• Cultural sightseeing tour of Paro, Punakha and Thimphu,
• Visit Dzongs (monasteries), Lhakhangs (temples), museums, villages and places of natural beauty.
• Short hike to Taktsang Monastery, known as the “Tiger’s Nest” (Horse ride available on request).
• Visits to traditional arts and crafts schools and workshops. Watch artisans while they work.
• A 2-hour or 4-hour walk through villages and rice-terraced farmland in the Punakha valley.
• Farmhouse lunch.

This classic tour, at just the right pace, introduces you to the main towns and valleys of Western Bhutan, Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. You also have time for walking or browsing in the towns and getting to meet the locals and for enjoying a few village walks which immerse you in the daily life of the people.

Visit the summer and winter residences of the monk body at Thimphu (2,400m) and Punakha (1,200m), as well as the historic sites of the Paro valley.

Enjoy the breath-taking view of the Himalayan mountain range from the 3,000 meter Dochula Pass. Descend through rhododendron and Magnolia forests to the warmer climes of the Punakha valley and visit its beautiful Dzong. You will also take a charming walk through a small village, across the neatly terraced rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madman.” Couples who wish to receive a fertility blessing visit this temple without fail. A short hiking option to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is also included in this tour and some extra village walks are also an option for those who love walking and meeting the locals in their own villages.

And don’t miss the exhilarating experience of walking or riding up to Taktsang monastery (4 hours round trip). Taktsang is truly one of the wonders of Bhutan. It is possible to take a horse ride up to the monastery but the descent can only be done on foot. Alternatively, if the walk does not appeal, enjoy the view of Taktsang from a distance. This hike requires a certain degree of physical fitness, so it is optional.

Throughout the tour you will visit impressive monasteries and temples where Tibetan Buddhism flourishes and red-robed monks chant their prayers. Enjoy watching traditional craftsmen and women at work and visit various folk-heritage and craft museums. Relax, unwind, chat with the locals, take photos, and browse in the shops.

Day 1     Arrive Paro. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing in Paro valley. Visit Paro Ta Dzong Museum and then descend on foot to the impressive Rinpung Dzong. Free time in Paro town.

Day 2     Drive to Punakha (2½hrs). On the way stop at Dochula pass. Then descend to 1,200m and visit Chimi Lhakhang. Continue towards Punakha Dzong, which was the old capital of Bhutan. Today you have a choice of village and forest walks lasting from one hour to four hours.

Day 3     Morning in Punakha. Take a short early morning hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten from where you get peaceful and spectacular views of the Punakha valley. Drive to Thimphu. Visit the Chang-gangkha temple, takin reserve, Sangay-gang viewpoint, Dechenphodrang Monastic Institute and the impressive Trashichoedzong.

Day 4     Sightseeing in and around Thimphu: visit  the Folk Heritage Museum, the Institute for the 13 Traditional Arts (Zorig Chusum), the Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Textile Museum and the large open-air Buddha statue. Finally, circumambulate the Memorial Chorten with the locals.

Day 5     Free time in Thimphu. Visit Simtokha Dzong before driving to Paro. Visit the ruined fortress Drugyel Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Option for a two-hour village walk to meet the locals busy in their own villages.

Day 6     Morning Hike to Taktsang temple. Afternoon at leisure or sightseeing in Paro valley.

Day 7     Flight departure from Paro.