5-Day Bhutan Cultural Tour from Paro to Punakha with Taktsang Hike

• In clear weather, the flight to Paro International Airport offers wonderful views of the Himalayan scenery. It is a breathtaking journey, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the kingdom. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean, and fresh air as you step out of the plane.

• On arrival at the airport and after completing your airport formalities, you will be met by our representative.

• The day begins with sightseeing in Paro.

• Begin with a visit to Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. It has a collection of ancient Bhutanese art and artefacts, weapons, coins, stamps, and natural history.

• Next, drive down to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of the Heap of Jewels), which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel.

• Walk down to the other side of the river through a traditional cantilever bridge to meet our car.

• Drive for lunch at a restaurant.

• After lunch, enjoy an interesting drive of about 1.5 hours from Paro following the Pachu River. At the confluence where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River, there are three stone monuments in Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese-style stupas.

• Upon reaching Thimphu, visit the Memorial Chorten.

• Visit the post office, which has Bhutan's beautiful stamps.

• If time permits, go to see the tallest Buddha statue overlooking Thimphu Valley.

• In the evening, stroll through Thimphu town.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

• After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Punakha (70 km) via Dochula Pass.

• An hour's drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3,050 metres); from here, one can have a superb view of the mountain ranges on a clear day.

• Tea and coffee will be served on the way to warm your body, and then continue to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a very popular and revered temple that lies on the periphery of the fertile valley of Lobesa.

• Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

• After lunch, drive to Punakha Dzong, placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.

• Then drive to the hotel, check in, and have dinner at the hotel.

Overnight in Punakha.

• After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive back to Thimphu.

• Upon reaching Thimphu, visit the National Textile Museum, which offers a wide range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous.

• The National Library is another site to see, with its collection of Bhutanese scriptures, some dating back to the 8th century.

• Visit the school for arts and crafts, where children are taught the 13 types of arts and crafts of Bhutan.

• The Folk Heritage Museum is a replica of a medieval farmhouse and is patronised by HM Queen Sangay Choden Wangchuck to protect the textile heritage of Bhutan.

• After lunch, start with a visit to a traditional hospital.

• Next, go to Changangkha Temple, which was built in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lam Phajo Drukgom Shingpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet.

• After that, drive upward to Motithang Takin Zoo. The takin is the national animal of Bhutan.

• Also, visit Drubthob Monastery, which houses the Zilukha Nunnery.

• After 5 pm, go to see Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building, which houses the throne room of His Majesty the King.

• Drive back to the hotel for leisure.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

• Breakfast at the hotel and then drive back to Paro to Ramthangkha.

• Hike to Taktsang. The hike up to Taktsang takes approximately 2:30-03:00 hours.

• The trail is broad, and the uphill walk takes you a little more than 1,000 ft above the Paro Valley. The view of Taktsang Monastery, built on the cliff, is a spectacular sight. It is also a great pilgrimage site for Buddhists.

• Have lunch at the cafeteria and return to Paro.

• If there is enough time, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, which was once a historic monument built as a symbol of victory for the Bhutanese against the northern invaders. Now it stands in ruins.

• On the way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King of Tibet and one of the two oldest shrines in the kingdom.

• If not tired, go to Paro town to buy souvenirs.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

• After an early breakfast served at the hotel, drive a short distance to Paro Airport, where your Bhutanese escort will bid you farewell.