Classic Bhutan Tour

5 Days Private Tour of Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Paro

Tour Type: Customizable tour with a private English-speaking guide
Transportation: Private air-conditioned car with an experienced driver
Accommodation: Handpicked 3-star hotels, also open to your own choice
Meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 4 dinners
Code: TBT02

This trip can be customized to meet your individual needs!

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Trip Highlights

Embark on a challenging yet rewarding trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery and discover its profound spiritual importance for the Bhutanese.
Explore Bhutan’s iconic dzongs to admire their architectural marvels and Buddhist murals.
Experience Thimphu’s relaxed lifestyle and immerse yourself in profound Tibetan Buddhist beliefs.
Be spellbound by Himalayan scenery when passing through Dochula Pass.

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Day 1 Paro Airport Pick-up - Thimphu

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Eager to explore Bhutan with you! Today, upon your arrival at Paro Airport, the country’s only airport, your guide and driver will greet you with open arms and escort you to your hotel in downtown Thimphu for check-in. During the 1.5-hour ride, you’ll glimpse some local farmhouses and villages.

After lunch, follow your guide to begin your Thimphu exploration at the iconic Buddha Dordenma, a giant, bronze-gilded statue atop a hill that serves as Bhutan’s spiritual heart and offers panoramic views of the city. Next, we’ll visit the National Memorial Chorten, dedicated to Bhutan’s third King. You may find over 1,000 conical stupas with square bases, typical of Tibetan Buddhist architecture, scattered across the country, from hilltops and highways to villages. Bhutanese firmly believe that as long as these stupas stand, their faith and prayers will last. After encountering Bhutan’s national animal at the Royal Takin Preserve Motithang, we’ll make brief stops at Zilukha Nunnery and Tashichho Dzong, where you can observe the nuns’ daily rituals and admire the striking contrast of white walls against the four golden domes of this defensive fortress.

Later, as we stroll through Thimphu Town, you’ll notice that the streets are mostly quiet, with fewer people and less commercial activity compared to metropolises. However, the ubiquitous prayer wheels create a peaceful vibe, reflecting the comforting presence of Buddhist culture and the joy found in simple pleasures. Your guide and driver will then escort you back to your hotel for dinner. Bhutanese cuisine, with its love for chili peppers and cheese, will warm your soul in the cool mountain air. If you’re sensitive to spice, just savor milder dishes like Tibetan steamed dumplings and cream vegetable soup.

► Things to Know about Bhutan Tours
1.Visa Application: Travelers from most countries need a visa to enter Bhutan. As official approval typically requires a fully confirmed itinerary, which can take up to two weeks, we recommend reserving this package at least a month in advance so we can provide a detailed itinerary for a smooth process.
2.Travel Tax (included): Bhutan’s ‘High value, low impact’ tourism policy requires a USD 100 sustainability fee per day. We have included this fee in your package, so there are no extra costs.
3.Guided Travel Requirement: To preserve the country’s cultural heritage, foreign tourists are required to be accompanied by a licensed local guide and travel in government-registered vehicles. You can choose our all-inclusive, customizable tour for a hassle-free experience.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Bhutan Home, Thimphu (3 stars) or similar

Impressive Buddha Dordenma Statue

Takin - Bhutan's National Animal

Day 2 Thimphu - Punakha

Drive 2 hours to Punakha, with a stop at Dochula Pass to view 108 stupas; visit Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, and a suspension bridge. (B+L+D)

After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby for a 2-hour drive to Punakha. En route, we’ll stop at Dochula Pass to appreciate 108 stupas, the resting place of the Bhutanese soldiers who fought against anti-government forces. Take a moment to pray for their souls and for world peace. If your visit happens to be on a clear morning from October to March, you’ll be treated to stunning views of Himalayan snow-capped peaks to the north, including Gangkhabensen, the world’s highest unclimbed peak at 7,570 meters (24,836 feet).

Our journey continues with Chimi Lhakhang, known as the ‘Fertility Temple’. In this high-altitude paradise, the frigid environment has fostered an ancient reverence for fertility, later flourishing as a local culture influenced by the Divine Madman - a monk who shattered religious norms with provocative sexual gimmicks and radical actions. Colorful wooden phallic symbols hanging in temples and totems adorning local homes aim to commemorate him. Far from being seen as impure, these symbols are cherished as protectors against evil and guardians of family prosperity.

Following that, we’ll visit Punakha Dzong. Resembling a fusion of a medieval European castle and monastery, such ‘dzongs’ appear in each administrative area and serve as hubs for government officials and monks. Marvel at its white walls, golden roofs, and intricate decorations that showcase the symmetrical beauty of Bhutanese architecture. Please note that, while photography is permitted outside, cameras should be put away when admiring Buddhist murals and manuscripts inside the main hall. Let’s then meander across the nearby Suspension Bridge, surrounded by lush rice terraces and orange groves, for the pastoral life of the southern Himalayas.

As the day winds down, you’ll enjoy a private escort to your hotel in Punakha. Our well-selected hotel offers stunning views of Punakha Valley and a buffet dinner featuring a mixture of Bhutanese and Indian dishes, perfect to enjoy on the outdoor terrace or courtyard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Zangto Pelri, Punakha (3 stars) or similar

Dochula Pass, Bhutan

Our Guests at Chimi Lhakhang

Day 3 Punakha - Paro

Drive 5 hours to Paro; visit Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong (National Museum), and Kyichu Lhakhang. (B+L+D)

Today will kick off with a 5-hour drive back to Paro after the hotel meet-up with your guide and driver. Once arrive, let’s explore the city from the Rinpung Dzong, whose inner courtyard, pillars, and walls burst with intricate Buddhist carvings and scriptures - truly a ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’! The circular watchtower, Ta Dzong, which stands atop the fortress and was once part of Bhutan’s unique three-dimensional defense system, is now utilized as the National Museum. Your guide will accompany you inside to explore Bhutan’s artistic heritage through displays such as thangkas, traditional instruments, and everyday utensils. From the observation deck, you’ll have the chance to witness airplanes executing a dramatic 180° turn amid the mountains and valleys, seemingly gliding over the peaks, and aligning perfectly to land at Paro Airport.

Continue our journey to Kyichu Lhakhang, believed to be the cradle of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. Inside the main hall, you’ll find a life-size statue of the eight-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha, which has attracted devotees to kneel before it for over 1,000 years, leaving two deep impressions in the wooden floor. After this enlightening experience, your guide will escort you to your hotel for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Olathang, Paro (3 stars) or similar

Punakha Dzong

Punakha Suspension Bridge under Sunset

Day 4 Paro Hiking

Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang); visit ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and stroll through Paro Old Town. (B+L+D)

★ Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery: The Cliffside National Soul

► Walking Distance (round-trip): 7 km (4.3 mi)
► Elevation: 900 m (2,952 ft) of ascent
► Time: 5-6 hours
Today welcomes the highlight of your trip - Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Legend has it that in the 8th century, the Indian monk Guru Rinpoche (Lotus-Born) came here from Tibet on a flying tiger. He meditated in a cave for three years, taming the mountain’s evil spirits and introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Your guide will share more mysterious stories about the monastery during the hike. Although the climb through pine forests, waterfalls, clouds, and cliffs is demanding, it offers insights into Bhutanese philosophy that true happiness is found in spiritual awakening and inner peace, not GDP. Upon reaching the monastery, take in the well-preserved murals and the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated.

Insider Tips:
1.Remember to wear comfy hiking boots suitable for dirt and gravel paths.
2.Horseback riding with a handler is available at the mountain’s base, with a one-hour tour costing about USD 30-40 per person. However, it only takes you halfway up; you still need to conquer the remaining 800 stone steps on foot. Whether to ride a horse at your own expense depends on your physical condition.
3.If you start to feel breathless or have a racing heartbeat, don’t hesitate to slow down. Your guide will also monitor your health and suggest rest breaks as needed. A hiking pole can help relieve pressure on your knees during descent.
4.To show respect, visitors should remove their shoes before entering the monastery. Considering the icy stone floors in the morning, it’s advisable to wear thick socks.

After descending the mountain, we’ll admire Drukgyel Dzong from the outside, Bhutan’s only fortress built exclusively for defense. The narrow arrow slits and gun ports on its massive stone walls are clearly visible. On sunny days, you can snap incredible photos of the fortress with Mount Chomolhari in the background.

Let’s conclude the day by wandering around Paro Old Town, whose single main street is lined with traditional Bhutanese low-rise buildings, housing handicrafts shops, tea houses, and restaurants. With the backdrop of rice paddies and rolling mountains, they signal the extraordinary slow tune of local life. Later, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Olathang, Paro (3 stars) or similar

Tiger's Nest Monastery, Paro

Waterfall along the Hiking Trails

Day 5 Paro Airport See-off

Hotel-to-airport transfer & see you off. A nice journey home! (B)

On your departure day, your guide and driver will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Wish you a safe journey home! If you wish to extend your stay in Bhutan to visit Phobjikha Valley or travel to neighboring Nepal, please contact our travel consultants to tailor your itinerary.

Meals: Breakfast