5N/6D Thimphu, Punakha and Paro Classic - Three Valleys and Two Passes

Day by day

Distances and drive times are the ones our own drivers record, not map estimates.

1. 1
   Day 1

   Arrival and transfer to Thimphu

   Arrive at Paro International Airport. Clear immigration and baggage, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel in Thimphu — a 55 km, ninety-minute drive up the Wang Chhu valley. The capital, and the only one in the world without a traffic light — a valley of dzongs, weaving studios and a very large seated Buddha. The rest of the day is free to settle in. Overnight in Thimphu.

   Overnight Thimphu Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
2. 2
   Day 2

   Thimphu: Buddha Dordenma statue over the valley

   Breakfast at the hotel. A full day in Thimphu — the Buddha Dordenma statue over the valley; the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government and the Je Khenpo; and the National Memorial Chorten and its circumambulating crowd. The evening is free for dinner and a walk on your own. Overnight in Thimphu.

   Overnight Thimphu Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
3. 3
   Day 3

   Thimphu to Punakha

   Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Leave for Punakha — a 75 km, three-hour drive over the Dochula pass and its 108 chortens. The old winter capital at 1,200 m, warm enough for rice and oranges, with the finest dzong in the country at the meeting of two rivers. Check in on arrival and, as the day allows, the Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Overnight in Punakha.

   Overnight Punakha Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
4. 4
   Day 4

   Punakha to Paro

   Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Leave for Paro — a 125 km, four-hour drive back over the Dochula pass. The valley the only international airport sits in — a fortress over the river, the oldest temple in Bhutan and the Tiger Nest on the cliff above. Check in on arrival and, as the day allows, the Taktsang Tiger Nest monastery, a five-hour return climb. Overnight in Paro.

   Overnight Paro Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
5. 5
   Day 5

   Paro: Rinpung Dzong and its cantilever bridge

   Breakfast at the hotel. A full day in Paro — the Rinpung Dzong and its cantilever bridge; the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan; and the National Museum in the old watchtower. The evening is free for dinner and a walk on your own. Overnight in Paro.

   Overnight Paro Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
6. 6
   Day 6

   Paro — departure

   Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Time for any last shopping before your transfer to Paro International Airport for the onward flight. The tour ends here, and we hope it is not your last visit to Bhutan.

   Meals Breakfast

Where you sleep

We name every property before you pay — not “4-star or similar” afterwards.

The named properties for each grade go out with your quotation, so you can look every one of them up before anything is paid. Ask for the hotel list →

What the price covers

Printed together on purpose. A list of inclusions without its exclusions is a quote you cannot check.