Nepal9 days
Bhutan & Kathmandu: Dzongs, Monasteries & the Dochula Pass — 9 Days
Kathmandu to Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha — nine days of Buddhist architecture, highland passes, and cultural sites across two Himalayan kingdoms
This nine-day itinerary moves between two Himalayan capitals — Kathmandu and Thimphu — with the bulk of the journey spent in Bhutan's western and central valleys. The route covers Paro's watchtower museum and fortress monastery, Thimphu's national archives and memorial chorten, and the Punakha valley with its confluence-sited dzong and its centuries-old monastery, Pungtang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang. Connecting these sites are roads that cross the Dochula Pass at 3,150 metres, where 108 memorial chortens mark the ridge. Two shorter hikes are built into the itinerary: a two-hour ascent to Wangditse Gompa above Thimphu, and a climb to Khamsum Yulley north of Punakha, a small temple known for its detailed Buddhist paintings. Kathmandu frames the tour at both ends, with a full sightseeing day covering Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and the Durbar Square. Throughout, a full-time English-speaking Bhutanese guide accompanies the group, and the Bhutan visa arrangement is handled as part of the included services.
Highlights
- Visit to Ta-Dzong Museum in Paro — a five-story former watchtower with 11 galleries and 2 temples documenting Bhutanese history
- Rinpung Dzong in Paro, a Buddhist monastery listed on UNESCO's Tentative World Heritage list
- Two-hour hike to Wangditse Gompa above Thimphu, with views over Samteling Palace and Tashichho Dzong
- Dochula Pass crossing at 3,150 metres, marked by the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens
- Punakha Dzong, the former capital's fortress monastery at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers
- Pungtang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang — Bhutan's oldest and second-largest monastery, located in the Punakha valley
- Hike to Khamsum Yulley north of Punakha, a hilltop temple featuring paintings representing early Buddhist sects
- Sightseeing day in Kathmandu covering Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath temple complex, Boudhanath stupa, and Kathmandu Durbar Square
Day by day
1Arrival in Kathmandu at Tribhuvan International AirportTribhuvan International Airport · hotel · Garden of Dreams in the Thamel district
A representative meets arriving travellers at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers them to the hotel. The afternoon is open for rest or an independent visit to the Garden of Dreams in the Thamel district, a walled neo-classical garden dating to the early twentieth century. A Nepali dinner is served in the evening.
2Kathmandu: Swoyambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath & Durbar SquareSwoyambhunath · Pashupatinath · Boudhanath · Kathmandu Durbar Square
The day covers four of Kathmandu's main religious and heritage sites. Pashupatinath is a Hindu temple complex on the western bank of the Bagmati River, dedicated to Shiva in his form as lord of all creatures; it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and functions as an active cremation ground and pilgrimage centre. Boudhanath is one of the largest hemispheric stupas in the world and serves as a centre of Tibetan Buddhist practice and community life in Nepal; it too carries UNESCO World Heritage status. Swoyambhunath sits on a hilltop and holds a cluster of temples, shrines, and stupas; the elevation provides a broad view across the Kathmandu Valley. The day concludes at Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic palace precinct associated with the former royal courts of the Valley's three kingdoms, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3Flight to Paro: Ta-Dzong Museum & Rinpung DzongTa-Dzong · Rinpung Dzong · Tribhuvan International Airport
Drive to Tribhuvan International Airport and fly to Paro International Airport, Bhutan's sole international airport. The afternoon covers two sites in the Paro valley. Ta-Dzong, originally built as a watchtower for the Trongsa Kingdom, houses eleven galleries and two temples presenting the history and culture of Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong is a seventeenth-century fortress monastery built on a rocky spur above the Paro Chhu river; it now serves as the administrative and monastic centre for Paro district and appears on the UNESCO Tentative List. On clear days, high Himalayan ridgelines are visible from the valley floor.
4Drive to Thimphu: Memorial Chorten, National Archives & Handicrafts EmporiumMemorial Chorten · National Archives · Handicrafts Emporium · Paro to Thimphu
A drive of approximately one and a half hours connects Paro to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. Three sites are visited during the afternoon. The Memorial Chorten was built in memory of Bhutan's third Gyalpo. The National Archives holds an important collection of historical manuscripts, royal decrees, and religious texts. The day ends at the Handicrafts Emporium, a government-run outlet displaying and selling traditional Bhutanese craft work including hand-woven textiles, thangkas, woodcarvings, and lacquerware.
5Thimphu: BBS Tower Viewpoint & Hike to Wangditse GompaWangditse Gompa · Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) Tower
From central Thimphu, the group drives to the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) Tower for an overview of the Thimphu valley and surrounding ridgelines. A hike of approximately two hours leads up to Wangditse Gompa. The elevated position provides direct sightlines down to Samteling Palace and Tashichho Dzong, the latter being the seat of Bhutan's central government and the national monastic body.
6Dochula Pass & Drive to Punakha: Punakha Dzong & Chimi LhakhangDochula Pass · Punakha Dzong · Chimi Lhakhang · Druk Wangyal Chortens · Druk Wangyal Lhakhang
The drive from Thimphu to Punakha crosses the Dochula Pass at 3,150 metres, where 108 memorial chortens — the Druk Wangyal Chortens — stand along the route. The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple stands at the pass. On clear days, a long section of the eastern Himalayan range is visible from the pass. On descending into the Punakha valley, the group visits Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's former capital. Chimi Lhakhang is associated with Lama Drukpa Kunley and is a well-known site of local religious practice.
7Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten & Drive to ParoKhamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten · Khamsum Yulley · Paro · Pho Chhu · Dochula Pass
Before leaving the Punakha valley, the group drives north along the Pho Chhu to the trailhead for Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The group hikes up to the Khamsum Yulley, which offers paintings dedicated to the old sects of Buddhism. The interior walls of the four-storey structure carry detailed paintings and sculptures representing deities and protective figures from older Nyingma and other Tibetan Buddhist traditions. After descending, the drive continues westward back to Paro, a journey of approximately two hours via Dochula Pass, where the group stays overnight.
8Flight from Paro to KathmanduParo to Kathmandu · Thamel Bazaar
A morning flight returns the group from Paro to Kathmandu. The remainder of the day is free for rest or for independent exploration of the Thamel Bazaar.
9Departure from Tribhuvan International Airport, KathmanduTribhuvan International Airport
A representative transfers departing travellers to Tribhuvan International Airport for their onward flights.
Where you go
- 1Tribhuvan International Airport
- 2Pashupatinath
- 3Tribhuvan International Airport
Included
- Included
- Arrival and Departure Arrangement
- Accommodations in 3-star category hotels and resorts
- Three meals a day: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Full-time English-speaking Bhutanese guide
- Private transportation and sightseeing as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees for museums and parks as per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water throughout the journey
- Bhutan Visa Arrangement Service
- Government royalty and all the taxes, Service charge
- FIT Surcharge for one or two persons
Not included
- Excluded
- Flight fares to and from Paro, Bhutan. (Direct flights are available from Kathmandu, Bangkok, and Delhi. Please let us know, and we will manage it for you.
- Personal expenses and any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages
- Tips to guide, driver, trekking staff, hotel service, etc.
- Single room supplement charge
- Luxury hotels/resorts available at a supplement cost
- Specialized /language guides available at supplement cost
- Travel / Medical Insurance