6-Day Bhutan Culture and Nature Tour with Tiger's Nest Hike

• The Himalayan Kingdom welcomes you with your first glimpse of the Paro valley and its diverse geographical terrain. Your enthusiastic guide and professional driver will be waiting for you outside the airport.

• After a brief introduction, begin your first sightseeing tour with visits to the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong, the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels.

• After a sumptuous lunch, head towards Thimphu, the capital city, along the Pachu glacier river, which flows from the second-highest peak in Bhutan.

• Stop on the way to see a huge iron bridge built by the Tibetan ascetic Drubthob Thangthong Gyalpo, as well as the temple on the knoll that is now cared for by his descendants.

• Check in to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

• After breakfast, drive to the base camp of Cheri Monastery and enjoy a one-hour uphill hike. Be in awe of the scent of different plants, hear the gushing glacier water below the cantilever bridge, and listen to Himalayan birds chirping. Take in the best of nature with rhododendron flowers all around you, and keep an eye out for the Himalayan Ghoral near the monastery.

• After lunch, begin your tour of the capital with a visit to the famous Memorial Chorten, consecrated on July 28, 1974, in memory of the third King. Chorten, or stupa, literally means "Mind of Buddha".

• After that, visit the magnificent 51.5 m Buddha statue for panoramic views of the entire Thimphu valley.

• Walk around the farmers' market or take a stroll along the main street to visit some handicraft stores.

Overnight stay in Thimphu.

• After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass, 3,100 m above sea level. If the weather is calm and clear, the breathtaking Himalayan ranges can be seen floating above the dancing clouds, along with the majestic 108 stupas. Relax here with a hot cup of tea.

• Visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lampleri, where you will see different species of birds and plants.

• Continue your drive to Punakha. This area is very rich in organic farming and is one of the leading rice producers in all of Bhutan.

• Hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, built on top of a ridge.

• Stop to see the local organic vegetable markets at Lobesa.

• After a sumptuous breakfast, drive up to the upper Punakha valley, passing through paddy fields along the Mochu River, and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, which takes almost an hour. Enjoy views over the Yebisa valley as well as panoramic countryside scenery.

• Visit Punakha Dzong, the Fortress of Great Bliss, which is also the winter residence of the monastic body and an important historical site for the monarchy. It hosted the crowning of the first king and the royal wedding. This fortress was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the unifier of Bhutan, to defend against Tibetan invasion.

• Experience a walk on the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning the Phochu River.

• After lunch, drive to the Nunnery, where you can speak with an English-speaking nun and feel the breeze along the beautiful ridges flanked by the two valleys of Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang.

Overnight stay in Paro.

• After breakfast, drive early to the base of Tiger's Nest, one of the highlights of this tour. Taktsang, or Tiger's Nest, is one of the most important Buddhist monuments in the Himalayan Buddhist world and is also preserved as a heritage site. The monastery clings to a rock towering 800 m above the valley and stands at 2,950 m above sea level. It takes about 2 hours on foot to reach the monastery from the base. Its history dates back to the 8th century, when Guru Rinpoche flew on a tigress, transforming himself into the terrifying form of Guru Dorji Dorlo to subdue the evil forces that were obstructing Buddhist doctrine. Your guide will share many hidden stories and entertain you throughout the hike.

• After the refreshing hike, retrace your steps to the waiting vehicle and visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong. This fortress of the victorious Drukpa was built in 1649 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan armies in the 1950s. On a clear day, the peak of Mt. Jomolhari, at 7,314 m, can be seen from here. This mountain is also revered as a powerful goddess, borders Tibet, and provides a magnificent backdrop to the ruined Drugyel Dzong.

• In the evening, visit a traditional farmhouse and experience a hot stone bath and Bhutanese cuisine.

Overnight stay in Paro.

• Transfer to the airport after breakfast or lunch. Your guide and driver will bid you farewell with fond memories of the Last Himalayan Kingdom.