Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
Your driver meets you at Paro airport and takes you to the hotel. After grabbing lunch, you'll check out Ta Dzong, a watchtower dating back to 1656 that's now home to the National Museum. From there, head to Rimpung Dzong nearby, a 17th-century fortress that serves as the valley's center for civil and religious matters. A welcome dinner follows before you settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum)
- Visit Rimpung Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Ta Dzong Rimpung Dzong - Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
Early on you'll drive 16 km up the valley toward Taktsang Monastery and Drukgyal Dzong ruins. On clear days, Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m) comes into view. Stop at Kichu Lhakhang on your way back, then grab lunch at the Taktsang Jakhang cafeteria before walking to Taktsang Monastery, which sits on a cliff 900 meters above the valley. You'll also visit Tamchog Monastery, then drive to Thimphu for dinner and your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at Taktsang Jakhang cafeteria), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Taktsang Monastery
- Visit Drukgyal Dzong ruins
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang
- Visit Tamchog Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery Drukgyal Dzong Kichu Lhakhang Mt. Jhomolhari Tamchog Monastery - Day 3
Thimphu
After breakfast, start at the National Memorial Chorten and Dupthop Lhakhang nunnery. Then you'll see the National Library's collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Painting School where traditional Thangka art is created. Following lunch, visit the Traditional Medicine Institute, observe royal silver smiths at work, tour a Bhutanese paper factory, and walk through Tashichho Dzong, the government seat. Stop by the Handicrafts Emporium to pick up souvenirs before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit National Memorial Chorten
- Visit Dupthop Lhakhang
- Visit National Library
- Visit Painting School
- Visit Traditional Medicine Institute
- Visit Lungtenzampa (silver smiths and paper factory)
- Visit Tashichho Dzong
- Visit Handicrafts Emporium
Optional Activities
- Shopping for souvenirs in Thimphu shops
Landmarks/POIs National Memorial Chorten Dupthop Lhakhang National Library Painting School Traditional Medicine Institute Tashichho Dzong - Day 4
Thimphu
Your morning takes you to the Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang, and the Philatelic office. After lunch, you'll hike up to Cheri Monastery. Return to the hotel for dinner and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Folk Heritage Museum
- Visit Textile Museum
- Visit Changangkha Lhakhang
- Visit Philatelic office
- Hike to Cheri Monastery
Landmarks/POIs Folk Heritage Museum Textile Museum Changangkha Lhakhang Cheri Monastery - Day 5
Thimphu to Punakha
You'll drive to Punakha by way of Dochula Pass, stopping to see the Higher Himalayas if skies are clear. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century temple built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Later, after lunch, explore Punakha Dzong, a 1637 fortress sitting between two rivers that once served as the government seat. Stay overnight at Punatsangchhu Cottages or a similar property.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dochula Pass viewpoint
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang
- Visit Punakha Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Dochula Pass Chimi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong - Day 6
Punakha to Gangtey
Drive toward Gangtey valley and stop to explore Wangdiphodrang and its 1638 Dzong (viewed from outside) at the confluence of two rivers. Continue to Gangtey for a visit to Gangtey Gompa Monastery, a 1613 Nyingmapa monastery. Spend time in Phobjikha valley, known for Black Necked Cranes that appear during winter months.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- View Wangdiphodrang Dzong (from outside)
- Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery (from outside)
- Explore Phobjikha valley
Landmarks/POIs Wangdiphodrang Dzong Gangtey Gompa Monastery Phobjikha Valley - Day 7
Gangtey to Bumthang
The drive takes you to Trongsa where you'll visit the Dzong, considered the most impressive fortress in Bhutan and built in 1644 as the ancestral home of the Royal Family. Explore the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower with its chapel honoring Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. After lunch, continue driving to Bumthang for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Trongsa Dzong
- Visit Ta Dzong (Trongsa)
Landmarks/POIs Trongsa Dzong Ta Dzong (Trongsa) - Day 8
Bumthang
Start at Jakar Dzong, called the 'Castle of White Bird' and built in 1667, then head to Jambay Lhakhang, a 659 AD temple constructed on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. Following lunch, visit Kurjey Lhakhang named after Guru Rimpoche's body print, then Tamshing Lhakhang, the most important Nyingmapa temple from 1501. In the evening, see Membarstho, also known as 'The Burning Lake'.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Jakar Dzong
- Visit Jambay Lhakhang
- Visit Kurjey Lhakhang
- Visit Tamshing Lhakhang
- Visit Membarstho
Landmarks/POIs Jakar Dzong Jambay Lhakhang Kurjey Lhakhang Tamshing Lhakhang Membarstho - Day 9
Bumthang to Thimphu
Have an early breakfast, then drive back to Thimphu with lunch along the way. Once you arrive, have dinner and settle in for the night in Thimphu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served on the way), Dinner
- Day 10
Thimphu
An early morning transfer takes you to the airport for your return flight.
