Your arrival in Paro, Bhutan’s sole international airport, promises a thrilling descent amidst the Himalayan peaks. As you touch down, a warm Bhutanese welcome awaits you, ensuring your comfort as you step into the realm of Gross National Happiness (GNH). After completing arrival formalities, we head to Thimphu, the capital city. Check into your hotel and savor your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. If you fancy spice, indulge in Ema Datsi, a popular Bhutanese dish featuring chili and cheese. Next, we embark on an excursion to the National Memorial Chorten, a splendid Bhutanese stupa honoring the late Third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. This marks the start of your Peaceful Dragon Bhutan tour. Following this, we visit the grand and majestic Tashi Choe Dzong (fortress). Your day concludes with a visit to the Centenary Farmers’ Market, where an array of locally grown, mostly organic products are on display. Our final stop is Kuenselphodrang, home to the monumental Buddha Dordenma statue, standing at 169 feet tall and ranking among the world’s largest Buddha statues. As the sun sets behind the horizon, you’ll return to your hotel room, dine, and explore Thimphu’s vibrant shops before retiring for the night. Your journey has only just begun.

Today, your path leads to Punakha. After breakfast, we ascend to Dochula Pass, set at an elevation of 3,100 meters above sea level. The sight of 108 beautifully crafted chortens atop the pass, collectively known as Druk Wangyal Chorten, is a visual delight, provided the weather cooperates. The experience is unlike any other. Keep your spirits high as you explore the Peaceful Dragon Bhutan tour. Our first stop upon reaching Punakha is Punakha Dzong. Constructed in 1637 by Zhabdrung Rinpoche, this dzong serves as the winter residence for monastic bodies. It stands as a prime example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, nestled between the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers just before their confluence. You’ll notice that its most important structures exhibit traditional styles and exquisite Bhutanese craftsmanship. From there, we proceed to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, another remarkable Bhutanese architectural masterpiece. It took over eight years to complete and was patronized by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. All three structures—Druk Wangyal Chorten, Punakha Dzong, and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten—symbolize victory over external forces. You’ll spend the night in one of the hotels in Punakha.

En route to Paro, we embark on an excursion to Chhimi Lhakhang, a 20-minute walk from the roadside. This temple, known as the Temple of Fertility, is dedicated to the famous Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman. It’s believed that if you seek blessings here, you’ll be blessed with children if you’re experiencing infertility. Your journey through the Peaceful Dragon Bhutan tour continues back to Paro. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and explore popular sites. Visiting Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong—formerly used as a watchtower and later established as the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968—provides a wonderful choice. A visit to Drukgyel Dzong offers a historical journey through Bhutan’s past. Although today the dzong is seen as a series of ruined walls, your guide will have fascinating historical insights to share. As the day draws to a close, return to your hotel, enjoy dinner, and rest up for an adventurous day ahead.

The highlight of today is the hike to Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. While some might find it challenging, adventure enthusiasts will savor the journey. The ascent to the temple takes no more than two hours. This site is one of the most coveted and must-visit places in Bhutan, perched beautifully on a rocky cliff. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche blessed this place in the 8th century, and in the 17th century, the fourth Desi, Tenzin Ragye, constructed the temple. Beyond the temple itself, enjoy breathtaking views of the Paro valley. Following the hike, you’ll relish a delicious meal at Taktsang cafeteria before commencing your descent, which takes less than an hour to return to the base. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, believed to have been built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The temple signifies the presence of Buddhism in Bhutan prior to Guru Rinpoche’s arrival. Your Peaceful Dragon Bhutan tour concludes here, and you’ll spend your final night at the hotel after relishing the last Bhutanese cuisine dinner.

After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to the airport, where everything began. Departure may not be a step you’re eager to take, as the four-day tour felt like a single day’s journey, and leaving the airport grounds might be a reluctance. Best of luck on your onward journey. Thank you for visiting Bhutan, and until next time, farewell.

Begin your day with a visit to Trongsa Dzong, an architectural masterpiece. Explore Ta Dzong, originally built to safeguard the dzong. After lunch, continue your journey to Bumthang, a religious heartland. Enjoy dinner and a night’s rest at a Bumthang hotel.

Bumthang is comprised of four valleys: Chumey, Choekhor, Tang, and Ura, each at different altitudes. This region boasts numerous significant Buddhist temples and monasteries. Visit Tamshing Lhakhang, renowned for its fascinating Buddhist religious paintings. Explore Jakar Dzong, where administrative work is centered. In the afternoon, visit Kurje Lhakhang, a holy site in Bumthang, and the ancient Jambay Lhakhang, built during the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. Spend the night at a Bumthang lodge.

The trek takes you gradually uphill through a juniper forest to Phephe-la pass (3,340m). From there, the path descends into Tang Valley, leading to Ogyenchhoeling village (2,850m).

Camp overnight by the riverside near the village.

Your journey to the east continues, crossing rugged terrain and offering magnificent scenery throughout the 7-hour drive. You’ll travel through the village of Ura in Bumthang and ascend the Thrumshingla Pass, reaching 4,000 meters, the highest road in the kingdom. Along the way, you’ll encounter waterfalls and pass through pine forests, cornfields, and eastern villages, ultimately arriving in Mongar. Visit Mongar Dzong, a new structure that still adheres to old architectural traditions. Check into your Mongar hotel.

This 3-hour, 96-km journey includes crossing the Korila Pass, characterized by a beautiful chorten and a stone wall, followed by a descent through lush forests rich with ferns. Afterward, the road descends quickly, passing through cornfields and banana trees to reach the famous zigzag of Yadi (a new settlement). Continue along the Gamri River to Dametsi, home to a temple perched atop a steep hill, considered one of the most important monasteries in the east. Visit Trashiyangtse, known for the Gom Kora temple, an alluvial plateau overlooking the river, where Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon. Explore Dosum Village, where women are busy weaving traditional Bhutanese products, and witness the 15th-century chain bridge. Visit Trashiyangtse Dzong, located at an altitude of 1,850 meters. Trashiyangtse used to be an important center for one of the sculpture routes from the west to central Bhutan. Nearby, you’ll find the art school and the famous Chorten Cora. Return to Trashigang in the evening and spend the night in a Trashigang hotel.

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Bumthang, enjoying lunch along the way. Spend the night at a Bumthang hotel.

Take a leisurely morning stroll through Bumthang’s market before returning to Punakha. Your journey will include a lunch break at a renowned restaurant in Trongsa town. Enjoy a short break in Wangduephodrang for tea and snacks before continuing to Punakha. Spend the night in Punakha.

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Punakha before driving to Paro, with lunch served at one of Trongsa town’s famous restaurants. Take a short break in Wangduephodrang for tea and snacks. Check into your Paro hotel. Overnight in Paro.

After breakfast, drive to Paro Airport for your flight back to your home country, cherishing the superb mountain views as you bid farewell to Bhutan, a mystical kingdom surrounded by guardian peaks.