Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
You'll arrive at the airport where someone greets you with a traditional scarf, then get driven into town for welcome tea. From there, check out Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple built way back in 629 AD, and walk through Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong museum to get your first taste of the culture. After about an hour's drive to Thimphu, the rest of the evening is yours to wander around the capital.
- Start point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Welcome tea and refreshment at airport
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang temple (629 AD)
- Visit Rinpung Dzong
- Visit Ta Dzong museum
Optional Activities
- View from old-road airport view-point
- Free roaming around Thimphu town
Landmarks Kichu Lhakhang Rinpung Dzong Ta Dzong 
- Day 2
Thimphu to Punakha
Stop at Dochula Pass (3,150m/10,335 ft) to see the Himalayan mountains and walk around the 108 stupas. Then head to Punakha Dzong, which sits between two rivers. You'll cross a 200m suspension bridge over Phochu River to reach Gidagom village, and later do an easy hike through Metshina village toward Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple with a unique history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Stop at Dochula Pass for mountain views
- Stroll around 108 stupas at Dochula Pass
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Walk suspension bridge above Phochu River to Gidagom village
- Easy hike to Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple
Landmarks Dochula Pass Punakha Dzong Chimi Lhakhang 
- Day 3
Punakha to Bumthang
The drive takes you through mountains via Trongsa, passing Pele La Pass (3,300m/10,827 ft) where you'll likely see yaks. You'll move through Rukubji valley with its mustard and grain fields, walk around Chendebji Chorten white stupa, see Trongsa Dzong from a distance, and cross Yotong La Pass (3,425m/11,234 ft). Later, visit the Yathra weaving center in Chumey valley before arriving in Bumthang.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Pele La Pass for mountain views
- Circumambulate Chendebji Chorten
- View Trongsa Dzong from Tangsibji
- Cross Yotong La Pass
- Visit Yathra weaving centre in Chumey valley
- Stroll around Bumthang town
Landmarks Pele La Pass Chendebji Chorten Trongsa Dzong Yotong La Pass 
- Day 4
Bumthang
Start at Jakar Dzong, one of the largest fortresses here with walls stretching about 1km around. After lunch, hike to several ancient temples including Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Pema Sambha Lhakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang while your guide tells their 8th-century stories. Late afternoon brings a hike to Menbar Tsho, the holiest lake where people believe wishes come true. You'll also visit Wangdichholing Palace, the first palace of the current dynasty, then have the evening free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Jakar Dzong
- Hike to Jambay Lhakhang
- Visit Kurjey Lhakhang
- Visit Pema Sambha Lhakhang
- Visit Tamshing Lhakhang
- Short hike to Menbar Tsho (burning lake)
- Visit Wangdichholing Palace
Optional Activities
- Free roaming around villages and valley in evening
Landmarks Jakar Dzong Jambay Lhakhang Kurjey Lhakhang Pema Sambha Lhakhang Tamshing Lhakhang Menbar Tsho Wangdichholing Palace - Day 5
Bumthang to Phobjikha
The drive brings you through different vegetation zones from alpine to subtropical to glacial landscape. You'll arrive at Phobjikha, a glacial valley where rare Black-necked cranes roost. A one-hour hike through Blue-pine forest takes you to Kewa village for homemade tea and local snacks at someone's home. The afternoon is free to either walk around the village or relax at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nature trail hike across Blue-pine forest to Kewa village
- Homemade tea and local snacks at village home
Optional Activities
- Free to walk around village
- Drive to hotel for rest
Landmarks Phobjikha Valley - Day 6
Phobjikha to Thimphu
Head out at dawn for a valley walk and sunrise. Stop at Drukwangyel Cafe for lunch with mountain views before continuing to Thimphu. After settling in and resting, visit the giant Buddha Dordenma Statue for city views, then walk around the Memorial Chorten, a favorite spot for locals to pray. You'll have free time that evening before dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue
- Circumambulate Memorial Chorten
- Dinner at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Dawn walk through green valley to enjoy sunrise
Landmarks Buddha Dordenma Statue Memorial Chorten - Day 7
Thimphu
Sleep in and have breakfast whenever you're ready. Drive to Sangay-gang to see the Takin, Bhutan's national animal in captivity, and enjoy panoramic valley views from this romantic point. A one to two hour hike through blue pine forest to Choekhortse goemba follows. Later, create personalized postage stamps at the General Post Office, check out Zorig Chusum school for traditional arts, browse the Craft Bazaar, visit Tashichhoe Dzong, and stop at the Farmers Weekend Market. Your evening is free.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Sangay-gang to see Takin
- Choekhortse hike (1-2 hours)
- Visit General Post Office
- Visit Zorig Chusum school for traditional arts and crafts
- Browse Craft Bazaar
- Visit Tashichhoe Dzong
- Visit Farmers Weekend Market
Landmarks Sangay-gang Choekhortse Goemba General Post Office Zorig Chusum Tashichhoe Dzong Farmers Weekend Market - Day 8
Thimphu to Paro
Drive to Chelela Pass (3,810m/12,497 ft) for views of Mt. Chomolhari (7,134m/23,406 ft). An easy 1.5 hour walk on an ancient trail through tall alpine trees leads to Kila Gomba, Bhutan's oldest nunnery where you can learn about the nuns' spiritual lives (or drive up if you prefer). Have a picnic lunch before heading to Paro valley. You can visit remote monasteries like Dzongdakha or spend the afternoon at a leisurely pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Drive to Chelela Pass
- Easy walk to Kila Gomba, oldest nunnery
Optional Activities
- Drive up to Kila Gomba (optional instead of walking)
- Visit Dzongdakha monastery
- Leisurely afternoon at own pace
Landmarks Chelela Pass Mt. Chomolhari Kila Gomba Dzongdakha Monastery - Day 9
Paro
After breakfast, spend the day hiking the forested path to Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery hanging off sheer cliffs 900m above Paro valley. The steep climb takes about four to five hours round trip. Grab lunch at the hillside cafe with views of the monastery. By evening, experience an authentic Bhutanese farewell dinner at a village home with local liquor called Ara. You can also try a hot stone bath if you want, where heated river rocks get dunked into a wooden tub with herbs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at hillside cafe with close Tiger's Nest view), Dinner (Authentic Bhutanese farewell dinner at typical village home with local liquor called Ara)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
- Lunch at hillside cafe with Tiger's Nest view
- Authentic Bhutanese farewell dinner at village home
Optional Activities
- Hot stone bath
Landmarks Taktsang Monastery - Day 10
Departure from Paro
Your representative will say goodbye to you at the airport. Tashi Delek!
- End point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
