Overview
Bhutan, home to the Thunder Dragon, lies on the eastern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains. With its majestic landscapes, pristine forests, snow-capped mountain ranges, as well as its long tradition of cultural diversity rooted in mythology and ancient beliefs, Bhutan offers authentic experiences in its most sacred Buddhist monasteries. You can stroll along the longest suspension bridge in the country and learn about the daily life of Bhutanese monks in the Punakha Dzong which is widely known as the Place of Great Happiness. Let your soul mingle with the excitement of the most vibrant festivals, wear the traditional dress and gain a deep insight into the mystical cultural identity of the happiest kingdom in the world. The warmth, hospitality, and politeness of the local people ensure a memorable trip that is not only unique, but truly valuable.
Trip Facts:
Trip duration: 8 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: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
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 1Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 2Arrive Paro (2200m) & transfer to Thimphu (2334m) (B, L, D)
Day 3Sightseeing in Thimphu (B, L, D)
Day 4Drive to Punakha (1242 m) -75 km, approx. 3 hrs (B, L, D)
Day 5Drive to Paro (2200m) – 125 km, approx. 4 hrs (B, L, D)
Day 6Sightseeing in Paro (B, L, D)
Day 7Fly to Kathmandu (B, L, D)
Day 8Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
It’s a fantastic feeling to fly over the land of Nepal. You can see beautiful snow-covered mountains. After you land at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by our team at the arrivals and escort you to your hotel.
Day 02: Arrive Paro (2200m) & transfer to Thimphu (2334m) (B, L, D)
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 03: 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 04: 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 05: 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. En-route you will get the views of Masagang(7158m), Tsendagang (6960m) and Terigang (7060m).
Day 06: 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 07: Fly to Kathmandu (1400m) (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will drive to airport and then depart for Kathmandu. You will be escorted to hotel for some rest and in the evening you can see visit Thamel and relax.
Day 08: Departure
After breakfast, you will drive to airport and then depart to your respective destination.
7 Nights/ 8 Days
2+
Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
Visa Fee 
Tourism Development Fund 
