Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
You'll touch down in Paro after flying through the Himalayas and meet your guide and driver at the airport. Following lunch, check out Ta Dzong Museum and Rinpung Dzong, which sits impressively on a cliff overlooking the valley. Then it's a 1.5-hour drive to Thimphu where your guide explains Bhutanese customs and traditions before dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Local lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ta Dzong Museum - religious relics, artworks, and traditional handicrafts
- Explore Rinpung Dzong - sacred wall paintings and architectural tour
Landmarks/POIs Ta Dzong Museum Rinpung Dzong Paro Valley - Day 2
Thimphu
Spend the day exploring Thimphu's mix of cultural and natural sites. Start with the golden Buddha Dordenma statue, then head to Changangkha Lhakhang temple from the 12th century. See the national takin at the Royal Takin Preserve, visit Drubthob Monastery and Zilukha Nunnery, and grab lunch somewhere in the city. After that, wander through the School of Arts and Crafts, check the National Library, and watch artisans at the Traditional Paper Factory. If there's time left, browse Kaja Throm farmers' market before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Local lunch), Dinner (Bhutanese dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Buddha Dordenma (Buddha Point)
- Explore Changangkha Lhakhang temple
- Tour Simply Bhutan interactive museum
- Visit Royal Takin Preserve
- Explore Drubthob Monastery and Zilukha Nunnery
- Tour School of Arts and Crafts
- Visit National Library
- Visit Traditional Paper Factory
Optional Activities
- Browse Kaja Throm farmers' market
Landmarks/POIs Buddha Dordenma Changangkha Lhakhang Royal Takin Preserve Drubthob Monastery Zilukha Nunnery School of Arts and Crafts National Library Traditional Paper Factory Kaja Throm - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, drive up to Dochu-La Pass at 3,100 meters/10,170 feet for views across the Himalayan range, then head down into Punakha Valley over about 3 hours. Stop in Lobesa and walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple tied to the Divine Madman's story. Grab lunch, then spend time at Punakha Dzong with its hand-carved cypress pillars and the hall where coronations take place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Bhutanese dinner)
Included Activities
- Drive over Dochu-La Pass with Himalayan views
- Walk to Chimi Lhakhang temple in Lobesa
- Tour Punakha Dzong - Palace of Great Happiness
Landmarks/POIs Dochu-La Pass Chimi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong - Day 4
Punakha to Paro
Starting after breakfast, drive to Yabesa village and hike through rice fields to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which sits on a hillside with intricate painted details inside. You'll have a riverside picnic surrounded by the landscape, then travel toward Paro. On the way, stop at a viewpoint to see Simtokha Dzong, built back in 1627 and Bhutan's oldest fortress.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Riverside picnic), Dinner (Bhutanese dinner)
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten from Yabesa village
- Riverside picnic
- View Simtokha Dzong from panoramic viewpoint
Landmarks/POIs Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Simtokha Dzong - Day 5
Taktsang Monastery
Hike to Taktsang Monastery, known as Tiger's Nest, which rises nearly 1,000 meters above Paro Valley through pine forests and past prayer flags. The trail takes roughly 2 hours, and the monastery sits 900 meters up on a cliff where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century. Stop at a teahouse on the way back down for lunch or tea while taking in the valley views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Refreshments or lunch at teahouse), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - approximately 2 hours
Optional Activities
- Horse ride to viewpoint (approximately $30 one-way)
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery - Day 6
Departure from Paro
Board your flight out of Bhutan and head to your next destination. You'll leave with memories of mountain landscapes, sacred sites, and the country's unique culture.
