Glimpse of Bhutan
Six days across the three western valleys, finishing at the Tiger's Nest
The short introduction to Bhutan: Thimphu, the drive over Dochula to Punakha, and the climb to Taktsang on the last full day.
If you have less than a week, this is the trip. It covers the three western valleys (Thimphu, Punakha and Paro), which between them hold the seat of government, the finest dzong in the country and its most famous monastery.
The drive from Thimphu to Punakha crosses Dochula at 3,100 m, where 108 chortens stand on the ridge and, on a clear winter morning, the eastern Himalayas fill the horizon. Punakha itself is warm and low, with rice terraces and orange trees.
The last full day is the walk up to Taktsang. It is around five hours there and back, climbing about 900 m, and there is a cafeteria at the halfway point with a view straight across to the monastery.
What stands out
- Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, on the last full day
- The 108 chortens at Dochula pass, and the peaks behind them in clear weather
- Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu
- The Memorial Chorten in Thimphu, busiest first thing in the morning
The itinerary
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Day 1 7,480 ft
Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu
Your guide meets you as you come out of the terminal. The drive to Thimphu takes about an hour and a half along the river. If there is light left, we walk around the Memorial Chorten before dinner.
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Day 2 7,610 ft
Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Institute for the Thirteen Arts, and the takin preserve above town. If it is a weekend, the vegetable and handicraft market by the river is worth an hour.
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Day 3 10,170 ft
Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula
The road climbs to Dochula at 3,100 m, where 108 chortens stand on the ridge. On a clear morning between October and February you can see the whole eastern Himalaya from here. Then a long descent into the warm Punakha valley.
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Day 4 7,480 ft
Punakha to Paro
Punakha Dzong in the morning, then the walk across the fields to Chimi Lhakhang before the drive back west over the pass to Paro.
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Day 5 10,150 ft
Paro: the walk up to Taktsang
About five hours on foot, there and back, climbing roughly 900 m to the monastery on the cliff. There is a cafeteria at the halfway point. In the afternoon, Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum in the old watchtower above it.
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Day 6 7,480 ft
Departure
An early transfer to the airport. Flights out of Paro leave in the morning because of the wind.
What is covered
- All internal transport with a private vehicle and driver
- A licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout
- Accommodation in government-approved three-star hotels, or better on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- All entry fees to monuments, dzongs and museums
- Bhutan visa processing and the visa fee
- The Sustainable Development Fee
- All internal taxes and the government royalty
- International flights to and from Bhutan
- Travel insurance, which we ask every guest to arrange
- Drinks, laundry, telephone and other personal expenses
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed as included
This is the shortest trip we run and it moves at a fair pace. If you would rather have a slower version, we can spread the same route over eight days with a night in Haa.
The walk to Taktsang is the only demanding part. Horses can be arranged as far as the cafeteria, but not beyond it.
On this trip
Other trips
Cultural Tours
Central Bhutan Tour
West to east as far as Bumthang, the religious heart of the country, returning through Phobjikha, where the…
Cultural Tours
Eastern Bhutan Tour
The full east-west traverse, as far as Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse, the part of Bhutan almost nobody sees.
Festival Tours
Paro Tshechu
Two full days at the Paro festival, with the western valleys and Taktsang around them.