Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
You'll touch down at Paro International Airport where your tour representative meets you. The drive to Thimphu takes you through some beautiful landscape, stopping at Chuzom to see where the Thimphu and Paro rivers converge. Along the way you'll catch sight of Tschogang Lhakhang temple. Once you check into your hotel, the rest of your day is free to walk around Thimphu's Main Street, check out the local market, and browse traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts at the Local Crafts Bazaar.
- Start point
- Paro, Bhutan (Airport, 10:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Phuntsho Pelri)
Included Activities
- Meet and greet at Paro International Airport
- Stop at Chuzom (confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers)
- View of Tschogang Lhakhang
Optional Activities
- Exploratory walk around Thimphu's Main Street
- Browse Local Crafts Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Chuzom Tschogang Lhakhang Local Crafts Bazaar 
- Day 2
Thimphu
After breakfast you'll take a guided tour through Thimphu valley hitting several key spots. The National Library holds an important collection of Buddhist manuscripts. At the Painting School students train in 13 traditional arts over a 6-year program. The Textile Museum shows off local weaving traditions, and Simply Bhutan gives you a sense of Bhutanese cultural life. You'll have lunch, then head to Pangri Zampa monastery where monks study Lamaism and astrology. Buddha Point offers panoramic views over the city. You'll also visit the Memorial Chorten and Trashichhoedzong before spending your evening in Thimphu city center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Phuntsho Pelri)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour in Thimphu valley
- Visit to The National Library
- Visit to Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School)
- Visit to Textile Museum
- Visit to Simply Bhutan
- Visit to Pangri Zampa monastery
- Visit to Buddha Point (Kensal Phodrang)
- Visit to Memorial Chorten
- Visit to Trashichhoedzong
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Thimphu city center
- Visit local shops and markets
Landmarks/POIs The National Library Institute for Zorig Chusum Textile Museum Simply Bhutan Pangri Zampa Buddha Point Memorial Chorten Trashichhoedzong - Day 3
Thimphu to Gangtey
After breakfast you're heading to Punakha across Dochula Pass at 3,080 meters/10,105 feet. The pass has a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags, with views of the eastern Himalayan peaks if the weather cooperates. You'll see the Druk Wangyel Stupas (hundred stupas) and drive through bamboo and oak forests into Gangtey/Phobjikha valley. After checking in at your hotel, take an evening stroll around Gangtey Village to get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dewachen)
Included Activities
- Cross Dochula Pass
- View of Druk Wangyel Stupas
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll around Gangtey Village
Landmarks/POIs Dochula Pass Druk Wangyel Stupas Gangtey Village 
- Day 4
Gangtey
Following breakfast you'll visit Gangtey Goempa, a monastery sitting on a hill in the valley. It's the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and the largest in Bhutan, surrounded by a village of 140 lay monks' families. You'll explore the wide Phobjikha valley and the remote village of Phobjikha, a winter home for black-necked cranes migrating from Tibet. Stop at the Black Necked Crane Visitor Centre which sits on the forest and wetland edge with telescopes for viewing the cranes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dewachen)
Included Activities
- Visit to Gangtey Goempa
- Explore Phobjikha valley
- Visit to Black Necked Crane Visitor Centre
Landmarks/POIs Gangtey Goempa Phobjikha Valley Black Necked Crane Visitor Centre - Day 5
Gangtey to Punakha
After breakfast you're driving to Punakha to check into your hotel. Punakha Dzong sits at the junction of two rivers and served as the capital until 1955, still functioning as the winter residence for the monk body. You'll take a short walk to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple on a hillock known as the fertility temple where couples come to pray for children. The walk goes through paddy fields and villages, giving you a look at local life, taking about 1.5 hours round trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meri Puensum Resort)
Included Activities
- Visit to Punakha Dzong
- Walk to Chimi Lhakhang (exterior visit)
Landmarks/POIs Punakha Dzong Chimi Lhakhang 
- Day 6
Punakha to Paro
After breakfast you're transferring to Paro, stopping to visit Simtokha Dzong whose sacred shrines offer solace. Once you check into your hotel you'll head to Ta Dzong, originally a watchtower now housing the National Museum with antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, and armor. Then you'll visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels) featuring wooden galleries with fine wall paintings of Buddhist lore including the Four Friends and the Wheel of Life.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paro Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Visit to Simtokha Dzong
- Visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum)
- Visit to Rinpung Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Simtokha Dzong Ta Dzong Rinpung Dzong - Day 7
Paro
After breakfast you're heading out to Taktsang Monastery, one of Bhutan's most famous sites perched on a cliff 900 meters/2,953 feet above the Paro valley. The hike takes about 5 hours. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived on a tigress and meditated here, giving it the name 'Tiger's Nest.' On the way back you can optionally stop at Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress being rebuilt as national heritage with views of Chomolhari mountain. In the evening visit Kyichu Lhakhang, a 7th century temple and one of 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paro Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
Optional Activities
- Stop at Drukgyel Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery Drukgyel Dzong Kyichu Lhakhang - Day 8
Paro
Have your final breakfast at the hotel before heading to Paro International Airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
