Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Paro

   • Meet your local tour guide after arriving in Paro for pick-up and transfer. 

   • Enter Paro valley and sweep past forested hills with the slivery Pa Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below. Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower) on the hill above the town is a fine sight.

   • Visit Ta Dzong which was built as a watch tower and converted into National Museum in 1968, it boasts antique thangkhas, textile, historic artifacts etc

   • Proceed to the Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) a monastic fortress built in 1644. The fortress defended Paro valley from many Tibetan invasions of 17th–19th century and from the Dzong, walk down across Nyami Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge, and then drive to town.

   • Have your lunch and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest Lhakhang in the country built in 659A.D by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyampo.

   Overnight at hotel in Paro.

2. Day 2: Taktshang & Drugyel Dzong

   • Hike to Taktsang. The magical monastery known as Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) was built in the 1600s. It’s a 3 hr walk uphill to the Monastery. The view of Taktshang monastery built on the cliff is a spectacular sight. It is also a great pilgrim site for Buddhists. 

   • Drive to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined fortress which was built in 1649 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invasion of 1644.

   • Indulge in a hot stone bath. This is very popular in Bhutan, as it is believed that it cures many diseases and gives you relaxation when you are tired and also helps soothe body ache.

   Overnight at hotel in Paro

3. Day 3: Punakha

   • Enjoy your breakfast and drive to Punakha, which takes about 4 hrs from Paro.

   • Pass through Dochu-la pass. The highest point on the road is marked by 108 little chortens and prayer flags fluttering on the hill. On a clear day, there is a breathtaking view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from this spot. 

   • See the Punakha dzong.

   • Visit Chimmi Lhakhang, which takes 20 min walk from the road and it was built by Lam Ngawang Chogyal the elder brother of Drukpa Kuenley in the year 1499.

   Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

4. Day 4: Thimpu

   • Have your breakfast and visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and drive to Thimphu the capital.

   • See the school for arts and crafts where the children were taught to master the 13 types of arts and crafts of Bhutan. 

   • Continue to the post office which has Bhutan's beautiful stamps. 

   • The national library is another sight to see the collection of Bhutanese scriptures some dating back from the 8th century.

   • Visit the Folk heritage museum which is a replica of a medieval farm-house and is patronized by HM the Queen Sangay Choden Wangchuck to protect the textile heritage of Bhutan. There are some old collections along with the display of vegetable dyes and materials used for Bhutanese textiles.

   • Stop at the traditional paper factory displays the Bhutanese papermaking in process. Stroll in Thimphu town.

   Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

5. Day 5: Return to Paro

   • Admire the Memorial Chorten which depicts the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in the year 1972.

   • Go on an afternoon drive to Paro.

   Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

6. Day 6: Departure

   After an early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight.