Day 1: Paro – Thimphu: Arrive in Paro. After you clear Immigration and Customs, you will arrive in the visitors’ lounge where your Tour Manager will be waiting for you, carrying a placard with your name written on it. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle.

You will then drive to Thimphu (approximately 1.5 hours, excluding stops). On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.

In the evening, you will explore the capital’s cottage industries: from traditional paper making to hand-rolled incense. You will browse amongst Himalayan artefacts along the main street and make your own personalized stamps at the post office.

You will also visit the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, the seat of Bhutan’s government and royal offices before, returning to your hotel.

Day 2: Thimphu: A short morning hike will take you to Cheri Goemba monastery. On the way back, you will pay a visit to the 16th century Pangri Zampa, which now houses a monastic training school for astrologers.

Alternatively, if you do not want to take the walk, you can continue to visit the Zilukha Nunnery. You will then return to your hotel for lunch.

After lunch, you will visit the Simply Bhutan Museum, an exclusive project under the Bhutan Youth Development Fund.

This will be followed by a visit to The National Memorial Chorten and the Thangka Conservatory before, returning to your hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha: After breakfast, you will drive to Punakha (approximately 4 hours, excluding stops). On arrival, you will check-in to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you will visit Punakha Dzong, home to the remains of Bhutan’s first ruler and the winter residence of the monastic order’s leader and his entourage of monks.

Afterwards, you will take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang, known as the temple of fertility. You will also walk through a village near the temple which will give you a glimpse into the everyday nuances of village life.

You will then return to your hotel.

Day 4: Punakha: This morning, you will visit Richengang Village, one of the oldest villages in Bhutan. You will spend time in a Bhutanese farmhouse and get a firsthand opportunity to see how the Bhutanese live. You can also try your hand at making Suja (traditionally prepared salted butter tea) while at the farmer’s home.

In the afternoon, you will hike through fields of vegetables to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, which was built to promote peace, stability and harmony.

Afterwards, you will take a short drive to the hilltop overlooking the vast paddy fields and orchards to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery. We will organize a packed picnic lunch which you can enjoy by the river nearby. You will then return to your hotel.

Day 5: Punakha – Paro: After breakfast you will drive to Paro, (approximately 5 hours, excluding stops). En route you will visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching.

On arrival in Paro, you will check-in to your hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure.

Day 6: Paro: After breakfast, you will visit the National Museum which provides a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.

A short walk downhill from the museum is the imposing Paro Dzong, a fine example of historic Bhutanese architecture. You will then visit the Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge after which, you will be driven to the town temple, built in 1525 to see the ancient wall paintings.

In the afternoon, you will visit the uniquely shaped Dumtse Lhakhang to see the beautifully preserved wall paintings there. You will also have the opportunity to visit Druk Choeding, an ancient temple in Paro.

In the evening, you will participate in an Archery ‘contest’ with a professional archer.

Day 7: Paro: This morning, you will hike up to view one of Bhutan’s most dramatic monuments, the Taktsang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the Tiger’s Nest.

The four-hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on the rocks, 900m above the valley floor. Note: For those who need assistance on the climb, mules and donkeys will be on hand. Your guide will check in advance if you would like to avail of this service.

The rest of the day will be at leisure to explore the town on your own.

As this will be your last evening in Bhutan, you may like to soak in your lodge’s Hot Stone Bath and enjoy a relaxing Tibetan Ku Nye massage, in which warm oil is applied to specific points to release energy blockages.

Day 8: Paro – Onward Destination: After a quick cup of tea/coffee, you will be met by our Tour Manager in the lobby of your hotel and escorted to the airport in time to check-in for your flight to your Onward Destination.