Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
You'll arrive in Bhutan with incredible flight views of the eastern Himalayas and five of the world's highest peaks visible from the plane. After checking into your hotel, you'll head to Paro Rinpung Dzong in the traditional center where you can photograph the valley and monks moving through the courtyard. Later in the evening, you'll return for a celebratory dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Celebratory meal)
Included Activities
- Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and photograph the valley
- Photograph monks in the dzong's courtyard
Landmarks/POIs Paro Rinpung Dzong Cho Oyu Mount Everest Lhotse Makalu Kanchenjunga - Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
The drive to Thimphu takes you through the country with several photo stops where you can capture traditional Bhutanese culture mixed with modern influences. You'll visit Dechenphodrang monastery to photograph red-robed monks, and if time works out, you can see Tashichoe Dzong as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dechenphodrang monastery and photograph red-robed monks
- Photograph colorful market and people in Thimphu
- Visit Tashichoe Dzong (if time permits)
Landmarks/POIs Dechenphodrang Monastery Tashichoe Dzong - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
Get up early to photograph Buddha Dordema statue at sunrise, then drive toward Punakha with a stop at Dochu La pass where you'll have hot coffee while viewing the panoramic Himalayan ranges and 108 stupas. After that, you'll see the striking Punakha Dzong, then explore Sopskha valley, local villages, and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Photograph Buddha Dordema statue at sunrise
- Stop at Dochu La and photograph 108 stupas with Himalayan ranges
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Explore Sopskha valley villages
- Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery
Optional Activities
- Sip hot coffee at Dochu La cafeteria
Landmarks/POIs Buddha Dordema Statue Dochu La Punakha Dzong Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery Pho Chhu Mo Chhu - Day 4
Punakha to Phobjikha
You'll visit Gangtey Gonpa monastery sitting at 2,800 meters with beautiful views of Phobjikha valley below, which is the winter home for rare Black-necked Cranes. Spend time exploring the monastery complex and photographing monks and temple structures. Later, you'll visit a local farmhouse to see how people actually live and experience Bhutanese daily routines.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Gangtey Gonpa monastery
- Photograph Phobjikha valley views
- Visit local farmhouse and photograph daily activities
Landmarks/POIs Gangtey Gonpa Phobjikha Valley - Day 5
Phobjikha to Trongsa
The Gangtey Nature Trail hike takes about 1.5 hours and is one of Bhutan's shorter but really nice walks through pine forests and bamboo with valley views the whole way. You might see Black-necked Cranes during winter months. After the hike, you'll drive to Trongsa to visit the longest and largest dzong in the country and check out the Royal Heritage Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike Gangtey Nature Trail (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes)
- Visit Trongsa Dzong
- Photograph novice monks and intricate dzong design
- Visit Royal Heritage Museum
Landmarks/POIs Gangtey Nature Trail Khewa Lhakhang Trongsa Dzong Royal Heritage Museum - Day 6
Trongsa to Bumthang
You'll drive to Bumthang and visit Tamshing monastery, founded back in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, where you can see ancient Buddhist wall paintings. From there, you'll head to Kurjey Lhakhang to see the preserved body print of Guru Rinpoche, then explore Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's two oldest temples from the 7th century.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tamshing monastery
- Visit Kurjey Lhakhang
- Visit Jambay Lhakhang
Landmarks/POIs Tamshing Monastery Kurjey Lhakhang Jambay Lhakhang - Day 7
Jakar & Ura Valley
Start by photographing Jakar Dzong at sunrise from a distance, especially if there's fog in the valley, then visit the administrative center inside. Later you'll explore Ura Valley at 3,100 meters elevation, one of Bhutan's highest villages with traditional architecture that's been around for centuries. You'll hike from Shelthang La Pass through meadows and forest downhill to Ura Lhakhang and the medieval village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Photograph Jakar Dzong at sunrise
- Visit Jakar Dzong administrative center
- Explore Ura Valley
- Hike from Shelthang La Pass through meadows to Ura Lhakhang
- Visit medieval Ura village with traditional Bhutanese houses
Landmarks/POIs Jakar Dzong Ura Valley Shelthang La Ura Lhakhang - Day 8
Tang Valley
The drive to Tang Valley includes stops at Maebar Tsho lake to capture light reflections, and Ta Rimo Chen with its medieval atmosphere and rocky mountain backdrop. You'll visit Ogyen Choling Palace Museum to see artifacts, weapons, an ancient library, textiles, and the bedrooms where nobility lived. This is the only museum in Bhutan where photography is actually allowed.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Maebar Tsho lake
- Stop at Ta Rimo Chen
- Visit Ogyen Choling Palace Museum
- Photograph artifacts, arms and armors, ancient library, textiles, and zhimkhang at Ogyen Choling
Landmarks/POIs Maebar Tsho Ta Rimo Chen Ogyen Choling Palace Museum - Day 9
Bumthang to Paro
A domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro takes about 35 minutes. You'll have the afternoon free after you land, so you can relax, shop around town, or explore wherever you'd like.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Relax at hotel
- Go shopping in Paro
- Explore town
- Day 10
Tiger's Nest
You'll hike to Tiger's Nest (Taktshang), one of Bhutan's most famous pilgrimage sites that sits 900 meters above the Paro valley. This sacred monastery is where Guru Rinpoche meditated for 3 months after flying there on a tigress. The hike brings you to the monastery perched on the cliff at 3,120 meters elevation for some incredible photographs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Tiger's Nest (Taktshang) monastery
- Photograph Tiger's Nest monastery on cliff
Landmarks/POIs Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktshang) - Day 11
Departure
Your tour team will drop you at the airport for your departure. You'll say farewell to Bhutan.
