7-day Bhutan tour: Thimphu, Phobjikha Valley & Tiger's Nest

A 51-meter golden Buddha, black-necked cranes in a glacial valley, and a monastery clinging to a cliff face 3,120 meters up.

A 7-day guided tour of Bhutan based in Thimphu with excursions to Phobjikha Valley and Paro, visiting dzongs, temples, and monasteries while learning about Bhutanese Buddhism and daily life. The itinerary includes the black-necked crane habitat, the Tiger's Nest hike, and encounters with local communities. An English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and entrance fees are included throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Thimphu sightseeing

• Arrive at Paro Airport
• Drive to Thimphu
• Visit Tachog Lhakhang temple
• See Chuzomsa bridge
• Visit Buddha Dordenma statue
• Explore National Memorial Chorten

Day 2: Thimphu cultural sightseeing

• Visit Simply Bhutan living museum
• View Tashichho Dzong from viewpoint
• Visit Takin Zoo
• Explore Changangkha Lhakhang farmhouse
• Visit Simtokha Dzong fortress
• Tour Textile Museum

Day 3: Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley drive

• Drive to Phobjikha Valley
• Stop at Pele-La Pass
• Visit Gangtey Monastery
• Explore Black-Necked Crane Information Centre
• Discover Phobjikha Valley

Day 4: Phobjikha to Thimphu via Punakha

• Visit Chimi Lhakhang Fertility Temple
• Tour Punakha Dzong and Wooden Bridge
• Walk Suspension Bridge over Pho Chhu River
• Visit Wangdue Dzong fortress
• Drive back to Thimphu

Day 5: Thimphu to Paro sightseeing

• Drive to Paro
• View Paro valley from Bird Eye viewpoint
• Visit Drugyel Dzong ruins
• Explore Kyichu Lhakhang temple
• Visit Dumtseg Lhakhang temple
• Tour Ta-Dzong National Museum
• Visit Paro Dzong fortress

Day 6: Tiger Nest hike in Paro

• Hike to Tiger Nest Monastery

Day 7: Departure from Paro

• Depart from Paro Airport

The experience

The tour opens in Paro with a 50-kilometer drive to Thimphu, stopping at Tachog Lhakhang (a 15th-century temple built by a legendary Tibetan saint), the Chuzomsa bridge where two rivers merge, and the Buddha Dordenma: a 51-meter golden statue housing over 100,000 smaller Buddha statues inside. From there you spend two days in Thimphu exploring the capital: Simply Bhutan (a living museum where you dress in traditional clothes, try archery, and taste local food), the Takin Zoo (home to Bhutan's national animal), Simtokha Dzong (the oldest surviving fortress, built in 1629), and the Textile Museum showcasing traditional weaving.

Day three takes you from Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley, a four-hour drive crossing Pele-La Pass at 3,420 meters with panoramic Himalayan views. In the valley you visit Gangtey Monastery (founded in 1613) and the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, where telescopes let you watch the endangered cranes that winter there. The return journey on day four passes through Punakha, where you see the Fertility Temple (Chimi Lhakhang), the 1637 Punakha Dzong at the river confluence, and the historic wooden cantilever bridge built without nails. Day five moves you to Paro with stops at the Bird's Eye viewpoint overlooking the valley, Drugyel Dzong (a 1649 fortress surrounded by pine forests), Kychu Lhakhang (a 7th-century temple with golden Buddha statues), and the National Museum housed in a circular watchtower.

The final full day is the Tiger's Nest hike: a 1.5 to 2.5 hour climb to Paro Taktsang, the monastery perched on a cliff at 3,120 meters where legend says Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave in the 8th century. The complex was built in 1692 around that cave and remains Bhutan's most sacred site. You depart from Paro Airport on day seven. Throughout the tour, an English-speaking guide leads you through each site, transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle, and all entrance fees are covered. Overnight stays are in 3-star hotels.

What’s included

• An English-speaking guide leads the entire journey.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport covers all routes between Thimphu, Phobjikha Valley, Punakha, and Paro.
• entrance fees to temples, dzongs, monasteries, and museums are included.
• hotel pickup is arranged.
• overnight stays are in minimum 3-star hotels.
• children from age 1 are welcome.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (26 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 25 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years)

GroupUp to 20

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 6 days before the start.Between 2 and 6 days before the start, 50% refund.After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 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?This tour suits travelers who want a structured introduction to Bhutan's main cultural and natural sites without arranging logistics themselves. The 7-day length allows time for the Tiger's Nest hike, the Phobjikha Valley crane habitat, and multiple dzongs and temples without rushing between stops. If you prefer a shorter trip, a 5-day version covers fewer sites, and a 9-day option adds deeper exploration of eastern Bhutan.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 25 years); Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 5 years).

What is the black-necked crane habitat like when you visit Phobjikha Valley?

Phobjikha Valley is a U-shaped glacial valley that serves as a crucial winter home for endangered black-necked cranes migrating from Tibet. The Black-Necked Crane Information Centre provides telescopes for viewing the cranes, displays on local ecology, and a documentary screening, while also caring for an injured crane named Karma and supporting conservation through community involvement.

How long is the hike to Tiger's Nest monastery?

The Tiger's Nest hike takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours to reach Paro Taktsang, the monastery clinging to a cliff face at 3,120 meters. You can also stop halfway and rest rather than completing the full climb.

What does Simply Bhutan include?

Simply Bhutan is a living museum in Thimphu where you experience traditional Bhutanese lifestyle firsthand: you dress in traditional attire, try archery, taste local food, and watch cultural performances while learning about the country's history and heritage in one location.

Which dzongs and temples does the tour visit?

The itinerary includes Tachog Lhakhang (15th century), Simtokha Dzong (1629, the oldest surviving fortress), Gangtey Monastery (1613), Chimi Lhakhang (the 15th-century Fertility Temple), Punakha Dzong (1637), Kychu Lhakhang (7th century), Dumtseg Lhakhang (15th century, shaped like a chorten), and Paro Dzong (a fortress-monastery with intricate woodwork and murals).

Is hotel pickup included, and what standard are the accommodations?

Yes, pickup is included throughout the tour. All overnight stays are in minimum 3-star hotels in Thimphu, Phobjikha Valley, and Paro.

What is included in the tour price?

Entrance fees to all sites; government fees; air-conditioned vehicle transport; and an English-speaking guide throughout the 7 days.