Bhutan7 days
Bhutan: Seven Days Across Valley, Pass & Monastery
7 days from Paro to Thimphu and Punakha, including Taktshang Monastery and Dochu La Pass
This seven-day itinerary moves through Bhutan's three primary valleys by road, connecting the country's administrative centre in Thimphu, the winter capital of Punakha, and the gateway town of Paro. The route includes visits to dzongs (fortress-monasteries), a day hike to Taktshang Monastery, and a crossing of Dochu La Pass in the Eastern Himalayas. Days are unhurried, with flexibility to shape your time around local markets, textile museums, farmhouse visits, and religious sites. This is a survey trip, designed to give a first-time visitor a geographic and cultural foundation rather than deep immersion in any single valley.
Best time to go: March – June Sept – Dec
Highlights
- Crossing Dochu La Pass with views of the Eastern Himalayan range
- Taktshang Monastery hike: day trek to the sacred monastery
- Punakha Dzong, the fortress-monastery
- Tamchhog Lhakhang, the iron-chain bridge builder's ancestral temple in the Paro Valley
- Thimphu's National Museum, textile collections, and weekly market
- Chimi Lhakhang, the 15th-century fertility temple built by Drukpa Kunley
Day by day
1Arrival in Paro & Drive to ThimphuThimphu · Paro International Airport · Tamchhog Lhakhang · Paro to Thimphu
Meet your guide at Paro International Airport for the one-hour drive north to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital at 2,320 metres. En route, stop at Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan's iron bridge builder, situated above the Paro river valley. Settle into your accommodation in Thimphu for the night.
2Thimphu: Sacred Sites and Cultural InstitutionsNational Memorial Chorten · Buddha Dordenma statue · Changangkha Temple · National Textile Museum · School of Traditional Arts and Crafts · Folk Heritage Museum · National Library · weekly market · craft bazaar
Today in Thimphu balances spiritual and cultural exploration. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, an active site of devotion, and the Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking the southern ridge. Changangkha Temple sits to the northeast. The National Textile Museum, School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, Folk Heritage Museum, and National Library showcase Bhutanese heritage. Browse the weekly market and craft bazaar for textiles and wooden goods. Discuss your preferences with your guide to shape the day's itinerary.
3Dochu La Pass to Punakha DzongDochu La Pass · Punakha Dzong · Chimi Lhakhang
Cross Dochu La Pass, where views sweep across the Eastern Himalayan range. A hot drink break marks the transition into Punakha valley. Afternoon visits include Chimi Lhakhang, the 15th-century temple built by the 'Divine Mad Man' Drukpa Kunley, and Punakha Dzong, the fortress-monastery at the river confluence.
4Return to Paro & Farmhouse VisitParo · handicraft shops · a local farmhouse
Return to Paro. The afternoon is free for browsing handicraft shops, or arrange a visit to a local farmhouse for tea with the farmer and his family. Either way offers a final glimpse of Bhutanese culture before departure.
5Paro: Temples, Fortress & MuseumDumtse Lhakhang · Kyichu Lhakhang · Paro Rinpung Dzong · National Museum
Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro Rinpung Dzong, and the National Museum's collection of Bhutanese artifacts and textiles.
6Taktshang Monastery Day HikeTiger's Nest · Paro · cafeteria viewpoint
Hike to the sacred Tiger's Nest, perched on a cliff face above the Paro valley. Stop at the cafeteria viewpoint midway for water and views before the final ascent to this well-known monastery. Overnight in Paro.
7Departure from Paro International AirportParo International Airport
Depart from Paro International Airport with a full heart.
Where you go
- 1Thimphu
- 2Paro International Airport
- 3Buddha Dordenma statue
- 4National Library
- 5Dochu La Pass
- 6Punakha Dzong
- 7Paro
- 8Kyichu Lhakhang
- 9Paro
- 10Paro International Airport