7 Nights 8 Days Incredible Bhutan Tour

You will land at Paro International Airport, Bhutan's sole international entry point, nestled in the midst of green hills. After visa formalities, meet your local guide outside the airport terminal. Drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's quaint capital. The drive goes along the Paro River and then the Thimphu River. Along the way, you will see picturesque villages and fields of terracing.

Upon arrival in Thimphu, check in at your hotel and have a short rest. In the afternoon, visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue, a massive golden Shakyamuni Buddha that stands tall over the valley. Visit the Takin Preserve, the residence of Bhutan's national animal.

In the evening, visit the Memorial Chorten, a religious monument built in memory of the third king. Walk around Thimphu's Main Street, shop at local handicraft shops, and taste Bhutanese tea.

Evening is at your own leisure or is an optional cultural show. Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu. Spend your first night in the Thunder Dragon Land.

After breakfast, view more of Thimphu. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which gives a glimpse of rural Bhutanese life. Then proceed to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students study Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, a 12th-century fortress-like temple perched above the city.

After lunch, proceed towards Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley. Cross Dochula Pass (3,100 m), where 108 memorial chortens are visible against the Himalayan range. On a clear day, catch glimpses of peaks like Masang Gang and Kangphu Gang. Drop down from the pass to Wangdue Phodrang's green valleys and rise up again step by step to Phobjikha.

Gangtey is a wide, glacial valley renowned for its unspoiled nature and black-necked cranes (winter: Nov–Feb). Visit the Gangtey Monastery, a centre of the significant Nyingma sect. Peer over the farmhouse-and-yak-pasture-dotted valley. Take a peaceful forest-and-village ramble along the Gangtey Nature Trail. Return to your hotel or lodge for an overnight stay in tranquill highland scenery.

Spend a leisurely morning in the Phobjikha Valley. If visiting during winter, stop by the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre to discover more about this threatened species. After breakfast, take a stroll through surrounding villages and observe traditional farmhouses. Savor interaction with locals involved in potato cultivation and yak herding.

Begin driving towards Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, which descends from alpine highlands to warmer subtropical lowlands. Drive through rhododendron and oak forests. Along the way, stop over at Wangdue Phodrang town and see local architecture and markets. Upon arrival in Punakha, get checked into a hotel.

Afternoon, go to the imposing Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most daunting fortress. At the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, it was once the seat of government before Thimphu became the capital. Cross the wooden cantilever bridge to reach the fortress. Stroll through its daunting courtyards, beautiful wood carvings, and sacred relics.

After that, embark on a short trek to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility shrine that is dedicated to the "Divine Madman," Lama Drukpa Kunley. The stroll through the paddy fields and villages is a refreshing and spiritual experience. Back to Punakha town for dinner and overnight.

This 4th day of the 7-night/8-day Incredible Bhutan Tour offers a deeper exploration of Punakha. After a beautiful breakfast, set out for a hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. This temple, built by the Queen Mother, sits on a ridge overlooking the entire Punakha Valley.

The one-hour uphill hike winds through rice terraces and pine forests with cool and refreshing mountain air. From the top of the temple, enjoy sweeping views of the Mo Chu River and surrounding mountains.

On your way back from the trek, relax at a riverside café or treat yourself to a traditional hot stone bath (optional). You may also visit Bhutanese farms to observe their agricultural practices. In the afternoon, take a walk on suspension bridges that span the river with fluttering prayer flags.

Visit more local villages or join a local cooking class to learn Bhutanese recipes like Ema Datshi (chili cheese curry). Enjoy dinner with local hospitality at your hotel or a typical farmhouse. Overnight at Punakha.

Following breakfast, begin your return trip to Paro. Return to Dochula Pass and stop again to take in the Himalayan view. You can view peaks such as Gangkhar Puensum if the weather is good. Have tea at the café along the pass.

Drive down to Thimphu, where you can stop briefly for any shopping or sightseeing you missed. Drive on to Paro along the Paro Chu River. On reaching there, check in at your hotel and take a rest. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest temples of Bhutan, built in the 7th century, in the afternoon.

Afternoon: Walk around Paro town, browse local shops, and enjoy Bhutanese street food. Relax and prepare for the hike the next day. Overnight stay in Paro.

After an early morning breakfast, embark on the trek to Tiger's Nest Monastery, Bhutan's most sacred spiritual site. The trek starts from a base level of 2,600 m and climbs gently through pine groves lined with prayer flags.

Midway, pull over at a viewpoint café to have refreshments and sweeping views. Continue walking up the final section of rock steps that curve along the cliff. The monastery precariously perches on the edge of a cliff, 900 meters above Paro Valley.

Explore the innermost chambers of the monastery and meditate for a while in the peaceful environment. Learn about the legend of Guru Padmasambhava, who meditated here in the 8th century. Descend slowly, return to Paro, and have a traditional lunch.

Afternoon: Visit the National Museum at Ta Dzong and Paro Dzong below. The museum exhibits relics, textiles, and historical artefacts. You can also arrange a visit to a local village's archery ground to watch Bhutan's national sport. Dinner and overnight stay in Paro at your hotel.

Relax in Paro for the day. An option is a full-day excursion to Chele La Pass (3,988 m), the highest motorable road pass in Bhutan. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours. From the top, enjoy stunning views of Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake. Go for short walks along the ridge and see Kila Nunnery beneath the pass cliffs.

Otherwise, relax at your hotel or partake in a traditional wellness activity, e.g., an herbal bath or massage. You can also visit a local farm, have lunch with a family, and observe their life closely. You can see a cultural dance program or a Bhutanese meal in a local restaurant in the evening. 

After breakfast, your guide will escort you back to Paro International Airport. Say goodbye to the stunning Himalayan kingdom and take memories with you of the culture, nature, and spirituality of Bhutan. Your 7-night, 8-day Bhutan odyssey concludes here.