Cultural Tour with Village Homestay in Bhutan - 11 days

This is the first day of your tour, which will take you to the valley town of Bhutan, Paro. It has the only international airport in Bhutan. The flight to the airport is very thrilling as the plane lands in proximity to the hills. From the window of the plane, you can see the views of the mountains. After reaching the airport, you will be welcomed by our Bhutanese guide from Third Rock Adventures, who will drive you to your hotel in Paro for the stay. 

You will head out from your hotel for a short sightseeing tour in the landmarks of Rinpung Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. You will walk past a wooden bridge to reach the vicinity of Rinpung monastery. Rinpung, which was built in the 15th century by Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu sect, translates to ‘Fortress of the Heaps of Jewels.’ The translation is apt as the monastery looks no more than a heap of the jewel itself. You can see that the exterior of the building is decorated with beautiful wood carvings on the doors and windows. It currently serves as the administrative body for the Bhutanese government. 

You will then head on to visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Kichu Lhakhang is situated in Lango Gewong and has the 7th-century Jowo Temple built in the area. It is famous for the myth that Guru Rimpoche/Padmasambhava visited this monastery and concealed some spiritual treasures. After the exciting short trip, you will head on to your hotel and on the way to experience the evening life on the streets of Paro. 

Overnight at a hotel in Paro. 

On this day, you will get a chance to first-hand experience the natural beauty of Bhutan. After breakfast, you will head on a long tour to Haa Valley, and on the way, you’ll see the Bonde-Haa highway covered with pine forest stretching miles and miles. You will make a quick stop at the Chele La pass sitting at an elevation of 3,988m/13,083ft. You will be bestowed with the views of Mt. Jumolhari. The pass is adorned with vibrant colored prayer flags. The pass is covered with heaps of snow during the winter season, making it challenging to cross. However, the driver is accustomed to make the required twists and turns. 

You will continue driving towards the Haa Valley, dubbed as ‘Hidden Land of Rice Valley’, as its rice production is comparatively high. The weather gets a little chilly in this area during the winter season. Along the highway, you will cross many houses and restaurants built in traditional style. You will enter the valley and head on to your homestay. Homestay in Haa valley Bhutan is an experience that brings you closer to the lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. You will be served with the food that they eat and rest in the beds that they have prepared for you in their house. You can interact with the local people in the village, with assistance from our guide. You can also go to visit the nearby Haa Dzong. 

Overnight stay at a homestay in Haa Valley.

You will prepare for a long drive to the capital city of Thimphu. Pine forests cover both sides of the route towards Thimphu. You can make a short stop at the Dobji Dzong en route Thimphu. Dobji is popularly revered by Buddhist pilgrims and tourists alike for being the first known model monastery in Bhutan. It was built in the 15th century and is also referred to as Dokar Fortress. You can head inside to see the relic statues of Jetsun Milarepa, Guru Langdarchen, Ngawang Chogyal, and Dungsy Dewa Zangpo. 

You will continue your drive and reach the Chhuzom, which is the main junction for Pa Chhu and Thimp Chhu, the rivers flowing from Paro and Thimphu, respectively. Along Chhuzom, which is translated to ‘where the rivers meet, you will find the Bhutanese locals selling their products like vegetables, apples, and cheese. In a while, you will reach Thimphu and be transferred to your hotel. 

The day is still young, so you begin with your visit to Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu. You will get some insight into how the Buddhist religion plays a great role in the tradition and culture of Bhutan through this visit. The monastery situated on the northern edge of the city currently houses Druk Desi of the civil government of Bhutan. After the visit, you can tour the Buddha Dordenma, a 54m/177ft tall statue of Shakyamuni buddha. You will head back to your hotel for the stay. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu. 

Thimphu to Punakha takes around 3 hours drive and is filled with sceneries of mountains, hills, and the small villages around. You will make a quick stop at Dochula pass at the elevation of 3,150m/10,334ft. From this viewpoint, decorated with colorful prayer flags, you can see the views of high-standing mountains and rolling hills. 

The ride will continue to Metshina Village, filled with green rice fields. You will cross the terrace fields to reach Chimi Lhakhang, which takes about 20 minutes. Chimi Lhakhang is a monastery built in 1499 by Ngawang Choegyel. Choegyal of the 14th Drukpa hierarchy was dubbed ‘Divine Madman’ for his distinct ways of spreading Buddhism and spirituality. He has promoted the use of phallus symbols in paintings and objects and wood carvings representing fertility. Hence, the same is seen in Chimi Lhakhang, which translates to ‘The Fertility Temple.’ After the visit, you head on to Punakha. 

In Punakha, you can observe the Bhutanese people wearing their traditional dress and strolling around the streets. In Punakha, you can visit the Punakha Dzong, which is the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu. The monastery is known for its beautiful architecture. After the cultural tour, you will head for the Punakha Bhutan homestay. 

Overnight stay at a homestay in Punakha. 

It will take about 30 minutes to reach Wangduephodrang after breakfast. Wangduephodrang is the last town before central Bhutan and is renowned for its fine bamboo and stone carving. In English translation, the word “Wangdue” means the ‘unification of country’ while “phodrang” means ‘Palace.’ The name justifies the beauty and heritage of the district. 

From Wangduephodrang you will continue your drive through plush oak and rhododendron forests until Lawala pass. You will spot the Lawala pass covered with dwarf bamboos and panoramic views of the high-standing Himalayas. The drive continues downhill for a short while until you reach the mesmerizing Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. 

 Upon reaching Phobjikha, you can head to your homestay. In the afternoon, you will visit the Gangtey Goempa. It is the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan and was founded in 1613. You will be amazed to hear that when the rare Black Necked Cranes come to Phobjikha in the winter, they circle the Gangtey monastery three times on their way and the same when they return. After you visit the monastery, you can stroll around the streets of Phobjikha and interact with the local people. You can also take part in their daily chores of cooking, feeding livestock, and milking cows which will be an experience unlike any other. 

Overnight stay at a homestay in Phobjikha.

Today is one of the more exciting days of the tour as you will be heading to Bumthang. The road will take you to Jakar and Trongsa on the way. Trongsa is located in central Bhutan and translated to ‘new village’ in English. Trongsa saw the first two kings of the country rule the kingdom and housed Bhutan’s royal family for generations. You can visit the Trongsa Dzong.

The winding route is best known for the shooting of the Bhutanese movie ‘Travelers and Magicians’. After having lunch in Trongsa, you will continue the drive to Bumthang, which is the religious heart of Bhutan. Bumthang is best known for housing ancient temples and monasteries. You can begin your sightseeing tour even on this day by visiting the textile weaving factory of Yathra. The Yathra’s, which are best for making bags and scarves, are designed by the hard-working women here. You can then head on to your hotel for a stay. 

Overnight stay at Hotel in Bumthang.

On this day you will stay at Bumthang because there are numerous cultural sites worth visiting. You will begin your day with a visit to Jakar Dzong. The monastery is located on a ridge above the town and was built in the 15th century. It is also known to be one of the largest monasteries in the country, spanning more than 1,500m. After that, your tour will continue to the spiritually significant Kurjey Lhakhang. It gains significance from the belief that Guru Rimpoche left his body imprint while meditating in the cave. It is also the final resting place of the first three Kings of Bhutan. 

The culturally binding trip gets more exciting as you head on to Jambay Lhakhang, which comes third on the trip. Known as the Temple of Maitreya, it is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King in the 8th century. From there on, you will head to Tamshing Lhakhang, built in the 15th century by Pema Lingpa, a Buddhist Saint. You can view the temple there, which is currently in bad shape. It also consists of a Vihara for the 95 Buddhist monks. After the visit, you can head to the Dorjibi village. The village comes under the administration of Chhoekhor Gewong. You will stay overnight at a homestay where you can try some delicious local meals like chili and cheese, which is called Emadatshi, and buckwheat noodles called Puta.

Overnight stay at a homestay in Bumthang. 

Today you will be taking a long drive that spans across 216 km. You will cross Jakar on the way and have lunch at Chendebji. You can visit the Chendebji Chorten, a Nepalese-style stupa that is believed to cover an evil spirit's body. You can also spot a Mani wall. From there on, you will continue your drive and pass Trongsa and then Wangduephodrang. From there, the road takes you to Sopsokha, Pajo, Khuruthang until reaching Punakha. 

The drive is long and tiring, so you can move to your hotel and take some rest. In the evening, you can stroll around the streets of Punakha.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Punakha.  

On this day, you will have the last view of Punakha Dzong and take a drive to Paro town, which is 116 km away. Punakha to Paro takes you through the Dochula pass yet again, then Semtokha, which branches out to Thimphu. From there, you will take the Paro Thimphu Highway with the Paro Chhu river on the side. Following the river, you will reach Paro. 

After reaching Paro, you will be transferred to your hotel where you can take some rest. In the evening you can head out to the streets of Paro to buy some souvenirs that you can take back home. 

Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro. 

Today is the final sightseeing tour of the Culture Tour with Village Homestay in Bhutan. You will begin your day by preparing yourself for a hike on a 900m ascend from the Paro valley floor. You will move on a path with pine trees on the high cliff. The steep ascend for about 4 hours is tiring but well worth it as you get to visit the most iconic landmarks in Bhutan. 

It is situated on the side of a high cliff. The monastery is believed to have been visited by Guru Rimpoche for meditation. As per the myth, Guru Rimpoche landed on his Tiger’s back in the cave of Thulo Phuk and meditated on Pel Phuk cave. It is a must-go place for all tourists visiting Bhutan. You can go about excursing the different buildings that are interconnected by stone stairways. Some noteworthy landmarks in the vicinity are an old prayer wheel and Urgyan Tsemo. The paintings on the walls of the monastery are so meticulous and mindboggling. There are four main temples in the vicinity, all of which you can take ample time to excurse. 

After the amazing cultural trip, you can head back to your hotel and prepare for the next day’s departure. 

Overnight at a hotel in Paro. 

Today marks the final day of your departure from Bhutan. You will reminisce the moments spent in the high passes of Lawala, Chele La, and Dochu La and the views of the mountains seen from there. Looking at the rolling hills and Paro International Airport's architectural wonder will take you back to the time when you visited the monasteries like Rinpung Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong, and Taktsang Monastery.

Our Bhutanese guide will drop you off at the airport and bid you farewell for your homeward departure. You can contact us for similar tours binding culture, people, and nature comparable in neighboring countries like India and Nepal.