departure timed around a festival, please arrive a day early where possible to allow for any flight delays. Your guide will confirm exact pick-up details and any last-minute schedule notes once your flights are booked.
All visitors to Bhutan require a visa, which Wind Horse Tours arranges on your behalf once your booking is confirmed. We will need a copy of your passport and a PP size photo . Visa processing and fees are included in the trip price, and your electronic visa clearance is sent to you.
All meals are included throughout the trip, with breakfasts and dinners typically at your hotel and lunches at local restaurants along the route. Bhutanese cuisine centres on rice, seasonal vegetables and dishes flavoured with chilli and cheese, such as ema datshi, alongside international options for those who prefer milder food. Your guide will happily help you find restaurants serving local specialities, farmhouse meals and Bhutanese butter tea if you would like to try them.
Bhutan’s climate varies with altitude and season. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) bring the clearest skies and are also when many of the trip’s festivals take place. Winter (December to February) is cold, especially at night, but usually dry and sunny, making touring pleasant even if trekking isn’t advisable. Layered clothing is recommended year-round, as mornings and evenings can be cool even when days are warm.
Every visitor to Bhutan contributes to the country’s Sustainable Development Fee, which funds free education, healthcare and environmental conservation. Wind Horse Tours further supports this by using local hotels, guides and drivers throughout the trip, working with village homestays and community initiatives where possible, and encouraging responsible, low-impact travel that respects Bhutan’s culture, environment and ‘high value, low volume’ tourism philosophy.