Discover Bhutan

Discover Bhutan and experience its extraordinary landscape and cultural heritage. Our experienced guides take you on day hikes through the Valley of Bhutan, incorporating Taktshang “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery, the National Museum, the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, and the ancient temple of Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro. You will tour in and around the capital Thimphu, including Cheri and Tango Monasteries. On clear days, you will experience breathtaking views of the eastern Himalayas from the mountain pass Dochu La, as you journey to Punakha, the former nation’s capital and site of the magnificent Punakha Dzong. Accommodation is included on full-board basis.

Day 1: Arrival, check- in, orientation and easy walk.
Upon arrival, your tour escort from Bhutan Wilderness Travel welcomes you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you will take a short walk around Paro for orientation and acclimatization purposes.
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 2: Hike to Taktshang “Tiger Nest” Monastery and visit to the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang.
After breakfast you will be driven to the starting point of a hike to view the spectacular Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forests, passing trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. After a refreshment stop at a cafeteria on the way, you will continue for a short distance until you see, across a deep chasm but clearly and seemingly within reach, the Taktsang Monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. In the afternoon before returning to your hotel, you will visit the 7th century Kyichu Monastery, one of the oldest in the kingdom.
Duration: 5 -7 hours
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 3: National Museum, Paro Dzong and drive to Haa valley.
Today we visit the National Museum “Ta Dzong” meaning watch tower (open Tuesday- Saturday.) It commands a magnificent view of Paro valley. We then descend to Rinpung Dzong (fortress on the heap of jewel). From there, the trail leads across Paro Chhu (river) via a traditional covered bridge (Nyamai Zam), past the main archery ground, Ugyen Pelri Palace and into Paro town.
After lunch, we drive across Chele La (pass) which, at 3810m, is the highest road pass in Bhutan. On a clear day, the view of the snow-capped mountains including Mt. Jhomulhari, one of the most sacred mountains in Bhutan, is magnificent. A 45-minute descent takes us to the remote Haa valley, described as carpeted in flowers and covered with pine, where the Bhutanese continue their age-old rural existence beneath dramatic, changing skies. The Haa valley was opened to foreigners in 2002.
Duration: 6 – 7 hours
Overnight: Rigsum resort

Day 4: Lhakhang Karpo, Dobji Dzong, Thimphu
After a short visit to Lhakhang Karpo “white temple”, we continue our drive to Thimphu through beautiful villages and pine forests. It is a pleasurable ride, with many optional stops along the road. A picnic lunch is served on the way. Thimphu, the capital, rests on a wooded hillside by the Wang Chhu. The center of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a bustling town where traditional ways mingle with modern introductions.
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Overnight: Hotel Jomulhari/riverview

Day 5: Thimphu sightseeing.
Sights include the following, time and local conditions permitting:
National Memorial Chorten: Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk had wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity, but he died before his plan came to fruition. The royal Queen Mother resolved to fulfill his wishes and erected a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to peace.
BBS Tower Viewpoint and Takin Compound:One the way to the Viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose. The Bhutanese have their own story to narrate about how the takin was created by the Master Drukpa Kunley (the divine madman).
View of Tashi Choe Dzong: The fortress of the glorious religion was initialy constructed in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s. Tashi Choe Dzong houses His Majesty’s secretariat, ministers offices, and the Central Monk Body. Entrance may be granted to guests only after 5 pm.
National Institute of Traditional Medicine: The Institute still dispenses traditional herbal and other medicines made from plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. A tour of its working facility for research and treatment of local people is fascinating (open Monday – Friday.)
Folk Heritage Museum: This is a very old house in the capital owned by a reputed family for the last three hundred years. In 2002, H.M. Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk converted it to a museum, in order to preserve its traditional value. (Open Monday – Friday)
Overnight: Hotel Jomulhari/riverview

Day 6: Drive to Punakha valley (1300m)
After breakfast, we begin our drive to Punakha. On the way, a drive takes us all the way up to Dochu La (3050m) to witness the magnificent view of the eastern Himalayan range (weather permitting). Dochu La is marked with 108 stupas built in memory of soldiers who lost their lives during military action against Assamese rebels.
From here we have a very long decent to the lower valley of Punakha. We will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built in 1636. It was restored many times due to fire, earthquake and flood. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still the winter home of the Central Monk Body.
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Overnight: Hotel YT/Damchen resort

Day 7: Punakha to Paro.
After a short hike to Chime lhakhang (fertility temple), we retrace our journey back to Paro, stopping at Dochu La for lunch. We will arrive at Paro, with still some free time before dinner.
Duration: 6 – 7 hours
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be driven to the airport in time to catch your onward flight. Your escort from Bhutan Wilderness Travel bids you farewell, and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.
Tashi Delek!