Tour Overview

Trip Code
BH-003
Starting Point
Paro
End Point
Paro
Max Altitude
2350m / 7710ft
Duration
7 Days
Country
Bhutan
Trip Grade
Beginner
Activities
Cultural Tour
Best Season
Spring, Autumn and Winter

Embark on a transformative 7-day journey through Bhutan’s Golden Triangle, a realm where happiness thrives. This meticulously crafted tour immerses you in the rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking landscapes of Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro, offering a unique blend of spiritual discovery and gentle adventure.

Your adventure begins with a spectacular flight into Paro, offering mesmerizing Himalayan views. Upon arrival, you’ll be whisked away to Thimphu, the world’s only capital city without traffic lights, a place where modern life harmonizes with ancient traditions. Explore the iconic Tashichho Dzong, a fortress monastery that serves as the heart of Bhutanese government and religion. Immerse yourself in Bhutanese art and culture at the National Library and the Institute for Zorig Chusum.

Journey to Punakha via the scenic Dochula Pass, adorned with 108 memorial chortens and offering panoramic Himalayan vistas. Discover the Punakha Dzong, famed as Bhutan’s most beautiful building, and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple.

The climax of your trip awaits in the stunning Paro Valley, where you’ll undertake a pilgrimage to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang), a gravity-defying structure clinging to a cliffside. Explore the historic Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples. Bhutan’s official language is Dzongkha, but English is widely spoken, facilitating easy communication.

Tour Highlights

  • Experience the culture of Bhutan.
  • Get a glimpse of the 108 memorial stupas at the Dochula Pass.
  • Enjoy the walk towards Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility).
  • Get to see the first Dzong built in Bhutan, Simtokha Dzong.
  • Walk with nature along the way to Taktsang Monastery.

Points of Attraction

Itinerary

Elevation:

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative and driven to Thimphu with an enroute stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. Later, visit Trashichhoedzong, the impressive fortress/monastery housing the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, and various government offices.

Evening: an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and the Local Crafts Bazaar, to browse Bhutan’s fine traditional arts — hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley: The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. Visit the Textile Museum for insight into Bhutan’s distinct art form.

After lunch, short drive (15 km) to Pangri Zampa, a 16th-century monastery just north of Thimphu. Visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) for a panoramic overview of the Thimphu valley.

King’s Memorial Chorten is continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras, serving as a memorial to the Late King and a monument to peace.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3080m (Dochula Pass)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (3080m). The pass offers spectacular views over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

After checking into hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955.

Later in the day, excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (15 minutes’ drive, then 1½-hour walk through paddy fields). Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, is believed to bless childless couples. Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village on the bank of the river.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, hike up through fields of chilies, cabbages, and rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument consecrated in 1999.

Later, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking the valleys of Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang, the temple houses a 14-foot bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara, one of the biggest in the country. The temple complex also houses a permanent learning and meditation centre for nuns.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, check out and drive to Paro along the scenic highway, enroute visiting Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the country built in 1627, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.

On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) with its extensive collection of antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour, and historic artifacts. Immediately followed by a walk to Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), the fortress of the heap of jewels.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3120m (Tiger's Nest approach)

After breakfast, excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approximately 5 hours walk). Perched on a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor, it is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche is said to have arrived here on the back of a tigress, hence it is called Tiger’s Nest.

Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari can be seen from the approach road.

Evening, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, marking the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight to the onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.

Overnight:

Meals: Breakfast

Trek Route

What's included

  • Daily Government Royalties and Taxes ($100 per person per night)
  • Entrance fees and monuments fee
  • All transfers, vehicle, and sightseeing as per itinerary
  • English-speaking accompanying guide
  • Accommodation in 3-star hotels as per itinerary
  • Breakfast and dinner at the hotel; lunch at a local tourist restaurant
  • 1 bottle of water per day during the tour

What's excluded

  • Bhutan visa fee (US$50 fast track)
  • Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
  • Expenses of a personal nature (tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees, etc.)
  • Insurance of any kind and medical expenses
  • International air tickets

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

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Starting From:

US$1866

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