Bhutan Bloomers Friendship & Adventure Tour 6Nights / 7Days

Places Covered :

Paro
Thimphu
Punakha
Phobjikha

Package Description

A women-focused journey through Bhutan’s stunning valleys and cultural treasures. Hike to Tiger’s Nest, explore dzongs and monasteries, connect with local communities, and enjoy scenic drives, markets, and bonding experiences.

Tour Facts:

Destinations: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha
Accommodation: 4-star hotels & resorts
Altitude: 1350m – 2900m
Activity Level: Moderate (sightseeing, easy treks, cultural experiences)
Transport: Private vehicle with guide

Package Highlights

Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike
Punakha & Rinpung Dzongs
Phobjikha Valley & Black-Necked Cranes
Arts, crafts, and local markets
Archery and outdoor activities
Scenic drives through Himalayan passes
Village immersion in Shengana

Daywise Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Paro- Thimphu (1.5 hrs drive)

Fly on the wings of the Dragon to Bhutan, on arrival in Paro International Airport, complete the immigration formalities and exit through only one arrival gate where HBT dedicated team who will be holding placard, no one will be missed. We welcome with khaddar and proceed to Thimphu which will take about an hour and half. The route will follow Paro River until Chuzom from where we will bend towards Thimphu river taking us to the heart of capital city Thimphu. The entire stretch of drives is very scenic and picturesque as we pass by some of the beautiful villages of Bondey, Shaba, Isina etc until we enter welcome gate in Thimphu. Tachongang Lhakhang- En-route to Thimphu, stopover for little leg stretch walk crossing Paro River or enjoy the views from the roadside depending your arrival time. Chuzom- Meeting point of two rivers (Thimphu & Paro) this is tri junction of highway leading to Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing into three directions. Enjoy the lovely picture of beautiful portrait of our King and Queen placed at chuzom which is so welcoming to all who visits Bhutan. Ice Breaking Night- Introduce each other, share life experiences and enjoy the night with music. The main theme of this gathering is “You come to this gathering as strangers, leave as friends. Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m

Day 2

Thimphu Sightseeing

Thimphu- This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Thimphu is the most modern city with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers. However it still retains its cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernization, often referred as world only city without traffic lights. Buddha Dordenma- The Buddha Dordenma is located at a top of the hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park and overlooks the southern entrance to Thimphu valley. The Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic 51.5-meter tall statue, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Arts and Crafts Vocational School- Arts and Craft School is where student learn 13 different techniques to master in Bhutanese Arts. Some of the skills required eight years to graduate. You can see live carving, painting, sculpture etc. You are allowed to take the pictures/make video. Products made by students are on display at the showroom for sales as well. The school is closed in July and December to February, beside their exams and events. Folk Heritage Museum-This museum was established in 2001 and provides visitors with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life, especially the life of Bhutanese in remote parts of Bhutan. Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar- Bhutan’s first ever craft bazaar located behind Hotel Taj Tashi showcases wide range of authentic Bhutan-made arts and craft products with reasonable price range.Handicraft Emporium- Realizing the importance of socio-economic growth, handicraft emporium was set up with the command of His Majesty 3rd King, this was the first step to showcase the authentic Bhutanese handicraft products in Bhutan. You can still find some of the fine products available here at reasonable cost. Witnessing Archery Match- Archery is the national game of Bhutan, it is amazing to see Bhutanese archers hitting target from a distance of 145 meters range. Bhutan has top archers on some categories on Olympic games. Weekend Market/Centenary Farmers Market– An interesting well organized permanent set of stalls built for vegetable vendors across the country. Its open from Wednesday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays. One can find wide range of local vegetables and fruits. Other side of the river is place for indigenous goods and handicrafts section, where locally produced goods, including religious objects, cloth, baskets and hats etc from various minority groups are sold here. These shops are open from Friday to Sunday only. Clock Tower Square- Situated in the heart of town, Clock Tower Square is a popular venue for open ground events such as cultural festivals, concerts, fund- raising events, live shows and trade fairs. The place is bounded by shops, cafes, souvenir shops and restaurants, making it one of the main attractions in the Thimphu town. Explore Night Life– From bars, karaoke and nightclubs, there are many fun things to do at night in Thimphu. Thimphu in particular has a vibrant nightlife. Most of these places come to life around 9 pm and the fun goes till 1 pm. Some of the places you can visit are Mojo Park, Viva City, Space 34, Jimmy’s Pub, etc. Overnight in Thimphu

Day 3

Thimphu- Punakha (2 hrs drive)

Start the most scenic drive to Punakha from Thimphu over dochula pass which takes about two hours. After the break at Dochula, the road descends into Wangdue and Punakha taking us to one of the warmest places of Bhutan. Dochula Pass- The pass is at a popular location as it offers a stunning 180 degree panoramic view of the Great Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic and very clear on winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass. Punakha Dzong- Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo religious head of Bhutan. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. This is one of the finest and must see Dzongs of Bhutan. The Dzong stands in between meeting point of two rivers, Phochu and Mochu making the most photogenic Dzongs of Bhutan. Punakha Suspension Bridge- Punakha suspension bridge is considered one of the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the dzong with the villages Shengana, Samdingkha and Wangkha on the other bank of the Po Chhu river. In these small villages, locals sell their wares in tiny, traditional shops. Visitors can stop here for a quick and authentic view of true Bhutan. The suspension bridge is only about 15 minutes’ walk from Punakha Dzong. Visit to Shengana Village– Shengana is a living picturesque village with more than 100 households. The people here are engaged with rice farming and are known as the rice bowl of Bhutan. You can mingle with the local people/family, experience the rural living style, learn to prepare local dishes, drink local wine (ara) and take part in seasonal farming activities with the farmers. Overnight in Punakha, altitude 1350m

Day 4

Punakha- Phobjikha (3 hrs drive)

The road to Phobjikha passes through old town of Wangdue taking us through the black mountain region into Gangtey. The drive also passes through some of the most beautiful forests, water fall, hills, river and villages and Pelela pass before stepping into Phobjikha. Enjoy the most scenic and adventurous drive today with HBT. Gangtey Gompa- The temple built over hill top, headed by Gangtey Tulku the reincarnation of Pema Lingpa. Annual festival of Gangtey is performed in the temple courtyard every year. This is also the place for black necked crane’s festival held every year on 11-Nov, coinciding with His Majesty’s Fourth King’s Birthday. Gangtey Nature Trail- It is a short and relatively easy trek with several beautiful villages and monasteries en route. It offers beautiful views of the country with mostly gentle, forested slopes. All-time best trail and it takes approx. 2 hours, the trails ends at the road next to Khewang Lhakhang. Black Necked Crane Information Centre- This place is run by the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) and has an observation room with high-power telescopes and good scope for spotting the famous Black Necked Cranes which migrates to the region during winter. It also displays information about the history of the region. Overnight in Phobjikha, altitude 2900m

Day 5

Phobjikha- Paro (5 hrs drive)

As we say good bye to the Asian Switzerland, we will retrace the journey back to Thimphu crossing over Pelela, Wangdue, Dochula, up until Chuzom and further to Paro. The entire stretch of drive will refresh your mind and give you second chance to enjoy the great snowcapped mountain views of the Himalayas. Riverside Visit- visit to riverside to enjoy the crystal clear river and group video/photo is must in Paro. HBT guides will take you to the best place to enjoy at beautiful river banks of Paro. Paro Airport Bird’s Eye View Point- The Paro international airport is among the top 10 most stunning and challenging airports in the world. The view point offers an exquisite view of the Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong- ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’, is ranked one of the best Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley, particularly when landing at Paro Airport. The Dzong also offers administrative seat of the district of Paro. The Dzong was built in 1644 under the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. National Museum of Paro- Perched above Paro Dzong it was watchtower built in 1649 to protect the undefended Paro Dzong located below, renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. Today this museum houses the best collections of all time historical items making worth for a visit. Paro Town- Tiny Paro town actually can offer lot more, there are many authentic handicraft shops, readily available Bhutan made products, grocery and imported garment shops beside having many small restaurants around. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m

Day 6

Paro Sightseeing

This picturesque region in the kingdom is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Paro has more of historical sites, high-end tourist resort and many souvenir shops for shopping including world famous Takstang. Taktsang/Tiger’s Nest Temple– is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious Buddhist site in the world. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. The temple is one of the holiest sites in Bhutan which clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley. Although good trekkers can make it to the top in two hours, most of the guests take whole day to complete the hike. Outdoor Activities- Nicely made and wellmaintained activity place attached to whole sell Buddha statue store, offers wearing Bhutanese dress, playing archery and darts for guests visiting Bhutan. The center is maintained and operated by HBT herself and its free of cost for all HBT guests. Overnight in Paro

Day 7

End of the Tour

Departure from the Kingdom of Bhutan

Inclusions

Bhutan Tourist Visa processing and approval
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) as mandated by the Royal Government of Bhutan
Airport pick-up and drop-off at Paro International Airport
Traditional Bhutanese welcome with khaddar on arrival
Accommodation for 6 nights in 4-star hotels and resorts
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the tour
All ground transportation in a private, comfortable vehicle
Services of a licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide (female guide available on request)
Experienced local driver, fuel, parking, and driver allowances
Entrance fees to all monuments, dzongs, monasteries, museums, and cultural sites
Guided hikes including Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Gangtey Nature Trail
Cultural village immersion experience in Shengana Village
Archery, traditional dress experience, and outdoor activities (as mentioned)
Ice-breaking and bonding activities during the tour
Bottled drinking water during sightseeing and long drives
All applicable government taxes and service charges

Exclusions

International airfare to and from Bhutan
Travel insurance (mandatory; must include medical evacuation)
Personal expenses such as laundry, beverages, bar bills, tips, and shopping
Pony ride or porter service for Tiger’s Nest hike
Optional spa or wellness treatments not mentioned in the itinerary
Camera/video fees where applicable
Expenses due to unforeseen circumstances (weather, flight delays, roadblocks, medical emergencies)
Anything not explicitly mentioned under Cost Inclusions

Package Informarion

Best Time to Travel – Bhutan Bloomers Tour

Spring (March – May)

Pleasant temperatures and blooming flowers
Clear skies for mountain views
Ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor bonding activities

Autumn (September – November) – Best Season

Crystal-clear Himalayan views
Comfortable weather for sightseeing and hikes
Chance to see Black-Necked Cranes in Phobjikha (late autumn)

Winter is colder but peaceful; summer brings lush greenery with occasional rain.

Tour Preparation (6 Nights / 7 Days)

Passport valid for at least 6 months
Bhutan visa clearance (arranged by tour operator)
Mandatory travel insurance with evacuation coverage
Moderate fitness level for walking and short hikes
Comfortable with group travel and shared experiences
Inform the operator in advance about dietary needs or medical conditions
Carry small denominations of cash for local markets
Open mindset for cultural interaction and bonding activities

Accommodation (6 Nights / 7 Days)

Accommodation is arranged in carefully selected 4-star hotels and resorts, ensuring comfort, safety, and scenic locations.

Overnight Stays:

Thimphu – 2 Nights
Punakha – 1 Night
Phobjikha – 1 Night
Paro – 2 Nights

Accommodation Features:

Comfortable rooms with private bathrooms
Heating facilities where available
Safe and secure properties
Scenic surroundings and relaxed ambiance

Food During the Tour

Daily breakfast and dinner included
Meals served at hotel restaurants and selected local eateries
Blend of Bhutanese, Indian, Asian, and Continental cuisine
Authentic dishes like Ema Datshi, red rice, momos, soups, and seasonal vegetables
Vegetarian-friendly options widely available
Opportunity to taste local wine (Ara) during village visit (optional)

Lunches are usually taken at local restaurants during sightseeing and paid directly unless specified.

Transportation During the Journey

Private vehicle for the entire tour
Comfortable SUVs or minivans depending on group size
Professional driver experienced with mountain roads
Scenic drives through Himalayan passes including Dochula Pass
Regular photo and refreshment stop

Clothing & Gear (Recommended)

Clothing

Comfortable layered clothing for varying altitudes
Warm jacket or fleece (essential for Phobjikha)
Light rain jacket (spring/autumn)
Modest attire for monastery visits (covered shoulders & knees)
Comfortable casual outfits for markets and evenings

Footwear

Comfortable walking shoes
Hiking shoes with good grip for Tiger’s Nest
Warm socks

Gear & Accessories

Daypack for hikes
Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen
Reusable water bottle
Personal medications
Camera / smartphone for memories
Trekking poles (optional for Tiger’s Nest)

Bhutan Bloomers Friendship & Adventure Tour 6Nights / 7Days