6-day Bhutan tour from Thimphu: Taktsang hike and cultural sites

Hike to a cliff monastery, then descend into valleys where dzongs and temples anchor centuries of Bhutanese life

A 6-day guided tour of Bhutan based in Thimphu covers Paro, Punakha and the surrounding valleys with a private car, certified English-speaking guide, and accommodation in 3-star hotels. The itinerary mixes cultural sites (dzongs, temples, nunneries and a traditional farmhouse) with short day hikes including a four-hour trek to Taktsang Monastery perched at 2,950 meters. Visa fees, all taxes and the government Sustainable Development Fee are included in the price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Thimphu sightseeing

• Arrive at Paro Airport
• Drive to Thimphu
• Visit Tamchog Lhakhang temple
• Check in to hotel in Thimphu
• Visit National Memorial Chorten
• Visit Buddha Dordenma statue
• Explore Farmers' Weekend Market

Day 2: Thimphu cultural exploration and hikes

• Hike to Tango & Cheri Goemba monastery
• Hike to Jigme Dorji National Park
• Picnic lunch by riverside
• Visit National Institute for Zorig Chusum
• Visit Royal Textile Academy
• Optional visit to Jungshi paper making factory

Day 3: Drive to Punakha and local visits

• Drive to Punakha via Dochu La pass
• Stop at 108 stupas memorial
• Visit Chimi Lhakhang temple
• Visit Punakha Dzong fortress
• Visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery
• Optional white water rafting

Day 4: Return to Paro and museum visits

• Drive back to Paro
• Visit National Museum at Ta Dzong
• Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong fortress

Day 5: Taktsang hike and farmhouse visit

• Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
• Visit traditional farmhouse

Day 6: Departure from Bhutan

• Breakfast and hotel check-out
• Transfer to Paro Airport
• Depart Bhutan

The experience

Your arrival at Paro's airport sets the tone: a one-hour drive to Thimphu takes you through the Paro valley past the Paro Dzong and a reconstructed iron bridge at Tamchog Lhakhang, built by the engineer Thangtong Gyalpo centuries ago. That first afternoon in the capital includes the National Memorial Chorten, a hub of worship for locals, and the Buddha Dordenma statue: 51.5 meters tall and inlaid with over 100,000 smaller Buddha figures. You'll finish at the Farmers' Weekend Market, where you can watch locals in traditional dress and, if timing aligns, catch an archery game at the Changlingmithang stadium.

Day two stays in Thimphu but moves into the mountains. A short hike leads to Tango and Cheri Goemba, a 12th-century monastery, then into Jigme Dorji National Park where you'll break for a riverside picnic lunch. The afternoon brings the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, which trains artisans in Bhutan's 13 traditional crafts, and the Royal Textile Academy, where you can see intricate weaving. If time allows, you'll visit the Jungshi paper factory to watch the ancient craft of papermaking using natural materials and make a souvenir to take home.

The drive to Punakha crosses the Dochu La pass at 3,140 meters, where 108 stupas stand in memory of fallen soldiers. You'll stop at Chimi Lhakhang, a temple associated with fertility blessings, then reach Punakha Dzong: one of Bhutan's most imposing fortresses, with white walls and jacaranda trees that bloom in season. The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery, set among pine trees, houses a bronze Avalokiteshvara statue and serves as a learning center for nuns. The itinerary notes an optional white-water rafting excursion if you want something more active.

The return to Paro takes 4 to 5 hours and includes the Ta Dzong, a circular watchtower that now holds the National Museum of Bhutan, and Paro Rinpung Dzong on its hilltop. The final full day is the Taktsang hike: an early start, four hours through pine forest to the monastery clinging to a cliff at 2,950 meters. The legend holds that Guru Rinpoche arrived on a tigress' back, which is how the monastery earned its name, Tiger's Nest. That evening you'll visit a traditional farmhouse to see how rural Bhutanese families live and work. Your guide remains with you for all six days, and the tour ends with a drive to Paro Airport for your departure flight.

What’s included

• Private car and certified English-speaking guide for all six days.
• accommodation in 3-star hotels.
• Bhutan visa fee and e-visa processing.
• Sustainable Development Fee for the government.
• all entrance fees to temples, dzongs, museums and cultural sites.
• picnic lunch on day two.
• breakfast daily.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (25 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 84 years) · Youth (12 to 24 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Bhutan Best InBound Tour

Is this one for you?Choose this 6-day version if you want to see all three main valleys and hike to Taktsang without backtracking. Shorter itineraries skip Punakha entirely, while longer ones add remote mountain treks.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

31 verified traveler reviews

5 ★31

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 24 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What is the Taktsang Monastery hike actually like?

Taktsang is a four-hour trek through lush pine forest to a monastery perched on a cliff at 2,950 meters (9,678 feet). The hike is the centerpiece of day five and takes you through the landscape to views of the monastery itself, which sits on the mountainside. The itinerary notes it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Do I need to arrange my own Bhutan visa?

No. The tour includes your Bhutan visa fee, and you will receive the e-visa via email within 3 to 4 working days before your departure. The Sustainable Development Fee required by the government for visa approval is also included in the tour price.

What kind of accommodation will I stay in?

You'll stay in certified 3-star hotels throughout the 6 days: Hotel Norpheling, Gakyil Hotel or Lemon Tree in Thimphu; Hotel Lobesa or Leki Om Homestay in Punakha; and Zhideychen Resort, Khamsum Inn or similar in Paro. All accommodation is included, and upgrades to 4-star or 5-star hotels are available for an additional premium.

Is private transportation included for the whole tour?

Yes. You have a private car and driver for all six days, including the one-hour drive from Paro Airport to Thimphu on arrival, the 74-kilometer journey to Punakha, the 4 to 5-hour return drive to Paro, and all local sightseeing. Your certified English-speaking guide travels with you throughout.

What cultural sites will I visit?

The tour covers dzongs (fortress-monasteries) at Paro and Punakha; temples including the National Memorial Chorten and Chimi Lhakhang; the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery; the National Museum of Bhutan in the Ta Dzong watchtower; and the Royal Textile Academy and National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where you can see traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. You'll also spend an evening in a traditional farmhouse to experience rural life.

What meals and activities are included?

Breakfast is included each day, and on day two you'll have a picnic lunch by the riverside in Jigme Dorji National Park. The tour includes all entrance fees to sites, the Sustainable Development Fee, and all taxes. Alcoholic beverages and travel insurance are not included. An optional white-water rafting excursion is available in Punakha if you want it.