5-Day Bhutan Sightseeing Tour through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro

• Meet your tour guide in Paro.

• Drive to Thimphu, 65 km from Paro, known as the modern capital of Bhutan, with a population of 150,000, and the most developed city in the country.

• Take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, then visit the National Library, with its extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.

• Continue to the Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School, where students undergo a six-year training course in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts.

• Visit Takin Zoo, home of Bhutan's national animal, the takin, before heading back to town.

• Have coffee at Karma's Coffee and drop by the Ambient Cafe, run by a Western monk involved in a drug rehabilitation program.

• See Tashichhodzong (Thimphu Dzong), the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion," constructed in 1541 and restored by the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in the 1960s.

• Return for dinner.

Overnight at the hotel.

• Visit the National Memorial Chorten, originally envisaged by Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and completed after his death.

• Marvel at the architecture, which is considered a memorial to the late king, "the father of modern Bhutan," and a monument to peace.

• Drive to Buddha Point, home to the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, located at Kuenselphodrang National Park.

• View the tallest statue of Lord Buddha and visit the temple inside, while marvelling at the view of the Thimphu Valley.

• Proceed to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, across Dochula Pass (3,088 m).

• Admire the breathtaking view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from the highest point on the road between Thimphu and Punakha, marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags fluttering on the hill.

• Take a short hike of about 20 minutes to visit Chimmi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, visited mostly by childless couples for blessings.

• Grab lunch and visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot of Bhutan) and the monk body, remarkably located between the Mo Chu (female river) and Pho Chu (male river).

• Visit one of Bhutan's longest suspension bridges, just next to Punakha Dzong, to get a stunning view of the river.

• Head for dinner and stay overnight at the hotel.

• Drive back to Paro via Thimphu, with a visit to Simtokha Dzong, one of the country's oldest fortresses, which now houses the school of the monastic body.

• Upon arriving in Paro, visit Kyerchu Temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

• Visit the National Museum of Bhutan, which served as a watchtower (Ta Dzong) to defend Rimpung Dzong during the inter-valley wars of the 17th century.

• Walk along a hillside trail to visit Rimpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history.

• Head for an evening walk through Paro town, ending with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

• Drive to the Taktsang base, often called "Tiger's Nest," for a 2- to 3-hour hike up the hill.

• Have lunch in Paro town, then drive up the valley to view the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, 18 kilometres along the valley's north side.

• Visit a traditional farmhouse for dinner, with an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn about their lifestyle.

• Spend the night at the hotel.

• Drive to Paro Airport for your flight to your onward destination.