Menu
The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is home to opulent retreats and a wide variety of tourist attractions, outdoor pursuits, and accommodations of the highest caliber. Protected from external influence, Bhutan has managed to maintain many of its ancient customs and ways of life, giving visitors a fascinating insight into Bhutan’s intriguing ancient civilization.
Visiting this magnificent country will provide you with memories that will last a lifetime as you take in sights and tastes that can only be found in Bhutan, learn fascinating cultural insights, receive blessings from local monks, and marvel at breathtaking mountain views. This itinerary has been thoughtfully crafted to offer you a signature route that will allow you to discover Bhutan’s most famous sights as well as its historical, cultural, and spiritual hotspots.
Our vacation plans are never set in stone, and this one is no exception. We are able to completely modify it so that it is in line with your budget, pace, and how you want to spend your time, giving you the freedom to dream up an ideal vacation in Bhutan. If you have your own preferred itinerary ideas, let us know in the form below so we can tailor-make it for you to match your vision for your trip. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at each day of the suggested itinerary below.
7-Day Experience Covering Paro, Thimpu, and Punakha.
Arrive at Paro International Airport, where you’ll be greeted by our local guide. Begin your journey by visiting the magnificent Rinpung Dzong, which is a religious and cultural center of the city, featuring several paintings and sculptures depicting the life of Buddha. Next, take a short hike to the nearby Ta Dzong fortress, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, Paro Valley, and the rushing Po Chhu River before heading down to the National Museum of Bhutan, which holds the chronicles of the history, present, and future of the kingdom.
Make your way to a cozy farmhouse where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisine prepared by a local chef. Thanks to the farm-to-table concept, you will be served fresh, local, organic ingredients that are obtained from the chef’s garden or directly from the valley. After a hearty meal, enjoy the scenic ride as you make your way to your hotel in Thimphu.
On the second day, take a leisurely morning stroll into the Takin Preserve to see the mythical national animal of Bhutan, and then head up to the mountain top to witness the world’s largest solid bronze and gold-gilded Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking Thimphu City. Heading back to Thimphu city, drop by the National Memorial Chorten, an elegant structure constructed to commemorate Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
After that, pay a visit to the Zorig Chusum where you get a first-hand education in13 types of Bhutanese arts and culture. Then, head to the Bhutan Post Museum to see the history of communication systems in Bhutan, from pre-portal era messenger times and how they evolved over time to the use of the internet and smartphones. This Bhutan Post Museum allows you to create your own post stamps with your photo which you can use for posting postcards from Bhutan to your loved ones.
End your day by visiting Thangthong Dewachen nunnery and take in the city’s unparalleled sense of serenity. There, you can spend a relaxed evening meditating and finding inner peace and happiness as you gaze at the sun going down over the horizon.
On your third day, you’ll be transferred from Thimphu to Punakha and on the route, you’ll pass through the spectacular Dochula Pass, which links Thimphu and Punakha. The drive offers a visual treat where you’ll find breathtaking 360-degree panorama views of the Himalayas. Stop by the Dochula Chortens, which is directly off Dochula Pass, where you uncover the stories of soldiers who defended their nation from Assamese invasion before visiting Druk Wangyal Lhakhang Monastery, constructed in honor of the fourth king.
From the monastery, take a short walk to explore the meditation caves hidden in the hills above Dochula Pass. Decorated with stunning carvings and paintings, these caves served as places for monks seeking enlightenment.
Continuing an hour on the road, drop off at a local village and take a scenic hike before reaching Chimi Lhakang fertility temple, known as a place of miracles for childless couples.
Start the day with a hike to Khansum Yuelley Namgyal Choeten, where you can take a moment to soak in the stunning panorama Punakha’s northern ridges have to offer. You’ll make your way down as you go on a picturesque river rafting excursion before pausing for a hearty picnic lunch by the river in peace and enjoying the stunning vistas of the valley
After lunch, continue to the enchanting Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful and majestic dzong in Bhutan. It serves as the location of every Bhutanese king’s coronation, and this astonishing structure is sure to take your breath away.
Make your way to the next stop by crossing Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge, which offers a breathtaking vantage point of the churning Pho Chhu River at the bottom of the ravine. With mountains as a backdrop, this set is perfect for photographing Bhutan’s picturesque landscapes. After a long day of sightseeing in Punakha, head to Happiness Field Village Farm Home, where you will be able to wind down the day with a satisfying homecooked meal made from ingredients that come straight from their garden.
On day 5, travel back in time with the Nobgang Tserim Tshogpa Community, where you get an in-depth insight into what life was like for Bhutanese in the past. This community upholds the traditional ways of living that were handed down from ancestors, like traditional methods of producing alcohol as well as the traditional art of weaving.
For a taste of local culture, visit a nearby community and join the women there as they prepare traditional meals. Afterward, reward yourself with lunch, the result of your efforts, before making the trip back to Paro.
No trip to Bhutan would be complete without visiting the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It is one of Bhutan’s most iconic destinations, and getting there involves a three-hour hike. At this vantage point, you can take in panoramic vistas of the surrounding pine forest and prayer flags. In the vicinity of the Tiger’s Nest, you’ll find a sacred cave, a place where the Indian Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century.
After the cave visit and enjoying the vistas surrounding the summit, make a slow descent to a secluded resting spot where you can continue to enjoy the magnificent mountain view during your lunch break. After you’ve rested up, it’s time to head back to the Paro Center and spend your downtime relaxing at one of the Paro Center’s many bars, cafes, or restaurants, shopping for mementos, or pampering yourself with a spa treatment.
Having enjoyed a relaxing vacation in Bhutan and made some wonderful new memories there, it is now time to head back home. So, take your time and enjoy the morning view at the hotel before being shuttled to Paro International Airport for you to catch your flight back home.
If you would like to extend your stay in Bhutan, we can customize a tour that includes an extension at the same hotel and additional sightseeing of Bhutan or, alternatively, a visit to one or more of the other places. We will do everything we can to ensure that the time you spend on vacation in Bhutan is both a memorable and enriching experience.
Here’s a hand-picked selection of the accommodation options, perfect for unwinding and recharging, allowing you to maximize your stay in Bhutan.
7 Days 6 Nights Bhutan experience starts from $3380 per person.
Please know that this is just a general indication. We’re more than happy to personalize an itinerary to match your budget and travel preferences.
Let us tailor your travel itinerary for the trip of a lifetime!
New to tailor-made private holidays? Get $200 off per person on your first trip with us.*
But first, tell us more about your dream holiday!
