6-Day Private Bhutan Tour to Paro, Thimphu & Punakha

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Paro, Private transfer to Thimphu for city sightseeing
5 stops
1
Paro
Paro airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, which is around 65 kilometers (40 miles) away from the capital city - Thimphu. Once your flight arrives at the airport, your guide will greet you there and transfer you to the hotel in Thimphu.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge (Pass by)
On the way, you will see the Tachogang Lhakhang Iron Bridge, which crosses the Paro Chhu River to a small Dzong (fortress). This is the first bridge to have ever been built in Bhutan.
2
Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)
After a short rest at the hotel, you will be escorted to visit the Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), built in memory of the third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is actually a stupa, housing many valuable religious paintings and Buddha statues. Over here you will see many local people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Buddha Dordenma
Next visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue. It is 169 feet tall and located high atop a mountain, so it can be viewed from anywhere in the town.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Motithang Takin Preserve
After that you will see the national animal Takin at the Sanctuary. Takin is a rare creature with the head of a goat and the body of a cow, which can only be seen in Bhutan.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Thimphu: Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, Tashichho Dzong
3 stops
5
Chagri Dorjeden Monastery
This morning, take in the charm of the Thimphu Valley with a 1-hour hiking through the dense primeval forest to Chagri Dorjeden Monastery. Built in 1620, it is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu sect. Walking to the monastery is not an easy task, as some roads are steep and require physical strength and stamina.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
National Folk Heritage Museum
After lunch, visit the School of Traditional Arts and the Folk Heritage Museum. These are the best places to experience the essence of Bhutan's traditional crafts and arts.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong)
Then you will visit Thimphu Dzong (TashiChho Dzong), which is a large fort originally built in the 13th century. Now it houses the government administration, King's office and a temple. Visits here are only possible after business hours on weekdays or at the weekend. At night, you can make your own way to Norzin Lam, Thimphu's only thoroughfare, lined with shops selling traditional ethnic crafts, including sculptures, weaving, silver, stone carvings and paintings.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Thimphu - Dochula Pass - Chimi Lhakhang - Punakha Dzong
5 stops
8
Punakha
After breakfast, you will be taken to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, Punakha, with an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level. It takes around 3 hours driving.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
9
Dochula Pass
On the way to Punakha, stopover at Dochula Pass, where you can have a coffee break and see the 108 grand stupas. If it is a clear day, you will get great views of the Himalayas mountain ranges.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Chimi Lhakhang Temple
Then visit the Chimmi Lhakhang. This small hilly temple is very popular as a lot of couples travel here to be blessed for a child.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
11
Punakha Dzong
Located at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, Punakha Dzong is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan and is also considered as the most beautiful Dzong in terms of history, location and architecture.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
12
Punakha Suspension Bridge
Very close to the dzong is the longest suspension bridge in the country. The views from this bridge are outstanding with the rivers flowing below. You will stay overnight in Punakha.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Punakha - Paro: Visit Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong (National Museum), and Kyichu Lhakhang
3 stops
13
Rinpung Dzong
Today begins with a morning greeting from your guide and driver at your hotel, followed by a 5-hour private transfer back to Paro. Upon arrival, we’ll visit Rinpung Dzong. Capture panoramic photos from the cantilevered bridge, then climb the long steps to see the Buddhist murals, sandalwood stupas, and shrines inside the central tower.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
14
Ta Dzong
A gentle 15- to 20-minute uphill walk will take us to Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
15
Kyichu Lhakhang
Continue our visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples. As the tour ends, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Day 5
Paro Hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery; Visit Drukgyel Dzong & Paro Old Town
3 stops
16
Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery)
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for a hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Takstang). Upon reaching the base, you’ll hike along pine-lined trails with your guide, ascending 2-3 hours over a 900-meter (2,953 ft.) elevation gain. At the top, enjoy views of the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and the stunning valley scenery.
5 hours • Admission ticket included
17
Drukgyel Dzong
Our next stop is Drukgyel Dzong, built solely for defense against external threats along the border, due to its strategic location surrounded by three cliffs.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
18
Paro District
We'll then take a stroll through Paro Old Town, where you can browse authentic Bhutanese handicrafts. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Departure from Paro, Airport see-off
1 stop
19
Paro
Time to say farewell today! Based on your flight schedule, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport promptly and see you off. Hope you bring home the peace and tranquility of Bhutan!
30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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