Overview
Bhutan, known as the land of the thunder Dragon, is a naturally and culturally vibrant country on the lap of the Himalayas. A trip to this wonderful country will offer you an opportunity to experience its pristine nature and unique culture and traditions. The trip will start from Thimphu, the capital city, where you can explore the ancient and historical places. Then you will move to Punakha, a pleasant city known for having the preserved remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan and sacred relic. After enjoying the cultural richness of Punakha, you arrive at Paro, where Bhutan’s only international airport is located. Paro, the country’s gateway & one of the most visited places in Bhutan, offers you the most beautiful cultural and historical encounters of the country.
Trip Facts:
Trip duration: 6 Days
Destination: Thimpu, Punakha & Paro
Hotel Accommodation: Twin Sharing
Transportation: Air & Road Transfer
Type of Tour: Easy
Maximum Elevation: 3700m
Preferred age Group: Any
Special Training / Skill: Not Required
Seasonality: Round the Year
Start and End: Paro/Paro
CLOSING DAYS OF SOME OF MONUMENTS MENTIONED IN ITINERARY:
- Ta Dzong – Paro (National Museum): Closed on Government Holidays
- National Library – Thimphu: Closed on Sat, Sun & Government Holidays
- Textile Museum – Thimphu: Closed on Sun & Government Holidays. On Sat open from 9.00 am to 4 pm
- Institute of Zorig Chusum (Arts & Crafts School) – Thimphu: Closed on Sun & Government Holidays. On Sat open from 10 am to 12 o’clock. Also closed during winter/summer (Dec-early March, June-Aug) – closing date available only a few weeks before
- Simply Bhutan – Thimphu: Closed on Sun & Government Holidays
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) – Paro: TBA
- Drugyal Dzong Paro – currently closed till further notice
(This is currently available closing/opening information and is subject to change as per the Govt. policy)
 Arrival City |
Bhutan, Paro |
 Departure City |
Bhutan, Paro |
 Lodging Level |
N/A |
 Trip Grade |
Easy |
 Attractions |
Textile Museum, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, Bhutan Museum, Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), Trashichhoe Dzong, National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang and Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) |
 Activity |
Sightseeing & Cultural Tour |
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Paro (2200m) & transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
Day 2Sightseeing in Thimphu (B,L,D)
Day 3Drive to Punakha (1242 m) - 75 km, approx. 3 hrs (B,L,D)
Day 4Drive to Paro (2200m) – 125 km, approx. 4 hrs (B,L,D)
Day 5Sightseeing in Paro (B,L,D)
Day 6Depart Paro (B,L,D)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro (2200m) & transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
On arrival at Paro airport, you will meet your guide. Then transfer to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. After arriving at Thimphu, you will check into hotel and rest.
Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimphu (B,L,D)
After having breakfast, you will have sightseeing tour of the major attractions of Thimphu. You will visit the Textile Museum, National Library, Zorig Chusum, Bhutan Museum, Memorial Chorten, Trashichhoe Dzong etc. Textile Museum is known for the living national art of weaving. You can see the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textile made by men and women. National Library where you can find the history of Bhutan imprinted and preserved in archaic text. In this library you can also find modern academic books and printing block for prayers flags beside manuscripts and ancient texts. Institute for Zorig Chusum is known as Arts & Crafts School, where the institute offers a 6 year course on13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. You can see students learning various skills.
Bhutan Museum is a newly commissioned museum that preserves the ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization. The best part of this museum is the portrayal of the age-old life styles of the Bhutanese people. Memorial Chorten is the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. He is popularly regarded as the Father of modern Bhutan. Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) is a view point of Thimphu city, from where you can get the good views of Thimphu valley. At Buddha point, you can find the largest Buddha statue in the country. Trashichhoe Dzong is a magnificent fortress and monastery showcasing Bhutan’s glorious culture and religion.
Day 03: Drive to Punakha (1242 m) – 75 km, approx. 3 hrs (B,L,D)
Today you will drive to Punakha. After reaching Punakha, you will go for some sightseeing in Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lakhang. Punakha Dzong was built at a junction of Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is also called Palace of Great Happiness. In the past, Majestic Dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan. Chimi Lakhang is situated on a hillock in the center of the valley. It is also known as the temple of fertility. It is believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one are usually blessed with a child very soon if they visit the temple.
Day 04: Drive to Paro (2200m)– 125 km, approx. 4 hrs (B,L,D)
After breakfast, you will drive to Paro which is approx. 125 km away from Punakha via Thimphu and Dochula pass. This journey will take around 4 hrs. On the way to Paro, you will visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country and also known as the place of profound tantric teaching. You will also get the views of Masagang (7158m), Tsendagang (6960m), Terigang (7060m) etc.
Day 05: Sightseeing in Paro (B,L,D)
Today after having breakfast, you will have a full day sightseeing in Paro city. You will visit National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Taktsang Monastery etc. The National Museum houses a great collection of cultural and religious artifacts that includes antique thangka painting, textile, weapons & armour, household objects etc. Rinpung Dzong means “fortress of the heap of jewels”. It has a long and fascinating history. In Rinpung Dzong’s wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard, you can find fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lores. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. This temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) is located on the face of a sheer 900m cliff above the Paro Valley. It is one of the most venerated and famous monasteries of Bhutan. You have to hike for 3 hrs to reach and 2 hrs to come back. You can also go there by riding horse, but you have to tell the local guide the day before you visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery. After finishing all the sightseeing, you will visit local market and do some shopping and end the day.
Day 06: Depart Paro
After breakfast, you will drive to airport and then depart to your respective destination.
5 Nights/ 6 Days
2+
Thimphu, Punakha & Paro Tour
Visa Fee 
Tourism Development Fund 
