7-Day Bhutan Highlights Tour from Thimphu with Tiger's Nest Hike

• Be assisted by a representative who will take you to your hotel in Thimphu.

However, if your flight arrives early and you want to visit a few places in Thimphu, this can be arranged as well.

Overnight in Thimphu.

• Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, the Nunnery Temple, and a mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan.

• Discover other landmarks of Thimphu, including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Bhutanese traditional painting school, the Folk Heritage Museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong, and the handmade paper factory. However, some of these landmarks are closed on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekend, we will explore the Weekend Market instead.

Overnight in Thimphu.

• Drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100 m), where, on a clear day, we get spectacular views of the Himalayas.

• Head downhill through rhododendron, fir, and hemlock forests. On the way, visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

• Reach Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan.

Overnight in Punakha.

• Explore Wangduephodrang in the morning. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings.

• Drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Gangtey, a beautiful village surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains. Gangtey Monastery is perched atop a small hill rising from the valley floor. From here, enjoy views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges and the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes.

• Roam around the Phobjikha villages before driving back to Punakha for an overnight stay.

• Begin your drive to the Paro Valley.

• Visit Rinpung Dzong, which means "fortress made from a heap of jewels."

• Continue to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country, and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s.

Overnight in Paro.

• Hike for 4 to 5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery, situated at 3,180 meters.

• Lunch will be served at the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain.

• Trek back down to the valley floor.

Overnight in Paro.

• Bid farewell to this tiny Himalayan kingdom and its friendly people. Druk Air generally departs early in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions.

• Transfer to the airport in the morning for your final departure after breakfast.