Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
You'll land at Paro airport where the visa stamp gets handled right away. Your guide meets you at arrivals and drives you to the hotel to settle in. From there, the day opens up with stops at the National Museum to get some context on Bhutanese culture, then Rimpung Dzong fortress which sits dramatically above the valley. Kitchu Monastery comes next, a smaller but significant site, followed by Drukgyel Dzong perched on a hillside with views stretching across the Paro Valley. By evening you're back at the hotel after getting your first real sense of the region's architectural style and history.
- Start point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Main Entrance, 23:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner, Tea & Snacks
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum (watchtower with displays on Bhutan's history and culture)
- Visit Rimpung Dzong (Fortress built in 1644)
- Visit Kitchu Monastery (built in 7th century)
- Visit Drukgyel Dzong (built to celebrate victory over Tibetan invaders)
Landmarks National Museum (Paro Watchtower) Rimpung Dzong Kitchu Monastery Drukgyel Dzong 
- Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
The drive from Paro to Thimphu follows the river system from Paro River downstream to where it meets the Wang Chu River, then you head upstream into the capital. After lunch in town, you'll have a full afternoon of sightseeing. The Memorial Chorten sits centrally in the city, and from there you can walk to the Painting School to see traditional Buddhist art techniques. The Royal Heritage Museum gives you royal history context, while the mini zoo is where you'll see the Takin, Bhutan's national animal. The Handicrafts Emporium and Textile Museum show local craftsmanship, and finishing up at the Bhutanese Paper making factory lets you see how traditional paper gets produced by hand.
- Meals
- Lunch (at hotel), Dinner, Tea & Snacks
Included Activities
- Road trip along Paro River and Wang Chu River
- Visit Memorial Chorten (dedicated to Late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck)
- Visit Painting School (traditional arts and crafts)
- Visit Royal Heritage Museum (Bhutanese life and Buddhist faith)
- Visit mini zoo (see Takin - Bhutan's national animal)
- Visit Handicrafts Emporium and Textile Museum
- Visit Bhutanese Paper making factory
Landmarks Memorial Chorten Painting School Royal Heritage Museum Bhutan Mini Zoo Handicrafts Emporium and Textile Museum Bhutanese Paper Making Factory - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
You'll drive from Thimphu toward Punakha, and the route takes you through Dochula Pass where you stop for the panoramic views of mountain ridges and valleys. The pass sits at about 10,000 feet, so the perspective really opens up from there. Once in Punakha, you visit Punakha Dzong, the old capital fortress positioned between two rivers which makes the setting quite dramatic. Later in the afternoon, there's a hike up to Khamsan Yuley Namgyal Chorten temple, a smaller shrine with peaceful surroundings and more views over the Punakha Valley.
- Meals
- Lunch (at Khuruthang), Dinner, Tea & Snacks
Included Activities
- Stop at Dochula Pass (3050m) for panoramic views of snow-covered mountains
- Visit Punakha Dzong (old capital fortress built between two rivers)
- Hike to Khamsan Yuley Namgyal Chorten (temple celebrating well-being of all sentient beings)
Landmarks Dochula Pass Punakha Dzong Khamsan Yuley Namgyal Chorten - Day 4
Punakha to Paro
This day centers on a hike up to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility built back in the 15th century by the 'Divine Mad Monk'. The hike takes you through farm fields and small villages, and the temple itself sits on a hilltop with an interesting history tied to Bhutanese spiritual traditions. After spending time there, you'll drive back in the direction of Paro, so most of the afternoon and evening goes to traveling and getting settled.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea & Snacks
Included Activities
- Hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility built in 15th century by Divine Mad Monk)
Landmarks Chimi Lhakhang - Day 5
Paro
The big hike today is up to Tiger's Nest Temple, officially called Paro Taktsang, sitting at 3,120 meters on a vertical granite cliff. The monastery clings to the rock face in a way that makes it one of the most visually striking sites you'll encounter. The hike takes a few hours round trip depending on your pace. When you get back down, you'll visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and walk across the traditional cantilever Rimpung Bridge, then spend time exploring the Paro Valley and the town itself to get a feel for local life and the surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Tea & Snacks
Included Activities
- Hike to Tiger's Nest Temple - Paro Taktsang (3120m / 110,240ft)
- Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (built in 1645 to defend against Tibetan invaders, now administration center and school for monks)
- Walk traditional cantilever Rimpung Bridge (oldest bridge in Bhutan)
- Explore Paro Valley to witness farmers' lifestyle
- Stroll around Paro town and chat with locals
Landmarks Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Temple) Paro Rinpung Dzong Rimpung Bridge 
- Day 6
Paro Departure
After breakfast you'll pack up and a Sherpa Expedition and Trekking representative will drive you to Paro airport for your flight out. The transfer happens in the morning so you have time to grab a final meal or do any last-minute shopping before heading to the airport.
- End point
- Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (Exit Point, 00:00 - 23:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (at hotel)
