8 Days Classic Bhutan tour with easy hikes
Overview
Available languages
1 week 1 day
Mobile ticket
Our ‘Classic Bhutan’ is an exclusive offering from Bhutan Travel Club – a customised trip for an unparalleled insight into Bhutan and its culture, nature its people and the Bhutanese way of life- All in a comfortable time of 7 nights. Starts with the capital city of Thimphu, easy hiking exploration in the valleys Punakha with the most beautiful fortress and valley of Punakha, then to the idyllic valley of Phobjikha and finally to Paro to visit the iconic Tiger’s nest;
Our most valuable asset is our tour guides and field personnel who’ve been working with us for a long time and understand our company’s core values. This trip has very less driving times, with maximum exploration time to make the most of your holiday.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Welcome to Bhutan
Accommodations
Overnight at Pelyang Boutique or Hotel Thimphu Tower
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Paro
The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas; offering dazzling scenic views of world’s highest glacial peaks where you’ll be greeted by views of Mt.Everest and Mt.Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt.Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. As your flight descends into Paro valley, you’ll get your first impressions of Bhutan - forested hills; silvery Pa chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below the idyllic Paro Dzong (fortress) located atop a hill overlooking the valley.
Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge
Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly professional guide who will help you settle into your comfortable vehicle, and then proceed to the capital city Thimphu for a hour’s drive. Enroute stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang monastery for a breath of fresh mountain air and marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the 13th century bridge.
Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)
On arrival you will be taken to your hotel for a check-in and short rest . In the evening, if time permits visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan.
Thimphu
You will enjoy welcome dinner in a nice local restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Overnight in the resort.
Hiking and Cultural sightseeing in Thimphu - the capital city.
Accommodations
Overnight at at BTC's 3- and 4 star partner hotels
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Buddha Dordenma
After breakfast, drive to Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169ft statue of Buddha Dordenma sits overlooking the valley. Enjoy a panoramic view of Thimphu city from there. From here we’ll enjoy a lovely easy hike on one of the capital town’s favourite hiking trails to start flexing your leg muscles for a great start to your Bhutan holiday. The hike of 6 km easy paced brings you to the Changangkha temple.
National Folk Heritage Museum
Head to town to one of Thimphu’s favourite café for a healthy lunch. While the food is great, its also a window to see the ways of the urban townfolk of Bhutan. After lunch visit some of the cultural treasures of the capital – the Folk Heritage museum – which is a 19th century traditional Bhutanese farmhouse which provides glimpses of the Bhutanese lifestyle
National Institute for Zorig Chusum
Visit the National Institute of Traditional arts to learn about Bhutan's 13 different types of arts and crafts and interact with artisans and students honing their skills
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan
After that visit the Royal Textile Academy to experience the rich and intricate textiles of Bhutan
Thimphu’s Weekend Market
Finish the day by strolling around the Crafts Bazaar, along the streets of Thimphu which sells and displays various handicrafts and textiles made entirely in Bhutan. Weekend is a time for shopping so we’ll drive to the Centenial market and Kaja Thorm markets to delve right into the Bhutanese way of life and walk past various venders selling local vegetables and fruits that make up the Bhutanese culinary. This is place where locals come and spend time enjoying meals and also there are some live music shows entertaining onlookers for a nice weekend timepass.
Thimphu to Punakha
Accommodations
Hotel Lobesa or Zhingkham Resort
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Dochula Pass
After breakfast, drive to Dochula Pass (3140m) which offers amazing views of the Himalayan ranges that form the jagged mountains that make the northern border of Bhutan. Situated atop the pass at the backdrop of fluttering prayer flags is the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that was built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King.
If you would like to hike, we recommend the Lungtsezelkha hike – another lovely like that passes through Rhododendron forests and alpine vegetation. Here you might come across some Yaks as we often spot them. It starts from Dochula pass – and climbs upto the peak where the Lungtsezekha temple stands at 3800m. From here, you can see the great Himalayan peaks of northern Bhutan as well as the valleys of southern Bhutan. Hike Option 2 - If you’d like an easier hike you can hike on the section of Trans Bhutan Trail which descends from Lamperi Botanical Park through some old rhododendron forests to Talo village on the ancient heritage trail.
Druk Wangyel Monastery
Visit the Druk Wangyel Chortens
If you’d like an easier hike you can hike on the section of Trans Bhutan Trail which descends from Lamperi Botanical Park through some old rhododendron forests to Talo village on the ancient heritage trail.
Chimi Lhakhang Temple
Continue driving to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery - our guide will explain the entire story about it. The visit involves a short nice hike through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields. Overnight in a lovely resort overlooking the fortress.
Punakha sightseeing and easy hiking
Accommodations
Hotel Lobesa or Zhingkham Resort
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Drive to Kabesa village to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic hike through paddy fields for about 45 minutes till the hilltop where the temple is located. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. Return to base and proceed to Zomlingthang grounds where we’ll we’ll serve a picnic lunch on the banks of the Punakha river. Here you’ll probably see locals enjoying a game of archery – the national sport of Bhutan.
Punakha Dzong
Continue to Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutan’s rich art and architecture, and our guide who is an expert in iconography will explain all aspects of art, architecture, history, and its significance
Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery
Proceed to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery which is atop a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking the valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang. Interact with the nuns and they love to speak English with visitors and learn about the ways of the world. From here, hike on the Trans-Bhutan Trail from Laptsakha to Punakha on a gentle hike of 5km to end the day.,
Punakha to Phobjikha valley
Accommodations
Hotel Dewachen or Gakiling Guesthouse
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Gangtey
The highway to Phobjikha (Gangtey) follows the scenic Dang Chuu (River), climbing through forests of bamboo and oak, and just before crossing Pele La (Pass) a small side road splinters off into the hidden Phobjikha valley.
Gangtey Monastery
Visit the famous Gantey Gompa monastery in the afternoon and spend some time with the monks living in the monastic school. You can also do a meditation session inside the temple and our guide and help you with some basic instructions.
Black Necked Crane Center
This valley is different from others as it is a glacial valley which is home to the endangered Black-necked cranes who visit during the winter from the Tibetan plateau and has found a special place in the hearts of the local people and their folklore. As a result, the valley is a protected habitat for the birds while also being the potato basket of Bhutan, thereby a great example of how agriculture and conversation goes hand in hand. It is the beauty of this valley that inspired visitors to coin the word”Switzerland of the east”.
Phobjikha to Paro
Accommodations
Overnight at Metta Resort/ Hotel Golden Paddyfield
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Paro
After breakfast, drive back to Paro via Dochula Pass.
Kyichu Lhakhang
Visit Kyichu Lhakhang – believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan built during the 08th century. Then proceed to the National Museum to immerse yourself in the history and traditions of Bhutan. Some of the most treasured collections of arts, artefacts, textiles, stamps, statues, etc.
Rinpung Dzong
Visit Rimpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels), built in 1644 by Zhabdrung (dynamic political and spiritual leader).
Bhutan's Biggest Highlight - Tiger's Nest Monastery
Accommodations
Overnight at Metta Resort or Hotel Golden Paddyfield
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
DINNER
Dinner
Paro Taktsang
We’ve saved the best of Bhutan for the last. Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps one of the major highlights of your trip. An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery –translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery is also a good way to acclimatise before you start trekking. A two hours hike would reward you with a spectacular temple clinging on a 1000 feet cliff. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. Your guide will complement the experience with its story. On the way back stopover at Satsam Chorten which offers you nice views of mount Jomolhari. On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.). Continue your drive to Paro and visit Kichu Lhakang one of the oldest temple dating back from 7th century build by Tibetan king Songchen Gyampo to propagate Buddhism and continue to embrace one of the oldest paintings dating back from 15th century in Dungtse Lhakhang. On the way back, you can visit the oldest Buddhist monastery in Bhutan – the Kichu Lhakhang monastery. Farewell dinner at a great restaurant and proceed to your resort for the night.
Drugyel Dzong
On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.).
Farewell
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
Paro
After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport. Your guide will help you with the formalities and fare you well on your onward journey.
Options
8 Days Classic Bhutan tour with easy hikes
Pickup included
What‘s Included
Private transportation
All accommodations in 3-4 star hotels
Monument fees worth USD 300
All necessary permit fees
English-speaking tour leader and driver
All transfers in excellent car
Drinking mineral water in the car
Airfare to and from Bhutan
All personal expenses like laundry, telephone, tips, beverages, shopping expenses
Spa Charges
Travel and Medical insurance
Sustainable Development Fund/ Daily Tourism Tax
Visa fee of USD 40 one time fee
Tips and Gratuity
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Reviews
113 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A memorable experience with BTC
KrithikaP16,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is my second trip with Bhutan Travel Club. The first time was solo and BTC made it a very memorable trip. And this time again they brought in the magic and gave me and my son a wonderful experience. Chimi thought through each day and if it would be tiring for the kid to travel and explore and suggested the right itinerary. The stays were all neat and classy and we were well taken care of. Sherab, our guide, paid attention to my son's interests and detailed out stories that he liked. He also became his friend and they had their own games and moments. As a mom, it was an ecstatic feeling to see my son experience the magic of Bhutan and it's people and food. The stay at Haa valley homestay is a memorable one too, playing with the pets and cooking with our hosts was special moments. I would highly recommend Bhutan Travel Club and Chimi to everyone. Wishing to be back in the highlands again sooner and with BTC.
Once in a lifetime experience, Bhutan
paulbJ8696XJ,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was perfect, couldn't have been better. An amazing country and Bhutan Travel Club does an outstanding job organizing Everything- literally.
A Walk in the Footsteps of the Buddhas
ianbX9540XB,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Four of us, all over 70 years of age, had a wonderful experience in Bhutan planned with the excellent assistance and guidance of Tshering Zangmo of Bhutan Travel Club. Our guide, Bijay Tirwa, and our driver, Jamyang, were the best travel companions we could have asked for. By the end of the trip, they felt like members of our family. These three individuals exceeded anything we could have imagined and were absolutely essential to the remarkable experience we had in their country. Tshering booked our flights into and out of Bhutan, arranged wonderful overnight accommodations, and worked patiently with us as we navigated major flight changes caused by the war in Iran and the temporary closure of the Qatar airport. She also went out of her way to create special moments for us during our anniversary celebrations. She truly represents the kind and caring spirit of the people of her country. We can only hope she’ll let us host her in our homes if she travels to the U.S. in her future. Jamyang was a fearless driver on the sometimes sketchy roads of Bhutan, typically with a smile on his face, especially after his three-mile walks and temple visits each morning. He also joined us on several longer hikes, proving himself to be a true mountaineer in addition to an excellent driver. He bested us in shooting arrows, but promised to give us another chance to win if we return. Bijay was a blessing for us. He spoke excellent English, had a gentle and encouraging manner, and carried a calmness that guided not only our feet but also our spirits. Particularly meaningful for us was his deep knowledge of and reverence for Bhutanese Buddhism and the broader history of the religion. He helped us walk, figuratively, in the footsteps of the Buddhas, the Bhutanese kings, and the people of this land of Gross National Happiness. He led us as a master. We hiked through moss-laden forests, climbed mountain trails, crossed fields tended by farmers using wooden hoes, and walked over wooden ladders crossing over fence wires between fields. We shot wooden arrows with handmade bows (not handmade by us), gazed into holy waters, soaked in hot tubs, meditated and prayed in temples, and watched student artisans learn to weave, paint, and sculpt. We especially enjoyed the hikes to the temples, dzongs and museums. We laughed at monkeys in the trees, remained watchful and ready to retreat when viewing yaks up close, smiled at the odd-looking takins, and constantly stepped around (beautiful) dogs, horses, and cows who clearly possessed special status in the country in that they never felt obligated to move from our paths. We ate plenty of vegetables, fiddlehead ferns, rice, and potatoes. Although Bhutanese cuisine often includes meat, they took good care of the vegetarians in our group. While Bhutan advertises its cuisine as quite spicy, we suspect the heat is somewhat tempered for tourists, as even the hottest dishes would have ranked only “medium” for some of us. The thingye (Sichuan wild pepper), with its tingling sensation, did add a wonderful spice — especially when sprinkled on cucumbers handed to us by workers in the fields we crossed. All in all, we had a wonderful journey and only wished we had attempted the longer treks into the national parks when we were younger. Bhutan is undergoing major change, with increasing development of tourist hotels and higher-quality roads, so we would encourage travelers to visit sooner rather than later if they hope to experience more of its traditional character. Nevertheless, this trip was a true highlight for us, and the beauty of the country and kindness of its people will live long in our memories. And if we return, we would without hesitation make sure we used the Bhutan Travel Club again!
Personalized Bhutan tour
Culture170635,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Bhutan Travel Club organized a fabulous, personalized tour for four persons. Our guide and driver were very knowledgable, hospitable and flexible. They modified plans one day so we could visit an additional site at our request and adjusted an overnight accommodation when we needed extra rest. They arranged a good mix of traditional Bhutanese meals served in local restaurants and in homes, buffet meals that included some international foods, and one meal prepared by a chef who amused us by serving American style mashed potatoes. I highly recommend Bhutan Travel Club for an authentic and personal visit to Bhutan.
excellent holiday
JMSathaye,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00excellent booking experience. all necessary information was given quickly, requirements of places to visit, clothes, visa, payment, hotels, guides and transport. The guides were knowledgeable and the driver was very safe, if a trifle slow ( understandable due to the hilly nature of country). Bhutan is very clean, water, roads, air and general awareness of importance of cleanliness. If at all visitors are not careful. Food is a slight issue, because it seems local food is not patronised. Indian food (not very good probably because of good cooks are in shortage) is readily available. Water in the rivers is plentiful and has low TDS so it is surprise that bottled water is recommended. The hotels should infact simply clarify the water and use UV to get drinkable water and eschew plastic bottles completely. overall a very pleasant experience.
Cultural Tour with Hiking and Paro Tshechu Festival
107bonnies,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Route: Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Phobjikha-Bumthan-Paro/Haa Valley Trip Duration: 08 Nights/09 Days All of the details were worked out in advance patiently by Khusala. More days and distance were achieved by flying back to Paro from Bumthang. On arrival I was greeted by my guide Bijay and whisked away to the Paro Tshechu Festival. The festival was a wonderful introduction to the cultural heritage of Bhutan. The Buddhist sacred dances were incredible to witness. I had requested hikes during my travels: 1st above Thimphu, through the Nature Reserve near Phobjikha, a Trans Bhutan Trail descent into Ura village and hiking to The Tiger's Nest Monastery. I felt very well attended to by Bijay, who was both knowlegeable and caring. He would call ahead to restaurants to make sure my dietary needs were met, which was a huge help! Dawa was an excellent driver on all the endless winding roads and always cheerful even on long days. I had great experiences traveling in Bhutan and would definitely recommend The Bhutan Travel Club for your tour!
Fantastic trip with BTC
G5808JHlizm,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Recently back from an 8 day tour of Bhutan with BTC. The support and assistance from Dawa and Tshering in the office went above and beyond, from planning the trip to being on call during our tour. Our guide Sonam and driver were excellent & helped make this the trip of a lifetime - Sonams English is great and we had a superb overview of the culture and landscape of this amazing country. Do not hesitate to choose BTC for your trip :)
Beautiful Bhutan
rwbij,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Many thanks to BTC (specifically Khusala, Krishna, Tashi and Tsiring) for a wonderful travel experience. They were all knowledgeable, thoughtful and professional.
excellent excellent excellent! triple thumb ups...
D L,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were traveling as a group of four good friends. While searching for a suitable tour to Bhutan, we contacted nine travel agencies. Khusala of Bhutan Travel Club particularly impressed me. Of the nine agencies I contacted, Khusala was always the first to answer our questions, usually within a few hours. She not only provided detailed explanations but also always considered things from our perspective, ultimately designing an itinerary that met our needs. Tshering is an excellent guide, fluent in English and Mandarin. Bhutan is a country that combines nature, history, and religion. A good guide can make your trip more in-depth. Moreover, he observed our physical condition (given the high altitude) and made minor adjustments to the itinerary as needed, ensuring we completed the entire journey in the most comfortable way. Subba is a professional driver; having a calm and focused driver like him made us feel very safe, especially given the bumpy road conditions in Bhutan. We all really appreciate the efforts of Bhutan Travel Club team!
A Well-Balanced Bhutan Trip – Hiking, Culture and Scenic Views
Q9258ULmichalh,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spent 9 days in Bhutan with friends and had a really great experience overall. The program was well balanced – hikes, cultural visits and great scenery. Highlights for us were the hike to Tiger’s Nest, rafting in Punakha, and attending the Gangtey Tshechu festival . Staying in the farmhouse in Tangsibji village was also memorable – simple but very authentic, and a nice break from standard hotels. Everything was well organized, transport was comfortable, and our guide and driver were reliable and knowledgeable. Traveling as a group of friends made it even more fun. We’d definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a solid mix of nature, culture, and local experiences in Bhutan.
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