16 Days Western &
Central Bhutan
A deeply immersive journey through Bhutan’s celebrated western valleys and spiritual heartland, combining ancient monasteries, remote villages, mountain passes and living cultural traditions.
ENQUIRE ABOUT THIS TOUR →From Western Valleys to Bhutan’s Spiritual Heartland
Sixteen thoughtfully paced days reveal the cultural, historical and natural diversity of western and central Bhutan.
Travel from Thimphu and Punakha into the protected glacial valley of Phobjikha before crossing mountain passes towards Trongsa and the sacred valleys of Bumthang.
Explore remote Tang and Ura, return to western Bhutan and conclude through Haa Valley and the celebrated Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
A slower, deeper journey into Bhutan’s sacred landscapes and living cultural heritage.
Valleys, mountain passes and spiritual heartlands.
Experiences Along the Way
Explore sacred valleys, mountain passes, historic fortresses and traditional communities across western and central Bhutan.
Punakha Valley
Discover rivers, rice fields, village landscapes and Bhutan’s magnificent Punakha Dzong.
Phobjikha Valley
Explore the protected glacial valley and winter habitat of rare black-necked cranes.
Trongsa Heritage
Visit Bhutan’s ancestral fortress and learn about its important role in the country’s history.
Bumthang Heartland
Experience ancient temples, sacred monasteries and Bhutan’s deeply spiritual central valleys.
Tang and Ura Valleys
Discover remote villages, rural traditions, farmhouses and open mountain landscapes.
Haa and Tiger’s Nest
Cross Chele La into Haa before completing the journey with Bhutan’s celebrated pilgrimage hike.
Your Western & Central Journey
Open each day to view the route, experiences and overnight destination.
DAY 01 Arrival in Paro and Transfer to Thimphu Approximately 1–1.5 hours +
Meet your Evara Travel guide and begin the scenic journey through river valleys to Bhutan’s capital.
- Airport welcome
- Tamchog Lhakhang viewpoint
- Scenic transfer to Thimphu
- Evening town walk
DAY 02 Discover Thimphu Culture · Heritage · Local Life +
Explore Bhutan’s capital through sacred monuments, traditional institutions and local experiences.
- Buddha Dordenma
- Motithang Takin Preserve
- Memorial Chorten
- Traditional arts and crafts
- Tashichho Dzong
DAY 03 Thimphu to Punakha Via Dochula Pass · Approximately 3 hours +
Cross Dochula Pass into the warm and fertile landscapes of Punakha Valley.
- Dochula Pass
- 108 memorial chortens
- Himalayan viewpoints
- Chimi Lhakhang countryside walk
DAY 04 Explore Punakha Valley Rivers · Villages · Sacred Heritage +
Spend a full day discovering Punakha’s historic architecture, rivers and rural landscapes.
- Punakha Dzong
- Punakha Suspension Bridge
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike
- Village and riverside scenery
DAY 05 Punakha to Phobjikha Valley Approximately 3–4 hours +
Travel through forested mountains to Bhutan’s celebrated protected glacial valley.
- Mountain and forest drive
- Gangtey Monastery
- Phobjikha viewpoints
- Traditional settlements
DAY 06 Phobjikha Nature Exploration Nature Trail · Wildlife · Village Life +
Explore the valley on foot through forests, farmland and traditional villages.
- Gangtey Nature Trail
- Black-necked crane habitat
- Traditional villages
- Farmhouse experience
DAY 07 Phobjikha to Trongsa Approximately 4–5 hours +
Continue through central Bhutan’s forests and mountain landscapes towards historic Trongsa.
- Pele La Pass
- Chendebji Chorten
- Trongsa viewpoint
- Traditional central landscapes
DAY 08 Trongsa Heritage and Drive to Bumthang Approximately 3–4 hours +
Explore Trongsa’s ancestral heritage before crossing Yotong La into Bumthang.
- Trongsa Dzong
- Ta Dzong Museum
- Yotong La Pass
- Arrival in Bumthang
DAY 09 Bumthang Sacred Sites Temples · Monasteries · Riverside Walk +
Discover ancient sacred sites central to Bhutanese history and Buddhism.
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Tamshing Monastery
- Riverside walk
DAY 10 Tang Valley Excursion Remote Valley · Farmhouse · Local Heritage +
Journey into remote Tang Valley for rural landscapes, village encounters and local history.
- Mebar Tsho
- Tang Valley villages
- Ogyen Choling Museum
- Farmhouse experience
DAY 11 Ura Valley Exploration Mountain Pass · Village · Rural Traditions +
Explore Ura Valley’s open landscapes, clustered traditional homes and distinctive rural culture.
- Ura mountain pass
- Traditional Ura village
- Ura Lhakhang
- Village and farm encounters
DAY 12 Bumthang to Paro Domestic Flight · Subject to Weather +
Take a scenic domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro, subject to the airline schedule and weather.
- Domestic airport transfer
- Scenic flight to Paro
- Paro town walk
- Rest and leisure
DAY 13 Paro Heritage Exploration Museum · Dzong · Traditional Valley +
Explore Paro’s historic landmarks and traditional valley landscapes at a comfortable pace.
- National Museum
- Rinpung Dzong
- Traditional bridge
- Kyichu Lhakhang
DAY 14 Paro to Haa via Chele La Pass Approximately 3–4 hours with stops +
Cross high Chele La through alpine forest before descending into the peaceful Haa Valley.
- Chele La Pass
- Alpine and Himalayan views
- Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo
- Haa village walk
DAY 15 Haa to Paro and Tiger’s Nest Hike Early Departure · Moderate Hike +
Return early to Paro and complete the journey with the memorable hike to Taktsang Monastery.
- Early Haa–Paro transfer
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Pine forest trail
- Mountain viewpoints
- Optional traditional hot-stone bath
DAY 16 Departure from Paro Hotel → Paro International Airport +
Transfer to Paro International Airport with assistance from your Evara Travel guide and driver.
- Breakfast
- Private airport transfer
- Departure assistance
- Farewell from Evara Travel
What Your Journey Includes
Your final quotation will clearly confirm every included service and applicable fee.
Included
- Selected accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Licensed Bhutanese guide
- Private vehicle and professional driver
- Airport transfers
- Listed sightseeing and activities
- Applicable monument entrance fees
- Drinking water during sightseeing
- Visa-processing assistance
- Evara Travel support
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel and medical insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal shopping and expenses
- Laundry and room services
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Optional hot-stone bath
- Hotel or room upgrades
- Unlisted services
Visa charges and Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee will be displayed separately in your confirmed quotation.
Local Knowledge.
Personal Care.
Bhutanese Travel Experts
Plan and travel with a locally based team that understands Bhutan deeply.
Private, Personalised Journeys
Your itinerary is shaped around your dates, interests and preferred pace.
Responsible Travel
Every experience respects Bhutan’s environment, heritage and communities.