This is a guided tour starting and finishing in Paro. This is for you to discover amazing things on your own or with your partner, your friends & family.
6 nights / 7 days
Experience a wonderful week in this small Himalayan kingdom. Get to know friendly local people, marvel at the interesting architecture, the amazing landscape, and the unique culture, traditions and way of life of the Bhutanese, embedded in Buddhism.
Day 1 & Day 2 – Thimphu
Arrival at Paro airport. Meet your guide and driver. Drive to the hotel in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. This is going to be a scenic drive for about an hour. If your room is ready, you can check in, if not yet, off you go discovering this lovely town.
The sights that you will visit in Thimphu during Day 1 and Day 2 (flexible schedule as you have the driver and the guide at your disposal and can arrange with them):
Buddha Dordenma Statue: This massive Buddha Dordenma statue stands 54 meters tall, making it one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. Inside, there are 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. The view from here is very nice.
The Memorial Chorten, a place of worship where you can join the “kora” circumambulation with the locals.
Changangkha Lhakhang is an old fortress-like temple and monastic school. It was founded in the 12th century on a site selected by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo from Ralung, Tibet. The courtyard offers excellent views of Thimphu.
Textile Museum: Opened in June 2001, the National Textile Museum is worth a quick visit to learn about the local art of weaving. Various exhibitions showcase the main weaving techniques, local clothing styles, and different types of textiles.
Trashichho Dzong: The throne room is located here, as well as the offices of the king, ministers, and various government organizations.
Takin Preserve: Nestled amidst the pine forests of Thimphu valley, the Motithang Takin Preserve is a unique wildlife reserve dedicated to Bhutan’s national animal — the takin (Budorcas taxicolor).
Day 3 – Punakha
Leave Thimphu and drive to Punakha via Dochu La. (approx 50 min. drive) Dochu-La is a mountain pass at 3100m above sea level. You will stop here to admire the view (weather permitting) and walk around the 108 chörten.
Continue to Punakha (about 1 and ½ to 2 hours drive) and visit Punakha Dzong. Dzongs are Buddhist “temple-fortresses”, traditionally the religious, administrative, military and social centre of their community. Distinct thick, sloping walls, red and white paint make this outstanding buildings look majestic.
In the afternoon, hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for lovely views.
Day 4 – daytrip to Phobjika Valley
Drive (approx 2 ½ h) to Phobjika Valley, a beautiful area where you will visit Gangtey Monastery (gonpa in Bhutanese). The monastery was established in the early 17th century. You can walk around the courtyard where major festivals happen and feel the devotion in the old temple halls. After visiting the gonpa, explore Phobjikha Valley and the Black-necked Crane Center. There is a Nature Trail and if time permits, I recommend walking and see more of the valley.
OPTIONAL: Engage with local communities through a farmhouse visit or try on the Bhutanese traditional attire.
Return to Punakha.
Day 5 – Paro
In the morning, you will drive to Paro and stopping again at Dochu-La pass to rest and admire the view again. Arriving at Paro, check-in to the hotel, then visit the National Museum, housed in a circular old dzong; a traditional paper-making workshop and Paro Rinpung Dzong.
In the evening, walk around the centre of Paro, pop into a cafe and chat with the lovely Bhutanese people. There will be taxis available to take you back to your hotel.
Day 6 – Tiger’s Nest Monastery
For many the highlight of the trip is the hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Start early and hike up to the cafe with a view of the monastery. The continue on to the “viewpoint” that brings you eye-level to the Monastery. From here, there are many steps down, then up and you arrive in this wonderful spiritual centre.
Depending on how much time you spend at the Tiger’s Nest, you will have time to do some shopping in Paro and maybe visit Kyichu Lakhang which is considered to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan, being established in the 7th century. It has a nice garden and a lovely place to spend some time to think about your journey in this unique country.
Day 7 – Departure
Flights from Paro usually leave early morning, because of the weather conditions, so you will have a very early start and hopefully clear weather to see the Himalayas. It is worth paying extra for the window seat on the right side.
Included:
- Accommodation
- Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Professional English speaking guide
- All tours and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
- Bottles of mineral water during sightseeing
- Visa fee
- SDF (Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of U$D100 per day per adult as of 2026.)
- Entrance fees
- Trying on traditional Bhutan dress
Not included:
- Medical and personal insurance
- Expenses of personal nature (drinks, etc.)
- Evacuation in case of emergency
- Tipping for guide and driver
- Other services not mentioned above
- Airfare – Please ask our offer!
Accommodation
Day 1 & 2 Thimphu: Hotel Tashiyidwong or similar
Day 3 & 4 Punakha: Hotel Bhutanic or similar – Option to change this to “Farmstay” – please ask us if you are interested.
Day 5 & 6 Paro: Tashi Namgay Resort or similar
Things to note: Bhutan is a mountainous country. Weather can change quickly, so layered clothing is recommended. Since it is mountainous, the roads are winding and driving times are always approximate (ie. can be longer). Meals are typical Bhutanese and Indian dishes. In Thimphu and Paro you can also have Western style food. Photography is not allowed inside the temples. There will be plenty of other wonderful things to photograph though. Bhutanese are religious people, please show respect to their faith and beliefs: remove shoes where directed so, do not point your feet towards images of Buddha when sitting, do not take selfies with Buddha images. Bargaining is not as common as in other Asian countries and done “softly”.
Practical stuff: can buy local SIM card (calls & data) at the airport. Change money at the airport – convenient and similar rate as elsewhere. Can also pay by card and app at some places, but always have some cash on you. Indian rupees are also in circulation and accepted 1:1. Food can be spicy, always ask for non-spicy if that is what you like.
How to apply:
Please email us your preferred dates, and if you are getting your own air tickets to Paro or you want us to book these for you. After arranging the land services with our Bhutanese partner, we will confirm these and that is when you need to pay a non-refundable deposit of 189 USD per person and send us a clear photo of your passport, with at least six months’ validity from the intended departure date. For the visa you’ll need to supply a passport style photograph – details to be advised later. You will also need to submit a copy of your travel insurance (heath & accident cover) which is obligatory to have.
The rest of the tour’s fee is to be paid at least 60 days before the tour starts. 50 % of this is amount will be refundable until 15 days before departure of the tour. Within 15 days of the departure date, there is no refund. Please make sure you have adequate insurance.
Price: 1890USD per person. Price valid for departures before 10 December, 2026. We are happy to quote for 2027, please let us know your preferred departure date.
Extra costs you need to consider: Air tickets to Paro, Bhutan. We recommend to fly via Kathmandu, Nepal and stay in Kathmandu 1-2 nights before the tour, and 1 night after the tour. This is to get used to the elevation on the way there, and because of potential flight delays of the Paro-Kathmandu flight (because of the unique weather conditions) on the way back.
Please note that if you fully want to enjoy this tour, an average fitness level is required. You will be walking, trekking around 2200m and more above sea level.
Please let us know if you want to add something and we will send you a personalized quote.
