Cultural Highlights of Western Bhutan

Trip length: 5 days • 4 nights
Activity level: Moderate
Group size: Up to 8
Departures: 2026: Nov–Dec · 2027: Jan–May, Sep–Nov

From Nu. 45,000/person

Includes guide, transport, hotels and the daily SDF

A 5-day introduction to Bhutan's most iconic sights — Tiger's Nest, the capital, and the former winter capital at Punakha.

A 5-day introduction to Bhutan's most iconic sights — Tiger's Nest, the capital, and the former winter capital at Punakha. This 5-day journey is led by Bhutanese guides who know the places and the people. Day by day: Arrive in Paro; Hike to Tiger's Nest; Drive to Thimphu; Drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass; Departure. The full itinerary with each day's details is on this page. This is a cultural journey: you spend your days among dzongs (fortress-monasteries), temples, markets and villages, with time to meet people and watch craftsmen at work, rather than racing between sights. The difficulty is moderate. You should be comfortable walking for several hours on uneven ground and at altitude, but no technical experience is needed. Every Droelma Tours & Travels journey is arranged with a licensed Bhutanese guide, a private vehicle and driver where roads allow, and accommodation planned in advance, and we help with your Bhutan visa and permits. Departure dates and group size can be adjusted — send us an enquiry and we will tailor the itinerary to your dates and interests.

Highlights

Airport pickup
Rinpung Dzong visit
National Museum of Bhutan
Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
Buddha Dordenma statue
Tashichho Dzong

Bhutan

Start / end Paro to Wangdue Phodrang

Day by day

What each day looks like. Timings shift with the weather and the festival calendar — your guide will tell you the night before.

Day1Arrive in ParoParo

Land at Bhutan's only international airport and settle in.

What you'll do

Airport pickup
Rinpung Dzong visit
National Museum of Bhutan

Meals: Dinner

Stay: No overnight stay

About Paro →

Day2Hike to Tiger's NestParo

A half-day hike to Bhutan's most iconic monastery, perched on a cliffside.

What you'll do

Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: No overnight stay

About Paro →

Day3Drive to ThimphuThimphu

Explore the capital city's landmarks.

What you'll do

Buddha Dordenma statue
Tashichho Dzong
Weekend Market

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: No overnight stay

About Thimphu →

Day4Drive to Punakha via Dochula PassPunakha

Stop at the 108-chorten pass before descending to the fertile Punakha valley.

What you'll do

Dochula Pass
Punakha Dzong
Punakha Suspension Bridge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: No overnight stay

About Punakha →

Day5DepartureWangdue Phodrang

Transfer back to Paro for your onward flight.

What you'll do

Optional Phobjikha Valley detour
Transfer to Paro airport

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: No overnight stay

About Wangdue Phodrang →

Where you'll stay

We haven't published the property list for this trip yet. Accommodation is included throughout, and we confirm each hotel in writing before you pay anything — ask us and we'll tell you exactly where this itinerary stays.

Gallery

Photographs from this trip. Tap any of them to see it full size.

What's included

Included in the price

Licensed English-speaking guide
Private vehicle & driver
3-star hotel accommodation
All meals as specified
Entrance fees to listed sites

Not included

International/domestic flights
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Visa fee
Personal expenses & tips

Traveler reviews

Nobody has reviewed this trip on the site yet. Reviews here are written by travellers after they return, so they only appear once a departure has run — ask us and we can put you in touch with someone who has travelled with us.