Bhutan 2 - 10 October 2025

Your Bhutanese adventure with Food I Am begins after you arrive in Bhutan independently. The flight into Paro is renowned as one of the most spectacular journeys, offering fascinating views of the Paro Valley and the Himalayan Mountains, and an exhilarating descent into the Kingdom.

Bhutan's first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be the cool, clean, fresh mountain air. After completing immigration formalities and collecting your luggage, you'll be met by a Food I Am representative.

After checking in to your luxury heritage hotel, perfectly situated in the Paro Valley, you might like to take the opportunity to explore your surroundings or Paro.

The hallmark of Bhutanese food is the generous use of cheese and chillies. The basic staple foods include red rice and curry, with the most popular curry being Ema Datshi. In Bhutan, chilli is predominantly considered a vegetable rather than a condiment. Today you begin your exploration into Bhutanese cuisine.

Prior to our Bhutanese welcome dinner, we enjoy a traditional Bhutanese cultural performance. Dancers, adorned in traditional attire, elegantly narrate stories from mythology and daily life, accompanied by instruments. These cultural programs preserve and celebrate Bhutanese identity, showcasing its rich heritage and deeply rooted customs.

Accommodation: Luxury Heritage Hotel, Paro (Altitude 2,280m)

Today, we drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, stopping en route at Chuzom, where three distinct stupa styles, Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese, meet at the junction of the Thimphu and Paro rivers.

In Thimphu, modernity blends harmoniously with tradition. This unique city combines contemporary development with ancient customs, showcasing a distinctive architectural style that reflects the nation’s strong national character.

We then visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, a monument built for world peace and dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, which stands as both a memorial to the late King and a symbol of peace, continually circled by people reciting mantras and spinning prayer wheels. We will then enjoy lunch before checking into our hotel.

The Thimpu Tshechu is a vibrant and colourful festival held annually in Bhutan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Rinpoche, the revered founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Today is your lucky day as you get to witness this spectacular event, featuring captivating mask dances performed by monks, traditional music, and religious ceremonies, offering a unique glimpse into Bhutanese culture and spirituality. A photographers paradise!

The festival is held at Trashichhoe dzong (monastery), Bhutan’s ‘fortress of the glorious religion’. This historic site is both the centre of government and religion. Constructed in 1641 by Bhutan’s unifier, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was later faithfully reconstructed in the 1960s using traditional Bhutanese techniques, without nails or architectural plans.

The day concludes with dinner at our hotel.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Thimphu (Altitude 2,400m)

In the morning, we visit the magnificent Buddha Dordenma statue, an impressive 51 metre bronze statue of Shakyamuni, gilded in gold. Inside, 125,000 smaller bronze and gilded Buddha statues emanate an aura of peace and happiness.

We then head to the Ka Ja Throm, previously known as the Centenary Farmers Market. This vibrant market is a feast for the senses, overflowing with colourful fruits, vegetables, and fragrant spices brought in by farmers from across the country.

After lunch, visit the vibrant Craft Bazaar, where you can find unique textiles, handicrafts, and delicious local treats, offering a taste of authentic Bhutanese culture.

We've organised a truly special experience for our group this evening – a meeting with a senior monk. Gain insights into Buddhism and Bhutanese culture through meaningful discussions about philosophy, meditation, and the monk's journey towards enlightenment. This enriching encounter will leave you with a sense of inner peace and a deep connection to Bhutan's spiritual heritage.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Thimphu (Altitude 2,400m)

After breakfast, we embark on a journey to Gangtey, passing through the scenic Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3,088 metres. We'll stop to admire the breathtaking views, featuring chortens, a mani wall, and prayer flags adorning this high-altitude spot.

At Dochula Pass, explore the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 stupas arranged in three tiers, encircling the central main stupa.

Continue to Gangtey, one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places in Bhutan. This spacious valley is a rarity in Bhutan, where most valleys are tightly enclosed. It's renowned for its unique, wide, flat landscape nestled amidst dense forests.

In Bhutan, most people live in charming traditional villages nestled along riverbanks and hillsides, surrounded by terraced fields and pastures. These self-sufficient communities grow their own crops and raise animals for essential food items like meat, butter, cheese, and milk. Houses, resembling Swiss chalets, are crafted from stone, wood, and clay, often adorned with vibrant motifs. These remarkable structures, reaching up to three stories high, are constructed without nails, a feat mirrored in the building of grand dzongs, the heart of community life. Heavy stones secure the shingled roofs against the valley's strong winds. We will take a walk through the Phobjikha Valley and visit a traditional village farmhouse and meet a local family, offering a glimpse into the villagers' lifestyle, culture, and traditions, with an opportunity to try making Suja, the traditional salted butter tea.

Next, we'll visit Gangtey Goemba, the largest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan, perched on a small hill in the Gangtey valley. The monastery is surrounded by a village inhabited by the families of the 140 Gomchens who care for it. You can witness a prayer ceremony at the monastery.

Early evening we check in at our hotel and enjoy dinner in-house tonight.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Gangtey (Altitude 3,000m))

After breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and explore Phobjikha Valley on our way to Punakha, Bhutan's former capital. Nestled in the fertile Punakha valley, blessed by the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, this region yields abundant crops and fruits.

On arrival, we'll check into our hotel and enjoy lunch, before heading out to Punakha Dzong, known as the Palace of Great Happiness, constructed in 1637. Within its walls, you'll discover courtyards and religious sculptures that offer glimpses into the depth of history and spiritual traditions embedded here, providing insights into Bhutan's rich culture.

Later, we'll walk across Punakha Suspension Bridge, spanning 160 metres over the Mo Chu River. With prayer flags fluttering in the wind and the river’s roar below, it offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural significance.

Our hotel is situated in the lush Punakha Valley, surrounded by pine forests and paddy fields. Known as the "Rice Bowl" of Bhutan, Punakha is famous for its rice paddy fields. You might even have the opportunity to help farmers thresh rice during the season.

We'll gather for dinner, savouring home-style Bhutanese cooking.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Punakha (Altitude 1,300m)

After breakfast, there's an option to hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel for spectacular views over the valley.

We'll visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery, beautifully located on a ridge surrounded by pine trees, with stunning views of the Punakha and Wangdue valleys. This temple houses a 14-foot bronze statue and serves as a higher learning and meditation centre for nuns, offering not only religious training but also valuable life skills such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making, and thangkha painting.

At the monastery, you can experience a traditional blessing and butter lamp ceremony (optional), deeply rooted in Buddhist culture. Monks in vibrant robes recite powerful prayers, invoking blessings, protection and guidance. Lighting yak butter lamps symbolises wisdom and dispelling darkness, fostering enlightenment.

Late afternoon, relax at the hotel or perhaps experience a Bhutanese cultural tradition with a hot stone bath. This cherished ritual combines relaxation and therapy as red-hot river stones, infused with medicinal herbs, transform a wooden tub into a soothing aromatic bath. The warmth eases tension, enhances circulation, and promotes well-being. Beyond its physical benefits, this practice connects you to Bhutan's natural healing traditions.

Dinner will be in-house tonight, savouring Ema Datshi, the country's famous spicy cheese and chilli dish, and delectable Momos, steamed dumplings filled with savoury fillings.

Accommodation: Boutique Hotel, Punakha (Altitude 1,300m)

After breakfast, we drive back to Paro via Thimphu, descending from Dochula La. We'll follow the scenic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu River valleys, towards the northern end of the valley.

Paro Valley is a treasure trove of culture and natural beauty. At the northern end of the valley, Mount Chomolhari (7,314m) stands majestically, and its glacial waters flow through deep gorges to create the Paro River. The valley is also renowned for its terraced fields, producing the famous red rice.

Next, a visit to the Ser Bhum Brewery. This family-owned brewery, nestled amidst picturesque scenery, offers a unique glimpse into Bhutanese brewing traditions. We'll enjoy a guided tour of the brewery, learning about the craft of beer-making with local ingredients. The tasting session will allow us to sample their range of handcrafted beers, each with its own distinct flavour.

We'll stop in Thimphu to explore the Textile Museum, highlighting Bhutanese textiles as an art form. The museum is a treasure trove for those interested in Bhutanese textiles. Learn about the various weaving techniques, dyeing processes, and the stories behind each piece. The museum showcases a captivating collection of traditional Bhutanese textiles, including intricate weaves, vibrant fabrics, and exquisite embroidery.

Upon arrival in Paro, we'll enjoy lunch, and then it's free time to stroll around the quaint market streets of Paro. You may like to visit Namgay Artisanal Brewery, an enjoyable experience for brewers and connoisseurs alike.

Accommodation: Luxury Heritage Hotel, Paro (Altitude 2,200m)

After breakfast, we embark on a captivating trek to the Tiger's Nest Monastery, a renowned Bhutanese monastery perched on a cliffside 900 metres above the Paro valley floor. The walk is 6.4km, approximately a 5-6 hours round trip, with stops along the way for morning tea and lunch. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this sacred site, hence its name, "Tiger's Nest". This revered place is a must visit for all Bhutanese, at least once in their lifetime.

We return to our hotel mid afternoon, where you might like to book a well earned massage or a traditional hot stone bath.

As the day nears an end, we come together for our farewell dinner, with a magnificent backdrop of the Paro River and the Himalayas. Here, you'll indulge in a culinary journey that combines the flavours of Bhutan with global influence.

Accommodation: Luxury Heritage Hotel, Paro (Altitude 2,280m)

Wow, where did that time go!

As we bid farewell to the enchanting world of Bhutan, it's hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. While all good things must eventually come to an end, the memories of our extraordinary adventures will linger on.

Savour your final Bhutanese breakfast, allowing the experiences of this remarkable journey to wash over you one last time. It's time to say goodbye to Bhutan.

Your transfer awaits to take you to Paro International Airport.

As we conclude this tour, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for choosing Food I Am Travel as your trusted guide through the wonders of Bhutan. Until we meet again on another culinary and cultural exploration.