Ladies Only Bhutan Tour - 9 Days/8 Nights - 26 MAY - 03 JUN 27
Page updated: 07 May 2026
Introduction:
Our most popular private Bhutan tour has now been adapted for a ‘Ladies Only’ Bhutan small group tour for a maximum of just 8 persons.
- The ‘Ladies Only’ Bhutan small group tour dates are 28MAY-05JUN 2027 (8 nts) & the tour features the most important sights in Thimphu city; the remote beauty of the Phobjikha valley, incl a Bhutanese Cooking Demonstration; the splendour of the magnificent Punakha Dzong and, finally a special pilgrimage hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest) in Paro.
- This tour optimises valuable time to see the best sites in each valley while providing enough leisure opportunities to unwind and mix with the locals.
- Tour participants must be fit enough to be able to climb a steep set of stairs to gain entry to the magnificent Punakha Dzong and we recommend a moderate level of fitness to undertake the included hiking, most of which is rated ‘Easy’.
About our ladies only small group tour.
Tour Itinerary Overview.
- 2 nights Thimphu with exploring, hiking & shopping.
- 2 nights Phobjikha valley for hiking and exploring.
- 2 nights Punakha valley with hiking, Monastery & Dzong visits.
- 2 nts Paro valley with Taktsang Monastery hike, shopping & exploring.
PRICE: US$3698.00 pp twin/dbl share
Why Book with Bhutan & Beyond?
- Bhutan & Beyond offers 23 years experience, service & knowledge.
- Only a maximum of 8 persons can join this tour… & ‘Ladies Only’.
- Maximise your Bhutan experience with one of our top rated Bhutanese lady guides.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant Buddhist culture of Bhutan.
- We offer a ‘Full Board’ tour, meaning all meals are included, at both hotels and local restaurants, plus entry fees to all of our included site visits.
- A perfect mix of standard Bhutanese 3+star hotels in Thimphu & Punakha, a 4-star glamping resort in Phobjikha and culminating with a 5-star luxury resort in Paro.
- An exceptionally well constructed itinerary ensuring the best mix of scenic driving & valley exploring.
- We provide a comprehensive pre-departure planning kit. (regularly updated)
- Experts at combining Bhutan with India & Nepal
- ATIA Accredited via our parent company MTA Travel.
- Access to our exclusive travel app COMPANION.
OR CALL THE BHUTAN TRAVEL EXPERTS:
James – 0412 416 111, Nicola – 0413 598 669
Bhutan Land Tour Package Inclusions:
- English speaking lady guide & separate driver with private minibus/small coach.
- All touring & transfers throughout your journey.
- Bhutanese style 3* hotels with private bathrooms for 4nts.
- 4* Gangtey Tent Resort with private bathrooms for 2nts
- 5* Zhiwaling Heritage Resort – junior suite room for 2nts
- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) & two 500 ml bottles of water per person daily.
- All sightseeing/exploring & hiking as per the tour itinerary.
- All site visit entrance fees as per the tour itinerary.
- Bhutan visa fees & processing.
- Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) & local Bhutan taxes.
- Bhutan & Beyond bank transfers for payments to Bhutan suppliers.
- Professionally operated by Bhutan Tourism Corp Ltd. (BTCL)
- Comprehensive Trip Planner & full support from Bhutan & Beyond.
Your Bhutan Land package Excludes:
- International airfares to/from Bhutan.
- Personal bank charges incurred making payments to Bhutan & Beyond.
- Personal items – laundry, drinks, designer coffee’s, tel calls, tips etc.
- Travel Insurance – essential when travelling to Bhutan.
Available On Request
- Single Room Supplement – Please add US$ 731.00
- Upgrade to Business Class to/from Paro.
- Ex-Australia Stopovers & Additional Asian Arrangements
Cancellation Conditions Land Tour:
- Deposit date until 60 days prior arrival in Bhutan – Land tour deposit is refundable less B&B service fees.
- 60 days or less prior to arrival in Bhutan – No land tour refund permitted.
Please note: – These conditions cover land travel arrangements only & not airfares, which are subject to their own cancellation/amendment conditions.
Wednesday 26 May:
Paro Valley to Thimphu Valley (1 hr 30 mins, alt 2350 m)
After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your BTCL guide and driver and transferred to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu. Travelling through the spectacular countryside, en-route make a stop at the Tachogang Lhakhang (iron bridge).
On arrival into Thimphu take lunch at a local restaurant.
Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Thimphu, including a circumambulation (with the locals) of the National Memorial Chorten; marvel at the exquisite fabrics and dress at the celebrated Royal Textile Academy, and visit the Takin Preserve – home to Bhutan’s most unusual national mammal.
Later, check in at the hotel and the remainder on the afternoon/evening is ‘at leisure’.
Dinner is at the hotel tonight at your leisure between 7-9 pm.
Thursday 27 May:
Exploring Thimphu.
After breakfast in the hotel (between 7-9 am), today we visit the following essential Thimphu sites:
An early start for The Buddha Dordenma statue located at Kuenselphodrang (just outside the city). The statue is made of bronze and gilded in gold. It is considered the largest Buddha Dordenma statue in the world and now houses an internal Lhakhang containing over 25,000 miniature Buddha’s.
Next, take an excursion up the Thimphu valley, to the Dordena Monastery, via a ‘drive by’ of the majestic Trashichhoe Dzong, Royal Residences and Supreme Court buildings, followed by a light and easy 45 minute hike from the BBS Tower to the Wangditse Monastery, with great Thimphu Valley views along the way, before lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon, visit the recently renovated Folk Heritage Museum, before a wander through the Kaja Throm market and along Thimphu’s main street, Norzin Lam, which also features the Craft Bazaar, showcasing authentic Bhutanese handicrafts from various regions of the Kingdom.
Thimphu now has a vibrant ‘coffee culture’ and you are free to take time to people-watch from a local cafe, before returning to the hotel.
Dinner is at the hotel tonight at your leisure between 7-9 pm.
Overnight Thimphu – Phuntshopelri Hotel
Friday 28 May:
Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley (4.5 hrs drive time, alt 2900 m)
After breakfast in the hotel (between 7-9 am), check out and this morning you will be transferred by road eastwards to the Phobjikha Valley. En-route pass the Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 & the oldest fortress of its kind that originally guarded the Thimphu valley. Today it is a monastery.
Continue ascending to Dochu La (pass) to view the 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the low intensity conflict in late 2003, when Bhutan evicted militant insurgents camped in the jungle on the Bhutan – Indian border. On a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya. (named the Jigme Singye Wangchuck Himalayan range).
When the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong comes into view notice the large cacti that cover the hillside below. These were planted long ago to discourage invaders from climbing the steep slope to the Dzong. From the road view Rinchengang, one of Bhutan’s oldest villages, which did not have access to water, electricity or schooling until the early 1990’s. The craftsmen of Rinchengang are sought after for their skills in construction of Dzongs and Lhakhangs (temples).
Take lunch at a local restaurant en-route to Phobjikha today.
Potatoes are Phobjikha’s primary cash crop and mainly exported to India. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan. Furthermore it is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country. It is the winter home (late October to early February) of the rare black necked crane which annually flies in from Tibet. There are also muntjaks (barking deer), wild boar, sambar, Himalayan black bear, leopard and red foxes.
On arrival in Phobjikha, take an hour to hike the Gangtey Nature Trail, an easy rated walk through open forest and open valley, before checking in at GTR.
Dinner is at the hotel tonight at your leisure between 7-9 pm.
Saturday 29 May:
Exploring in Phobjikha.
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning in Phobjikha you will visit the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Centre and the sacred Gangtey Monastery, via a wander through the very traditional Gangtey village. Later this morning try your hand at Bhutan’s traditional sports of archery & kuru (darts) at GTR.
At 12 noon enjoy a Bhutanese Cooking Demonstration, before lunch at GTR.
This afternoon, either take an easy, flat hike through the remote Phobji area further up the valley, where you can hike through temples, farm houses and small villages; or alternatively take the afternoon at leisure and perhaps enjoy a traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath.
OPTIONAL: Join the monks for a prayer session at ‘The Shedra’; a nearby university for higher learning of Buddhism for monks. Morning prayers are from 0530-0620 and Evening Prayer Sessions are 6.30pm-7.30pm. A small donation to the Shedra is all that is expected (say BNU500 / USD6.00).
Dinner is at the hotel tonight at your leisure between 7-9 pm.
Overnight Phobjikha Valley – Gangtey Tent Resort
Sunday 30 June:
Phobjikha Valley to Punakha Valley. (2.5+ hrs, alt 1200 m)
Breakfast at GTR then check out before departure this morning to the Punakha Valley, which holds the title as the winter capital because of its more temperate climate.
Arriving into Punakha visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman or Mad Monk), which is a pleasant 20 minute walk across paddy fields. It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing) from the resident monk.
Take lunch at a local restaurant before further exploration of the valley. This includes the Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang & Nunnery, followed by an excursion along a delightful lane to the small village of Talo. Here you can wander through the serene grounds of the monastery with its beautiful gardens.
Time and weather permitting, cap the day off with a light, easy, flat & very scenic 1 hr hike from Siew Drangsa to the Punakha Dzong viewpoint, from where you are picked up and return to the resort late afternoon.
Dinner at the hotel tonight at your leisure between 7-9 pm.
Monday 31 May:
Exploring in Punakha.
Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning enjoy a hike across the Punakha suspension bridge, the longest in Bhutan, before visiting the dramatic Punakha Dzong, which formerly served as the seat of the government and is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body). Furthermore it is an excellent example of how a medieval fortress, and a centre of both monastic and administrative functions, has evolved for modern day use.
Take lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon embark on a fascinating hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten. The hiking trail is through fields of vegetables, rice paddies and tiny hamlets. This Chorten holds very special significance, being consecrated in 1999 and dedicated to the protection of the former Crown Prince – today’s current King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Finally, time permitting visit Kaja Throm the daily produce market in Punakha.
Dinner at the hotel tonight at your leisure between 7-9 pm.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Zhingkham Resort
Tuesday 01 June:
Punakha Valley to Paro Valley (4 hrs, alt 2250 m)
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out before your departure westwards to the Paro Valley, once again traversing Dochu La and arriving in Paro for late lunch at a local restaurant.
This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of the major features in Paro town, including the Rinpung Dzong with its cantilever bridge, and ‘Ta Dzong’ the National Museum housed in an ancient watch tower above the Dzong. Here you will view the fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, dress, textiles, weapons and other artefacts, before checking in to the delightful Zhiwaling Heritage Resort (5 star). Take the remainder of the afternoon to explore the resort incl its spa, meditation hut, indoor pool, gym and private lhakhang (temple).
Dinner tonight at Zhiwaling Resort at your leisure between 6-10 pm.
Wednesday 02 June:
Hiking & Exploring in the Paro Valley.
A very early breakfast from 06.00am this morning.
Early this morning take a pilgrimage hike to the very revered Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tigers Nest. All Bhutanese Buddhists strive to make this pilgrimage at least once in their lives. Each step they take on the trail accrues merit points for their future lives. Choose between a 1.5 hour round trip hike to the Monastery viewpoint, or a longer 5 hour (and more strenuous) hike into the Monastery itself.
Tigers Nest clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 800 m above the valley floor and is where Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to subdue the local demons. That was followed by 3 months meditation in a cave still visible in the monastery. In 1998 the monastery was seriously damaged by fire and has since been painstakingly reconstructed to its original condition and consecrated by the 4th King in 2005.
Take lunch descending on the hiking trail at the Taktsang cafe, specialising in Bhutanese vegetarian meals.
Returning from the hiking trail, pay a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang – one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples, boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit.
Return to the Zhiwaling Heritage Resort to relax for the remainder of the afternoon.
Dinner tonight at Zhiwaling Resort at your leisure between 6-10 pm.
Overnight Paro Valley – Zhiwaling Resort
Thursday 03 June:
Day of Departure - Paro At Leisure.
Take breakfast at Zhiwaling (6-10 am) and check out of the resort by 10.00am. Your onwards flight departure time will determine when your airport transfer is scheduled for today.
If you are departing Paro Airport later in the day you can avail further time in Paro town this morning to enjoy extra time to shop or explore Paro further, before lunch at a local restaurant.
You will be transferred to Paro Airport in time for your onwards flight.
Farewell to beautiful Bhutan.
