Horse riding is one the adventure tour activities we can arrange. You can ride this horseback riding holiday in Bhutan is a perfect way to experience the magnificence and the legend of this Himalayan Kingdom Bhutan at its most glorious, a perfect blend of culture and pristine nature. It gives you a chance to meet people, enjoy the nature with rare glimpse of wildlife and visit the ancient old traditions while traveling through the less frequented areas of Bhutan on a horseback.
Day 1 Arrive Paro By Flight
You will be met at Paro airport and transferred to the hotel for check in and lunch. Once you have settled in you can visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs, and perhaps the finest example of Bhutanese architecture.
Dinner and overnight at Paro in Hotel.
Day 2 Paro
This morning you will walk up to the Taktsang Goemba, known as the Tiger’s Nest monastery, a quintessential Bhutan experience. This hike takes you up to 3100m so hiking boots are recommended! Lunch will be served in teahouse on your return and then you will visit the ancient ruins of Drukgyel Dzong situated at the end of the Paro valley. If time permits you can also visit 7th century Kyechu Lhakhang and Dungtse Lhakhang. Dinner and overnight at Paro in Hotel.
Day 3 Paro – Bumthang By Flight
You will take the early morning domestic flight to Bumthang, and from there drive to Tang Valley where you will meet the horses. After lunch you will have an afternoon ride to the nearby village, where you will have a chance to meet some locals and visit their homes before returning to the guesthouse for the night. Dinner and overnight in Tang in Farm House.
Day 4 Bumthang – Kunzangdra Horse Ride
After breakfast you’ll head to the stables to start your ride. Today you’ll pass through villages and open fields before riding up into the pine forests. There might be a few places where you need to dismount and lead the horses, depending on the terrain. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before reaching the campsite near Kunzangdra. There is a temple and hermitage on the cliff (Kunzangdra Monastery), founded by Pemalingpa in 1488, which you can explore before dinner.
Tonight you will sleep in tents at 3200m and take in the night skies.
Day 5 Kunzangdra – Padselling Horse Ride
Today you will ride through the forests and hillsides as you make your way towards Padselling. You will be staying in the monastery here tonight which is set high up in the mountains, next to a village, with incredible views. You’ll have the chance to explore the local village before returning to the monastery for dinner. On occasion tonight’s accommodation may be in tents.
Day 6 Padselling – Bumthang Horse Ride
This morning you will have a relaxing ride as you make your way downhill. You will be mainly following village roads and trails which provide some great opportunities for a few canters. After visiting Dorjibi village, you will leave the horses behind and take a short drive to the hotel in nearby Jakar. In the evening you can wander around and explore the town of Jakar with your guide. Overnight at Bumthang in Hotel.
Day 7 Bumthang Horse Ride
Today you will ride through some of the local villages, giving you the chance to meet and talk to the very friendly local people as you pass by their homes. As you ride between the villages you are likely to see the farmers ploughing and tending their potato fields. As you meander through the countryside, there are more opportunities to trot and canter as well. Camping overnight, or you will stay in a local homestay with a Bhutanese family.
Day 8 Local Village Horse Ride
After breakfast you will set out on a long ride as you head out for your final day on the saddle. You follow a mountain trail up to the summit of PhaPha at 3600m, where colourful prayer flags hang from branches. You will cross a 3000m pass as you head back towards the stables. Today you will ride through more local villages, giving you the chance to practice any local words or phrases you might have picked up along the tour. Once back at the stables you’ll say goodbye to the horses before heading to a local guesthouse. You can relax in a traditional hot stone bath with a glass of local wine before dinner. Overnight in Farm House
Day 9 Punakha By Road
After breakfast you drive to Punakha, the old capital city, passing through the Trongsa valley. You’ll stop in Trongsa and visit the National Museum and the magnificent Trongsa Dzong, the birthplace of Bhutan’s hereditary monarchy. You continue on, crossing Pele La pass at 3400m, before descending down to valley floor at 1200m in Punakha. Overnight at Punakha in Hotel.
Day 10 Punakha – Thimphu By Road 80 Kms. / 4 hrs. appx.
This morning you will visit Punakha Dzong, ‘The Place of Great Happiness’, built in between two rivers. Afterwards you drive north to make the short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a unique example of this traditional Asian architecture built as a magical tool but the Queen Mother. After lunch you drive to Thimphu, the capital city and visit Tashi Chodzong, the seat of government and monastic body and Memorial chorten. Overnight in Thimphu in Hotel
Day 11 Thimphu – Paro By Road 56 kms. / 1 hr. appx.
In the morning you can visit the sights of Thimphu such as the largest Buddha, painting school, Indigenous hospital, vegetable market, etc. before driving back to Paro in the afternoon. Overnight in Paro in Hotel.
Day 12 Depart Paro By Flight
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight.
Non riders are welcome to join the tour, and will be driven to each new site during the riding portion of the tour.
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
| Places | Night( s) | Hotels / Lodges / Camp |
| Paro | 02 | Gangtey Palace |
| Bumthang | 01 | Farm House |
| Kunzangdra | 01 | Camp |
| Padselling | 01 | Camp |
| Bumthang | 02 | Camp |
| Local Village | 01 | Farm House |
| Punakha | 01 | Damchen Resort |
| Thimphu | 01 | Namgay Heritage |
| Paro | 01 | Gangtey Palace |
– Welcome with fresh flower garlands.
– Meet assist at the airport / train stations.
– 11 nights hotel / Camps / lodge / Guest house accommodation.
– Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
– Horses during the horse ride.
– Assistance staff during horse ride.
– Bhutan Visa.
– Drive from hotel / camp / guest house / lodge to fishing put in point.
– All transfers, sightseeing, excursions by private AC vehicle and driver.
– English speaking guide where necessary.
– All taxes.
– International / Domestic air tickets.
– Tips.
– Items of a personal nature, personal expenses.
– Travel Insurance.
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– Sometimes, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.
