Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Paro
You'll land at Paro airport with the Himalayas right there in front of you. After meeting your Alpine Club of Himalaya guide, head to your hotel and get settled. From there, check out some of Paro's key sites like the 15th-century Dungste Lhakang temple, Rinpung Dzong (a fortress-monastery), the National Museum, and Kichu Lhakhang, which is Bhutan's oldest temple. It's a good way to ease into the trip and get your bearings.
Included Activities
- Visit Dungste Lhakang (15th-century temple)
- Visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress-monastery)
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang (oldest temple in Bhutan)
Landmarks/POIs Dungste Lhakang Ugyen Perli Palace Rinpung Dzong National Museum (Paro) Kichu Lhakhang - Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
After breakfast, you'll start a 4-5 hour hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. This sacred monastery sits on a steep cliff overlooking the Paro Valley below. There's a lunch break halfway up the trail to refuel. Once you've come back down, drive to Thimphu for the night. It's a full day but the views from the top make it worth it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Served at restaurant located halfway up the mountain)
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
- Lunch at mountain restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery Paro Valley - Day 3
Thimphu
Start by driving to the BBS Television Broadcasting Tower, then hike for about an hour to reach Wangditse Monastery. From there you'll see Tashichho Dzong, Samtenling Palace, and Dorje Drak meditation retreat. Back in Thimphu, visit the National Memorial Chorten, Drubthob Gonpa and Zilukha Nunnery, Tashi Chhoe Dzong, and the Buddha Dordenma Statue. If time allows, check out the Takin Sanctuary, National Library, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, mini zoo, or the Textile Museum and Handicraft Emporium.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Wangditse Monastery
- Visit National Memorial Chorten
- Visit Drubthob Gonpa/Zilukha Nunnery
- Visit Tashi Chhoe Dzong (Fortress of Glorious Religion)
- View Buddha Dordenma Statue
- Visit Takin Sanctuary
- Visit National Library with ancient manuscripts
- Visit National Institute of Traditional Medicine
- Visit mini zoo
- Visit cultural heritage buildings
Optional Activities
- Visit Textile Museum
- Visit Handicraft Emporium
- Visit traditional paper factory
Landmarks/POIs BBS Television Broadcasting Tower Wangditse Monastery Tashichho Dzong Samtenling Palace Dorje Drak meditation retreat National Memorial Chorten Drubthob Gonpa/Zilukha Nunnery Tashi Chhoe Dzong Buddha Dordenma Statue Takin Sanctuary National Library National Institute of Traditional Medicine Textile Museum Handicraft Emporium - Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Dochula Pass at 3,100 meters to see the 108 memorial chortens called Druk Wangyal Chortens, with snow-capped Himalayan peaks including Mt. Masanggang in view. Hike 2 hours to Lungchutse Monastery and come back to the pass. Have lunch, then drive through rhododendron forests and stop at Metshina Village for a 20-minute walk through rice fields to the Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple. You'll stay overnight in Punakha.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Dochula Pass with 108 memorial chortens (Druk Wangyal Chortens)
- Hike to Lungchutse Monastery
- Walk through Metshina Village rice fields
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang (fertility temple)
Landmarks/POIs Dochula Pass Druk Wangyal Chortens Mt. Masanggang Lungchutse Monastery Metshina Village Chimi Lhakhang - Day 5
Punakha to Paro
Head out early and drive 12 km north of Punakha for a hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. You'll cross a suspension bridge, walk through rice fields, and climb a moderate trail to this unique temple that was built using holy scriptures rather than engineering plans. The Punakha Valley views from up there are great. On the way back, stop at Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's second oldest and second largest dzong built in 1637. Drive back to Paro for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Cross suspension bridge and walk through rice fields
- Visit Punakha Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Punakha Valley Punakha Dzong - Day 6
Departure from Paro
Start early with breakfast, then drive about 1 hour to Paro Airport for your departure. Druk Air typically leaves in the morning to steer clear of bad weather, so you'll want to be ready and at the airport in plenty of time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
