3-day Bhutan tour from Paro: Thimphu, Tiger's Nest & monasteries

Tiger's Nest hike: monastery visit on cliff with historic Buddhist legend in 1 hour

A 3-day guided tour of Bhutan starting in Paro covers Thimphu's monasteries and markets, then climbs to Tiger's Nest monastery in the Paro Valley. The tour includes a private English-speaking guide, three meals daily, 3-star accommodation, airport pickup, all entry fees, your Bhutan visa and the sustainable development fee. Flights into Paro are weather-dependent and may shift your schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Thimphu sightseeing

• Arrive Paro and transfer to Paro for lunch
• Drive to Thimphu with sightseeing
• Visit National Memorial Chorten
• See the biggest Buddha statue
• Visit Motithang Mini-Zoo
• Visit Weekly Outdoor Market if open
• View Tashichoo Dzong
• Visit Centenary Farmers Market if open
• Visit Folk Heritage Museum
• Check in at hotel in Thimphu

Day 2: Thimphu to Paro and Tiger's Nest hike

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Paro via confluence
• Hike to Taktsang Monastery viewpoint
• Enjoy views of Taktsang Monastery
• Walk back to road point
• Drive to visit Kyichu Lhakhang
• Walk around Paro main shopping district
• Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 3: Departure from Paro

• Breakfast at hotel
• Exit formalities with representative
• Departure from Paro International Airport

The experience

You arrive at Paro airport and your guide meets you for the drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. On the way you stop at the National Memorial Chorten with its golden spires, the Motithang Mini-Zoo where the Takin, Bhutan's national animal, roams, and Tashichoe Dzong, the fortress-monastery that overlooks the city. If your arrival falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, the Weekly Outdoor Market is open. Otherwise the Centenary Farmers Market runs those same days with fresh produce from villages. The Folk Heritage Museum, a 300-year-old traditional house, opens Monday through Friday. You sleep at your hotel in Thimphu.

Day two takes you from Thimphu back to Paro. After breakfast you drive to the base of Taktsang and hike up to Tiger's Nest monastery, the climb to the cafeteria takes about an hour, and from there you reach the viewpoint where the monastery clings to the cliff face. Guru Padmasambhava, a Buddhist saint, is said to have landed here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. You walk back down and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, then spend the evening walking Paro's main shopping street before dinner and your final night.

On the morning of day three, after breakfast, your guide helps with airport formalities and you depart. The tour ends at Paro International Airport.

What’s included

• Private vehicle transport with airport pickup and drop-off.
• 3-star accommodation for two nights.
• English-speaking Bhutanese guide for the full tour.
• three meals daily.
• entry fees to all monuments and sites including Tiger's Nest and Kyichu Lhakhang.
• Bhutan visa processing and fee.
• sustainable development fee.
• and all internal taxes and charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day37 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 15:00

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Breakfree Adventures Pvt. Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving in Paro for the first time and want the main sights (Thimphu's religious sites and markets, plus the Tiger's Nest hike) without arranging transport, meals or permits yourself. The private guide and included visa mean you land and the logistics are handled. The three-day length fits the essential highlights into a short stay.

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Top questions

What is the hike to Tiger's Nest monastery like?

The hike to Taktsang takes about an hour to reach the cafeteria, then continues to the viewpoint where the monastery sits on a cliff. The path is a walking trail, and the monastery itself dates to the 8th century when Guru Padmasambhava arrived on a tigress.

Do I need to arrange my own Bhutan visa?

No. Your visa fee is included in the tour price, and the operator handles the processing. You'll need to provide a clear copy of your passport, a recent passport-sized photo, and your confirmed flight details in advance.

What happens if my flight into Paro is delayed?

Flights to Paro can be delayed or cancelled due to weather, so the tour schedule may shift. The operator will help you adjust your itinerary if this happens.

Are meals included every day?

Yes. Three meals per day are included throughout your stay in Bhutan, so you don't arrange dining separately.

What's included in the tour price?

The price covers your 3-star accommodation, private vehicle transport with airport pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, all entry fees to monuments and sites, the Bhutan visa, the sustainable development fee, and all internal taxes. Airfare and travel insurance are available on request at additional cost.

Can I upgrade to a 4-star hotel?

Yes. A 4-star accommodation option is available at checkout for an additional premium over the standard 3-star package.