Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Paro

   • Be assisted by a representative who will take you to your hotel in Thimphu.

   However, if your flight arrives early and you want to visit a few places in Thimphu, then it can be arranged too.

   Overnight in Thimphu.

2. Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu

   • Visit the Memorial Chorten (built-in memory of the third King of Bhutan), the Nunnery temple, and a mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan.

   • Discover other landmarks of Thimphu, including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Bhutanese traditional painting school, Folk Heritage Museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong and the standard paper factory. However, some of the landmarks are closed on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekends, we explore the Weekend Market instead.

   Overnight in Thimphu.

3. Day 3: Thimphu - Punakha

   • Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100 m), where on a clear day, we get spectacular views of the Himalayas.

   • Head downhill through rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, we visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

   • Reach Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, and is the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan.

   Overnight in Punakha.

4. Day 4: Depart to Gangtey

   • Explore Wangduephodrang in the morning. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings.

   • Drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Gangtey, a beautiful village surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains. Gangtey Monastery is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. From here, we enjoy views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges and the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes.

   • Roam around Phobjikha villages before driving back to Punakha for an overnight stay.

5. Day 5: Punakha - Paro

   • Begin your drive to the Paro Valley.

   • Visit Rinpung Dzong, which means "fortress made from a heap of jewels."

   • Get to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country and Drugyal Dzong, built-in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s.

   Overnight in Paro.

6. Day 6: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

   • Hike for 4 to 5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters.

   • Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain.

   • Trek back down to the valley floor.

   Overnight in Paro.

7. Day 7: Final Departure

   • Bid farewell to this tiny Himalayan Kingdom and her friendly people. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions.

   • Transfer to the airport in the morning for final departure after breakfast.