Location: Punakha
Top Things to do in Punakha
Top 10 Private Tours in Punakha, Punakha District
Punakha (Dzongkha: སྤུ་ན་ཁ་) is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it takes about 3 hours by car from the capital Thimphu. Unlike Thimphu it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and rice is grown as the main crop along the river valleys of two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu. Dzongkha is widely spoken in this district.
Restaurants in Punakha
1. Bhutan Walking Holidays - Beyond the Clouds
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Paro, Thimphu & Punakha Circuit Tour is the round trip starting and ending in Paro and all about getting acquainted with some amazing places in Bhutan has to offer. Get enthralled by the spectacular and divine ancient architecture, monasteries, temples that go back to as early as 10th century. The tour visits Paro located in deep valley, get a glimpse of modern city -Thimphu and visit the old capital -Punakha. Punakha is great place to explore being the residence of monastic bodies and dig more into Buddhism as it’s the place to inquire about ancient Buddhist relics. The tour gives full insight of the Bhutanese culture mingled with literature, religion, beautiful landscape, great mountain views. The tour is thoughtfully designed covering the important sites of Bhutan and to get maximum value of the traveling time in a short stay in the Dragon Kingdom.
Inclusions: Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Guaranteed to skip the long lines, Private tour, Transport by private vehicle, Bottled water, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee and/or Tea
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Reviewed By sheerin087
I had a very pleasant 13 days tour in Bhutan with WORLD TOUR PLAN. It was very organized and had a thorough itinerary with professional management. The guide was insightful ( fooding, lodging , good communication skills, etc) and a great companion. I had, luscious Bhutanese food at various restaurant. I was in tuned with the nature and the cultural sights that Bhutan had to offer....The night life was very lively and peaceful. I had a great experience and it was a blissful getaway from my busy schedule; thanks to this company. Therefore, i would like to recommend my fellow travelers, aspiring to visit Bhutan to grab the package offered by WTP without a second thought!! Anyhow, I am looking forward for my second visit.
2. Private Multi-Day Bhutan Tour: Paro, Taktsang Monastery, Thimphu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
This private, guided tour explores the heritage and traditions of Bhutan’s timeless culture that still thrive today. 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 from pine forests to hills covered in rhododendrons, magnolias and dwarf bamboo – abundant with birds and wildlife. The centerpiece to this tour is time spent exploring the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, winter home to the rare Black-Necked Crane. This tour also visits ancient fortresses, temples, monasteries, markets, farm houses and museums in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Highlights include the Ta Dzong Museum, Rimpong Dzong,The National Memorial Chorten, 12th century Changangkha Temple, the National Library exhibiting ancient scriptures, Phobjikha Sanctuary and Punakha Dzong.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Professional guide, Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner), Local taxes, Accommodation as per itinerary, 3-star hotels with private bathrooms, Transport by private vehicle, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Private tour, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Excess luggage charges (where applicable), Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Flight Ticket, Travel Insurance
Reviewed By sheerin087
I had a very pleasant 13 days tour in Bhutan with WORLD TOUR PLAN. It was very organized and had a thorough itinerary with professional management. The guide was insightful ( fooding, lodging , good communication skills, etc) and a great companion. I had, luscious Bhutanese food at various restaurant. I was in tuned with the nature and the cultural sights that Bhutan had to offer....The night life was very lively and peaceful. I had a great experience and it was a blissful getaway from my busy schedule; thanks to this company. Therefore, i would like to recommend my fellow travelers, aspiring to visit Bhutan to grab the package offered by WTP without a second thought!! Anyhow, I am looking forward for my second visit.
3. Bhutan Culture Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Thimphu Festival of 6 Nights and 7 Days tour to Bhutan will take you with sightseeing, hiking and Festival tour in the capital of Bhutan. This festival is one of the biggest festivals in the country which is called the Thimphu Tshechu (Festival), held for three days on the month of Octomber. The Thimphu Festival is witnessed by thousands of people, both local and tourists from Regional or International. The actual Festival is preceded by days and nights of prayer and rituals to invoke the gods. Mask dances like the Guru Tshengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche), Shaw Shachi (Dance of the Stags) and many more are performed can be seen in Thimphu Festival.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Use of bicycle
4. Cheap and Quality 7 days 6 nights Bhutan Tour package
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
We provide the hotels and cars of travellers choice and we take utmost care of our travellers. We also make sure its a hassle free trip
Inclusions: Private transportation, Breakfast, Guide
Exclusions: Entry fee to monastries and other areas, Lunch, Dinner
Reviewed By travellersudhas
Journey highlander is run by unprofessional , untrustworthy people-- Omnath Chhetri and Poor employee Januka. We had booked a complete package.They gave vouchers for very good hotels and took good amount of money & once we reached Bhutan , they changed all hotels to distant localities and newly opened cheapest ones. The Driver was supposed to know the itinery and be a guide but HE was ignorant and had no connection with Journey highlander. In ToTo, it was bad bad experience.
5. Glimpse of Bhutan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
This 5 days 4 nights trip will present a true Glimpse of Bhutan and imbibe in you what it takes for a tiny Buddhist Kingdom to emerge as a unique tourist destination. The journey will take you through the hearts of three western districts of Bhutan – Paro, capital city Thimphu and fertile Punakha valley which all exhibits strength and tenacity of a nation known for preserving its ancient Buddhist culture and living in harmony with its pristine natural environment. You will visit major historical and religious centers including 4-5 hour return hike to the most spectacular tourist attraction, Paro Taktsang which was originally built in 1692 on a sheer 800-meter rock cliff and 2 hour hike through the beautiful valley in Punakha. En route to Punakha stop at a sacred mountain pass Dochu La at (3,150m/10,335ft) from where you can see, if weather permits, grand panoramic view of some of the highest snow-capped peaks in Bhutan.
Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Visa Fee & Processing. You'll receive your e-Visa within 3-4 business days., Twin sharing accommodations at 3-star hotels certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan., All ground transportation including round trip airport transfers, English-speaking licensed private tour guide, All internal taxes for the services listed above
Exclusions: Travel insurance. We highly recommend getting insurance. For trekking adventure insurance is a MUST., International Airfares, Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges, Gratuity to guide and driver (optional), Any other expenses of personal nature
Reviewed By Jien F
I visited Bhutan through this company in early March 2020. Mr. Phuntsho of the company had been very prompt and helpful in organizing the trip. He kept the itinerary flexible which allowed me to spend more time at places I loved. I did not have any issues right from the planning of the trip until I left the country. My guide and the drive were a very friendly and I must say they really made my trip one of the best. I highly recommend Bhutan Acorn!
6. Grand Annual Festival of Bhutan - Thimphu Tshechu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Witness one of the largest festivals in Bhutan, Thimphu Tsechu reflecting rich cultural values and unique ancient traditions. Discover the hidden Kingdom of Bhutan, a country that earned its nickname ‘Kingdom of Happiness’ and known for living in complete harmony with nature and the everyday life of its people nurtured by the mindful Buddhist way of life. Go farther beyond the capital city through rugged mountain passes clad in dense forests, beautiful fertile valleys, visit ancient monasteries and fortresses, explore rural Bhutan and taste exotic local cuisine to your heart’s content. Get access to some of the most rural and natural parts of Bhutan, Phobjikha valley at 3000m elevation. In Paro, hike up to the famous Paro Taktsang precariously perched on an 800-meter rock cliff and enjoy a peaceful moment induced by the sacredness of the monastery. For the year 2021, the festival takes place on 16 to 18 Sept so you can plan to arrive on 15, 66 or 17 Sep 2021.
Inclusions: Visa Fee & Processing. You'll receive your e-Visa within 3-4 business days., Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Twin sharing accommodations at 3-star hotels certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan., All ground transportation including round trip airport transfers, English-speaking licensed private tour guide, All internal taxes for the services listed above
Exclusions: Travel insurance. We highly recommend getting insurance. For trekking adventure insurance is a MUST., International Airfares, Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges, Gratuity to guide and driver (optional), Any other expenses of personal nature
Reviewed By Jien F
I visited Bhutan through this company in early March 2020. Mr. Phuntsho of the company had been very prompt and helpful in organizing the trip. He kept the itinerary flexible which allowed me to spend more time at places I loved. I did not have any issues right from the planning of the trip until I left the country. My guide and the drive were a very friendly and I must say they really made my trip one of the best. I highly recommend Bhutan Acorn!
7. Bhutan Honeymoon Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
The roof of the world, the unadulterated Scenic beauty , virgin mountains and the quiet ambiance makes Bhutan the perfect place to plan your honeymoon *Watch the Sunset From Paro Rinpung Dzong in the evening *Romance with the untamed river *Gaze at the stars at the midnight *Have a candle light dinner on mountain top *Take a hike through a solitary forest *Take a Selfie on the Tiger Nest Cliff *Try out different flavor of beer at Namgay artisinary brewery * Make snowman in winter *Visit Chimmi Lhakhang and wish for a healthy child *Rest by a Bonfire *Renew your wedding vows *Hit the blue eye in a local game of archery *Say Hello to Takin, the national game of Bhutan *Take a scenic drive *Dress in Bhutanese costume by choosing your favorite color & take a wonderful Memory back home
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Bhutan Visa, Certified Guide ; Accomodation At 3* Luxury Hotel & All Internal Taxes and Charges
Exclusions: Travel Insurance, International & Domestic Flight
Reviewed By BackPacker366185
I wanted to travel Bhutan for a long time as I had many Bhutanese friends from my college days in Bangalore. I was finally able to pull things together and take out time for this trip to the wonderful Himalayan kingdom in 2018. To my luck I found out that one of my friends, Thinley was operating a travel company in Bhutan and he helped me arrange all the logistics. He arranged a wonderful Bhutan tour for me. The trip was amazing as I was able to meet my good old friends and explore the country of happiness with them. Some of the highlights of my tour are: • The magnificent Tiger’s Nest • Wonderful Paro valley • Excursion to the highest motorable pass of Chele La (3,988 meters) • The serene valley of Ura in Bumthang Bhutan is a paradise of natural beauty and unique culture. Every word that I heard describing this gorgeous stood true. It is a must visit place for anyone who like mountains and nature.
8. The Best of Bhutan Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
This comprehensive itinerary includes many of Bhutan’s most unique attractions, covering diverse aspects of history and cultural in this magical country.
Inclusions: Hotels , Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, Tour guide , Car with driver , Meals
Exclusions: Drinks and beverages , Laundry , Others bills of personal nature , Insurance
Reviewed By KellieMcK
Bhutan Travel Guru was absolutely wonderful to work with. I spent many months working with them to plan a trip for April 2020 for me and 4 of my friends. I am in a wheelchair and 2 of my friends are very active and just hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, so our trip needed to accommodate both ends of the physical activity and capability spectrum. Bhutan Travel Guru worked with me extensively to create an itinerary that worked well for all 5 of us. It was quite an undertaking and they were extremely supportive of all of our needs. Sadly in the end, we had to cancel the trip due to COVID-19. I had worked on the trip for nearly 2 years. It is so heartbreaking to have had to cancel. Now, I do not know if I will ever make it to Bhutan. I sure hope I do. We had already paid in full for our Bhutan trip . Bhutan Travel Guru provided a full refund of all monies paid with no issue whatsoever. I contacted 3 of the travel agencies in Bhutan with top ratings on Tripadvisor. Bhutan Travel Guru was the first to respond and the most thorough to respond, so I chose them. I'm very glad I did. If I am able to travel to Bhutan in the future, I will definitely travel with Bhutan Travel Guru. I just hope they are still around and able to survive the global travel shut down. Such a sad time.
9. Best of Bhutan Tour( Culture- Hikes- Architecture- Short Trek- Festival )
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
This Tour Includes the Best Flavor of Bhutan. It has a mix of Tradition- Culture & Heritage- Beautiful Nature Hikes- Camping-Village Visit, National Park, Adventure , Authentic Bhutanese Experience and Colorful festival. In this 10 days tour you would be witnessing the untouched ancient world where fascinating cultural traditions are just as plentiful as the far reaching views of the Himalayas.
Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Dinner, Bhutan Visa, Accommodation,Camping Equipment, Private transportation, Guide,Taxes, Fees and Charges
Exclusions: Those not included in inclusion
Reviewed By meetad12
We had booked our trip for Bhutan with Bhutan Best In bound. I got a reference through trip advisor itself. Mr. Thinley approached us with all the details and best quote. I got very comfortable with the approach and decided to finally go with Bhutan Best In Bound. But before we finalized the itinerary, I made Thinley answer and solve my 100+ queries. He was patient enough through out the the itinerary planning and did not follow up at all. He gave us enough time to decide and get back to him. My family and I were very comfortable. The itinerary was best and exactly what I was looking for. The best part came when we had to make payment. I was figuring out the mode of payment , Bhutan being treated differently in banking channel in India and it took longer than expected. The date of travelling was approaching too fast but not even once he followed up or dropped an informal inquiry about the payment. That was the best feeling that you are going on a foreign land and the people want you to experience their cultural and get the best experience for you and not necessarily run behind money. Unfortunately, the day before our departure, Bhutan restricted entry for tourist due to COVID 19 and we could not travel to Bhutan. Thinley refunded the entire advance in a short time without me following up for it even once. Bhutan best in bound is an example why Bhutan is called kingdom of happiness because its the people who make it happy place. I have my itinerary ready and as soon as things get back to "new normal" post COVID-19, my family and I will make a trip to Bhutan and that too with Bhutan Best In Bound, no second choice.
10. 8-Day The Happiness Bhutan Cultural Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
This is one of the most popular holidays amongst the Bhutan Cultural Tour packages. The Happiness Bhutan Tour will take you through a cultural extravaganza of the valleys of Western Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Wangdue valleys), Bhutanese cuisine, culture and traditions, stunning landscape and warm and hospitable people.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Lunch, Dinner, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Monumental Fees, , Bhutan Tourism Development Fee , VISA processing Fee
Exclusions: International Air fare, Refreshments and bottled drinks and alcohol, Gratuities, Cost arising out of Flight Cancellation/road blockades/ landslides and events beyond our control, Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost
Reviewed By Jocelynbrock
We had an outstanding trip to Bhutan, even as a global pandemic began to unfold. Our guide Pema and our driver Kencho, were absolutely phenomenal! We met Sonam and Tashi during our trip, and it was clear to us after meeting them, why we were having such a great experience. I highly recommend Bhutan Swallowtail Tours and would DEFINITELY use them again and again.
