Day by day itinerary

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Paro [2,250m / 7,382ft] and drive to Thimphu [2,350m / 7,710ft] 

Driving distance: 54 km

Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Fly into Paro by Druk Air, Royal Bhutan Airline. The great snow-capped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens can be seen during clear weather.

You will be received at the Paro airport. After completion of airport formalities, you will drive through the lovely Paro valley to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The road runs down through the Paro valley, to Chuzom (Confluence) at the entrance to the valley, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet. Three chortens (Stupa) on the riverbank at this place, each in a different style, mark the confluence of the two rivers. The road passes along a narrow valley with high, rocky cliffs on the left, and then the valley opens out into farmland on the approach to Thimphu.

On arrival at Thimphu, check into the hotel. After refreshments, sightseeing in Thimphu valley which includes visits to some of the following depending on your interest and time availability: The National Memorial Chorten, continuously circulated by the faithful, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who had wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. Later visit Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in the 15 century by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu [-/L/D]

Day 02: In Thimphu, Thimphu Tour & Sightseeing: Evening transfer to Punakha [1,310m/4,300ft]

Driving distance to Punakha: 77Km

Estimated travel time: 2 hours and 30 minutes.

After breakfast visit National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. The National Institute of Traditional Medicine, where Bhutan’s famed traditional herbal medicines are compounded and dispensed. The school of traditional arts and crafts(commonly known as ZorigChusom), where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.The National Textile Museum, which is a good place to see the art of Bhutanese traditional weaving kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a goodcollection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs. Women weaving intricate designs can also be seen here.The Folk Heritage Museum that gives an insight into Bhutanese rural life.

Evening drive to Punakha across Dochu la pass (3088m) where you will visit DrukWangyelChortens( 108 stupas) and Druk Wangyel Temple.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha [B/L/D]

Day 03: Punakha- Evening transfer to Paro

Driving distance to Paro: 135 km

Estimated travel time: 4 hours 

After breakfast visit visit the Punakha Dzong, Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the dzong was built in the 17^th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.  At the Dzong enrich your trip with the opportunity to see the highest standards in woodwork. Do not miss the massive Kuenray, the Coronation Hall of all Bhutanese kings, the Dzongchung at the entrance to the dzong and the cantilever bridge over the Mochu that has been recently renovated.

Later en-route to Paro valley, stop at Lobesa to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing. Have your luch at the Chhimi Lhakhang cafeteria which is located near the monastery before continuing the journey towards Paro.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro [B/L/D]

Day 04: Paro-Taktasang Hike

After breakfast, travel to Paro which will take about 1 hour and on arrival at Paro hike to Taktsang Goempa (Tiger's Nest Monastery). The hike upto the viewpoint will take about 1 1/2 hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. You will stop here for refreshments and then hike further upto the monastery which should take another 1 1/2 hours. It was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three months in the 8th century. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then performed meditation in one of the caves here and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen caves in which he meditated. After visiting the monastery, walk back downhill to the road with lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria.

Later visit Kichutemple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.). In the evening relax and overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro [B/L/D]

Day 05: Departure from Paro [B/-/-]

After breakfast, transfer to airport for onwards flight back home. Trip concludes

[B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner]