The Best of Bhutan

Paro – Thimphu
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Paro. Your discovery of the enchanting Kingdom of Bhutan begins with a flight over the Himalayas into the lush green valley of Paro—truly one of the most spectacular sights in the world. During the flight, you will admire some of the highest and most majestic peaks on earth and enjoy the approach to the valley, with its ancient alpine forests, monasteries, temples, and farmhouses nestled in magnificent mountain solitude.
Upon arrival in Paro, you will be welcomed by our local representative and transferred to Thimphu, the capital. The beautiful drive from Paro to Thimphu takes about one hour, following the Paro River to its confluence, then continuing along the Thimphu River valley to the city.
After checking into the hotel, you will visit the tallest seated Buddha statue, the Memorial Chorten, and the enclosure of the Takin, Bhutan’s national animal.
Later, visit the Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS), located just north of Thimphu, in the scenic mountain valley of Kabesa. Founded in 1999, the school provides training for underprivileged youth in traditional Bhutanese arts such as drawing, thangka painting, weaving, embroidery, sculpture, and wood carving. The students live, study, and develop skills for their future within the school complex, which consists of whitewashed traditional Bhutanese buildings on the sunny slopes of a hill, surrounded by farms and villages. Currently, the school hosts 136 students between the ages of 15 and 25, most of whom attend for six years. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the students and learn one of the artistic techniques.
In the late afternoon, you will have the chance to engage in a discussion on Gross National Happiness (GNH) with local experts.
Overnight in Thimphu (D/B/L)

Thimphu
After breakfast you will hike to Cheri Goemba monastery Drive 30 minutes to Dodena and hike about 45 minutes through beautiful forest trails to Cheri Monastery built in 1620. Cheri Monastery Hike gives you an insight into the natural discovery of Himalayan vegetation. The hiking trail passes through the off-beaten forest where one often gets to spot a variety of birdlife. The hike to this very scenic monastery is steep but relatively short, with several sacred sites scattered throughout the lush forest. Along the way there is a good chance of encountering wild animals (monkeys, deer…). Cheri monastery is one of the main retreat centres and a popular pilgrimage site in the country. Cheri Gompa was founded by Ngawang Namgyal, the Rinpoche who unified Bhutan as one political and spiritual entity. Its main function is as a retreat centre for the Drukpa Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism. You can see a beautiful painting of Guru on the solid rock. Picnic lunch will be served near the river bank near wooden bridge. After lunch we will continue our hiking to Tango Monastry. Tango literally means the ‘horse head’. The legend goes back to the 13th century when Lam Phajo Drugom saw the cliffs, hills, and rocks manifesting into the form of the mandala of Yidam Deity Tandin (Hayagriva); the horse-headed deity. The place holds rich recorded history down to the Drukpa lineage Zhabdru. Enjoy walking on the stone-paved path into the deep wilderness of rhododendron and oak vegetation. In the late afternroon return back to Thimpu for dinner and rest for the overnight.
Overnight in Thimpu (B/L/D)

Thimphu – Monastero di Dodeydra
After breakfast transfer towards hike to Dodeydra monastery. If you love nature, tranquillity, butterflies and the off beaten track then Dodeydra hike has a lot to offer. This beautiful and easy hike takes you to a hidden land, providing a hiker a sense of awe and wonder and a point of self-reflection along the way. The name Dodeydra has been derived from the split rock from where the Ter (Hidden Treasure) in the form of scripture was discovered. The monastery is beautifully built between the split rock and it has two altars and beautiful paintings on the wall. The monastery also houses a small museum with many historic and religious artifacts and stories attributed to one of the Chief Abbot Jamyang Gyeltshen, considered an acclaimed craftsman who made numerous statues and paintings/murals. There are around 175 monks living here so today you will have a chance to learn how Buddhism is practiced in Bhutan. In the afternoon you will attend a meditation session on Samtha or vipassana. At 6,30 pm you can join the monks for the evening prayer.
Overnight in the Monastery guest house or in a camp site (B/L/D).

Dodeydra – Punakha
After breakfast, depart from the Dodeydra Monastery and begin the scenic drive towards Punakha (approx. 2.5h). The road winds through forested valleys and ascends to the stunning Dochula Pass (3,140 m), where 108 chortens crown the hilltop. Here, you can enjoy a warm tea or coffee break while taking in breathtaking views of the snow-clad Himalayan range. If the sky is clear, the immense peaks of the eastern Himalayas reveal themselves, creating a picture-perfect panorama.
After descending from the pass on a well-maintained asphalt road, stop for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a leisurely walk through rice fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of Fertility. Built by the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kunley, this small yet revered temple is surrounded by fields and adorned with playful murals and symbols of fertility. It remains a place of pilgrimage for couples hoping to conceive.
Continue with a visit to the grand Punakha Dzong, built between 1637 and 1638 at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. One of the most magnificent and historically significant dzongs in the country, it showcases classic Bhutanese architecture and plays an important role in religious and political life.

Overnight in Punakha (B/L/D)

Punakha
After breakfast, begin your exploration of Punakha Valley’s rural culture and traditions. You’ll drive to Nubgang village, where you can actively participate in typical farm activities such as darts, archery, and seasonal agricultural work.
You will also have the opportunity to observe a Bhutanese cooking demonstration during the preparation of your lunch.
In the afternoon, take a scenic walk downhill through nearby villages. This is a chance to closely observe local farming practices and rural life, while also enjoying a spectacular view of Punakha Dzong in the distance.
Later in the day, you may choose to relax with a traditional hot stone bath (optional).

Overnight in Punakha (B/L/D)

Punakha ⎯ Phobjikha
After breakfast, depart from Punakha and begin the scenic drive towards the glacial valley of Phobjikha (approx. 4.5 hours). The journey ascends again through the spectacular Dochula Pass at 3,140 meters. Stop here to stretch your legs, admire the 108 chortens, and—weather permitting—enjoy panoramic views of the eastern Himalayan range.
On arrival in Phobjikha, check in and enjoy a traditional Bhutanese lunch. In the afternoon, begin the Phobjikha Nature Hike, which starts just below Gangtey Gompa near the Mani wall chorten. The trail leads through pine forests and open meadows, passing by Khewa village and its ancient 14th-century Khewa Lhakhang, inviting moments of reflection in the serene landscape.
Next, visit the Crane Information Centre, where you’ll learn about the conservation efforts for the endangered black-necked cranes, which winter in this valley from Tibet.
At 6:30 PM, join the monks at Gangtey Monastery for the peaceful evening prayer session (6:30–7:30 PM), surrounded by the quiet spirituality of one of Bhutan’s most important Nyingma institutions.

Overnight in Phobjikha (B/L/D)

Phobjikha – Trongsa
At dawn, the day begins in a spirit of renewal. You will have the opportunity to participate in the ancient Thrusel ritual—an aromatic fumigation ceremony held at the Shedra (monastic school), performed by monks to cleanse negative energies and invite auspiciousness for the journey ahead. As fragrant juniper smoke rises into the crisp valley air, prayers are chanted softly, carrying blessings into the mountains.
After breakfast, depart from the serene Phobjikha Valley and begin your journey toward Trongsa. The scenic drive takes approximately 4 hours and crosses the Black Mountains, offering panoramic views of lush vegetation, remote hamlets, and the untouched wilderness of central Bhutan.
Along the way, pause at Chendebji Chorten, a serene Nepalese-style stupa nestled beside a river, and continue past Rukubji village, known for its slate-roofed stone houses and terraced fields that shimmer in the light.
Upon arrival in Trongsa, check in at your hotel and take time to rest. In the late afternoon, visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral seat of Bhutan’s royal family and one of the most strategically located fortresses in the country. Time permitting, continue to the Royal Heritage Museum, housed in the old watchtower above the valley—where relics, paintings, and royal heirlooms quietly narrate Bhutan’s spiritual and political legacy.

Overnight in Trongsa. (B/L/D)

Trongsa – Valle di Bumthang
After breakfast, depart for the sacred Bumthang Valley (approx. 3h), the spiritual epicenter of Bhutan, where legends, saints, and silence converge. The road unfolds through pine forests and peaceful ridges, drawing you deeper into a landscape that seems suspended between earth and sky.
Upon arrival, begin your exploration at Jakar Dzong, a 16th-century fortress perched like a guardian above the Chokhor Valley, offering sweeping views and sheltering a monastic school within its quiet courtyards.
Continue to Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, built in 659 A.D. by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Its timeless walls echo with centuries of devotion and pilgrimage.
Then, visit Chakhar Lhakhang, the modest yet storied temple built upon the foundations of the legendary iron palace of King Sindhu Raja—its relics and oral histories connecting past and myth.
As evening nears, enjoy a gentle walk around Wangdicholing Palace, Bhutan’s first royal residence, now quiet and contemplative. Stroll through surrounding villages and Bumthang town, where daily life flows with ancestral calm.

Overnight in Bumthang. (B/L/D)

Bumthang
Before the sun climbs high, begin your morning hike to Shugdrak, one of Bhutan’s four sacred cliffs, wrapped in pine-scented air and early mist. Tucked into the rock face, this revered shrine dedicated to Guru Rinpoche invites pilgrims to meditate and pray where the mountain breathes peace. Upon arrival, take part in a quiet moment of prayer with the resident monks—an intimate ritual of incense, chant, and sacred space. The journey, passing Thangbi village, a Mani wall, and prayer wheels, is as much inner as outer.
Return to the lodge for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, continue your spiritual path with visits to Kurjey Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century and left his body imprint upon a sacred rock—a site of deep pilgrimage and renewal. The temple complex nestles between cliff and forest, echoing mantras and the rustle of cypress trees.
End the day at Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in the 14th century by Pema Lingpa, Bhutan’s great tertön. Within its ancient walls, faded murals and an iron chain worn by penitents speak softly of karmic cleansing and faith lived through centuries.

Overnight in Bumthang. (B/L/D)

Bumthang – Paro
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro. As the plane rises above the emerald valleys and cloud-kissed peaks, Bhutan reveals itself in all its vertical majesty—a sacred scroll of forest and stone unrolling beneath your feet.
Upon arrival in Paro, transfer to your hotel and settle in before beginning the final chapter of your journey.
Your afternoon opens with a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples said to have been built in a single night by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. This 7th-century sanctuary is a living testament to Bhutan’s spiritual roots—its prayer wheels spinning timeless mantras, its orange trees blooming with unexpected grace.
Continue to Paro Dzong, a masterpiece of 17th-century architecture rising above the valley floor like a guardian. Cross the wooden cantilever bridge and step into the cool silence of stone corridors where monks chant and incense curls toward painted beams. The Utse, or central tower, commands reverence with its delicate murals and sacred relics.
After returning to town, enjoy a stroll through Paro’s main street, where traditional wooden facades hide cafés, textile shops, and quiet courtyards. You may choose to conclude your day with a rejuvenating session at the Jiva Spa (optional), drawing on Bhutanese herbal wisdom and age-old therapies to ease body and mind before your final ascent to the Tiger’s Nest.

Overnight in Paro. (B/L/D)

Paro
Wake early to enjoy a breathtaking sunrise from your high-altitude campsite. After breakfast, begin your descent through peaceful rhododendron and pine forests, following a quiet trail that leads directly to the upper temples of Taktsang Monastery. This exclusive approach allows you to visit the sacred Zangdopelri Temple, with a unique bird’s-eye view of the main monastery below, dramatically clinging to the cliffside. After a moment of reflection and a butter lamp offering, continue down to explore the main sanctuaries of Bhutan’s most iconic spiritual site. At the base, your driver will take you back to Paro. Later visit a farmhouse where you will be able to see various Bhutanese traditional way of making rice wine, the Zaw, the Suja making (butter tea), learn traditional game of Archery and Degor (play with stone). Evening Enjoy a traditional hot stone bath. Back to hotel for a well-earned rest.

Overnight in Paro (B/L/D)

Paro
Say goodbye to Bhutan and board a flight for onward destinations. We hope you’ll carry this gentle kingdom in your heart: May it brings peace to you and others. Have a safe journey.