6-Day Bhutan Tour: Tiger's Nest Hike & Thimphu

Six days to walk the Himalayan valleys and reach a monastery on a cliff

A 6-day guided tour of Bhutan starting and ending at Paro airport, moving through Thimphu, Haa valley and Paro with an English-speaking local guide. The itinerary centers on the Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (a 4–6 hour round trip through pine forests to a monastery perched 900 meters above the valley), and includes visits to dzongs, temples, mountain passes and cultural sites. Entrance fees, air-conditioned transport and daily water are included. Children from age 1 are welcome, though the hike and high altitude suit travelers with moderate fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Thimphu sightseeing

• Arrive at Paro Airport
• Drive to Thimphu
• Visit National Memorial Chorten
• Visit Buddha Dordenma statue

Day 2: Explore Thimphu landmarks

• Visit Dochula Pass
• Visit Simtokha Dzong
• Explore Simply Bhutan museum
• Visit Motithang Takin Preserve
• Visit National Textile Museum

Day 3: Drive to Haa Valley and sightseeing

• Drive from Thimphu to Haa Valley
• Visit Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple)
• Visit Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple)
• Visit Wangchulo Dzong (Haa Dzong)

Day 4: Drive to Paro and sightseeing

• Drive from Haa to Paro
• Visit Chele La Pass
• View Paro Valley from Bird's Eye View
• Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong
• Visit National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)
• Visit Kyichu Lhakhang temple
• Visit Dumtse Lhakhang temple

Day 5: Tiger's Nest Monastery hike

• Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery
• Rest at Taktsang Cafeteria viewpoint
• Return from hike

Day 6: Departure from Paro

• Drive to Paro Airport
• Departure from Bhutan

The experience

The tour opens with pickup at Paro airport and a drive to Thimphu, where you spend two nights visiting the National Memorial Chorten (a 1974 Buddhist monument where locals spin prayer wheels daily), the 54-meter gilded Buddha Dordenma statue overlooking the valley, and cultural sites like Simply Bhutan, where you can try archery and wear the national costume. You also visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress-monastery in Bhutan built in 1629, the Motithang Takin Preserve to see Bhutan's national animal, and the National Textile Museum with live weaving demonstrations.

From Thimphu you drive to Haa valley, stopping at the 7th-century Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple), both sacred sites with Buddhist relics, and Wangchulo Dzong, the administrative center built in 1915. The route then climbs to Chele La Pass at 3,988 meters, the highest motorable mountain pass in Bhutan, where on clear days you see Mt. Jomolhari and the Jichu Drakey peaks across the Himalayas. You descend into Paro valley, stopping at a scenic viewpoint overlooking farmlands and Rinpung Dzong, then visit the dzong itself (a 17th-century fortress with courtyards and intricate woodwork) along with the National Museum housed in a 1649 watchtower, and two ancient temples: Kyichu Lhakhang from the 7th century and Dumtse Lhakhang, a three-story chorten-shaped temple built in 1433.

The Tiger's Nest hike takes a full day. The monastery sits at 3,120 meters on a cliff above Paro Valley. Legend says Guru Padmasambhava flew here on a tigress in the 8th century. The hike is a 4–6 hour round trip through fragrant pine forests with prayer flags, and you can rest at the Taktsang Cafeteria before the final push to the monastery complex, which holds temples, meditation caves and viewpoints. The tour ends with a drive to Paro airport for departure.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all monasteries, dzongs, temples and museums.
• air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing.
• English-speaking local guide for all six days.
• one liter of water per day.
• government fees.
• pickup and drop-off at Paro airport.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (25 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 80 years) · Youth (14 to 24 years) · Child (6 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kingdom Tour & Trek

Is this one for you?Private or group options suit different travel styles. Choose a private tour if you want to set the pace and timing, or join a group to share costs and meet other travelers. Either way, the 6-day length gives you time to acclimatize to the altitude and complete the Tiger's Nest hike without rushing.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 24 years); Child (6 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What is the Tiger's Nest Monastery hike actually like?

Tiger's Nest is a 4–6 hour round-trip hike through pine forest to a monastery perched 900 meters above Paro Valley at 3,120 meters elevation. The path has a cafeteria halfway where you can rest before the final climb to the monastery complex with its temples and meditation caves.

Do I need a guide for this tour, or can I explore on my own?

An English-speaking local guide leads the entire 6-day tour, including the Tiger's Nest hike and all site visits. The guide is included in the booking.

What's included in the price?

Entrance fees to all sites, air-conditioned transport throughout, one liter of water per day, and government fees are included. Pickup at Paro airport is also included. Meals and alcoholic beverages are not.

How high do we go, and is the altitude a concern?

The highest point is Chele La Pass at 3,988 meters, and Tiger's Nest Monastery sits at 3,120 meters. The tour suits travelers with moderate fitness. It is not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.