Day 01: Arrival in Paro- Transfer to Thimpu- Explore Thimpu

Altitude Paro: 2,200m

Altitude Thimpu: 2,300m

Distance Paro to Thimpu: 54km

Driving time: 1hr +

Begin your 5 days Bhutan Tricity Tour by flying into the Paro International Airport in Paro, the country’s only international airport. Proceed with the immigration and customs formalities, meet your Bhutanese guide, awaiting your arrival outside the arrival area, and receive traditional welcome to the country. 

Now enjoy a scenic 1+ hour drive to the capital, Thimpu. This drive along the Paro and Thimpu River introduces you to the enchanting landscape and pristine little villages in Bhutan. On the way visit Tachog/Tamchog Lhakhang - a 15th century temple built by the legendary “Iron Bridge Builder”, Thangton Gyalpo that houses the relics, such as a statue of Lord Buddha, Zhabdrung, Guru Padmasambhava and Chenrezig Avalokiteshvara and the books (Kanjur and Tanjur) and the walking stick of Thangton Gyalpo. The temple is located along the Paro-Thimpu Highway, on the base of the mountain, roughly five kilometers before the confluence of Paro and Thimpu River. About a 10-minute walk from the highway, across the bridge built in the 15th century, will take you to the temple complex. Explore the temple and get back to the highway to continue the journey to Thimpu. 

In Thimpu, check into the hotel, have lunch and set out to explore the attractions such as:

The Great Buddha Dordenma: It’s a 51.5 meter tall, bronze and gold statue of Lord Buddha, believed to be one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. Located on the top of the hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, the statue fulfills a prophecy dating to the 8th century and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness into the world. 

The Royal Takin Preserve: It’s a unique wildlife sanctuary dedicated to protecting the country’s wildlife, especially the Takin (National animal of Bhutan)- a rare and fascinating animal deeply rooted in local legend and culture. 

Simply Bhutan: It’s a unique interactive living museum that offers a number of participatory activities, such as dressing in traditional gho and kira, sipping local butter tea and rice spirit (ara), participating in archery and dart (khuru), watching artisans and folk singers at work to truly experience and feel Bhutanese life firsthand rather than just observing it. 

Authentic Bhutanese Craft Bazaar: It’s a handicraft market, consisting of about 80 stalls that showcase and sell traditional arts and crafts made by local artisans. The assortment includes textiles, paintings, wood slate and stone carvings, bronze and brass statues, silver and gold ornaments, paper crafts and bamboo and cane products. 

Tashicho Dzong: Open to public only after the office hours in Bhutan, this dzong is a 13th century grand fortress-monastery that now houses the Throne Room of the King, the Cabinet Secretariat and the Central Monastic body. It’s a perfect place to understand Bhutan’s administrative and spiritual life and traditional Bhutanese architecture. The flag lowering ceremony is one of the key highlights of this attraction in Bhutan that takes place around sunset every weekday. In the evening, the dzong is illuminated enhancing the architecture, providing perfect photography opportunities to the visitors. 

After visiting the dzong, you will get back to the hotel in Thimpu for dinner and overnight stay. 

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 03:  Transfer to Thimpu and Explore Additional Attractions

Altitude Punakha:1,350m

Altitude Thimpu: 2,300m

Distance Punakha to Thimpu: 71km

Driving time: 3hr

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Punakha Dzong. It's a 17th-century fortress located at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. It is the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan, which once also served as the capital and parliamentary seat. It also preserves sacred relics that have shaped Bhutan’s history. Thus, this exploration offers architectural beauty and historical depth to its visitors. During spring the blooming jacarandas create a magical ambiance for the visitors. After visiting the dzong, take a 15 minute walk to one of Bhutan's longest (350m) suspension bridges that runs across the Pho Chhu River. Crossing the bridge, walk to Lungkha Village to enjoy its serene and lush paddy field and engage in conversation with amiable farmers going about their day. 

After visiting the village, drive back to Thimpu and explore its attractions such as:

Simtokha Dzong: It is the oldest dzong in Bhutan, built in the 17th century by the unifier of Bhutan, Shardrung Ngawang Namgyal. 

Centenary Farmer’s Market: The largest and the busiest agricultural market that helps you understand the food culture, agrarian lifestyle and community dynamics.  

Changlimithang National Stadium: It's a stadium built on a historical battlefield that now serves as a multipurpose national stadium. A visit to this stadium gives you insight into the sports and national sports culture in Bhutan.

Memorial Chorten: It’s both memorial and stupa, built in the memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (the Third King), by his mother. It’s a religious and cultural landmark that features elaborate mandalas, prayer wheels, statues and frescoes depicting Buddhist deities and teachings from the Nyingma lineage. This site offers visitors a peaceful and spiritually uplifting experience and the opportunity to witness the deep devotion of local people as they engage in daily rituals. 

(Optional): If you are rather interested in the country's art and craft, choose to visit National Institute of Zorig Chusum where students for 4-6 years are taught 13 traditional arts and crafts such as painting, sculpting, crafting, tailoring etc. with the purpose of preserving promoting the tradition arts and crafts. 

After visiting the sites, get back to the hotel in Thimpu for overnight stay. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Day 05: Departure day

If your flight is scheduled in the morning, after breakfast, get transferred to the airport to fly to your onward destination. However, if the flight is scheduled later in the day, spend the morning exploring other attractions, such as the National Museum of Bhutan, Ta Dzong, or even go souvenir shopping at Paro craft and weekend market, before flying out of Bhutan. 

Meals: Breakfast