Tiger’s Nest and the Highlights of Bhutan

Fly to Bhutan, and we will have you sitting on the left hand side so you can see Everest and some of the other highest mountains as you fly. After the dramatic landing at Paro, you will meet your private guide and driver and head off to the capital, Thimphu. The following day, explore Thimphu. If you are there at the weekend, the market is a superb place to start. We tend to suggest heading to the Arts & Crafts School, where young students learn the thirteen crafts of Bhutan. We also think the Folk Museum is worth stopping off at, before seeing the main Dzong.

Set off down the road to Punakha which takes about three hours. You pass through the Dochula Pass, which offers wonderful views over the snow-capped Himalayas (on a clear day!). Continue down to Punakha, and take a short walk through the paddy-fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, otherwise known as the Temple of Fertility, dedicated to the Buddhist saint known as the Divine Madman. It is a place where Bhutanese families visit before trying to start a family. Continue onto Punakha and head to the main Dzong to see evening prayers in the Monastery.

You now have a day in Punakha and we will tailor the itinerary depending on how active you want to be. A visit to the Khamsun Yuelley Namgel Chorton is certainly worthwhile given the views from the top. It takes about an hour to walk up there, and we generally suggest combining it with a walk down the valley through the paddy-fields and small villages. For the more active among you, we can include a leisurely raft down the river back the Punakha, a cycle up the Pho Chu Valley, or longer day walks such as the Giligang Trek or Nobgang Walk.

You then retrace your steps back to Paro for you final three nights. It might be worth trying your hand at the national sport, archery.

For many, the absolute highlight of any tour of Bhutan is to visit Taktsang, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery. We suggest heading off early to avoid the heat of the day, the walk takes about four or five hours in total and you have the option of just going half-way to a viewpoint.

Another day in Paro will allow you to either visit the cultural sights such as the Paro Dzong, Ta Dzong (the national museum), Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and finally Drukgyel Dzong. For those who like to get into the countryside and see more of rural Bhutan we can take you on a short walk to Drakharpo Monastery or head to the remote Haa Valley

Fly from Bhutan to Nepal, and spend the night on the ridge of the Kathmandu Valley in Dhulikhel. The following day, head back to the airport for your flight home.