Bhutan Grand Valley Explorer
A complete long-format Bhutan circuit through western, central and eastern valleys, quoted privately for serious travellers.
Bhutan Grand Valley Explorer is the most complete Bhutan road circuit in the Himalayan Locals portfolio. It is designed for travellers who want to go beyond the classic west and continue into central and eastern Bhutan through Bumthang, Ura, Mongar, Trashigang and Trashiyangtse before returning to Paro. This is a long private circuit with guide pricing shown per person. The route still requires careful hotel planning, longer road days, seasonal checks and clear expectation-setting before confirmation. Hotel options include Explorer and Signature stays where available across Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse and Paro. Luxury guide pricing is verified with live lodge availability before payment.
- Duration
- 13 Days | 12 Nights
- Location
- Bagdogra, Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Gasa, Phobjikha, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Paro
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Season
- Year-round cultural journeys · winter dates available, subject to route and weather
- Group
- Private long-format journey
Journey highlights
- Complete Bhutan circuit across western, central and eastern valleys.
- Bumthang, Ura Valley, Mongar, Trashigang and Trashiyangtse included.
- Tiger's Nest and Paro kept as the final cultural finish.
- Best for serious travellers with enough time for a deeper Bhutan plan.
- Guide pricing shown; final hotel and route feasibility checked before payment.
Full itinerary
Bagdogra to Phuentsholing
Meet your driver at Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station and cross the Dooars foothills toward Phuentsholing. After check-in, keep the evening free to rest and organise your Bhutan entry documents. Pickup timing follows your confirmed flight or train arrival.
Stay: Phuentsholing - Explorer: Pendenling Hotel / Amothu View; Signature: Khamsum Hotel / Hotel Zsideoi; Luxury: limited in this border town, best available Signature stay used.
Meals: Dinner as per final plan
Phuentsholing to Thimphu
Complete the entry formalities in Phuentsholing before starting the mountain drive to Thimphu. The road leaves the warm foothills for forested ridges and small settlements, with comfort breaks arranged along the way. This is primarily a transfer day, so sightseeing waits until you have settled in. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy a quiet evening, with a short neighbourhood walk if you feel rested.
Stay: Thimphu - Explorer: Hotel Druk / Hotel HTC / Tara Phendeling View; Signature: City Heritage / Daralha / Tashichhoedling; Luxury: Pemako / Terma Linca.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Thimphu Sightseeing
Spend the morning getting to know Thimphu through its chortens and cultural sites. Buddha Dordenma and the Memorial Chorten are options to discuss with your guide, alongside museum or craft visits that follow opening hours and your interests. Leave space in the afternoon for the city streets and a café break, rather than moving straight between monuments. Return to your hotel in the evening for dinner and time to relax.
Stay: Thimphu - Explorer: Hotel Druk / Hotel HTC / Tara Phendeling View; Signature: City Heritage / Daralha / Tashichhoedling; Luxury: Pemako / Terma Linca.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Thimphu to Punakha to Gasa Valley
Set out early from Thimphu and cross Dochula Pass before continuing through Punakha toward Gasa. Pause at the pass if conditions allow, but keep the day's main focus on reaching the highland gateway. The road and any short stops determine the arrival time, so longer Punakha visits need separate planning. Check into your local stay in Gasa and spend the evening resting and discussing the walking arrangements for the next day.
Stay: Gasa - Homestay / guest house: Namgay Village / Chimi Farm House / Gasa Tshachu Guest House; best available stay confirmed before booking.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Gasa Valley Exploration
Spend the day in Gasa Valley, using the local roads and walking routes to explore beyond the usual western circuit. Your guide checks access to the hot-spring area and selects stops suited to the weather and your pace. Leave room for breaks and time around the village rather than a fixed list of attractions. Return to your local stay by evening, with dinner and a chance to prepare for the next stage of the route.
Stay: Gasa - Homestay / guest house: Namgay Village / Chimi Farm House / Gasa Tshachu Guest House; best available stay confirmed before booking.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Gasa to Phobjikha Valley
Leave the Gasa or Laya highland area using the exit route agreed with the local team. Where walking forms part of the return, start early and allow time to reach the vehicle before the onward journey toward Phobjikha. This is mainly a transfer stage, with breaks arranged around access and the remaining daylight. Settle into the valley stay when the confirmed routing permits; additional sightseeing belongs on a separate day.
Stay: Phobjikha - Explorer: Tashi Farm House / Khewang Farm House / Dewachen Hotel; Signature: Gangtey Lodge; Luxury: limited in-valley, best available Signature stay used.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Phobjikha to Trongsa to Bumthang
Leave the Gangtey and Phobjikha area for the road east toward Bumthang. This is a substantial travel day through Bhutan's central hills, with breaks and any Trongsa stop arranged around the driving time. Arrive in the Bumthang Valley and check into your stay before settling down for the evening. Keep temple visits for the following day, when you can explore the valley without fitting them around a long transfer.
Stay: Bumthang - Explorer: Jakar Village Lodge / Mountain Resort; Signature: Swiss Guest House; Luxury: limited in central Bhutan, best available Signature stay used.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Bumthang Valley Sightseeing
Explore Bumthang through its temples, village lanes and valley walks, with your guide explaining the stories connected to the places you visit. Spend the morning on cultural visits and leave the afternoon for a slower walk or time around the farms and settlements. The day's exact stops follow opening hours and your interests. Return to your stay in the evening, with dinner and time to enjoy a day free of long-distance travel.
Stay: Bumthang - Explorer: Jakar Village Lodge / Mountain Resort; Signature: Swiss Guest House; Luxury: limited in central Bhutan, best available Signature stay used.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Bumthang to Ura Valley to Mongar
Leave Bumthang for the road through Ura Valley toward Mongar, with the changing farm valleys and settlements forming much of the day's experience. Allow time for a short Ura stop if road timing permits, then continue east with comfort breaks along the way. Reach Mongar and check into your local hotel. The evening stays light after the long drive, leaving district sightseeing and further village visits to the route confirmed with your guide.
Stay: Mongar - Explorer: Wangchuk Hotel / Druk Zhongar Hotel; best available stay confirmed before booking.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Mongar to Trashigang to Trashiyangtse Valley
Continue from Mongar toward Trashigang and Trashiyangtse, following the eastern district roads through villages and valley crossings. Your guide arranges short stops around the transfer, explaining how this part of Bhutan differs from the western circuit. The afternoon remains flexible because winding roads can make the journey slower than distance alone suggests. On reaching Trashiyangtse, check into your stay and enjoy a quiet evening, with any further walk depending on daylight and energy.
Stay: Trashiyangtse - Explorer: Chorten Kora Resort / Yangtse Guest House; best available stay confirmed before booking.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Trashiyangtse to Trashigang to Paro
Check out and travel back to Paro using the routing confirmed for your departure dates. Where a domestic flight forms part of the plan, the team coordinates the airport transfers and luggage arrangements. If the journey uses roads, allow a longer travel schedule and the stops shown in your proposal. Settle into your Paro stay on arrival and keep the evening relaxed, with sightseeing arranged only if the transfer leaves sufficient time.
Stay: Paro - Explorer: Hotel Tashiling / Padma Gayul Resort / Tenzinling Resort; Signature: Jonju Boutique / Golden Pheasant / River Front; Luxury: COMO Uma Paro / Amankora / Six Senses.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Tiger's Nest Hike and Paro Sightseeing
Start early for Paro Taktsang, known as Tiger's Nest, and follow the forest trail toward the cliffside monastery. Walk at a comfortable pace, allowing time for the climb, viewpoints and steps near the monastery. After returning to the trailhead, take a break before any further Paro sightseeing; shorter visits depend on your energy and the remaining time. Finish the evening at your hotel or around the town, with dinner and time to rest.
Stay: Paro - Explorer: Hotel Tashiling / Padma Gayul Resort / Tenzinling Resort; Signature: Jonju Boutique / Golden Pheasant / River Front; Luxury: COMO Uma Paro / Amankora / Six Senses.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner as per final plan
Paro to Phuentsholing to Bagdogra / NJP Drop
Leave Paro early for the drive to Phuentsholing, complete the exit process and continue to Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station. This is a long departure day; the team checks the full transfer against your onward ticket before confirming the schedule.
Stay: Departure
Meals: Breakfast as per final plan
Pricing and planning
USD 15,900 / INR ₹15,25,000
- Luxury: USD 15,900 / INR ₹15,25,000. From, per person, twin sharing. Dates, room category and availability are checked again before payment.
Inclusions
- Private vehicle for the itinerary route as per final quote.
- Driver and local coordination support.
- Bhutan permit assistance for Indian travellers where applicable.
- Accommodation in selected Explorer / Signature hotel or homestay category, subject to availability.
- Breakfast and dinner where included in the final hotel plan.
- Route planning, timing guidance and Himalayan Locals WhatsApp support.
Exclusions
- Flights, train tickets or personal travel to Bagdogra / NJP unless quoted.
- Lunches, beverages, personal expenses and optional activities.
- Bhutan site entry tickets unless clearly included. Typical current counter rates: Tiger's Nest approx. Nu/INR 1,000 per person; major dzongs, museums and monasteries approx. Nu/INR 300-500 per person, payable as actuals.
- Extra guide fees, trail costs or local charges unless clearly included.
- Travel insurance, medical expenses or evacuation.
- Weather, road, permit, hotel or vehicle cost changes after quotation confirmation.
- GST or applicable taxes as per final invoice.
Questions before you book
Why is this route checked before confirmation?
The complete Bhutan circuit depends heavily on hotel availability, road timing, season and eastern Bhutan logistics.
Who should book this?
Travellers with enough time who want Bhutan beyond the classic west, including central and eastern valleys.
Can the eastern Bhutan section be shortened?
Yes. We can shorten or soften the eastern section if road timing, flight schedules or guest comfort make the full circuit too heavy.