10-Day Western and Central Bhutan Tour with Tiger's Nest Hike

• During the flight on a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake.

• In the afternoon, you will visit the following places:

  • Paro Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress

  • The National Museum (watchtower), a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan, established in 1968

  • Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries and a very significant Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lango Gewog

  • Drukgyal Dzong, the Victory Dzong, whose ruins are located in the upper part of the Paro District

• In the evening, indulge in a Bhutanese lifestyle by exploring Paro town.

Overnight stay in a Paro hotel.

• After breakfast, hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff about 900 meters above Paro Valley.

• The hike to the monastery viewpoint makes for a pleasant half-day excursion.

• After lunch, drive to Thimphu with your Bhutanese guide.

• In the evening, you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Bhutanese. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops.

Overnight in Thimphu.

• After breakfast, you will visit the King's Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, who reigned from 1952 to 1972, Changgangkha Monastery, the radio tower for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong, and the zoo, which has Bhutan's national animal, the takin.

• From there, you will proceed to the nunnery temple, the National Library, which houses ancient manuscripts, and the School of Arts and Crafts, also known as the painting school.

• After a relaxing lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional paper factory, the majestic Tashichodzong, and Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom.

Overnight in Thimphu.

• After breakfast, you will drive to Wangdue Phodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas.

• After lunch, you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637.

• On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish.

Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

• Begin the day by driving to Gantey. You will pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you will visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan.

• From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes.

• From there, you will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route follows a spectacular winding road, crossing the 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and at certain times of the year, it is possible to see yaks.

• Browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon.

Overnight in Trongsa.

• In the morning, you will visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong.

• After lunch, you will proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, known for its lush valleys and hilly forests.

• Along the way, you will stop at a Yathra textile weaving factory, where Yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.

• Spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town.

Overnight in Bumthang.

• After breakfast, you will visit the following places:

  • Jakar Dzong, a fortress

  • Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan

  • Kurjey Lhakhang, the temple of Guru Rinpoche's body print

  • Tamshing Lhakhang, to see the old Buddhist paintings

  • A short hike to Thangbi Monastery

  • Mebar Tsho, also known as the Burning Lake

  • The Swiss Cheese Factory

• Spend the evening exploring Bumthang town.

Overnight in Bumthang.

• Begin the day at the Bumthang market and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work.

Overnight in Wangduephodrang.

• Set out for Paro with a stop in Thimphu for lunch and a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum.

• In the afternoon, you will continue the drive to Paro.

• In the evening, you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner.

Overnight in Paro.

• Transfer to Paro Airport for your flight home. Hope to see you again. Tashi Delek!