Head out on this amazing tour on Bhutan, woven (no pun intended) just for women! This journey is designed for those with a specific interest in textiles and wonderful backdrop of Bhutan provides the perfect experience. In Bhutan, textiles are considered to be one of the highest forms of art and spiritual expression and there will be plenty of opportunity to interact with local weavers and try your hand on a loom too.  Yoga and meditations sessions  will be hosted in the most stunning locations. Village walks and interactions, handicraft and handlooms, weaver family visits and of course plenty of time for you to enjoy some “me time” in the various spa hotels that you’ll stay at. The tour finishes as you enter India through Guwahati, but can easily end back in Paro.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Visit Kyichu temple in Paro which is one of the oldest and most sacred in Bhutan and receive a blessing from a local monk for the happiest holidays ever
  • Visit the world famous Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery
  • Visit a traditional farm house to gain an insight into village life
  • Witness & participate in an archery demonstration, the national sport of Bhutan  
  • Evening meditation session at Changangkha Lhakhang
  • Yoga sessions in amidst the most amazing landscapes during the tour including a session in a village monastery
  • Spend time at The Zorig Chusum or Arts & Crafts School where they teach hand weaving, embroidery, gold and silversmithing
  • Handmade paper factory visit
  • Walk through the paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the Divine Madman
  • Visit Yathra (hand-woven fabric made of wool of yak and sheep) Weaving Centre
  • Village walk to Khoma Village, home to some of the most famous and expensive woven silk and cotton textiles
  • A visit to a weaving centre operated by the National Women’s Association of Bhutan
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ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1, 2 & 3

Day 1: Paro
Arrive in Paro and transfer to your hotel. Later, visit Kyichu Temple to receive a blessing for your onward journey.

Day 2: Paro
Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery (approx. 5 hours round trip), with visits to a dzong and traditional farmhouses en route. Later, try your hand at archery, Bhutan’s national sport.

Day 3: Thimphu
Begin with meditation and yoga overlooking Tiger’s Nest, followed by a visit to the National Museum. Drive to Thimphu, stopping at Chuzom to see its Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese stupas. In the evening, enjoy a meditation session at Changangkha Lhakhang, with the option to see illuminated Tashichho Dzong.

Day 4 & 5

Day 4: Thimphu
Begin with yoga and a traditional butter lamp ceremony. Visit Pangri Zampa for a blessing from the monks, then enjoy panoramic views over Thimphu Valley.

Day 5: Thimphu
Explore Bhutan’s artistic and cultural heritage at the Arts & Crafts School, where traditional skills such as weaving, painting and carving are taught. Visit a handmade paper factory, Simply Bhutan and the Textile Museum before continuing to the National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong.

Day 6, 7 & 8

Day 6: Punakha
Drive to Punakha via the spectacular Dochu-la Pass, with its prayer flags, chortens and Himalayan views. Walk through paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the famous fertility temple, passing local arts and crafts shops along the way.

Day 7: Gangtey
Journey to the beautiful Gangtey Valley and visit Gangtey Gompa. Later, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail through the peaceful valley landscape.

Day 8: Trongsa
Explore the Phobjikha Valley before driving across the scenic Pele-la Pass to Trongsa, stopping at Chendebji Chorten. Arrive amid spectacular mountain scenery, with Trongsa Dzong dramatically perched above the ravine.

Day 9, 10 & 11

Day 9: Bumthang
Visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong before continuing to Bumthang. Stop at the Yathra Weaving Centre to see traditional handwoven yak and sheep wool textiles.

Day 10: Bumthang
Discover Bumthang’s sacred temples and monasteries, including Kurje, Jambey and Tamshing Lhakhang, and visit Jakar Dzong. Later, meet a local weaving family and learn about their traditional craft.

Day 11: Mongar
Journey east through dramatic mountain scenery, passing sacred Membartsho and Ura village before crossing the high Thrumshing-la Pass. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route, then visit Mongar Dzong and explore the town’s local shops and market.

Day 12, 13 & 14

Day 12: Lhuntse
Today drive 3 hours to Lhuntse which is one of the most rural and isolated districts in Bhutan; also visit the Kurtoe region of Lhuntse which is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal family.

Day 13: Lhuntse
The day is for some wonderful and enjoyable walks through local villages. Walk from to Khoma Village – home for some of the most famous and expensive textiles that are woven in silk and cotton; visit to the weaving area in Gonpa Karpo!

Day 14: Trashigang
Your next destination Trashigang in the far east of Bhutan is 6 hours drive from Lhuntse. Check-in on arrival and afternoon visit the Trashigang Dzong.

Day 15, 16 & 17

Day 15: Trashigang
After breakfast short excursion to Rangjung then later visit Radhi village famous for raw silk. Great place to see the art of women silk weavers at work, Afternoon visit Gom Kora temple.

Day 16: Samdrup Jongkhar
Drive to Khaling (2 hours approx) to visit a Weaving Center operated by the National Women’s Association of Bhutan. Visit the house of a private weaver to see the techniques of Bhutanese dying. Later drive onward to the Bhutanese border town of Samdrup Jongkhar.

Day 17: Option to continue tour of India or this tour can be shortened with return from Bhumthang back to Paro/Thimphu
After breakfast driven to Samdrup Jongkhar border and after entry formalities drive to Guwahati, India (100km, approx 2.1/2 hours’ drive).