Sacred Culture
& Gentle Hikes

Arrive at Paro International Airport, surrounded by mountains and prayer flags. Check in at your comfortable hotel and rest after your flight. In the afternoon, light butter lamps at Samtenling Monastery (15th century) for good fortune and blessings for your loved ones. Visit Dungtse Lhakhang, built in 1421 by the bridge-builder Thangtong Gyalpo, unique for its mandala-shaped interior and murals depicting the path to enlightenment. End the day at Paro Dzong (17th century), an emblem of Bhutanese monastic architecture.
Night in Paro.

Begin with a visit to the National Museum of Bhutan, housed in a 17th-century watchtower overlooking the valley, where sacred relics and thangkas trace Bhutan’s evolution through the centuries. Walk down to the majestif Paro Fortress known as Rinpung Dzong, once the seat of local governors, and admire its carved balconies and courtyards. In the evening, explore Paro town, try on the traditional clothes gho or kira, or browse handicraft shops. Night in Paro.

Embark on an inspiring hike to Taktsang Monastery (8th century), where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated after arriving on the back of a flying tigress. The hike takes about four to five hours round trip through pines scented with juniper. Return in the afternoon and unwind in a soothing traditional hot stone bath, an age-old Bhutanese tradition. Night in Paro.

Leave Paro early and ascend to Dochula Pass (3,100 m), crowned with 108 white chortens and panoramic views of the Himalayas. Pause for tea and let the mountain wind carry your prayers across the ridges. Descend toward the warmer valley of Punakha, stopping at Tamchog Lhakhang (15th century), founded by the saint Thangtong Gyalpo, who also designed its iconic iron bridge still crossing the river. Upon arrival, enjoy a gentle hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (1990s), built by the Queen Mother to bring peace and harmony to all beings. Night in Punakha.

Walk through the golden fields to Chimi Lhakhang (15th century), dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, Bhutan’s “Divine Madman,” whose teachings celebrated love and freedom. Continue to Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge, fluttering with prayer flags over the Pho Chu River. Afternoon at leisure to rest or explore Punakha’s riverside. Night in Punakha.

Morning visit to Punakha Dzong (1637), “The Palace of Great Happiness,” where Bhutan’s kings were once crowned. Admire its massive wooden doors, whitewashed walls, and jacaranda trees blooming in spring. After lunch, drive east through forested ridges and remote hamlets toward Trongsa, a scenic journey across the heart of Bhutan. Night in Trongsa.

Visit Trongsa Dzong (1644), the ancestral seat of Bhutan’s royal family, standing proudly above a deep ravine. Continue to Bumthang, often called the spiritual heart of the kingdom. Stop in Chumey Valley to visit weavers crafting yathra wool, a vibrant local textile used for cloaks and blankets. Night in Bumthang.

Discover Jakar Valley, home to the country’s first kings and oldest temples. Visit Wangdicholing Palace, built in the 1850s as the royal residence of Bhutan’s first and second kings, now transformed into a small museum preserving royal artifacts and family portraits. Continue to Kurjey Lhakhang (8th century), where Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on a cave wall, and Jambay Lhakhang (7th century), one of Bhutan’s oldest temples. Night in Bumthang.

Travel to Tang Valley to visit Pema Chöling Nunnery, home to nuns who dedicate their days to prayer, study, and meditation amid mountain stillness. Experience their gentle rhythm of chanting and tea offering. In the afternoon, visit Burning Lake (Mebar Tsho), a revered pilgrimage site where the saint Pema Lingpa discovered hidden treasures in the 15th century. Night in Bumthang.

Drive west to Phobjikha, a wide valley surrounded by forests and open meadows. Visit Gangtey Monastery (17th century), seat of the Nyingma school of Buddhism. Take a gentle walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, passing prayer walls and small hamlets with views of the surrounding hills. Night in Phobjikha.

Journey back to the capital, Thimphu. Visit the 13 Arts and Crafts School (Zorig Chusum), where young artists train in traditional painting, wood carving, and sculpture. Continue to the handmade Paper Factory, where paper is still produced using natural Daphne bark. End the day at Buddha Dordenma, a 51-meter golden statue watching over the city.
Night in Thimphu.

Take a gentle morning hike to Wangditse Monastery, originally built in the 18th century as one of Thimphu’s oldest temples, once serving as the seat of Bhutan’s early rulers and a key site for state rituals. Continue to the Royal Textile Museum, where exquisite handwoven pieces showcase Bhutan’s royal traditions and regional weaving styles. If time permits, visit the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal — half goat, half cow — a symbol of the country’s mythic imagination. End the day with a peaceful dinner in the capital. Night in Thimphu.

Drive from Thimphu to Paro for your departure. Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy a final stroll through Paro market or a last cup of butter tea before saying goodbye to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Departure from Paro International Airport.