Complete Bhutan

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide who will accompany you on your journey through Bhutan. You will immediately set off on a drive through the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, located at 7,610 feet.

En route, stop to admire the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the ancestral worship site for Bhutan’s renowned iron bridge builder. In the late afternoon, take a leisurely stroll around Thimphu to soak in the vibrant atmosphere, explore busy shops, and see locals dressed in traditional attire.

After breakfast, embark on a full day of sightseeing in Thimphu. There is a lot to see here and the schedule can be mapped out locally with your guide, but a typical day includes visits to the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten, and the massive Buddha Dordenma statue that offers a commanding view of the Thimphu valley. The statue houses several chapels and 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. You might also visit the Tashichho Dzong, a grand fortress monastery with intricate architecture and ornate details that houses the government offices and the throne room of the King.

In the afternoon, explore the School of Traditional Arts, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Library, and the National Textile Museum, which features a striking collection of intricate textiles. For Bhutanese handicrafts, stroll through the Craft Bazaar, where stalls offer exclusively homemade items. You could also visit the Postal Museum, showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps.

After breakfast, depart for Punakha, a picturesque valley known for its stunning landscapes and historical sites. En route, stop at the Dochu la Pass, located at an elevation of 10,000ft and offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. You will then descend into the Punakha Valley below, descending into a verdant landscape of green rice fields and rolling hills.

On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, also known as the “Palace of Great Happiness.” one of Bhutan’s most beautiful fortresses. Located at the confluence of two rivers and surrounded by lilac trees, it makes for postcard-perfect photographs.

Finish the day with a pleasant walk through the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, built in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as the “Divine Madman.”

Today will be a long day in the car heading east along the Trans-Bhutan Highway to Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.

An inital 4.5-hour drive brings you to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan at 7,152 feet. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family, and Ta Dzong, a museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty.

In the afternoon you will continue for a further 2.5 hours through stunning forest and mountain landscapes to Bumthang, an area of high valleys ranging from 8,465 to 10,170 feet. Arrive in Bumthang, a region known for its spiritual significance and breathtaking landscapes, in the late afternoon, and check into your hotel.

In the afternoon, visit the Jakar Dzong, the largest fortress in Bhutan also known as the “Castle of the White Bird,” an impressive fortress-monastery overlooking the Chamkhar Valley.

Today your guide will introduce you to the valleys of central Bhutan, home to many legendary monasteries, temples, and palaces. Bumthang encompasses four valleys: Chokhor, Tang, Ura, and Chumey. Your guide will lead you on a walking and/or driving tour of sacred sites, including Jakar Dzong, the largest in Bhutan, and Kurjey Lhakhang, a revered temple complex considered one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan as it houses the body imprints of Guru Rinpoche, the great Buddhist master who introduced Buddhism to the country.

If you have time, you may also visit the Jamba or Tamshing temples. Also worthy are visits to Bhutan’s only Swiss cheese factory, or the Red Panda Brewery, which specializes in delicious Weiss beers.

Today, you will drive to the neighboring Tang Valley, the most remote in the Bumthang region and home to some of the most culturally significant monuments in the Kingdom.

You will pass the trail to Mebar Tsho (the Burning Lake), in fact a small pond hidden in a ravine. This is a significant pilgrimage site to Bhutanese, as it is believed to be the location where the scholar Pema Lingpa discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s teachings and treasures in the late 1400s.

Then visit Drangchel, the birthplace of Pema Lingpa, surrounded by picturesque villages and temples. You will also walk up to Ugyen Chholing Palace, now a museum providing insight into the life of the Bhutanese aristocracy in the 19th century. Return to Bumthang for the night.

This morning you will set off by road to Gangtey, a 6-hour drive ascending to approximately 9,500ft into the Phobjikha Valley and surrounding Black Mountains. Arrive in Gangtey, a broad, gently sloping, pristine valley famous for its natural beauty, black-necked crane conservation, and wonderful indigenous birds, monastery, and nature trails.

On arrival your guide will take you for walking tour of the village including a visit to Gangtey Gompa, one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries.

Gangtey is a broader, flatter valley than most in Bhutan, which makes it an excellent place for a scenic hike or bike ride without having to face too many steep inclines.

This morning you will embark on a gentle hike around the bottom of Phobjikha Valley. Before setting off, you will visit the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre to learn about the conservation efforts for this endangered species migrating here annually from Tibet. Your guide will share the wonderful folklore and stories these iconic and graceful birds have inspired.

You will then begin walking from the Khewang Temple, continuing along farm roads through Gophu and Dogsena villages to Pangsa village. Cross the river to Jangchub Gompa, then walk uphill through blue pine forests to Gangtey Gompa and the surrounding village, where your car will be waiting to escort you back to the hotel. A typical walk covers 7-8 km and takes about 5-6 hours, but this can be adjusted to your interests.

After breakfast, you will be returned by road to Paro, a drive of about 5-6 hours. Around halfway you will stop to visit Wangue Phodrang to see the restored Wangdi Dzong, which was damaged by fire in 2012.

Continue to Paro, arriving mid-afternoon. Your guide can drop you at your hotel to relax, or take you into Paro town to see some of the shops and markets. If you are there on a weekend don’t miss the Paro Weekend Market which offers a wide array of local produce, handicrafts, textiles, and traditional Bhutanese goods. It’s an excellent place to experience the local culture, interact with friendly vendors, and try Bhutanese delicacies.

Today you will explore the Paro Valley with your guide. Typically, a day will involve a visit to the National Museum in the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower built to protect the Paro Valley. The museum features an extensive collection of Bhutanese artifacts, including costumes, religious paintings, weapons, textiles, and stamps.

You will also visit Rinpung Dzong, a majestic fortress-monastery that stands as a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. Take a leisurely walk across the traditional cantilever bridge, capturing stunning views of the dzong and the surrounding landscapes as you go. If time permits, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred shrines.

After an early breakfast, set out to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It clings to a cliff 2,950 feet above the valley floor. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tigress and meditated there for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s holiest sites, attracting pilgrims from Bhutan and neighboring Buddhist countries.

This sacred site is perched on a cliffside, and the hike to reach it offers forest walks interspersed with breathtaking views. The hike to Tiger’s Nest is challenging but rewarding, and it is one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan. Enjoy lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria with a spectacular view of the monastery.

Most visitors return from the hike in the early afternoon. After that, you can spend your last few hours in Bhutan relaxing at your hotel or ask your guide to suggest some further sightseeing or shopping opportunities.

Sadly it is time to say ‘Tashi Delek’ (goodbye and good luck). At the appropriate time today your guide and driver will drop you back at Paro International Airport for your onward journey.