Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Paro International. Paro, which is an appropriate introduction to this enchanting kingdom, is located at 2280 meters in a lovely valley. After meeting you, your guide will drive you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, which is located at 2320 meters above sea level, along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys in about an hour. Enjoy the ambiance of this enchanted capital with its bustling bazaars and stores, as well as its picturesque residents dressed in traditional attire, by taking a stroll about town in the late afternoon. You could go to Tashichho Dzong, which was constructed in 1641 and once held the first National Assembly. Today, it houses the King’s offices, government offices, and the throne room.

Spend the night in Thimphu

Day 2

Touring Thimphu. We’ll go to the weekend market, the sacred Memorial Chorten, and the enormous Buddha statue Dordenma, which overlooks the Thimphu Valley. The body itself is crammed with 125,000 lesser Buddha images, and the magnificent three-story throne is home to multiple chapels. You may stop by the Changangkha temple, which is situated atop a hill with a view of the town, on your way back. Throughout the day, devotees swarm to walk around and spin the prayer wheels. In addition, the temple has hundreds of gold-written sacred texts and exquisite wall murals. Following that, you might want to check out Simply Bhutan, an interactive museum that mimics a local hamlet and gives visitors a glimpse into many facets of Bhutanese traditional life.

Spend the night in Thimpu

Day 3

We will drive to Gangtey today in about five hours via Dochu La pass, which is at a height of 3050 meters. Here, we will pause for a hot beverage and take in breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalaya peaks. Proceed to Gangtey, which is 2900 meters away. Savor the views of the black mountain ranges and the vast, isolated Phobjikha valley. Explore the valley and visit Gangtey Gompa, where the locals still lead traditional rural Bhutanese lives. Every year in November, hundreds of black-necked cranes travel here after spending the summer in Tibet.

Spend the night in Gangtey.

Day 4

Drive for around three hours in the morning to Punakha, the former capital. As we go closer to low-lying Punakha, which is 1250 meters above sea level, you will note the shift in vegetation and temperature. Spend an hour or more strolling through the terraced fields of Sopsokha hamlet to the Temple of Fertility, Chimi Lhakhang, which was constructed in the 15th century by the “Divine Madman” (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). You can experience the traditional Bhutanese way of life here by stopping by a farmhouse for tea or lunch and sampling the red rice and regional cuisine. The majestic Punakha Dzong, often known as the “Palace of Great Happiness,” will be our next stop. It was constructed in 1637 and is well situated where the Po Chu and Mo Chu rivers converge.

Spend the night in Punakha

Day 5

After breakfast, take a trek to the 17th-century Chorten Ningpo. Images of the famous lamas of the Drukpa lineage and a magnificent figure of Maitreya, the future Buddha, can be found in the little-known Chorten. Once upon a time, this enchanted location was a thick forest full with wicked spirits. The blazing log that the “Divine Madman” tossed is claimed to have given rise to the large oak tree outside the monastery; the tree’s bark is still black from the burn. The monastery started housing orphans from the neighboring village in 2005 and established a tiny Buddhist school where the kids could learn both Western topics and traditional Buddhist texts. It takes around 45 meters to hike back to Punakha.Overnight to Punakha

Day 6

We make the four-hour drive back to Paro today. You can visit the National Museum in the afternoon at the Ta Dzong (watch tower), an odd circular structure that resembles a conch shell and was constructed on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to protect Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of conflict. The Ta Dzong is home to an impressive collection of Bhutanese artifacts, including textiles, religious artwork, costumes, weapons, and an intriguing assortment of Bhutan stamps. One of the best specimens of Bhutanese architecture, the magnificent Paro Rinpung Dzong, is only a short drive away. Take a walk around Paro town in the late afternoon.
Spend the night in Paro

Day 7

Visit the revered Taktshang monastery, known as the “Tiger’s Nest,” which is perched 900 meters above the valley level on a granite wall. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to the location on a tigress. He then spent three months meditating here. It is one of the holiest places in Bhutan and attracts pilgrims from neighboring Buddhist nations as well as from within Bhutan. The Taktshang café offers a breathtaking view of the monastery and is a great place to enjoy lunch.

Spend the night in Paro