Best of Bhutan: Culture, Nature Hikes, and Iconic Monasteries Tour

Upon your arrival at Paro, the only International Airport in Bhutan our guide and driver will receive and escort you to visit the National Museum to learn about the history & rich cultural heritage of Bhutan. From there drive to the capital city Thimphu and visit the Buddha Dordhenma Statue seated majestically overlooking Thimphu Valley, visit the Weaving Center to learn about the weaving culture and tradition of Bhutan. In the evening, spend some free time exploring the streets of Thimphu.Distance from Paro - Thimphu 55km | Driving time 1.5-hours | Thimphu altitude 2334m | Paro altitude 2200mDinner and overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

Spend a day in Thimphu where you'll see rapid modernization taking place while still preserving ancient culture and holds on to its age-old traditions. You'll hike to one of the most important religious centers in Bhutan, Tango Monastery which was originally founded in the 13th century. The round trip hike takes about 2-2.5 hours through the pristine forests.After the hike, return to Thimphu where a traditional lunch will be hosted at Folk Heritage Restaurant or at a similar one. After lunch, visit the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where 13 Bhutanese traditional arts & crafts are taught.The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).In the neighbourhood is the National Library & Archives considered as national treasure and a fundamental source of history and culture, indigenous medicines & religion, etc. We then take a stroll at the Authentic Craft Bazaar along the main Thimphu streets. If time permits, visit Postal Museum to get insights into Bhutan's postal history and even get stamps printed with your own photo. We finish off the day exploring the heart of Thimphu town.Dinner and overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

After breakfast, drive to Punakha valley via the sacred mountain pass Dochula at 3150m above sea level, enjoy a panoramic view of some of Bhutan's highest mountains (weather permitting). From Dochula, we continue driving and gradually descend to warmer Punakha valley within 1.5 hours. About 11km before reaching proper Punakha town, visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the "Temple of Fertility". The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 15th-century Tibetan Lama Drukpa Kunley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” because of his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism. You'll spend some time exploring the nearby village whose houses are painted with ornate phalluses.After local lunch, drive to Punakha and visit the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, the historic 17th-century Punakha Dzong which serves as the office of the governor and a winter residence of the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. You'll spend some time appreciating the intricate woodwork and grand sacred wall paintings. From there walk to Bhutan's longest suspension bridge that runs across the Phochu river. Punakha Dzong is built on the confluence of two glacial-fed rivers - Phochu (male river) and Mochu (female river).Distance from Thimphu - Punakha 74km | Driving time 3-hours | Punakha altitude 1200mDinner and overnight at Namgay Zam Homestay in the village of Yusakha for a unique experience with the local family. If this Homestay is fully booked, you will stay at Meri Puensum Resort.

After an early breakfast, you will go for a 2.5-hour round trip hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and temples. It takes only about 20 minutes to drive from the main town of Punakha to the nearest road point. From there you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through terraced rice fields and a short climb before reaching the sacred site. The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile valley of Punakha. After the hike, return to the road head and drive to Dochula Pass for lunch.On arrival in Dochula Pass, enjoy lunch at the Dochula Cafe. After lunch, if you are interested, you can do a short easy hike to Tashigang Gonpa from Dochula Pass. Tashigang Gonpa was built in 1768 by the 12th Abbot of Bhutan, Je Kunga Jamtsho. Today, the monastery serves as a monastic school for dozens of monks. You'll have an opportunity to visit the monastery and get blessings. The wonderful hiking takes you downhill through pristine forests of Juniper, Hemlock, blue pine trees among many others. It offers a great opportunity to photograph nature and landscapes. You'll also come across different species of birds along the trail. The hike downhill takes about an hour to reach the Gonpa. The driver will be waiting here at the monastery. From here, continue driving to Paro which will take about 2 hours.Distance from Punakha - Paro 115km, Driving time 3.5-4 hours, Paro altitude 2,200mDinner and overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort

After an early breakfast, you will hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery popularly known as Tiger's Nest located on the face of a sheer rock cliff some 800 meters above the valley floor. The round-trip hiking normally takes about 4-5 hours for most visitors but you can hike at your own pace. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. Oneway horse riding is available on your way up to the mid-point (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria) for a fee of about USD20 per horse person. Horse riding is not recommended on your way down and most owners will not allow it.The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan but also “a must-visit” place for tourists. After the hike, descend back to the base and drive to Paro and spend some leisure time exploring the town.Later in evening, visit one of the beautiful farmhouses for an authentic home-cooked local cuisine. You can participate in preparing some of the popular local dishes. If interested in a relaxing home spa, you can soak in a therapeutic and revitalizing traditional hot stone bath for an additional fee of about $20 per person, as charged by the owner.Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort

After breakfast, depending on your flight departure time you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.