BACK
4 Days Paro Sightseeing Tour
Paro - Thimphu (1N) - Paro (2N)
This 4-day Paro sightseeing tour offers a short but immersive journey in Paro and Thimphu, two of the most popular destinations in western Bhutan.
Upon arrival in Paro, you will take a scenic drive to Thimphu (around1 hour 15 minutes), the kingdom’s national capital. On the way, you will visit Tachogang Lhakhang, an ancient sacred temple, crossing a traditional iron chain bridge suspending over the Paro Chhu River.
In Thimphu, you will explore the city’s cultural and historical highlights, such as the Tashichho Dzong and the Kings Memorial Chorten, and take a stroll in a lively local crafts bazaar, where you can experience the rich artistic handicrafts of Bhutan. .
Then, you will get back to Paro for the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike, a spectacular cliffside retreat that offers a perfect and unforgettable finale to your Bhutan Break.
- Jan. to Jun and Sept. to Dec.
- Cultural Sightseeing
- Customized Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Enjoy the world-famous hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
- Tour of Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Temple.
- Admire Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum and Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.
Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival and Transfer to Thimphu
Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan and visit Tschogang Lhakhang, Tashichho Dzong, and a 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).
On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese.
After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel. You can also take a short rest if needed.
Later, you will visit 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, if you wish. The bazaar offers a variety of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, and more. If you'd like, you can also pick up some unique gifts for friends and family.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation 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.
-
Thimphu Namseling Hotel
-
Thimphu Druk Hotel
-
Thimphu Six Senses Bhutan
Meals Included
- Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing and Drive Back to Paro
Highlights: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like the National Library of Bhutan, Changangkha Lhakhang, and King's Memorial Chorten.
In the morning, you will first explore the National Library of Bhutan. Built in 1967, it houses about 6,100 Tibetan and Bhutanese books, manuscripts, and xylographs and about 9,000 printing boards and wood printing blocks for religious books. If you are interested in the history of Bhutan, the National Library can be the best place for you to have a deeper understanding of this unique country.
Next, you are going to visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (also known as the Painting School). It operates four to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. In the showroom, it displays good value pieces made by students. After that, you can pay a visit to the Bhutan Textile Museum, which has garnered a substantial collection of antique textile artifacts of Bhutan.
In the afternoon, you will visit Changangkha Lhakhang, from where you can get a breathtaking view of Thimphu Valley. It is actually a Buddhist fortress-like monastery and is one of the favored sightseeing places in Thimphu.
Thereafter, 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.
After sightseeing in Thimphu, you will take a drive back to Paro along the scenic way. If time permits, you may visit Simtokha Dzong en route, which is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Thimphu National Memorial Chorten
Accommodation in Paro
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
Day 3: Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike in Paro
Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Ta Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong in Paro.
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.
In the afternoon, you will visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro. The museum houses a large number of valuable collections. You will get a deeper understanding of this country as a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutan treasures.
Thereafter, you will continue your journey to Paro Rinpung Dzong, a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.
In the evening, you can 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 in Paro
Accommodation in Paro
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
- Biscuits and coffee/tea in the Cafe at View Point
Please feel free to tell us any of your requirements on food, such as vegetarian food, muslin food, etc.
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.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
You May Also Like
-
5 Days Essence of West Bhutan TourView DetailsParo – Thimphu (1N) – Punakha (1N) – Paro (2N)
-
6 Days Exploration of West Bhutan TourView DetailsParo – Thimphu (1N) – Punakha (1N) – Gangtey (1N) – Paro (2N)
-
7 Days Paro Tour to Haa ValleyView DetailsParo – Thimphu (2N) – Punakha (1N) – Paro (1N) – Haa Valley – Paro (2N)
-
8 Days Paro Tour with Central Bhutan DiscoveryView DetailsParo – Thimphu (1N) – Punakha (1N) – Bumthang (2N) – Gangtey (1N) – Paro (2N)
Get Started - 4 Days Paro Sightseeing Tour
You’re getting closer to your Bhutan vacation! Fill out this form so our travel designers can start helping you plan a trip.
Privacy Policy: Your information is kept strictly confidential. Tibet Vista will never sell, trade, or give away your contact information to a third party.