Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
After arriving at Paro International Airport, you'll head to Thimphu by car. The drive takes you through Chuzom where the Thimphu and Paro rivers meet, and you'll stop at Tschogang Lhakhang temple along the way. Once you check into your hotel, the rest of the evening is free to walk around Thimphu's Main Street and market area, checking out the Crafts Bazaar for traditional arts and crafts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Phuntsho Pelri)
Included Activities
- Meet and greet at Paro International Airport
- Stop at Chuzom (confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers)
- Visit Tschogang Lhakhang temple
Optional Activities
- Exploratory walk around Thimphu's Main Street
- Browse Crafts Bazaar and traditional arts - hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry
Landmarks Chuzom Tschogang Lhakhang 
- Day 2
Thimphu
Starting after breakfast, you'll have a full day exploring the Thimphu valley. First up is the National Library with its Buddhist manuscripts, followed by the Painting School where traditional arts get taught. From there, you'll see the Textile Museum and Simply Bhutan living museum, then drive to Pangri Zampa monastery. Later you'll head to Buddha Point for views across the valley, see the Memorial Chorten, and visit Trashichhoedzong before heading back to the hotel. The evening is yours to explore Thimphu city centre.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Phuntsho Pelri)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour in Thimphu valley
- Visit The National Library
- Visit Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School)
- Visit Textile Museum
- Visit Simply Bhutan living museum and studio
- Visit Pangri Zampa monastery
- Visit Buddha Point (Kensal Phodrang)
- Visit Memorial Chorten
- Visit Trashichhoedzong
Optional Activities
- Evening stroll through Thimphu city centre and shops
- Visit local market
Landmarks The National Library Institute for Zorig Chusum (Painting School) Textile Museum Simply Bhutan Pangri Zampa Buddha Point (Kensal Phodrang) Memorial Chorten Trashichhoedzong - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
You'll drive about 77 kilometers (roughly 3 hours) heading toward Punakha. At Dochula Pass, stop to see the 108 stupas and grab coffee with mountain views. Continue to Chimmi Lhakhang, a sacred Buddhist monastery on a hillock. The main stop is Punakha Dzong, an impressive six-story dzong where two rivers meet. You'll also walk across the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan that spans the Mo Chu River. Check into your hotel in time for dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meri Puensum Resort)
Included Activities
- Stop at Dochula Pass to view 108 grand stupas
- Visit Chimmi Lhakhang monastery
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Visit suspension bridge spanning Mo Chu River
Optional Activities
- Coffee break at Dochula Pass cafeteria
Landmarks Dochula Pass Chimmi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong Mo Chu River Suspension Bridge 
- Day 4
Punakha to Bumthang
After breakfast, you'll drive to Bumthang and settle into your hotel. Later in the evening, take a short walk around Gangtey Village to get familiar with the surroundings and the local area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ugyenling)
Optional Activities
- Stroll around Gangtey Village in the evening
Landmarks Gangtey Village - Day 5
Bumthang
Following breakfast, you'll explore Bumthang valley on foot visiting several temples and monasteries. Start with Jambey Lhakhang from the 7th century, then Kurje Lhakhang where a saint reportedly subdued a demon, and Tamshing Lhakhang with its ancient wall paintings. You'll also see Jakar Dzong, the administrative center. In the afternoon, hike about 3 kilometers from Chamkhar town to Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery, which preserves Tibetan culture and offers training in dharma practices, meditation, and ritual arts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ugyenling)
Included Activities
- Visit Jambey Lhakhang (7th-century temple)
- Visit Kurje Lhakhang
- Visit Tamshing Lhakhang
- Visit Jakar Dzong
- Hike to Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery
Landmarks Jambey Lhakhang Kurje Lhakhang Tamshing Lhakhang Jakar Dzong Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery - Day 6
Bumthang (Tang Valley)
You'll explore Tang, one of four valleys in Bumthang situated at higher elevation than Choekhor valley. The trip to Tang Goempa takes about 2 hours. Continue through Jamzhong village to Mesethang, then visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang where Guru Rimpoche meditated. The body prints of Guru Rimpoche and his two consorts are visible on a huge rock at this site. After crossing Tang Chu river, climb to Ugyencholing Manor, a 16th-century structure rebuilt after an 1897 earthquake that now functions as a museum for religious studies and research.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ugyenling)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Tang Goempa
- Visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang
- Visit Ugyencholing Manor
Landmarks Tang Goempa Jamzhong Village Tang Rimochen Lhakhang Ugyencholing Manor - Day 7
Bumthang to Gangtey
You'll journey west to Gangtey in the remote Phobjikha valley. First, visit Ta Dzong, a five-story cylindrical stone watchtower built back in 1652. After lunch, head to Trongsa Dzong, an impressive fortress from 1648 that once served as the seat of power for central and eastern Bhutan. Finally, you'll arrive in Gangtey, the location where hundreds of black-necked cranes migrate from Tibet each November to spend the winter months.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dewachen)
Included Activities
- Visit Ta Dzong
- Visit Trongsa Dzong
Landmarks Ta Dzong Trongsa Dzong Phobjikha Valley 
- Day 8
Gangtey (Phobjikha Valley)
After breakfast, you'll spend the full day exploring Phobjikha valley. Visit Gangtey Monastery, an institute for monks following the Nyingmapa sect. You'll walk through the quiet, remote valley village that has two meandering rivers. The scenic Gangtey Nature Trail takes about 2 hours, passing through Senchumbara village toward Kewa Lhakhang. Also visit the Black Necked Crane Information Centre with its observation room, high-power telescopes, and displays about the area's natural and cultural history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Dewachen)
Included Activities
- Visit Gangtey Monastery
- Explore Phobjikha valley and village
- Gangtey Nature Trail (approximately 2 hours)
- Visit Black Necked Crane Information Centre
Landmarks Gangtey Monastery Phobjikha Valley Senchumbara Village Kewa Lhakhang Black Necked Crane Information Centre - Day 9
Gangtey to Paro
You'll head back to Paro via Dochula Pass at 3,150 meters elevation. Along the route, stop at Semtokha Dzong, the oldest dzong in Bhutan built in 1627, which now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. Once you arrive in Paro, check into your hotel and settle in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paro Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Cross Dochula Pass
- Visit Semtokha Dzong
Landmarks Dochula Pass Semtokha Dzong 
- Day 10
Paro to Haa Valley
Depart for Haa valley via Chelela Pass, driving through deep pine forest into the narrow valley. You'll visit lhakhang Nakpo (Black temple), said to be built in the 7th century. After lunch, drive back to Paro via Chelela Pass at 3,810 meters, a two-hour drive covering 68 kilometers with excellent views of Bhutan's highest mountains and Himalayan peaks. If time allows, visit Ta Dzong, which started as a watchtower and now houses the National Museum with antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, armor, and natural and historic artifacts. Also stop at Rinpung Dzong with its wooden galleries and fine wall paintings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paro Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Visit lhakhang Nakpo (Black temple)
- Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) - if time permits
- Visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) - if time permits
Landmarks Chelela Pass Haa Valley lhakhang Nakpo (Black temple) Ta Dzong Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) - Day 11
Paro (Taktsang Monastery)
After breakfast, head out to Taktsang Monastery, one of Bhutan's most famous monasteries perched on a cliff 900 meters above the Paro valley floor. The walk takes about 5 hours total. Legend says Guru Rinpoche arrived on a tigress to meditate here, which earned the name 'Tiger's Nest' and makes it one of Bhutan's most sacred sites. On the way back, you can optionally stop at the base of Drukgyel Dzong fortress, which is being rebuilt as a national heritage site with views of sacred Chomolhari mountain. Later in the evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, a 7th-century temple and one of 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo that marked Buddhism's introduction to Bhutan.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paro Eco Lodge)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (approximately 5 hours walk)
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang
Optional Activities
- Stop at base of Drukgyel Dzong fortress
Landmarks Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) Drukgyel Dzong Chomolhari (Mountain of the Goddess) Kyichu Lhakhang - Day 12
Paro Departure
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Your tour representative will help with exit formalities and say goodbye as you head out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
