Upon arrival at Paro Airport, you'll be transferred to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. En route, stop at the Tachog Lhakhang iron chain bridge. Enjoy your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine before visiting the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to the Third King. Then, visit Tashichho Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monastery that houses the king's throne. Lastly, explore the Centenary Farmers’ Market, where locals sell their agricultural products on weekends.

Overnight in Thimphu.

In the morning, drive to Buddha Point in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park to see the 169-foot Buddha Dordenma statue, offering stunning valley views. Then, visit Changangkha Monastery, the oldest temple in Thimphu, housing a statue of Chenrizig. After lunch, drive to Punakha, stopping at Dochula Pass for panoramic Himalayan views and the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. Continue to Chhimi Lhakhang, a fertility pilgrimage site built in the 15th century, reached by a short walk from Sopsokha village.

Overnight in Punakha.

After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, which serves as the winter residence for the clergy. It is an iconic example of Bhutanese architecture, located at the confluence of two rivers. Next, walk across the 160-meter-long Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge, offering stunning views of the dzong and valley. Visit the unique Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a four-story temple built using holy scriptures, accessible by an hour-long trek across a prayer flag-adorned footbridge. Finally, drive to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, a temple and nunnery perched on a ridge, offering views of the Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys.

Overnight in Punakha.

The morning, attend the Druk Wangyel Festival at Dochula Pass, held annually on December 13 to commemorate the 2003 military expedition. The festival takes place at the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang, which was built under the supervision of Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and consecrated in 2008. The venue features impressive Bhutanese monuments and murals. Dochula Pass, located 45 minutes from Thimphu at 3,116 meters, offers stunning views of Thimphu and Punakha. After the festival, continue your journey to Paro.

Overnight in Paro.

The scenic valley of Paro is home to many of Bhutan's ancient monasteries and temples, as well as the country's only airport. It is also the site of Mount Jomolhari (7,300m), whose glacier water feeds the Pa Chhu River flowing through the valley. Notable sites in Paro include Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), a 15th- century fortress-monastery that serves as the administrative center of the region. A morning drive north leads to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan. Although destroyed by fire, the ruins remain as a powerful symbol of past victories.

Overnight in Paro.

To conclude our journey, we’ll embark on a morning trek to the iconic Taktsang Monastery (Tiger'sNest), a sacred Himalayan Buddhist site perched on the cliffside of Paro Valley. According to legend, Guru Rinpochhe flew to this spot from Tibet on the back of a tigress and meditated in one of the caves, emerging in eight different forms, which made the location holy and earned it the name Tiger’s Nest. After the hike, we’ll relax and explore the main streets of Paro Town for street photography and souvenir shopping.

Overnight in Paro.