Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
You'll arrive at Paro Airport where you're greeted with a traditional white scarf ceremony. From there, head to Paro Rinpung Dzong fortress to see the impressive cliffside structure, then check out the National Museum housed in the old Ta Dzong tower. Later this afternoon, you'll take a leisurely hike up to Zuri Dzong, an ancient fortress with views stretching across the Paro valley below.
Included Activities
- Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress on Heap of Jewels)
- Explore National Museum (Ta Dzong) with artifacts dating back to 4000 BCE
- Leisure hike to ancient Zuri Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Paro Rinpung Dzong National Museum (Ta Dzong) Zuri Dzong - Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
The drive to Thimphu takes you through beautiful landscapes, and there's an option to stop at Tachog Lhakhang along the way. Once in Thimphu, you'll see the giant Buddha Dordenma statue at Kuenselphodrang, which offers panoramic views over the valley. After that, walk through pine forest to reach Wangditse, then spend time at Tashichho Dzong, the fortress that houses government offices. Your evening is free to either relax at your hotel or wander through Thimphu city on your own.
Included Activities
- Visit Buddha Dordenma statue at Kuenselphodrang
- Hike through dense pine forest to Wangditse
- Visit Tashichho Dzong
Optional Activities
- Stop at Tachog Lhakhang
- Evening leisurely stroll through Thimphu city
Landmarks/POIs Buddha Dordenma Kuenselphodrang Wangditse Tashichho Dzong Tachog Lhakhang - Day 3
Thimphu to Haa Valley
After breakfast you'll drive to Haa Valley for an authentic look at how people live in rural Bhutan. You'll walk through a medieval village and hike to Jungney Dra to see the sacred footprint rock carved into stone. Next comes a visit to Kathso Gompa monastery. For the night, you can choose between staying with a local family in a traditional homestay or booking a hotel room.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisurely stroll through medieval village in Haa Valley
- Hike to Jungney Dra with sacred rock footprint of Machig Labdron
- Continue hike to Kathso Gompa
Optional Activities
- Traditional Bhutanese homestay with local family participation (cooking traditional dishes, preparing butter tea, milking cows)
- Hotel stay instead of homestay
Landmarks/POIs Haa Valley Jungney Dra Kathso Gompa - Day 4
Haa Valley to Paro via Chele La Pass
You'll drive up to Chele La Pass at 3,988m, the highest motorable road pass, where prayer flags line the landscape. From there, walk around the white stupa and then hike through rhododendron forests that few people venture into, heading toward Kila Nunnery where the clouds actually sit below you. After descending to Bondey, you'll return to Paro for beer tasting at Namgay Artisanal Brewery and an evening walk through traditional Paro houses.
Included Activities
- Circumambulate white stupa at Chele La Pass
- Hike to Kila Nunnery through rhododendron forest
Optional Activities
- Beer tasting at Namgay Artisanal Brewery
- Evening walk through traditional Bhutanese houses of Paro Street
Landmarks/POIs Chele La Pass Kila Nunnery Bondey Namgay Artisanal Brewery - Day 5
Paro
Starting after breakfast, you'll tackle the Tiger's Nest hike to the monastery that sits 900m up on a cliff face. The hike has multiple sections with a cafeteria stop for lunch and tea breaks along the way. You can opt to visit the sacred cave or simply take in the views from the main lookout point. Later, stop at Kichu Temple, a 7th-century site, then spend your remaining time in Paro town or taking a quiet walk beside the Paro River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (At cafeteria during Tiger's Nest hike)
Included Activities
- Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) hike with cafeteria lunch stop
- Visit Kichu Temple (7th century)
Optional Activities
- Enter Tiger's Nest monastery and view sacred meditation cave (cameras not allowed inside)
- Explore Paro town with traditional Bhutanese buildings
- Leisurely scenic walk along Paro River
Landmarks/POIs Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang Goemba) Kichu Temple Paro River - Day 6
Departure from Paro
You'll head to Paro Airport this morning to depart Bhutan.
