5-day Private Bhutan Tour: Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Arrive Paro  (L,D)⌄

   Altitude: 2195m Arrive at Paro airport. Check in and enjoy lunch at hotel. After lunch, drive (2 hrs one-way) to Haa via Chelela Pass (3900m). Weather permitting, see Mt. Jumolhari (7314m) & Taktshang Goenpa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). Haa valley is dotted with crop fields & quaint farmhouses. Also, visit a 100 year-old farmhouse to get insight into the life of locals. Enroute, stop at Haa Dzong. Later, visit the historic Chundu Lhakhang temple. Later return to Paro.

   Meals: Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at hotel.

2. 2Paro – Thimphu (B,L,D)⌄

   Altitude: 2350m 65kms / 2 hrs After breakfast, drive to the capital – Thimphu. Upon arrival, see manuscripts, written in gold at the National Library. Also stop at a school where traditional style of Thangka painting is taught. Next, visit the Folk Heritage Museum. After lunch, visit Memorial Choeten - a stupa with detailed religious wall paintings & sculptures. Then visit the 14th century Changangkha Lhakhang, a popular worshipping spot for locals. Later drive to Sangaygang viewpoint, usually thronged by young couples. Then visit a nunnery.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at Hotel.

3. 3Thimphu – Punakha (B,L,D)⌄

   Altitude: 1310m 85kms / 3 hrs After breakfast, drive to Punakha – the ancient capital. The drive takes you across Dochula Pass (3100 m), marked by more than 100 choetens (Bhutanese style stupa) with prayer flags. Weather permitting, view lofty peaks of eastern Himalayan range. The road to Punakha passes through magnificent forests and a charming countryside. Check in and enjoy lunch at the hotel. Later, get blessed at a temple presided by a 96 year old lama. In the evening, try your hand at traditional archery – the national sport.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at hotel.

4. 4Punakha – Paro (B,L,D)⌄

   125kms / 4 hrs After breakfast, hike (45 min one-way) to a choeten affording scenic views, that was built by the queen for the well-being of the country and its people. It’s a moderate hike through rice paddies & pine forests. Then visit Punakha Dzong – a magnificent structure built without iron nails. Also see paintings on the life of Buddha. After lunch, drive to Paro. Later visit National Museum, to admire collections of rare art, artifacts and traditional weavings. After the museum, visit the Paro Dzong. In the evening, explore Paro town.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Overnight at hotel.

5. 5Paro – Departure (B)⌄

   Morning breakfast and drive to the airport for departure.

   Meals: Breakfast