This trip is perfectly combined with Nepal or some time in North India. Speak to our Bhutan Travel Specialists for suggestions and recommendations.
Day 1 – A taste of Thimphu
On arrival in Paro you’ll be met by your driver and guide who will be with you for the duration of your trip. They will transfer you to Bhutan’s laid-back capital, Thimphu – a journey of about 45 minutes. After checking into your hotel, head to the impressive Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest seated Buddhas in the world. From its hilltop setting you can enjoy sweeping city views framed by forested hills. Learn about Bhutan’s unique approach to healing at the Traditional Medicine Institute, where traditional remedies are still prepared, then visit the serene Zilukha Nunnery where you may hear prayers being chanted. For an insight into daily local life, and if time allows, take a stroll through Thimphu’s market area.
Day 2 – Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, set off on the scenic three-hour drive to Punakha. You’ll make a stop at Dochula Pass (3,050m) where you’ll find 108 white chortens (Buddhist stupas) arranged in rows on the hillside. If the skies are clear, you can enjoy spectacular Himalayan views before descending into the Punakha Valley.
This afternoon, you’ll visit the stunning Punakha Dzong which is widely considered to be the most beautiful and photogenic dzong in the country. Then enjoy a gentle hike through rice paddies and pine forest to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a temple built to promote peace and harmony, and cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge.
Day 3 – Explore the Punakha Valley
Today you’ll explore the Punakha Valley with your guide. A highlight is the impressive Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful in the country, with colourful towers and whitewashed walls set between green rice fields and two rivers. Depending on your interests, you could visit the Temple of the Divine Madman, built in honour of a Tibetan monk known for his unconventional way of teaching Buddhism – expect a rather unusual blessing involving a wooden phallus. Another option is the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, built to bring peace and harmony, with wide views across the valley.
If you would like to experience rural Bhutanese life, we can arrange an overnight stay in a local homestay in Punakha. Ask your Travel Specialist for more details.
Day 4 – To Haa: a hidden Shangri-La
After breakfast, depart the lush Punakha Valley, heading towards the Tibetan border. Your destination is the untouched Haa Valley. It’s a long, but scenic 6-7 hour drive. You’ll retrace your route over the Dochula Pass, driving through winding valleys and forested hillsides. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Haa: a region of untouched nature, traditional villages and scenic valleys. Farmers tend rice paddies and herd yaks beneath towering Himalayan peaks, and in summer, rare blue poppies bloom across the valley. Most tourists only visit here as a day trip. However, we’ll arrange for you to stay overnight in a locally-owned guest house so that you can really immerse yourself in rural life.
Day 5 – Haa to Paro
Start the day with visits to Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nakpo (Black Temple), two of Haa’s most important monasteries. Then take the dramatic drive over the Chele La Pass (3,899m), Bhutan’s highest motorable pass, where on a clear day you’ll enjoy views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Continue your journey into the charming town of Paro and check in to your accommodation. After lunch, it’s time to stretch your legs on a short but rewarding hike offering views of Paro Dzong and the valley.
Day 6 – Hike to Tiger’s Nest
No trip to Bhutan is complete without a visit to Taktsang Monastery, better known as Tiger’s Nest. This iconic monastery perches dramatically on a cliff edge high above Paro Valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, founder of Buddhism in Bhutan, flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave at this site. Today you’ll trek up to the monastery. The trail takes around two hours, with colourful prayer flags lining the path and misty views at every turn. There’s a halfway café where you can enjoy a cuppa and amazing views. Once at the monastery, take your time to explore its ornate shrines and meditation caves, and soak up the sense of serenity before making your way back down.
Day 7 – Depart Bhutan
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and today your Bhutan trip must draw to a close. You’ll be taken to the airport to catch your Druk Air flight. From here you can either connect onto your international flight back to the UK or extend your time in Asia.
Accommodation
For this itinerary we offer the following options
Discover the Land of the Thunder Dragon - In Style accommodation
If you’d like a bit more comfort during your Bhutan trip, you can choose our In Style accommodation option. You’ll sleep in hotels that feel a little more special, with extra comfort and personalised service, while still keeping that local character and an authentic feel. For this trip, we can offer upgraded hotels in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this itinerary, select our In Style option below.