Discover the Land of the Thunder Dragon

Itinerary

Itinerary:
Thimphu - Punakha - Homestay - Haa - Paro (Tiger's Nest)
Duration:
7 days / 6 nights (flexible)
Price:
from £ 1,545.- per person (excluding flights)
Highlights:
✓Explore Thimphu’s markets and giant sitting Buddha
✓Discover Punakha Valley, rice fields, and the striking Punakha Dzong
✓Visit the hidden Haa Valley
✓Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery and unwind with a hot stone bath

During this short Bhutan highlights itinerary, you’ll really get to know the land of the thunder dragon as you visit the top spots of western Bhutan. Walk through the streets of the capital, travel through mountain passes adorned with fluttering prayer flags, through green valleys and past murmuring monks into the Haa valley. Take a hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest; a monastery fortress built on a cliff around 3,000 metres high and let yourself be enchanted in the last Buddhist kingdom of the Himalayas. Ee guarantee it will leave you wanting to return and explore more!

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.

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.

Today is an active day of exploring on foot as you set out on a full-day hike to Suela Goenpa, a remote monastery perched high above the valley. You’ll walk through small villages and farmland, passing sacred temples dotted with prayer flags. Stop for a picnic lunch before continuing up to the monastery where you’ll be rewarded with sweeping panoramic views. Return to Punakha by car and continue to a local guesthouse where you will spend the night. The accommodation is simple and functional, and you’ll have your own private room. This is a real opportunity to get a glimpse of Bhutanese village life.

Day 4 – To Haa: a hidden Shangri-La

You’ll wave goodbye to your friendly hosts and travel from the Bhutanese countryside to the Haa Valley. It’s a long, but scenic 6-7 hour drive today to the Haa Valley, one of Bhutan’s least-visited regions. You’ll retrace your route over the Dochula Pass, driving through winding valleys and forested hillsides. You’ll stop along the way for lunch. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Haa – a peaceful, traditional valley dotted with farmhouses, where life feels unchanged for centuries.

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 Chelela Pass (3,899m), Bhutan’s highest motorable pass, where on a clear day you’ll enjoy views of the snowcapped 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.

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.

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.