Glimpses of Bhutan
Four days between Paro and Thimphu, ending with the climb to the Tiger's Nest.
- Duration
- 4 days
- From
- $860
- Booking
- On request
The shortest trip that still does the two western valleys justice. You land at Paro, cross to Thimphu for the capital's dzong, chorten and giant Buddha, then come back for a morning on the cliff path to Taktsang. Everything is on one short road, so the driving days are two hours rather than six — the right choice if you are adding Bhutan to a longer Himalayan trip.
Where it goes
9 stops on the map. Pick a day to zoom to it; the rest of the route stays drawn. A stop the operator gave no location is not plotted — the Day by day tab is the full route.
- Day 1
Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu
Your guide meets you as you clear the terminal at Paro and the drive east begins along the Pa Chhu and then the Wang Chhu. You stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, the private temple of the iron-chain bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo, reached across a footbridge hung with chains, before continuing to Thimphu for the night.
Tamchog Lhakhang- Overnight in Thimphu · 1 night · 3-star hotel in Thimphu
Private car · 1h 30m - Day 2
Thimphu sightseeing, then back to Paro
A full day in the capital. The 51.5-metre Buddha Dordenma looks down over the valley from Kuenselphodrang; the National Memorial Chorten, built for the third king, is circled all day by Thimphu residents counting their rounds. You meet the takin — Bhutan's odd, national animal — at the Motithang preserve, and end at Tashichho Dzong, which houses both the throne room and the central monk body. In the late afternoon you return west to Paro.
Buddha Dordenma
National Memorial Chorten
Motithang Takin Preserve
Tashichho Dzong- Overnight in Paro · 1 night · 3-star hotel in Paro
Private car · 1h 30m - Day 3
Taktsang, and the temples of the Paro valley
The walk up to Taktsang — the Tiger's Nest — climbs through blue pine to a monastery welded to a cliff 900 metres above the valley floor, and takes most of the morning up and back. Afterwards, Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, and Rinpung Dzong on its spur above the river.
Taktsang Hike
Paro Taktsang
Kyichu Lhakhang
Rinpung Dzong- Overnight in Paro · 1 night · 3-star hotel in Paro
- Day 4
Depart from Paro
A last breakfast, then the short transfer to the airport for your flight out.
- Transfer to Paro airport
Included
- Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee for every night of the trip
- USD 40 visa application fee
- Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide throughout
- Accommodation in 3-star certified hotels, twin sharing
- Private vehicle with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
- Meals as listed: 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
- Entry fees for the monuments and museums named in the itinerary
- Sustainable Development Fee
- Bhutan visa
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- 3-star certified hotels, twin sharing
- Private vehicle and driver
- 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
Not included
- International flights to and from Paro
- Single-room supplement (USD 126)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal expenses: drinks, laundry, telephone calls and tips
- Anything not named in the itinerary
- International flights to Paro
- Travel and medical insurance
What the parts cost
- Bhutan visain the price~$40
One-off application fee, included in the tour price.
Per person
- $8602–14 · double
- $9861–14 · single
Group size 1–14
Cancellation
Shambala Travels has not published cancellation terms here. Ask for them in writing before you pay a deposit.
This trip runs on request: Shambala Travels sets the dates with you rather than publishing a departure list.
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From $860