7 Days Essential Bangkok Bhutan Tour

Highlight: Arrive in Bangkok and visit Wat Traimit, and Wat Arun.

Welcome to Thailand!

On your arrival in Bangkok, you will be taken from the airport to your hotel to freshen up before heading out on the first half-day tour of the city.

The first day includes visits to Wat Traimit, known as the “Temple of the Golden Buddha”, as well as to the “Temple of the Dawn” at Wat Arun.

Then, you will also see the oldest temple in ancient Siam, Wat Pho, renowned for its largest single image of Buddha.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Visit Wat Traimit(Temple of the Golden Buddha)

Highlight: A full-day city trip in Bangkok to the most popular sites, such as the Grand Palace and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

In the morning, you will visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where the fruits and vegetables of the vendors are bought from the boats that they arrive at the market in. A traditional and ancient marketplace, this is the most famous floating market in Thailand, and is a great place to capture photos that reflect the bygone days of ancient Siam.

In the afternoon, you will tour around Bangkok, the most exotic city in Southeast Asia. The Thai capital is one of the most fantastic cities in the world, and has a wealth of amazing things to see and do.

First, you will visit the Grand Palace, one of the most outstanding examples of ancient Siamese buildings, and the former royal court of ancient Siam.

Then, you will visit the home of the revered Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew.

After that, you will tour around the city’s famous canals, known as “khlongs”, and take a gentle cruise along the Chao Phraya River.

Stay overnight in Bangkok.

Bangkok City Tour

Highlight: Take a morning flight from Bangkok to Paro, Bhutan and visit Tshogang Lhakhang in Paro and the Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

Today, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight from Bangkok to Paro International Airport in Bhutan.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese.

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will help you check in at the hotel. You can also take a short rest if needed.

Later, you will visit Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit National Memorial Chorten

Highlight: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong.

In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it takes around 3 hours to complete.

On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalayan Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at  Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Next, you will continue your journey to Punakha. En route, you will visit  Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel.

After that, you will head to visit the  Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular-shaped fortress is also an honorable treasury that preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Back to Paro to visit Drukgyel Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong

After breakfast, you will take a 4-hour drive back to Paro from Punakha.

Upon your arrival in Paro, you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Then, you will continue to explore  the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in the north of Paro Valley. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Although it was destroyed by an accidental fire, its remains stand as a powerful reminder of Bhutan’s historic victories.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around  5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and  transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.