Discover the Kingdom of Bhutan on this 6 Nights / 7 Days getaway through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. From the giant Buddha Dordenma and the fortress Dzongs to the Dochula Pass, the Tiger’s Nest hike and an excursion to the Haa Valley over Bhutan’s highest motorable pass, this itinerary captures the Himalayan kingdom at its most memorable.
Route: Paro – Thimphu – Punakha / Wangdue – Paro – Haa Valley
Tour Highlights
- Buddha Dordenma & Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
- Dochula Pass with its 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas
- Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility
- Punakha Dzong at the river confluence
- Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest
- Chele La, Bhutan’s Highest Motorable Pass
- Haa Valley’s White and Black Temples
- Private Vehicle with Bhutanese Guide Throughout
01
Day 1
Paro Airport Arrival, Transfer to Thimphu (65 km / 2 hrs, Thimphu 2,350 m)
- After immigration formalities at Paro Airport, meet your Bhutanese guide and transfer to Thimphu, the capital.
- En route stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Thimphu (Wang Chhu) and Paro (Pa Chhu) rivers, where three stupas stand in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese style.
- On arrival check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure.
- Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
02
Day 2
Thimphu Sightseeing
- After breakfast, set out on a tour of Thimphu city.
- Visit Kuensel Phodrang, home to the gigantic Buddha Dordenma statue atop a hill with magnificent views over Thimphu.
- Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
- Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, and the Motithang Takin Reserve, home to Bhutan’s national animal.
- In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, the Fortress of the Glorious Religion, which houses several ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat and the central monk body.
- Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
03
Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha / Wangdue (77 km / 2 hrs, Punakha 1,310 m)
- After breakfast, drive to Punakha, halting at Dochula Pass at 3,100 m, where 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas stand.
- Continue to Punakha / Wangdue and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, reached by a short hike of 30 to 45 minutes.
- Later visit Punakha Dzong, set at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers.
- Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.
04
Day 4
Punakha / Wangdue to Paro (140 km / 4 hrs, Paro 2,280 m)
- After breakfast, drive to Paro, stopping at the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi, Bhutan’s first botanical park.
- Stop at the Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho village to return the permit stamped earlier.
- Stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo, known as the iron bridge builder.
- On arrival visit Ta Dzong, a 1951 watchtower over the Paro Valley now the national museum, and Paro Rimpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels built in 1646.
- Walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge, a traditional covered cantilever bridge linking Paro town to the Dzong.
- Check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Paro.
05
Day 5
Paro Sightseeing, Tiger’s Nest
- After breakfast, visit Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest, at an altitude of 3,100 m in the Upper Paro Valley. Legend holds that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at the site.
- The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours. It is steep with stiff stairs and is not recommended for small children or elderly travellers.
- On the way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan.
- Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
06
Day 6
Excursion to Chele La Pass & Haa Valley (65 km one way / 3 hrs, Haa 2,700 m)
- After breakfast, head out to Chele La Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan, separating the Paro and Haa valleys with views over both.
- Continue to Haa Valley and visit the 7th century Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple), Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) and Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong.
- Return to the hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Paro.
07
Day 7
Departure from Paro
- After breakfast, transfer to Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!
INCLUSIONS
- Pickup from Paro International Airport
- Drop at Paro International Airport
- 02 Nights accommodation in Thimphu
- 01 Night accommodation in Punakha / Wangdue
- 03 Nights accommodation in Paro
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- All tours and transfers on a private basis by exclusive non AC vehicle
- Sightseeing tours as per the itinerary
- All toll taxes, driver allowance, parking charges and fuel included
- Exclusive non AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary. Disposal vehicles are not practised in Bhutan; the guide and vehicle are available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Hotel taxes as applicable
- Guide and escort charges for the Bhutan portion
- SDF charges
EXCLUSIONS
- 5% GST and TCS
- Air fare / Train fare
- Lunch
- Any other activities such as rafting or archery, for which supplemental charges are payable directly by guests
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone bills, bar bills, tips, gratuity and bottled water
- Entrance fees for museums and monuments, upgrade charges and optional tours, payable directly on the spot
- Any cost arising from unforeseen events such as landslides, road blockages or political disturbances, recovered directly on the spot
- Any increase in government taxes, fuel price or visa fees coming into effect before departure
- Anything not listed under inclusions
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Documents: all guests must carry original valid identity proof. Adults need an original valid passport or original Voter ID card. Children need an original valid passport or original birth certificate with a school photo ID. Scanned or photocopied documents are not accepted and anyone without originals will be deported by immigration.
- Permits: holders of an online or tourist permit may not seek employment in Bhutan. Misuse is a penal offence carrying a fine of Nu 3,300 and deportation under IRR 2015.
- Sustainable Development Fee: Bhutan charges an SDF for foreign visitors. The applicable fee will be confirmed at the time of booking.
- Dress code: remove hats when visiting Dzongs, monasteries and in front of the National Flag. Long sleeves and full length trousers are required at Dzongs, temples and government offices. Shorts are not permitted.
- Currency: Indian travellers may carry Indian currency in denominations of Rs 100 or smaller. Notes of Rs 500 and above are banned in Bhutan. The Ngultrum is at par with the Indian Rupee and Indian currency is widely accepted.
- Telephone: international roaming in Bhutan is expensive. A local SIM is easiest, obtained by submitting a copy of your voter ID or passport with two passport photographs. Your guide will assist.
- Tobacco: tobacco products are banned in Bhutan. Limited quantities for personal consumption may be imported on payment of applicable duty. Smoking in public places carries a fine of Nu 500.
- Clothing: pack according to the season and temperature at the time of travel, and carry hiking shoes.
- Credit cards: facilities are very limited. Only a few handicraft stores and hotels accept VISA, usually with a 5% surcharge. Check acceptance with your card provider before travelling.
