Bhutan tour (07 Nights/08 Days) C 8 Days

On a clear day, the flight to Paro offers one of the most breathtaking views among mountain flights. You’ll be able to spot iconic Himalayan peaks like Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu, followed by Bhutan’s snow-capped mountains, Chomolhari and Jichu Drake, as you approach Paro. The first gift Bhutan offers you upon arrival is the refreshing, crisp mountain air. After completing customs and visa formalities, your Bhutanese guide will meet you and drive you to Paro town.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, a historic watchtower that now houses the National Museum, established in 1968. The museum showcases a rich collection of antique thangkas, textiles, weapons, armor, household items, and various natural and historical artifacts. Next, explore Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to protect the valley from Tibetan invasions. The dzong now serves as the administrative center and a monastery for monks. The day concludes with a stroll through Paro’s lively shopping district. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, embark on a drive along the winding road to Drukgyal Dzong, a historic fortress once built to protect the valley from Tibetan invasions. On a clear day, enjoy a view of Mount Chomolhari from Drukgyal village. You will also visit a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse to get an authentic glimpse of daily life in Bhutan.

Next, drive to Shari and begin the hike (or horse ride) up to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The hike to the cafeteria takes approximately 1.5 hours. Once at the viewpoint, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the monastery, believed to be the spot where Guru Padmasambhava flew in on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After a relaxing lunch at the café, walk back to the road point. On the return journey to your hotel, stop by Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, dating back to the 7th century. The evening is free for leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, take a 1.5-hour drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. With a population of approximately 98,500, Thimphu is a small town with just three rows of shops and is unique as the only capital in the world without traffic lights. On the way, visit Simtokha Dzong.

Upon arrival in Thimphu, check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch. Afterward, visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the Dupthop Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. Continue your tour with a visit to the National Library, which holds ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Art & Crafts School, where traditional painting techniques, including the creation of Thangkas (Buddhist religious scrolls), are taught.

In the afternoon, visit the Traditional Medicine Institute, where ancient healing practices are still followed, and then stop by Lungten Zampa to tour the Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, visit the Textile Museum, where the traditional art of weaving is preserved through exhibits showcasing an impressive collection of colorful and intricately designed textiles. Next, head to the Folk Heritage Museum, which aims to connect visitors to Bhutan’s rural past through displays of artifacts and everyday items used in traditional households.

After the visits, depart for Punakha. As you leave Thimphu, the road climbs steeply through pine and cedar forests, draped with hanging lichen, towards Dochola Pass (3050 m). This pass is known for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain range. After enjoying a tea break and the scenic vistas, descend along a series of hairpin bends into the fertile valley of Punakha. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive through the small town of Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Je Khenpo and the former capital of Bhutan, situated uniquely between the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu rivers. The dzong is accessible to visitors only during summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu.

Continue the journey towards Gangtey, located to the east of Punakha and Wangdue, nestled along the Black Mountains. Here, visit the Gangtey Gompa, a 17th-century monastery. A short distance past the Gompa, explore the stunning Phobjikha Valley.

The gently sloping hills of Phobjikha are considered one of the most picturesque valleys in the Himalayas. This valley serves as the winter habitat for the black-necked cranes, which migrate from the harsh Tibetan Plateau to the more temperate climate of the valley. Afterward, continue your drive back to Wangdue. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Wangdue Dzong, one of the main towns and district headquarters of western Bhutan. Stop briefly to admire the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, which is dramatically perched on a hill at the junction of the Tsang Chhu and Dang Chhu rivers. Then, drive back to Thimphu via the Dochola Pass. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely walk through the streets of Thimphu. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive towards the secluded Haa Valley, which was closed to tourism until 2002. This valley is the last one in Bhutan, bordering autonomous Tibet. Explore the Haa Dzong and visit the Haap Chhundu temples, dedicated to the guardian deity of the valley. Afterward, drive back to Paro via Chelela Pass, one of the highest motorable points in Bhutan at an elevation of 3,780 meters. From here, you’ll have a breathtaking view of some of Bhutan’s tallest mountains and stunning landscapes. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving a short distance to Paro Airport. Your Bhutanese guide will say farewell as you depart. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey home.