Day 1: Arrival in Paro & Drive to Thimphu

Experience the thrilling mountain landing at Paro International Airport. Meet your mandatory local licensed guide and private driver. Drive along the scenic river highway to Thimphu, the capital city.

Take a gentle introductory walk around the National Memorial Chorten, observing elderly locals spinning prayer wheels.

Day 2: Thimphu Cultural Valley Tour

Drive up to the hillside ridge to admire the gigantic Buddha Dordenma statue and its panoramic valley views. Visit the Simply Bhutan living museum and the National Library.

Tour the Centenary Farmers Market to view local cheeses, dried yak meat, and organic ingredients.

Explore the grand architecture of Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building and seat of government, beautifully lit up at dusk.

Day 3: Thimphu to Sub-Tropical Punakha Valley

Ascend the winding mountain highway to reach the misty Dochula Pass (3,100m). Walk among its 108 stupas and enjoy panoramic views of the eastern snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into the warm, sub-tropical Punakha valley.

Take a short hike across green terraced rice fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, the unique 15th-century temple of fertility.

Day 4: Punakha Dzong & Suspension Bridge Exploration

Explore the magnificent Punakha Dzong, positioned at the scenic confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers. Walk through its massive courtyard to see intricate wooden artwork.

Walk across the nearby Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest traditional suspension bridges in the country, draped in colourful prayer flags. Savor a riverside picnic lunch.

Day 5: Punakha to Historic Paro Valley

Re-cross the mountain passes back to Paro valley. Stop en route to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Fortress), which showcases masterfully engineered fortress architecture used to repel historical Tibetan invasions.

Walk along the old-fashioned, wood-paneled streetfronts of Paro town for handicraft shopping.

Day 6: Epic Hike to Tiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang)

Start early to beat the midday heat. Hike up through pine forests draped with Spanish moss to reach the breathtaking Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), clinging to a sheer rock cliff 900 metres above the valley. Explore its sacred meditation caves.

Reward your legs with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath at a rustic local farmhouse, infused with roasted river stones and local medicinal herbs.

Day 7: Excursion to the High Haa Valley

Drive up the steep mountain switchbacks to Chele La Pass (3,988m), the highest motorable road pass in Bhutan, offering pristine views of Mount Jomolhari. Descend into the isolated, ancestral Haa Valley to explore the Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple).

Day 8: Paro International Departure

Savor an early breakfast of traditional buckwheat pancakes. Say goodbye to your Bhutanese guide and driver at the departures gate of Paro International Airport for your flight back home.