Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro to Thimphu
Your guide and driver will meet you at Paro International Airport. Start by heading to the National Museum to get a sense of Bhutan's history and culture before the drive to Thimphu, which takes about 1.5 hours covering 55km. Stop at the Weaving Center to see how traditional weaving techniques are still practiced today. If your flight gets in early, you'll have some time to walk around Thimphu's streets on your own. Dinner and your first night happen at your hotel.
- Start point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Weaving Center
Optional Activities
- Explore the streets of Thimphu (if arrival time permits)
Landmarks National Museum Weaving Center 
- Day 2
Thimphu
After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, head to Kuensel Phodrang to see the tallest sitting Buddha statue with nice views over the Thimphu valley. If you're up for it, there's an easy 2-hour hike through pine trees to reach the 13th-century Changangkha Lhakhang temple. Grab traditional lunch at Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant. Later, check out Zorig Chusum where traditional arts and crafts are being taught, then walk through the Craft Bazaar. Your afternoon is flexible - visit the Bhutan Postal Museum, watch archery at Changlimithang Archery Range, or just relax at the hotel spa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional lunch at Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Kuensel Phodrang (tallest sitting Buddha statue)
- Visit Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant for traditional lunch
- Visit Zorig Chusum (traditional arts and crafts center)
- Stroll Craft Bazaar
Optional Activities
- 2-hour easy hiking trail from Kuensel Phodrang to Changangkha Lhakhang
- Visit Bhutan Postal Museum and have stamps printed with your photo
- Visit Changlimithang Archery Range to watch archers at 145m distance
- Relax at hotel spa facilities
Landmarks Kuensel Phodrang Changangkha Lhakhang Folk Heritage Museum Zorig Chusum Craft Bazaar Bhutan Postal Museum Changlimithang Archery Range - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Punakha valley, which is 74km and takes about 3 hours. You'll go through the sacred Dochula Pass at 3,150m/10,335 feet where you can see panoramic views of Bhutan's highest mountains if the weather cooperates. The road winds through pine forests as you drop nearly 2,000m into the subtropical valley. Stop at the 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang, known as the Temple of Fertility, then have local lunch at a farmhouse. From there, continue to Punakha to explore the impressive 17th-century Punakha Dzong with its detailed woodworks and sacred wall paintings, and walk across Bhutan's longest suspension bridge over the Phochu river.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked local cuisine at local farmhouse), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dochula Pass
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility)
- Lunch at local farmhouse
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Walk across suspension bridge over Phochu river
Landmarks Dochula Pass Chimi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong Phochu river - Day 4
Punakha
After a relaxed breakfast, drive to the nearest road head and start hiking to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten, a sacred site on a hilltop across the Mochu river. The round-trip hike takes 2.5 to 3 hours, taking you through rural countryside, terraced rice fields, and then a short steep climb to reach the chorten. After hiking back down, have a nice picnic lunch by the river. If you're interested, there's also optional white water rafting on the Mochu river, which is graded 1-2 and works for all ages, taking about 2 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic lunch by the Mochu river), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten
- Picnic lunch by Mochu river
Optional Activities
- White water rafting on Mochu river (graded 1-2, approximately 2 hours, 10-14km distance)
Landmarks Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten Mochu river - Day 5
Punakha to Paro
After a leisurely breakfast, drive back to Paro via Dochula Pass, covering 115km in about 3.5 hours. Lunch gets served at Dochula Cafeteria. There's an optional easy downhill hike to Tashigang Gonpa from the pass, walking through forests of juniper, hemlock, and blue pine. This hike takes about an hour and gives good chances to photograph nature and spot different bird species. The 1768 monastery has priceless relics inside and functions as a monastic school. After you finish at the monastery or the optional hike, continue driving to Paro, which takes approximately 2 more hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Dochula Cafeteria), Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive via Dochula Pass
- Lunch at Dochula Cafeteria
Optional Activities
- Easy downhill hike to Tashigang Gonpa from Dochula Pass (approximately 1 hour)
- Visit Tashigang Gonpa monastery and receive blessings
Landmarks Dochula Pass Tashigang Gonpa - Day 6
Paro
After breakfast, hike to Tiger's Nest, also called Paro Taktsang, which sits on an 800-meter rocky cliff. The round-trip hike normally takes 4 to 5 hours. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred pilgrimage sites and a must-visit for tourists. The site has connections to Guru Padmasambhava, an 8th-century Indian saint who brought Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan. One-way horse riding to the mid-point is available for an additional fee if you want to save some energy. On the way back, stop at the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples. Later you'll have free time to explore Paro town or relax at the hotel spa.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang
Optional Activities
- One-way horse riding to Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria (mid-point)
- Explore Paro town
- Hotel spa facilities
Landmarks Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Kyichu Lhakhang 
- Day 7
Departure
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll get transferred to Paro International Airport for your departure, bringing your Bhutan trip to an end.
- End point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
