Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
When you land at Paro International Airport, your guide will greet you and take you to the National Museum, housed in the historic Ta Dzong watchtower. From there, you'll head toward Thimphu, and along the way stop at the ancient Chakzam iron chain bridge. Once in Thimphu, you can walk through the Weaving Center and visit the National Memorial Chorten, a sacred Buddhist stupa. If you're interested in postal history, the Postal Museum lets you see Bhutan's communication collection and create custom postcards.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum in Ta Dzong watchtower
- Stop at Chakzam iron chain bridge (15th century)
- Visit Weaving Center
- Visit National Memorial Chorten
Optional Activities
- Visit Bhutan Postal Museum and create custom postcards with your photos
Landmarks/POIs Paro International Airport Ta Dzong (National Museum) Chakzam Weaving Center National Memorial Chorten - Day 2
Thimphu
After breakfast, you'll see the Buddha Dordhenma Statue overlooking the city, then head north to meet the Takin, Bhutan's national animal. Next comes the Sangaygang viewpoint, where a 1.5 to 2 hour hike takes you through forests to the 18th-century Wangdi Tse Monastery with valley views below. Lunch follows at a local restaurant, then you'll check out Craft Bazaar and the vegetable market. If archers are competing, you can stop by Changlimithang Archery Range to watch.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Buddha Dordhenma Statue
- Visit Takin sanctuary
- Hike to Wangdi Tse Monastery (1.5-2 hours round-trip)
- Visit Craft Bazaar
- Visit vegetable market
Optional Activities
- Visit Dechen Phodrang Monastic School (original Tashichho Dzong location)
- Visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum (13 traditional arts and crafts)
- Visit National Library
- Watch archery at Changlimithang Archery Range (if match in progress)
Landmarks/POIs Buddha Dordhenma Statue Takin sanctuary Sangaygang viewpoint Wangdi Tse Monastery Tashichho Dzong Changlimithang Archery Range Craft Bazaar - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, you'll travel to Punakha Valley, starting at the sacred Dochula Pass at 3,150m. An optional 2.5 to 3 hour forest hike leads to Lumitsawa village if you're interested. You'll have lunch in Sopsokha village and visit the 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang, known as the Temple of Fertility. Then walk through the village to see traditional protective symbols on houses before driving to Punakha for the impressive 17th-century Punakha Dzong. The day wraps up with a walk on Bhutan's longest suspension bridge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant in Sopsokha), Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Dochula Pass
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility)
- Explore Sopsokha village
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Walk on Bhutan's longest suspension bridge
Optional Activities
- Optional 2.5-3 hour hike from Dochula Pass to Lumitsawa village
Landmarks/POIs Dochula Pass Chimi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong - Day 4
Punakha to Trongsa
After breakfast, you'll hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten over about 1.5 to 2 hours, passing terraced rice fields with commanding valley views. Back on the road, you'll drive to Trongsa in central Bhutan and stop at the recently reconstructed Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, rebuilt after a 2012 fire. You'll grab lunch along the way and can explore the 17th-century Trongsa Dzong if time allows.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten (1.5-2 hours round-trip)
- Visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
Optional Activities
- Visit historic Trongsa Dzong (17th-century fortress)
Landmarks/POIs Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Trongsa Dzong - Day 5
Trongsa to Bumthang (Jakar)
After breakfast, you'll visit the Trongsa Dzong (if you didn't see it earlier) and check out the Royal Heritage Museum to learn about the dzong's history and the monarchs' influence on Bhutan. Then you'll transfer to Bumthang Valley with a quick stop at Yotongla. An optional downhill trek takes 2.5 to 3 hours along ancient trails to Geytsa village for home-cooked lunch. On the way to Jakar, you'll pass through Chumey village to visit Yathra Weaving Center and can see Tamshing Lhakhang, a 16th-century temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked local cuisine (if trekking option taken)), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Trongsa Dzong (if not visited earlier)
- Visit Royal Heritage Museum
Optional Activities
- Optional 2.5-3 hour downhill trek from Yotongla along Trans Bhutan Trail to Geytsa village (approximately 10 kilometers)
- Visit Yathra Weaving Center in Chumey village
- Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (built early 16th century by Terton Pema Lingpa)
Landmarks/POIs Yotongla Geytsa village Yathra Weaving Center Tamshing Lhakhang - Day 6
Bumthang
After breakfast, you'll drive for 2.5 hours to Tang Valley and stop at Mebar Tso, a sacred pilgrimage site also called Burning Lake. The Ogyen Choling Palace Museum gives insights into the valley's history and culture through a private collection. You'll have traditional Bumthang cuisine at Ogyen Choling Heritage House, then return to Jakar. There you'll visit Kurjey Lhakhang and nearby holy water sites for a spiritual experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional cuisine unique to Bumthang valley at Ogyen Choling Heritage House), Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Mebar Tso (Burning Lake)
- Visit Ogyen Choling Palace Museum
- Visit Kurjey Lhakhang
- Visit holy water sites near Kurjey Lhakhang
Landmarks/POIs Mebar Tso (Burning Lake) Tang Valley Ogyen Choling Palace Museum Kurjey Lhakhang - Day 7
Bumthang to Phobjikha
After an early breakfast, you'll drive to Phobjikha Valley, a winter home for endangered Black-necked Cranes. You'll go up to Yotong La mountain pass at 3,425m and then descend to Trongsa to visit Thruepang Palace, birthplace of the Third King. Stop for lunch at the 18th-century Chendebji Stupa. After lunch, head to Longtey village for an optional 3 to 4 hour hike, with your driver picking you up at Kumbu village as you finish descending into Phobjikha Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast), Lunch (Lunch at Chendebji Stupa), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Yotong La mountain pass
- Visit Thruepang Palace
- Stop at Chendebji Stupa (18th-century)
Optional Activities
- Optional 3-4 hour Longtey Hike starting from the village of Longtey
Landmarks/POIs Phobjikha Valley Yotong La Thruepang Palace Chendebji Stupa - Day 8
Phobjikha to Paro
You'll start at Gangtey Monastery, then take a 2.5 to 3 hour nature hike through Phobjikha Valley to learn about local life and see the Black-necked Cranes during their winter stay from late October through early March. After lunch, you'll transfer back to Paro, stopping at Dochula Pass for hot tea or coffee. Later, spend your evening walking around the charming Paro town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Gangtey Monastery
- Gangtey Nature hike (2.5-3 hours) through Phobjikha Valley
- Stop at Dochula Pass for tea/coffee
Landmarks/POIs Gangtey Monastery Dochula Pass - Day 9
Paro
After breakfast, start an early hike to the Paro Taktsang, also called Tiger's Nest, which takes about 4 to 5 hours round-trip at your own pace. Going early means fewer crowds on the trail. You'll have vegetarian lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria, then come down to visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples and a national treasure. Later, spend leisure time in Paro town. For dinner, visit a farmhouse to have authentic home-cooked local food, and if you'd like, enjoy a traditional hot stone bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Vegetarian lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria)
Included Activities
- Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) - 4-5 hours round-trip
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (7th-century temple)
Optional Activities
- Evening meal at Ugyen Farmhouse or Deki Farmhouse
- Traditional hot stone bath (Nu.2,000 per person additional fee)
Landmarks/POIs Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Kyichu Lhakhang - Day 10
Paro (Departure)
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. They'll help with all exit formalities before you check in for your flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks/POIs Paro International Airport
