Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You arrive in Kathmandu today at whatever time works for your flight. There's nothing scheduled, so the day is yours to do with as you like. Some people rest at their hotel, others wander around the city on their own. If you're interested in seeing more before the tour officially kicks off, you can arrange extra nights through your sales rep.
Optional Activities
- Explore Kathmandu independently
- Day 2
Kathmandu to Paro
You'll fly to Paro and get views of the eastern Himalaya on the way, including Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga if the weather cooperates. Once you land, you meet your tour leader and the other travelers. The afternoon includes a museum visit and Rinpung Dzong if time allows. Everyone gathers for a welcome dinner in the evening.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with group)
Included Activities
- Visit museum
- Visit Rinpung Dzong
- Welcome dinner
Landmarks/POIs Rinpung Dzong 
- Day 3
Paro to Thimphu
An hour's drive takes you to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. Start with Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point), where a huge Buddha statue looks out over the valley. Then head to Simtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong built back in 1629. The afternoon opens up for exploring the Takin Reserve, checking out a paper factory and weaving centre to see how locals make things by hand, and browsing the local market if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point)
- Visit Simtokha Dzong
- View Takin Reserve
- Visit paper factory
- Visit weaving centre
- Explore local market
Landmarks/POIs Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point) Simtokha Dzong 
- Day 4
Thimphu to Gangtey
You drive east toward Gangtey through really dramatic mountain scenery, covering roughly 78 miles and taking four to five hours total. Along the way, climb to Dochula Pass at 10,000 feet where 108 chortens sit and you get views across the eastern Himalaya. From there it's down to subtropical Wangdue to see Wangdiphodrang Dzong perched above the river. The afternoon focuses on Phobjikha Valley, a glacial U-shaped valley where barking deer, sambar deer, wild boars, and Himalayan black bears live.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dochula Pass
- Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong
- Explore Phobjikha Valley
Landmarks/POIs Dochula Pass Wangdiphodrang Dzong Phobjikha Valley - Day 5
Phobjikha Valley
Start early with a morning walk through Gangtey Valley heading to the monastery. It's about 3 miles with 1,640 feet of climbing through farmlands, pastures, and blue-pine forests, and you might see herders with their livestock. After lunch, you visit Khewang Lhakhang from the 15th century, which has three two-storey statues showing past, present, and future Buddhas. Stop by the Black-Necked Crane Visitor Center to learn about what they're doing to protect the birds. There's also an optional farmhouse visit and optional hot-stone bath if you're interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through Gangtey Valley to monastery
- Visit Khewang Lhakhang
- Visit Black-Necked Crane Visitor Center
Optional Activities
- Visit farmhouse
- Hot-stone bath
Landmarks/POIs Gangtey Valley Khewang Lhakhang Black-Necked Crane Visitor Center - Day 6
Black Crane Festival
This day celebrates the Black Crane Festival on November 11th each year here in Phobjikha Valley. You'll watch schoolchildren perform a spectacular crane dance along with traditional masked dances, folk songs, and plays focused on environmental conservation. The festival marks when roughly 300 endangered black-necked cranes arrive to spend the winter. This valley is Bhutan's main wintering spot for these birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Black Crane Festival - crane dance performance
- Traditional masked dances
- Folk songs
- Environmental conservation-themed plays
Landmarks/POIs Phobjikha Valley - Day 7
Gangtey to Punakha
You drive back westward to subtropical Punakha, taking about three hours. Visit Chimi Lhakhang monastery built in 1499 and walk through the village to see traditional Bhutanese farmhouses decorated with ornate phallic paintings. From there continue to Punakha, Bhutan's former capital and winter home of the monastic body, to see one of the country's most beautiful dzongs sitting between two rivers. If time allows, drive to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten for impressive valley views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang
- Walk through village to traditional farmhouses
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (time permitting)
Landmarks/POIs Chimi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten - Day 8
Punakha to Paro
The drive back to Paro takes about three hours heading westward. You'll stop at Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge, a 600-year-old iron chain bridge from the late 1300s and the first bridge built in Bhutan. Next is Dzongdrakha Goemba (Mini Taktsang), a less-visited spiritual site above Bondey village with four shrines and local stories about spirits and magic. Before reaching your hotel, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, a seventh-century temple and the oldest in Bhutan, which holds major spiritual importance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge
- Visit Dzongdrakha Goemba (Mini Taktsang)
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang
Landmarks/POIs Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge Dzongdrakha Goemba Kyichu Lhakhang 
- Day 9
Taktsang Monastery Trek
Today you hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), a monastery that sits on a cliff ledge high above the Paro Valley. The round trip is about 6.8 miles with 915 meters of elevation gain. Two hours uphill through forest gets you to the cafeteria viewpoint with incredible views. If you're up for it, another two hours of stone steps leads to the actual monastery. Spend roughly an hour exploring the temples (no photos allowed inside), then head back down to the cafeteria for lunch. You'll have time to explore Paro afterward.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at cafeteria), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery
- Lunch at cafeteria
Optional Activities
- Hike to actual monastery (additional two hours)
- Horse rental up to cafeteria
- Explore Paro after trek
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery - Day 10
Paro to Kathmandu
You transfer to the airport to check in for your flight back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for whatever you want to do, whether that's sightseeing or shopping. Options include Durbar Square in the old city, the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, the Boudhanath Buddhist stupa, Pashupathinath temple, or medieval Bhaktapur, which is 10.5 miles east and has its own Durbar Square and quiet winding streets. Your Exodus representative can tell you more about what's available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Durbar Square
- Visit Swayambhunath (monkey temple)
- Visit Boudhanath stupa
- Visit Pashupathinath Hindu temple
- Day trip to Bhaktapur
Landmarks/POIs Durbar Square Swayambhunath Boudhanath Stupa Pashupathinath Bhaktapur 
- Day 11
Kathmandu
Your trip wraps up in Kathmandu after breakfast. If you'd like to stay longer and spend more time in Nepal's capital, talk to your sales rep about extending your stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Kathmandu
