Loading
Phone+61 3 9071 0069AustraliaMonday to Friday 8am - 9pm (AEDT)
Travel Agent Login

5-Day Bhutan Tour with Rafting

  • view trip mapView Trip Map
  • downloadDownload
  • shareShare

Overview

This cultural tour explores the wonderfully diverse environment of Bhutan’s western valleys as well as their cultural heritage. Drive over high mountain passes and through rapidly changing vegetation; the centrepiece to this tour is time spent exploring the beautiful Thimphu Valley, the capital city of Bhutan.

This five-day Bhutan itinerary also includes the perfect opportunity for a little adrenaline rush, a rafting trip on Mo Chhu or Pho Chhu river with the amazing backdrop of Punakha Dzong is an adventure to remember. No experience is required as long as you do not mind doing a bit of paddling and getting a bit wet - or very wet– then you will have an exciting time riding the white waters of the Himalayan rivers.
Sightseeing
Hiking & Trekking
Adventure
Outdoors & Nature
Culture & Arts

Itinerary

Day 1

Thimphu Sightseeing

Hide details accordion
Thimphu Sightseeing

When you arrive at Paro airport, you will be immediately transferred to Thimphu to start your 5 day Bhutan itinerary! First, visit Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue perched on the hill overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below, then head to markets, the National Textile Museum, a popular temple, perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu, humming with pilgrims and then the most important fortress in the capital.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Hotel Tashi Yoedling3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Kuensel Phodrang

    Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar

    Motithang Takin Preserve

    Centenary Farmers Market

    Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan

    Changangkha Lhakhang

    Tashichho Dzong

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Motithang

Day 2

Drive to Punakha

Hide details accordion
Drive to Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass where we will stop for your first glimpse of the Himilayas and hike up to the Divine Madman's temple of fertility. When you arrive in Punakha, you'll start your sightseeing tour. You'll visit temples, a suspension bridge and have a picnic lunch in the park before checking into your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Meri Puensum Resort3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dochula Pass

    Chimi Lhakhang

    Punakha Dzong

    Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

    Punakha Suspension Bridge

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Dochula

    Punakha

    Walakha

Day 3

Gangtey and Phobjikha Sightseeing

Hide details accordion
Gangtey and Phobjikha Sightseeing

Today, we continue to Phobjikha Valley, sitting at an average altitude of 3000m. This is a wide and beautiful valley, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. It is the perfect habitat for wildlife, including nesting grounds for endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Central Asia in the winter (late October and stay till March). You'll go on a long walk through the valley, in search of rare birds and perhaps a black-necked crane.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Gangtey Monastery

    Black-Necked Crane Information Centre

    Gangtey Nature Trail

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Walakha

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 4

White Water Rafting in Bhutan

Hide details accordion
White Water Rafting in Bhutan

Prior to rafting, river guide provides a thorough briefing about the safety measures and guidelines. Then, you'll start your rafting journey down to Raft put-out point. You'll go over several thrilling rapids with the help of your guide and raft master. This is an exciting experience with an amazing backdrop! Once you are done with rafting, drive to Paro via Thimphu.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Tashi Namgay Resort4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rafting on the Mo Chhu RiverOptional Activity: AU$ 444 per person

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa

    Tashi Namgay Resort

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Punakha to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Sarpang

    Paro

Day 5

Visit a Market before Departure

Hide details accordion
Visit a Market before Departure

Before we drive to Paro International Airport to board your departure flight, we will visit one of the craft markets where you can purchase authentic Bhutanese souvenirs for your friends and family.

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Paro Craft Market

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Included in Price

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • 16 activities
  • 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
pdf icon

Want to Read This Later?

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

Why Choose Designer Journeys

access

Access Exclusive Experiences

Open your eyes to a world of exclusive experiences that will make your next trip extraordinary. Designer Journeys’ local travel designers are connected to unique experiences that are out of reach for most people – so you’ll return with some amazing stories to tell.

local expertise

Extraordinary Local Expertise

Using highly experienced local travel designers means you have access to your very own local expert. You'll find experiences you never knew existed, avoid some of the common pitfalls and, most of all, feel like you have an insider guiding you every step of the way.

support

Supported Every Step of the Way

Our in-destination local travel designers are the first line of support when you are travelling. They are in your time zone and have the local expertise and knowledge to solve any issue that may arise – making you feel more confident about your trip.

custom travel designed

Travel Designed For You

Designer Journeys style of travel is all about how you want to travel – its private travel designed exactly to your needs. Our local travel designers customise every trip to suit you, whether completely bespoke or based on one or more of our 2,000+ gallery of itineraries.

Image - Designer Journeys
Image - Designer Journeys
DESIGN YOUR EXTRAORDINARY

Why Travel with Designer Journeys

Smile icon
Your Trip. Your Version of Extraordinary.

At Designer Journeys, we know that we all travel differently. That's why you decide where you travel, how you travel and your travel experiences when you design your trip with us.

Message icon
Connect and Design With an Expert.

Our trusted Local Designers use their destination insight, local knowledge and travel planning expertise to build your extraordinary trip. Our dedicated Travel Concierge team will be there every step of the way to ensure your perfect trip becomes reality.

Trust icon
Book with Confidence. We are Trusted.

Secure payment platforms, multiple accreditations, rigorous Local Designer selection process, and decades of travel expertise means you are in safe hands with Designer Journeys.

As seen on
Partners