Best of Bhutan Tour with Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu - 4 days

As Bhutan lies in a mountainous region, it has only one international airport. Paro International Airports serves as the gateway to this tiny Himalayan nation, and it is from here that you will begin your Best of Bhutan Tour. You will have an early flight as flights to Bhutan are scheduled early in the morning before the wind picks up and the sky turns cloudy. Mountain weather is unpredictable and can change drastically within minutes.

During your flight, you can enjoy aerial views of the Himalayan Range, including five of the highest mountains in the world: Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu.

Once you land in Paro, our representative will welcome you and escort you to the vehicle that will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. From Paro, it takes only an hour to reach Thimphu. The ride is filled with scenic views of green hills and farms. After reaching Thimphu, you will be driven to your hotel, where you can check in and get refreshed.

After refreshment, your sightseeing tour of Thimphu will begin. Your guide will take you to some of the major attractions in the city: the National Memorial Chorten, the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, the Folk Heritage Museum, Tashichho Dzong, and Buddha Dordenma.

The National Memorial Chorten is a dazzling white stupa located in the center of the city. The chorten was built in memory of the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is known as the 'Father of modern Bhutan'. The stupa is divided into three floors and is filled with statues of Buddhist deities, scroll paintings, and photographs. It is a great place to learn more about Buddhist philosophy and observe the locals.

The Folk Heritage Museum offers you an insight into the rural and indigenous lifestyle of the Bhutanese. The museum showcases household artifacts and farming tools used by the Bhutanese people. Some of the exhibits are more than three centuries old.

At the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, you will get to learn about the thirteen traditional arts of Bhutan. You can enter workshops where you can observe apprentice artists creating beautiful works of art on wood, stone, metal, fabric, etc. The institute has a shop where you can buy some of the works created by the students.

Later, head to Tashichho Dzong, an ancient fortress that now houses government offices and the palace of the king. Only a few places are accessible to tourists inside the dzong.

You will also get to visit the largest statue of Lord Buddha in Bhutan. The statue of Buddha Dordenma, or the Sitting Buddha, is perched on top of Kuensel Phodrang Hill, overlooking Thimphu Valley. This magnificent statue is made of bronze and rises to a height of above fifty meters. Built in 2015 to usher in world peace and harmony, the Buddha Dordenma has 1,25,000 smaller statues hidden within its massive frame. This is one of the biggest statues of Lord Buddha in a sitting posture in the world. From here, you can enjoy amazing views of the city and the mountains.

After your sightseeing tour, you will be driven to your hotel, where you can enjoy dinner and take a rest.

Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will leave Thimphu and head towards Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. On the way, you will stop at the Dochula Pass, one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. The pass is decorated with 108 chortens built in memory of Bhutanese soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty. There's also a Buddhist shrine, Druk Wangyal Lakhang, close to the pass, from where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the Himalayan mountains.

The ride from Thimphu to Punakha is filled with picturesque views of traditional villages, farms, and pine forests. After reaching Punakha, your guide will take you to visit Punakha Dzong. Located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu, or the Male and Female Rivers, the Punakha Dzong is one of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan.

One has to cross a wooden cantilever bridge to enter the dzong. Built in the seventeenth century, the dzong used to be the center of power before the capital was shifted to Thimphu. Inside the dzong are beautiful courtyards surrounded by ornately decorated wooden windows and doors, government offices, monasteries, chapels, and Buddhist shrines. The embalmed body of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, is kept in the Machey Lakhang. Only the king, Chief Abbot, and some officials are allowed to enter the shrine where his body is kept. The Punakha Dzong is one of the most ancient and beautiful sites where you can fully enjoy the beauty of traditional Bhutanese architecture.

After visiting the Punakha Dzong, you can head to the longest suspension in Bhutan that stretches over the Po Chhu River and take pictures. Later, visit the shrine of the Divine Madman, Chimi Lakhang, or Fertility Temple. Dedicated to the Buddhist saint Drukpa Kuenly, or the Divine Madman, the FertilityTemple dates back to the fifteenth century and is a sacred pilgrimage site for childless couples who wish for a child. The monk at the temple blesses devotees with a wooden phallus with a silver handle. The phallic symbol in Bhutan is used to dispel negative energies and usher in good luck. Old houses in the rural areas as well as the villages surrounding the Fertility Temple are decorated with images ofphalluses. Outside the shrine are souvenir shops where one can purchase a 'phallus'-shaped souvenir item.

After exploring Punakha, you will proceed towards Paro. Enjoy inspiring views of the mountains and pristine forests during the ride. On reaching Paro, you will be driven to your hotel, where you can finally relax after a hectic day.

Overnight in Paro.

Wake up early in the morning and take a drive towards the base of the hill where Taktsang Monastery stands. Tiger's Nest, or Taktsang Monastery, is one of the most popular hiking destinations in Bhutan. The monastery sits on a cliff face about nine hundred meters from the valley floor.

A holy pilgrimage site for Buddhists, the Taktsang Monastery is the place where Guru Rinpoche, or Padmasambhava, flew from Tibet to Bhutan on the back of a flying tigress and meditated. A monastery has been built around the cave where he meditated for three years.

The hike to the monastery is pretty grueling, with some steep ascents and descents. The hiking path is well maintained, and rest stops have been constructed en route for tired hikers to rest while hiking. The trail is not technical and involves easy walking (no technical climbing is required).

Leaving the car park, you will make your way across a dense forest and climb up the hill. The trail winds up steadily through a lush forest of pine, fir, and cedar. Ponies are available for hire until the halfway point or at the Taktsang Café. However, the cost of the pony ride is not included in the trip cost, so you will have to pay for the ride by yourself if you want to use this service.

The trail through the forest is decorated with colorful prayer flags, and you can enjoy your walk surrounded by nature. Once you reach the Taktsang Café, you will stop for lunch and a brief rest. From here, you can savor grand views of the Taktsang Monastery. It's a popular photography spot, and you can shoot a few selfies. After enjoying your lunch, you can continue the last leg of your hike. As you approach the monastery, you will be able to enjoy a bird's-eye view of Paro Valley and the Himalayan mountains stretching over the horizon.

A long flight of concrete steps will lead you to the monastery. Once inside Taktsang Monastery, you can visit the chapel and spend some time praying. Later, return via the same route and reach the car park, where our vehicle will be waiting for you.

If time permits, you will visit Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong. Paro Dzong is an ancient fortress that now houses government offices, and the Ta Dzong is a circular watch tower located right above the ParoDzong. The watchtower now houses the National Museum of Bhutan. Inside the museum are ancient artifacts, tools, and weapons used by the Bhutanese warriors. There are also valuable Buddhist manuscripts, paintings, and relics showcased inside the museum.

After visiting the dzong, you will head to a local farm where you can enjoy a traditional hot stone bath. The hot stone bath is taken in a wide tub where water is heated by using hot river stones roasted on a wood fire. The bath water also contains medicinal herbs that are beneficial for the skin and improve blood circulation.

Enjoy a relaxing soak in the traditional bathtub and ease your sore muscles. Later, you will be driven to your hotel.

Overnight in Paro.

Your Best of Bhutan Tour with Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu finally comes to an end. It's time to head homeward or to your next destination. Our representative will drive you to the airport on time to catch your flight. If you want to explore the neighboring countries of Nepal and India, please let us know. We have a range of delightful itineraries that might pique your interest. Our travel consultant is always at hand to offer assistance in planning your trip.