Bhutan is a unique country both culturally and environmentally. Perched high in the Himalayas, it is the world’s last remaining Buddhist Kingdom. It has developed the philosophy of Gross National Happiness; where development is measured using a holistic approach of well-being, not just based on gross domestic product.
3 Hours Before Flight Time
Day | Itinerary |
Day 1 | Arrive Thimphu |
Day 2 | Thimphu-Punakha/Wangdue |
Day 3 | Punakha Short Nature and cultural Hike and Punakha-Phobjikha Valley |
Day 4 | Phobjikha Sightseeing and Phobjikha-Thimphu |
Day 5 | Thimphu Short Nature & Culture Hike & Sightseeing & Thimphu-Paro |
Day 6 | A Day Hike to Paro Taktsang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) |
Day 7 | Paro sightseeing & Departure |
Visit Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only), Tashichhoe Dzong, Craft Bazaar & The National Memorial Chorten (stupa).
visit Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley .Then travel to Punakha & Wangdue through Dochula Pass 3140 m).You can take photos at the beautiful 108 chortens .Visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery), Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang & walk over traditional Cantilever bridge to visit Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view of Punakha and Wangdue valleys from there. This scenic place gives you a good opportunity for photography.Dinner and overnight at a farmhouse in Punakha.
Travel through upper Punakha valley and take a leisure walk passing through suspension bridge and through paddy fields to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) .Then travel to Phobjikha valley through Wangdue. Phobjikha valley is part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (formerly known as Black Mountains National Park), one of Bhutan’s most important nature sanctuaries. Check into a farmhouse where you will be staying for the night. Enjoy traditional Bhutanese dinner with family members of the house.Overnight at a farmhouse in Phobjikha.
After breakfast take a short hike from Gangtey Monastery along the Gangtey Nature Trail enjoying spectacular view of several villages in Phobjikha valley.Then travel to Thimphu a through Nobding village which is about 45 minutes drive from Phobjikha valley and also through Wangdue Phodrang and Dochula Pass.
Travel for about 25 minutes from Thimphu city towards the northern end of Thimphu valley, you will come to the base camp of Tango Monastery which is located at about 14 km from Thimphu city. Starting point of this nature & cultural hike is from the parking lot, which is the end of motor road. You will hike up to the Monastery following the zig-zag trail through the forest filled with oak and pine trees as well as rhododendron flower trees. Since this area falls within Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park you will come across Gray Langur (monkeys) along the way and some bird species as well.
Hiking for about 40 minutes you will come to a Chorten (stupa). From here you have an excellent view of several meditation houses and the monastery straight ahead. Then hike up another 20 minutes to the monastery. The round trip hike is about 2.5 km and estimated hiking time is about 2 hours for a slow hiker.
Drive for about 20 minutes to the base of Taktsang Monastery and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Then visit Farmhouses in Paro Valley and a visit to a farmhouse offer a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer. You can have traditional Bhutanese tea and snacks and also you can try your hand at archery game using traditional bow and arrow made out of bamboo.You will enjoy traditional Bhutanese dinner with the family members of the house.Overnight at a farmhouse in Paro.
Drive to parking lot near Paro Dzong and walk over traditional Cantilever Rimpung bridge which is oldest bridge in Bhutan to visit Paro dzong Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. From the Dzong you will walk back down to Rimpung Bridge. Then visit Paro town and also visit local handicraft stores.