Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
You'll arrive in Paro after that mountain flight and connect with your guide. Following lunch, there's time to walk through the National Museum and check out Rinpung Dzong, which has those famous murals throughout. Later you'll head to Thimphu for dinner and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delicious lunch after arrival), Dinner (Delightful dinner in Thimphu)
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum (Ta Dzong)
- Explore Rinpung Dzong fortress-monastery
- Afternoon tour of Paro
- Scenic transfer to Thimphu
Landmarks/POIs National Museum (Ta Dzong) Rinpung Dzong - Day 2
Thimphu
This day focuses on Thimphu's spiritual and cultural side. You'll see the National Memorial Chorten and the 12th-century Changangkha Lhakhang, then move through the Simply Bhutan Museum and the Royal Takin Preserve. Depending on how the timing works out, Tashichho Dzong is also on the list before heading to dinner and your second night in Thimphu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit National Memorial Chorten
- Explore Changangkha Lhakhang (12th century)
- Visit Simply Bhutan Museum
- Explore Royal Takin Preserve
- Visit Drubthob Monastery and Zilukha Nunnery
- Optional visit to Tashichho Dzong (if time allows)
Landmarks/POIs National Memorial Chorten Changangkha Lhakhang Simply Bhutan Museum Royal Takin Preserve Drubthob Monastery Zilukha Nunnery Tashichho Dzong - Day 3
Thimphu
You're heading into Jigme Dorji National Park to combine nature with spiritual sites. The hike goes to Cheri Goemba, a 17th-century monastery with valley views below. Along the way you might spot goral mountain goats and other wildlife. A riverside picnic happens at lunch, and afterward you'll stop at the Choki Traditional Art School before returning to Thimphu for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Peaceful picnic lunch by pristine Thimphu River), Dinner (Delicious dinner in Thimphu)
Included Activities
- Drive through Jigme Dorji National Park
- Hike to Cheri Goemba (17th-century monastery)
- Picnic lunch by Thimphu River
- Visit Choki Traditional Art School
- Riverside trail walk through rural villages
Optional Activities
- Wildlife spotting (takin, snow leopard, red panda, blue sheep, tiger, Himalayan black bear, 300+ bird species)
Landmarks/POIs Jigme Dorji National Park Cheri Goemba Choki Traditional Art School - Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha
After an early breakfast, you'll drive roughly 45 minutes, then start hiking to Tashigang Monastery at 3,200 meters. The trek up takes about two hours through thick forest, bringing you to Lungchotse Lhakhang, an 18th-century temple with sweeping Himalayan views. On the way down you'll pass Dochula Pass and its 108 chortens, then drive about 90 minutes to reach Punakha Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast before departure), Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner in Punakha)
Included Activities
- Hike to Tashigang Monastery (3,200m, built 1786)
- Trek through rhododendron, magnolia, birch, fir, hemlock, and bamboo forests
- Hike to Lungchotse Lhakhang (18th century)
- Visit Dochula Pass with 108 chortens
- Scenic drive to Punakha Valley
Landmarks/POIs Tashigang Monastery Lungchotse Lhakhang Dochula Pass - Day 5
Punakha
Your morning includes visiting Punakha Dzong, that 17th-century structure with intricately carved cypress pillars inside. Then there's a hike through rice fields starting from Yabesa village that leads to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten with valley views. You'll finish with a quiet picnic by the riverside to end the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Peaceful riverside picnic amidst nature's serenity), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Punakha Dzong (17th century, built 1637)
- Hike through rice fields to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
- Peaceful riverside picnic in Punakha Valley
Landmarks/POIs Punakha Dzong Yabesa Village Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten - Day 6
Punakha to Phobjikha Valley
After breakfast you'll pass through Wangduephodrang market town, then climb scenic mountain roads through oak and rhododendron forests heading to Phobjikha Valley. The valley itself has a glacial character that's quite different from lower elevations. You'll explore the crane sanctuary there and see Gangtey Goemba, a 16th-century monastery overlooking the valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pass through Wangduephodrang market town
- Scenic mountain drive through oak and rhododendron forests
- Explore Phobjikha Crane Sanctuary
- Visit Gangtey Goemba (16th-century monastery)
Optional Activities
- Observe black-necked cranes (November to March)
Landmarks/POIs Wangduephodrang Phobjikha Valley Phobjikha Crane Sanctuary Gangtey Goemba - Day 7
Phobjikha Valley
Starting from Longtey Village, you'll hike across Kayche La Pass at 3,700 meters where prayer flags mark the summit and the views open up in all directions. The trek takes you through dwarf bamboo, birch, rhododendron, and fir forests, then down through meadows and farmland into Gangtey Valley. You'll return to Phobjikha by evening for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Warm dinner in Phobjikha Valley)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Longtey Village beyond Pele La Pass (3,420m)
- Hike across Kayche La Pass (3,700m)
- Trek through dwarf bamboo, birch, rhododendron, hemlock, and fir forests
- Descend to Gangtey Valley through meadows and farmland
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching during forest hike
Landmarks/POIs Longtey Village Pele La Pass Kayche La Pass Gangtey Valley - Day 8
Phobjikha Valley to Paro
There's a morning walk through Gangtey village to start, then a seven-hour drive ahead that takes you through Punakha Valley and over Dochu La Pass with Himalayan views the whole way. Late afternoon brings a stop at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples from 659 AD. You'll wander through Paro's streets and market afterward before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast before departure), Lunch, Dinner (Delicious Bhutanese dinner in Paro)
Included Activities
- Morning walk through Gangtey village
- Scenic drive to Paro via Punakha Valley and Dochu La Pass
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (built 659 AD)
- Leisurely stroll through Paro streets and market
Landmarks/POIs Gangtey Village Dochu La Pass Kyichu Lhakhang Paro Market - Day 9
Paro
Early breakfast gets you going for the hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), which sits at 3,120 meters. The hike takes 2-3 hours over 4.5 km with 600 meters of elevation gain, and you'll see the Paro Valley spread out below. Stop at viewpoints through the ancient pine forest along the way. Later that afternoon you'll have dinner at a local family's farmhouse and try a traditional hot stone bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast before departure), Lunch, Dinner (Special dinner hosted by local family in traditional farmhouse with authentic home-cooked Bhutanese dishes)
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - 2-3 hours, 4.5 km, 600m elevation gain
- Views of Paro Valley from ancient pine forests
- Dinner at local family's traditional farmhouse with home-cooked Bhutanese dishes
- Traditional hot stone bath
Optional Activities
- Visit Paro's local pubs for snacks and local brews
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) Paro Valley - Day 10
Paro
You'll start early with breakfast, then drive to Chele La Pass through mixed forests. From there a three-hour hike follows alpine meadows up to Kung Karpo La at 4,100 meters, where the views split between Paro and Haa Valleys. A short steep descent brings you to Kila Gompa Nunnery tucked against cliffs where nuns practice meditation. You'll return to Paro for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast before departure), Lunch, Dinner (Delicious dinner in Paro)
Included Activities
- Scenic drive to Chele La Pass through mixed forests
- 3-hour hike along alpine meadows to Kung Karpo La (4,100m)
- Visit Kila Gompa Nunnery (ancient hermitage with sacred statues)
- Descent through trail with white chortens and mountain streams
Landmarks/POIs Chele La Pass Kung Karpo La Kila Gompa Nunnery - Day 11
Paro Departure
After breakfast your guide and driver will take you to Paro International Airport for departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Paro International Airport
