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5 Days Paro Thimphu Essential Tour
Paro – Thimphu (2N) – Paro (2N)
This 4 nights and 5 days Bhutan tour takes you for a deep exploration of Paro and Thimphu, the two most visited destinations in Bhutan. As the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu is dotted with numerous landmarks like the National Memorial Chorter, Tashichho Dzong, and the National Folk Heritage Museum. You’ll get a brief understanding of this Land of Happiness. You will also hike up to the world-famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery and visit the Rinpung Dzong, and Kyichu Lhakhang to get an in-depth exploration of the culture and belief in Bhutan.
- Jan. to Jun and Sept. to Dec.
- Cultural Sightseeing
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Enjoy the world-famous hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
- Tour of Paro Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang and National Museum.
- Admire Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and National Folk Heritage Museum.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival and Transfer to Thimphu
Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit Tschogang Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong, and Local Bazaar.
Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”!
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.
Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).
After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel.
Later, you will head to visit the King's Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.
Then, you will explore Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.
In the evening, you have the option to take a stroll through the town or visit the Local Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar offers a variety of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, and more. You can also pick up some unique gifts for friends and family.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Thimphu National Memorial Chorten
Accommondation in Thimphu
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Thimphu Namseling Hotel
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Thimphu Druk Hotel
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Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Lunch and Dinner
Please feel free to tell us any of your food requirement.
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing
Highlights: Visit the National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.
After breakfast, you will first visit the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.
Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu City and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree, and the Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.
Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for Takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.
You will end today’s sightseeing after visiting Simtokha Dzong. It was built by Zhabdrung to consolidate his domain and subdue the demon in 1629. Nowadays, it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Simtokha Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
-
Thimphu Namseling Hotel
-
Thimphu Druk Hotel
-
Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Thimphu to Paro
Highlights: Drive Back to Paro and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Drukgyel Dzong, Paro Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum, and Dzongdrakha Temple.
After breakfast, you will leave for Paro. Along the route, you will first make a stop at the Kyichu Temple, which is one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.
After lunch, you will drive up to the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, where the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
Next, you will explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in the 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.
After that, you will head to explore the National Museum in Ta Dzong and Dzongdrakha Temple. The national museum in Ta Dzong (The Watch Tower) houses a large number of valuable collections which will broaden your eyes to wonderful and rich Bhutanese culture and heritages. While the Dzongdrakha temples, also known as the mini-Taktsang, are built on the cliffs above Bondey village.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Paro Rinpung Dzong
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
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Paro Olathang Hotel
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Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
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Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Taktsang Monastery Hike in Paro
Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it.
After breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.
After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro and freely explore Paro to experience its unique lifestyle here.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Special Notice
You're not allowed to take photos inside Taktsang Monastery, but you can take a nice shot on your hiking road to the monastery. At the temple entrance, you have to deposit all belongings, like cameras, phones, other electronic equipment, etc.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Accommodation
The following local hotels are for your reference. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquiring about your trip to Bhutan.
-
Paro Olathang Hotel
-
Paro Tashi Namgay Resort
-
Paro Le Meridien Hotel
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tour Price
Add-on Activities
The general travel itineraries in Bhutan are usually leisure and relaxing. To make the most of your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured cultural experience.
Here, we offer the most popular activities that many of our travelers choose to add to their Bhutan tours. For more available activities or anything you want to add to your Bhutan trip, just feel free to contact us.
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Bhutan Hot Stone Bath
The popular Hot Stone Bath, a traditional healing process in Bhutan, is a great experience for you to relax and refresh yourself after one day of hiking or trekking. Different from a hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered traditionally with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or a resort.
Please notice that you need to pay additional fees for the hot stone bath (usually within 30 minutes).
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Sightseeing Hiking
Even if you don't go on a trekking tour in Bhutan, you can still enjoy pleasant hikes during your trip. In places like Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa in western and central Bhutan, there are easy hiking and trekking trails around the towns. You can take a light hike for 1 to 2 hours after your regular sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Usually, there's no extra charge for short hikes that only take a few hours.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that is rich in culture and handicraft. If you want to experience more local culture and the real life of the locals, you can ask for more activities, such as a visit to a local weekend market, a class of traditional Bhutan archery, or traditional weaving in Bhutan. Just feel free to let us know what you are looking for and want to experience during your Bhutan tour, we will help you find the best options to do.
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Farmhouse Homestay
All of our tour packages cover the accommodation from 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels and resorts. But if you want to get closer to the local Bhutanese life, it is suggested to take a night stay in a farmhouse. It will be an unforgettable experience to eat ordinary food and dishes and live in the typical Bhutanese house just like a Bhutanese does.
Since the accommodation is required to be arranged in advance, if you are keen on a homestay in Bhutan, please tell us as early as possible.
Food and Drinks
All of our Bhutan tour packages include three meals a day. The local restaurants often provide Bhutanese food. In some hotels, you can have a Western buffet at breakfast and dinner. There are also local markets selling fresh fruits, such as apples, pineapples, and so on. If you have any requirements for food, such as vegetarian, please feel free to tell your travel consultant or your local guide.
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Bhutanese Food
Most of your meals are in local restaurants, which offer typical Bhutanese food. The most popular food among local people is the Chili Cheese.
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Western Buffet
Besides the traditional Bhutan dishes, you can also have a Western buffet in some hotels in Bhutan, which provides more choices for you.
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Western Breakfast
The breakfast offered in Bhutan hotels often includes eggs, toast with butter, honey, and jams. You can choose to have a cup of tea or coffee.
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Water and Drinks
For every day trip, we offer one bottle of water for each tourist. There are also kinds of soft drinks you can buy in restaurants, hotels, or shops in the town in Bhutan. Also, you can taste the local beers if you want.
Bhutan Tour Planning FAQs
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