Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bhutan has always been an independent kingdom. It remained closed to the outside world, and as a result, its age old culture, tradition, spiritual heritage and environment are still intact. Bhutanese are deeply religious, practising and following Mahayana Buddhism. So, the best places to visit in Bhutan to experience the culture are the wonderous Buddhist monasteries, chortens, and monuments.
The Bhutanese kingdom is a trekker’s paradise and an environmentalist’s dream. With most of the country under forest cover, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and new. Here is a country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions. This kingdom is an adventure like no other.Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Bhutan has always been an independent kingdom. It remained closed to the outside world, and as a result, its age old culture, tradition, spiritual heritage and environment are still intact. Bhutanese are deeply religious, practising and following Mahayana Buddhism. So, the best places to visit in Bhutan to experience the culture are the wonderous Buddhist monasteries, chortens, and monuments.
The Bhutanese kingdom is a trekker’s paradise and an environmentalist’s dream. With most of the country under forest cover, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna.
Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and new. Here is a country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions. This kingdom is an adventure like no other.
Customise this trip for a perfect match
Private, Personalised TravelNo generic group tours. Just the activities you love, and nothing you don't.
Insider Local KnowledgeAccess insider tips, hidden gems and authentic experiences known only to locals.
End-to-end ServiceFrom the initial planning to full support while travelling, Designer Journeys provides seamless service every step of the way.
Travel With ConfidenceFeel assured travelling with an accredited Australian company with comprehensive financial guarantees and a local emergency system.
More than 1900 travellers have booked with us. Join them to make your next trip full of lifelong memories.
Itinerary
Day 1
Paro Arrival and Thimphu Sightseeing
Close
Transfer into the city to start your sightseeing immediately, visit the Rinpung Dzong meaning ‘fortress of jewels’, which is the seat of the Paro district built in 1645 by Shadrung Ngawang Namgyal. Then visit a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu. This has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi (or "Dharma Raja"), the head of Bhutan's civil government combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907.
Activities
Rinpung Dzong
Kuensel Phodrang
Tashichho Dzong
Restaurants
Yue-ling Restaurant
Transportations
Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Paro
Private Driver from Paro to Thimphu
Meals
Lunch and dinner
Destinations
Paro
Thimphu
Day 2
Thimphu to Punakha
Close
The drive from Thimphu to Punakha takes us first to the Dochula Mountain Pass looking out to the snow-covered Himalayas. Here there are 108 memorial chortens built by the eldest Queen Mother. Visit to Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring amazing colours to the dzong's towering whitewashed walls. After lunch hike to the Devine Madman’s Monastery, famously known for its fertility shrine.
Activities
Dochula Pass
Punakha Dzong
Chimi Lhakhang
Transportations
Private Driver from Thimphu to Punakha
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Dochula
Punakha
Day 3
Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel
Close
Today, you'll take the hike to and from Khamsum Yulley Namgyal which stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha Valley. Built over a period of 14 years, Bhutanese craftsmen including carpenters, painters and sculptors consulted holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals to construct this 4-storey temple offering a truly unique adaptation of Tibetan and Bhutanese architecture.
Activities
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Punakha Suspension Bridge
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Punakha
Day 4
Punakha to Thimphu
Close
Start your journey back to Thimphu via a small factory that produces traditional Bhutanese paper from the bark of the daphne bush - you can see the whole process. Visit the prominent National Memorial Chorten, which is predominantly white with spires of gold. It was erected in 1974 in honour of the father of modern Bhutan, the third king of the country. Stop by Kuensel Phodrang - Buddha Point, a gigantic Buddha statue, which houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues.
Activities
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory
Memorial Chorten
Changangkha Lhakhang
Restaurants
Simply Bhutan
Transportations
Private Driver from Phobjikha Valley to Thimphu
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Thimphu
Day 5
Thimphu to Paro
Close
Visit one of the oldest monasteries in the country built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo and the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. This fortress was built around 1644-49 to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetan-Mongol forces. It was later burnt in an accidental fire in 1951.
Accommodation
Tenzinling Resort
Activities
Tachog Lhakhang
Kyichu Lhakhang
Drukgyel Dzong
Hot Stone BathsOptional Activity
Restaurants
Yue-ling Restaurant
Transportations
Thimphu to Paro
Meals
Lunch
Destinations
Paro
Bhutan
Day 6
Hike to Tiger's Nest
Close
Paro is a valley of religious myth and legend. The most famous landmark, the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), stands on a granite cliff about 800 metres above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, a famous Buddhist saint, flew to Paro on a tigress and meditated at Taktsang. The monastery is considered as a national treasure of Bhutan. Today is dedicated to hiking to the monastery to see it in its majesty. It will take you most of the day.
Accommodation
Tenzinling Resort
Activities
Hike to Tiger's Nest
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Destinations
Bhutan
Paro
Day 7
Weekend Market and Departure
Close
Visit Paro's weekend market before your departure. This market isn't very large but it has a traditional feel and has some unique local products like organic Tsirang honey, squares of dried jellied cow skin known as khoo (a local snack). Drive to the airport for your departure.
Activities
Paro Market
Transportations
Private Driver from Paro to Paro International Airport
Meals
Breakfast
Destinations
Bhutan
Paro
Share With Your Partners
Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!
What’s included?
2 nights accommodation
16 activities
5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
Airport transfer
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
What’s not included?
Alcohol beverages
Domestic flights
Entry visas / airport departure tax
Gratuities
International flights
Laundry
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Trekking permits
Notes
Also included:
- Government Royalty of USD 65 per person/night.
- All government taxes.
- One bottled mineral water per person/day
Starting From
AU$ 3,684/ per traveller sharing
Get a fully customised trip plan today
Benefits of this trip
Bhutan in 7 days
24/7 in-destination support from your local designer
