8-Day Cultural Tour of Western Bhutan with Tiger's Nest Hike

Meet your tour guide at Paro International Airport.

Drive to Thimphu, the capital city, on a one-and-a-half-hour journey. On the way, visit Tamchog Lhakhang.

Reach Thimphu and check in to the hotel.

Enjoy lunch, then visit the National Memorial Chorten, where you can see elderly people praying and circumambulating the stupa.

Visit the Post Office to get a personalized stamp with your picture and see the postal museum.

See Tashichho Dzong, known as the "Fortress of the Glorious Religion." Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Enjoy breakfast, then visit Kuensel Phodrang, where the Big Buddha statue stands.

Walk inside Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. From here, you get one of the best views of Thimphu Valley, with the mountains behind.

Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, also known as the Mini Zoo, and see Bhutan's national animal.

See the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people to Bhutan's rural past through its exhibitions.

After lunch, visit the Handmade Paper Factory to see the process of making traditional Bhutanese handmade paper.

Go to the Crafts Bazaar for authentic Bhutanese-made crafts.

Walk along Norzin Lam, the main downtown street of Thimphu. Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Drive to Gangtey, a journey of around 3 to 4 hours.

Stop at Dochu-La Pass (3,100 meters), which offers an incredible view of the Himalayan peaks on a clear day. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chorten, with its 108 stupas.

Continue to Phobjikha Valley via Punakha and Wangdue.

On arrival in Gangtey, visit the Crane Information Center, where you can learn more about the valley. Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Enjoy breakfast, then hike across the Gangtey Nature Trail for about one and a half hours and enjoy the breathtaking view of Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa, which dates back to the 17th century.

Drive back to Punakha.

Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple of fertility blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviour. He is also considered a symbol of fertility, and many childless couples visit the temple for blessings. Stay overnight in Punakha.

Eat breakfast, then go for a 45-minute hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, with picturesque views of the rice terraces along the river.

Visit Punakha Dzong, a majestic fortress located between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. See the longest suspension bridge across the dzong.

Enjoy lunch, then drive back to Paro.

Walk around Paro town, known for its traditional look. Stay overnight in Paro.

Eat breakfast and hike to Taktsang Monastery, a wooden structure that stands bravely on a cliff in the upper Paro Valley. The walk takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours one way. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and established this monastery when he brought the teachings of Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th century.

Enjoy lunch, then visit the Paro National Museum.

See the Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Visit a farmhouse to experience traditional Bhutan, taste Bhutanese cuisine, and dip in a traditional hot stone bath. Stay overnight in Paro.

Drive to Haa via Chelela Pass (3988 m) and visit Kila Nunnery.

In Haa, visit Lhakhang Karpo and walk around Haa town.

Drive back to Paro. Stay overnight in Paro.

Drive to the airport for your flight to the onward destination.