Itinerary

1. Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

   • Meet your tour guide at the Paro International Airport. 

   • Drive to Thimphu, the capital city. It is a one-and-a-half-hour drive. On the way, visit the Tamchog Lhakhang.

   • Reach Thimphu and check in to the hotel.

   • Enjoy lunch, then visit the National Memorial Chorten, where we see elderly people pray and circumambulate the stupa.

   • Visit the Post Office to get a personalized stamp of your picture and postal museum.

   • See the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress), known as the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion."  Stay overnight in Thimphu.

2. Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu

   • Enjoy your breakfast. Visit the Kuensel Phodrang, where the Big Buddha statue is built. 

   • Walk inside the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. From there, you get the best view of Thimphu Valley with the mountain behind.

   • Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, also known as the Mini Zoo and see Bhutan’s typical national animal.

   • See the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibitions. 

   • Eat your lunch. Visit the Handmade Paper Factory to see the process of making Bhutanese traditional handmade paper.

   • Go to the Crafts Bazaar for authentic Bhutanese-made crafts.

   • Walk along the Norzin Lam, the main Thimphu downtown. Stay overnight in Thimphu.

3. Day 3: Thimphu to Gangtey

   • Drive to Gangtey, which is around 3 – 4 hours. 

   • Stop at the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which offers an incredible view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chorten – 108 stupas.

   • Drive further to Phobjikha Valley via Punakha/Wangdue.

   • On arrival at Gangtey, visit the Crane Information Center, where you get information about the valley.  Stay overnight in Gangtey.

4. Day 4: Gangtey to Punakha

   • Enjoy your breakfast, then hike across Gangtey Nature Trail, which is one and a half hours and enjoy the breathtaking view of Phobjikha valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, dating back to the 17th century.

   • Drive back to Punakha.

   • Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of Fertility blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviours. He is also considered a symbol of fertility, and many childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Stay overnight in Punakha.

5. Day 5: Punakha to Paro

   • Eat your breakfast, then go for a 45-minute hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, with picturesque views of the rice terraces along the river.

   • Visit the Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress located between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. See the longest suspension bridge across the Dzong.

   • Enjoy your lunch, then drive back to Paro.

   • Walk around Paro street with a traditional look. Stay overnight in Paro.

6. Day 6: Sightseeing in Paro

   • Eat your breakfast and hike to Taktsang Monastery, the wooden structure stands bravely on a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The walk will be of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours one way. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and set up this monastery when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century.

   • Enjoy your lunch, then visit the Paro National Museum.

   • See the Paro Rinpung Dzong.

   • Visit a Farmhouse to experience traditional Bhutan, taste Bhutanese cuisines, and dip in a traditional hot stone bath. Stay overnight in Paro.

7. Day 7: Day Excursion to Haa

   • Drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3988m) on the visit to Kila Nunnery.

   • In Haa, visit Lhakhang Karpo and walk around Haa town.

   • Drive back to Paro. Stay overnight in Paro.

8. Day 8: Departure

   • Drive to the airport for a flight to your onward destination.