Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
You'll land at Paro Airport with those incredible Himalayan backdrops, then meet your Alpine Club of Himalaya guide. After checking into your hotel, the day opens up for exploring Paro's main sites. There's the 15th-century Dungste Lhakang temple, the fortress-monastery Rinpung Dzong, the national museum, and Kichu Lhakhang which happens to be Bhutan's oldest temple. It's a good way to get oriented and start understanding the region's religious and architectural heritage.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dungste Lhakang (15th-century temple)
- Visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress-monastery)
- Visit Paro National Museum
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang (oldest Bhutanese temple)
Landmarks/POIs Dungste Lhakang Ugyen Perli Palace Rinpung Dzong Paro National Museum Kichu Lhakhang 
- Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
Grab breakfast before heading out on the 4-5 hour hike to Taktsang, Bhutan's most sacred monastery sitting on a steep cliff. The valley views from up there are something special, and the hike has a restaurant halfway up where you'll stop for lunch. After making your way back down, you'll drive to Thimphu for the night. It's a physically demanding day but well worth the effort.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at restaurant located halfway up the mountain), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery (approximately 4-5 hours)
- Lunch at mountain restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery Paro Valley 
- Day 3
Thimphu
Thimphu's where you'll spend the day checking out cultural and spiritual landmarks. Start with the National Memorial Chorten, then move on to Drubthob Gonpa and the Zilukha Nunnery. The Tashi Chhoe Dzong is impressive, as is the colossal Buddha Dordenma Statue. You can also visit the Takin Sanctuary and National Library to see ancient manuscripts. Depending on what day it is and what interests you, there's also the Textile Museum, Handicraft Emporium, traditional paper factory, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, and a mini zoo. Note that on weekends some sites close, so you might hit the Weekend Market instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit National Memorial Chorten
- Visit Drubthob Gonpa/Zilukha Nunnery
- Visit Tashi Chhoe Dzong (Fortress of Glorious Religion)
- Visit Buddha Dordenma Statue
- Visit Takin Sanctuary
- Visit National Library
- Visit National Institute of Traditional Medicine
- Visit mini zoo
- Visit Textile Museum (optional based on day/closure)
- Visit Handicraft Emporium
- Visit traditional paper factory
- Visit Weekend Market (if weekend)
Landmarks/POIs 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 Weekend Market - Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, head to Dochula Pass at 3,100m/10,170 feet to see the 108 memorial chortens built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. On clear days the snow-capped Himalayan peaks are visible, including Mt. Masanggang at 7,158m/23,485 feet, Bhutan's highest peak. You'll drive through rhododendron gardens, forests, rice fields and rivers with those panoramic mountain views surrounding you. After lunch, drive to Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and largest fortress-monastery constructed in 1637-1638. The setting of this monastery is particularly striking with its location between two rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dochula Pass and Druk Wangyal Chortens
- Visit Punakha Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Dochula Pass Druk Wangyal Chortens Mt. Masanggang Punakha Dzong 
- Day 5
Wangdue Phodrang - Gangtey - Phobjikha - Punakha
This morning explores Wangdue Phodrang district, one of Bhutan's largest with climates ranging from sub-tropical forests up to snowy regions. Start by visiting Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, a Buddhist monastery built in 1638 on top of a hill. Then drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests heading to Gangtey, a beautiful village enclosed by snow-capped mountains. The Gangtey Monastery at 2,800m/9,186 feet was founded in 1613 and offers views of the Black Mountain ranges and Phobjikha valley. This valley is where rare endangered Black Necked Cranes spend winters during their annual migrations. You'll explore Phobjikha villages and learn about their conservation work, then return to Punakha for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
- Visit Gangtey Monastery (Gangtey Sanga Choeling Goemba)
- Explore Phobjikha villages
Landmarks/POIs Wangdue Phodrang District Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Gangtey Gangtey Monastery (Gangtey Sanga Choeling Goemba) Phobjikha Valley Black Mountain Ranges - Day 6
Punakha to Phuentsholing
Leave early after breakfast for the 7-hour drive to Phuentsholing in southern Bhutan, a quiet town that borders India's Jaigaon. Waterfalls line the scenic route and you'll stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Phuentsholing functions as the administrative seat of Chukha District and runs on significant trade with Indian businesses. It's a peaceful place that offers a different perspective on Bhutan's lowland regions.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served en route at local restaurant), Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Phuentsholing - Day 7
Phuentsholing
After breakfast you have a choice. Either drive 175km back to Paro Airport for a 6-hour journey and catch your international flight, or continue further with an extended tour into Sikkim and Darjeeling. Keep in mind international flights aren't covered in this tour package, so you'll be arranging that separately.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Return to Paro Airport (175km, 6-hour drive)
- Continue tour to Sikkim and Darjeeling
Landmarks/POIs Paro Airport
