Bhutan Tiger Tours

Tour Details

The country today has some of the least disturbed wilderness in the Indian subcontinent, and some of the most progressive wildlife conservation efforts

Itinerary

Arrival and Paro

Met by your expert Bhutanese guides, you will be driven to Tashi Namgay Resort (http://www.tashinamgayresort.com/) or an equivalent accommodation. Upon check-in, enjoy tea and snacks. Following the tea break, you will be chauffeured to the victory fortress, Drukgyel Dzong (Druk translates to Bhutan, Gyel means win/victory, Dzong signifies fortress). Although previously gutted by fire and remaining in ruins for an extended period, it has been recently rebuilt. In clear weather, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Jhomolhari, one of the highest unclimbed mountains globally. Depending on available time before nightfall, there may be an opportunity for a short hike. Following the hike, return to Paro town, characterized by its main streets adorned with painted houses and shops. Explore the town and have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at Tashi Namgay Resort (as per government law, all tourists are required to be accommodated in certified hotels).

Paro-Thimphu

After breakfast, at 7:30 am, depart for the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the renowned temple known as Taktsang. Initially just a cave famous for its association with meditation, it gained significance as the place where the Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have arrived, flying on the back of a roaring tigress. The original temple, built on a cliff face 800m above the Paro valley in the 14th century, was unfortunately burnt down in 1998 but has been meticulously restored.

After approximately a 2-hour walk (depending on your walking speed), visit the cafeteria for tea, snacks and a breath-taking view of Taktsang. Continue hiking up for another hour to reach the temple, relishing the scenic views along the way. Exercise caution near steep edges and remain vigilant. Explore the temples, appreciating the artistry and tranquility of the location. Once satisfied with the temples perched on the cliff, descend gradually to the cafeteria for lunch. Relax and enjoy the view as you descend to the valley and then drive to Thimphu.

Upon arrival, check into your hotel. After tea and snacks, explore the local town, including handicrafts shops and have dinner at a local restaurant in the capital of Bhutan. Night halt - hotel.

Explore Thimphu

After breakfast, you will be driven to visit the Royal Takin Preserve. The Takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei) holds a special story in Bhutan and is the national animal. Following this, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Traditional Arts and Crafts School, where you can engage in painting or carving exercises. This will be followed by a visit to the Buddha Point, offering a bird's eye view of Thimphu city. During this visit, you can opt to hike.

After lunch in Thimphu city, you will be driven towards North Thimphu and the base of the Cheri Goenpa/Monastery. An hour's walk takes you to this 17th century monastery, providing a fascinating insight into Bhutan’s monastic and religious life within an architecturally captivating building. While walking, you may even spot the Goral (Naemorhedus goral), the rare and nimble goat antelope of the Himalayas. After visiting the temples and enjoying the outstanding view, slowly descend to the base of the hill where your car will be waiting. If you wish to continue walking, you can proceed towards the south, and the car will follow.

Following this, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, visiting shops and more. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant where experts on culture, Gross National Happiness and nature will join, providing short talks and answering any questions guests may have. If you still have energy, you will be driven to the largest sitting Buddha for a breath-taking night view of Thimphu city. Spend the night at the City Hotel (https://www.cityhotelthimphu.com/) or an equivalent accommodation.

Monal and Red Panda Camp

Today, you will be driven into Jigme Dorji National Park. Upon entering the park, you can switch between walking and driving modes to observe birds and other wildlife, immersing yourself in the pristine natural surroundings. An advance team will set up camp at Tsatugang (near yak herder camps), an area renowned for sighting monal pheasants and red pandas. You will arrive at the camp for a hot lunch. After lunch, venture into the forests for a walk to spot monals and red pandas. Spotting red pandas requires patience and concentrated efforts, as they are shy animals, and a sighting cannot be guaranteed. Return to the camp by nightfall. Night halt - camp.

Monal and Red Panda Camp

In the early morning, take a stroll to spot wildlife around the camp area, returning for breakfast at the camp. After breakfast, embark on a slow hike, with opportunities to observe wildlife, including monals and possibly red pandas. A packed lunch will be enjoyed in the field. After lunch, continue to hike and sight monals and red pandas returning to the road head where you will ride the car to head towards Thimphu city. Nigh halt – hotel.

Thimphu-Punakha

After breakfast (7:30 am), you will be driven to Punakha, the winter capital of the monk body. The journey takes you through a windy but scenic drive to the east, reaching the 10,000ft high Dochula pass after about an hour. Marvel at the breath-taking views of the Eastern Himalayan peaks, many towering over 23,000ft. The pass is adorned with prayer flags and 108 chortens (stupas). Enjoy coffee/tea and snacks, then hike a section of the Trans-Bhutan trail through leafy forests to a botanical garden. Take a break and seize the opportunity to see flowers, orchids, birds, and perhaps wildlife, including red pandas.

Visit the park information centre showcasing Bhutan’s rare flora and fauna, along with conservation program milestones. Drive through chirpine forests to visit the renowned Chimi Lhakhang, known for its mystical power to grant fertility. Many, including tourists and otherforeign visitors, have reported success in conceiving a child after their visit to this monastery. Lunch will be served at a beautiful riverside resort.

After lunch, drive to visit Punakha Dzong (winter home of the central monastic body), the former capital of Bhutan, beautifully situated at the confluence of Female and Male rivers. It is where the first King of Bhutan was crowned. Follow a short walk across one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan to observe rare migratory ducks and walk/drive along the male river to spot more birds and otters, including the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron (Ardeainsignis). Of the 200 White-Bellied Herons globally, Bhutan hosts 30.

Continue to drive/stop for photos through traditional villages and fields, passing through forests to ascend to the famous Sewla (la means pass in Bhutan) at 7,600ft. You will be greeted by monks and a monastery. After traditional tea and snacks at the Monastery guest room, hike for about 40 minutes to reach the peak, visit a special temple, and enjoy the view. Descend slowly and hike until dusk towards a homestay (1.5 hours). You can combine driving and hiking based on your preference. Spend the night at a homestay with a great view of the paddy fields.

Punakha-Phobjikha

You will awaken to the sounds of farm animals, roosters, and even dogs. After breakfast with the family, you will be driven to the base of the hill, where rafting experts will be waiting for you. Enjoy about 50-60 minutes of white-water river rafting back to Punakha town. While rafting, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of the white-bellied heron, otters, and many other water birds.

Once back in Punakha town, get into the car and drive to Wangdue Phodrang, offering a view of the newly built Wangdue Dzong. Continue driving through subtropical forests, gradually ascending into temperate cool broad-leaved forests, and ultimately reaching Lawa La (3,300 meters), where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Phobjikha Glacier valley (Note: Lunch will be served enroute at a local guest house).

The Phobjikha valley is the wintering grounds of the endangered Black-Necked Cranes (Grusnigricollis) and is declared a conservation area. Approximately 500 of the global population of 11,000 cranes travel long distances from Tibet/China to Phobjikha. You will have the chance to see and hear the cranes perform dances. If desired, get off the car and start walking to descend to Gangtey Goenpa/Monastery, enjoying the view, meeting monks, visiting the ancient monastery, and immersing yourself in its history. If you still want to hike, continue hiking towards the hotel, sighting the endangered Black-Necked Cranes courting and singing.

Phobjikha valley boasts a high diversity of birds and mammals, including tiger, leopard, sambar deer, barking deer, and Himalayan pine martin. Overnight at Hotel Dewachen (https://dewachenhotel.com/) or an equivalent accommodation.

Phobjikha–Tiger Ridge Trek

Early morning, at 6 am, take a stroll to see if you can spot any wildlife, the cranes are likely to be present. After breakfast, embark on a day hike into the mountain forests to observe wildlife, including the red panda. The hike will gradually ascend from the grassy plains through villages into towering hills, with most of the journey along a ridgeline at elevations ranging from 3,400 to 4,500 meters. The route will take you through beautiful forests, lakes, and meadows, with a packed lunch served in the field.

The area is known for hosting various wildlife, including leopard, Bengal tiger, clouded leopard, golden cats, goral, musk deer, and numerous bird species. Towards evening, you will slowly descend to Phobjikha valley and return to Hotel Dewachen for dinner and overnight stay.

Phobjikha-Pelela-Paro

You will enjoy one last morning stroll in Phobjikha valley. After breakfast, you will be driven to the Pelela pass for a hike into the forests to observe wildlife, including the red panda. Pelela is renowned for its red panda sightings. Lunch will be served in the forests. After lunch, you will be driven back to Paro for an overnight stay (including dinner and breakfast).