5-Day Bhutan Cultural Journey from Paro with Tiger's Nest and Punakha

• The flight to Paro on the national carrier is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of the country. In clear weather, you will get magnificent views of the world's highest peaks before descending into the lush green Paro Valley. The first gift from Bhutan is the cool, clean, fresh air as you step out of the plane.

• Meet your guide after clearing customs and visa control, then drive to Paro town for lunch.

• Explore the National Museum at Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now houses the museum.

• Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administrative center and a school for monks.

• Stroll through the main street of Paro in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

• Drive to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort that once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari can also be seen on a clear day from Drukgyal village.

• Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse belonging to a local family for a close-up view of daily Bhutanese life.

• Drive to Shari to hike up, or take a horse ride, to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The horse ride or hike to the cafeteria takes around one and a half hours.

• Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century.

• Have lunch at the cafe and walk back to the road point.

• Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century, on the way back to the hotel.

• Depart for Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan, late in the afternoon. The drive takes around 1 1/2 hours. Thimphu has a population of about 98,500. The town comprises just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights.

• Visit Simtokha Dzong en route.

• Check in at the hotel, where dinner will be served.

Overnight at Hotel Jumolhari.

• Visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

• Step into the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to Bhutan's rural past through exhibitions of items and artifacts used in rural households. Also visit the textile museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibitions, and which has a fine collection of old textiles rich in colour and design.

• Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Thimphu.

• Go to the School of Arts and Crafts, where the 13 crafts are taught to young children. It was established in 1971 with the twin objectives of preserving and promoting the traditional arts and crafts, and creating more job opportunities.

• Depart for Punakha later in the afternoon, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The journey from Thimphu to Punakha takes you through a steep climb across pine and cedar forests, offering panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains from Dochula Pass (3,050 m).

• Enjoy the scenery with a tea break, then descend along hairpin bends to reach the fertile Punakha Valley.

• Check in at Hotel Meri Puensum/Zangtopelri and have dinner at the hotel.

• Visit Punakha Dzong in the morning, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body. It is remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu.

• Drive from Punakha to the valley of Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of western Bhutan.

• Stop to view Wangdiphodrang Dzong, dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers.

• Drive to Paro over the Dochola Pass.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Olathang.

• Have an early breakfast at the hotel, then drive to the airport, where the Bhutanese escort will bid you farewell at Paro Airport.