Bhutan Tiger Nest Monastery Tour Highlights
- Visit the most famous places in Bhutan; Thimpu, Punakha, & Paro
- Sightseeing at the some of the most important landmarks in Bhutan
- Explore around ancient old Buddhist Monasteries
- An All-Inclusive tour with private transportation (as per itinerary)
Embark on one of Bhutan’s most cultural short tours! The Bhutan Tiger Nest Monastery tour of 5 days with Nepal Trekking Routes takes you to all the main highlights of Bhutan. Go sightseeing at the capital Thimpu, and the old capital Punakha. Followed by a visit to Bhutan’s most popular Buddhist monastery, the Taktsang monastery. Being located on the side of a vertical cliff with a pathway connecting the monastery to the lower ground, this iconic monastery is also called the Tiger’s Nest. Visit the main places of Bhutan with our incredible Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery tour of 5 days, and book today your adventure!
The new capital VS the old:
Upon your arrival at Paro’s international airport, the Bhutan Tiger Nest Monastery tour officially commences. Our Nepal Trekking Routes guide and representative along with a local Bhutanese guide will be waiting for you at the arrival section. We hold a quick meet & greet and head on to your private vehicle and designated driver for the duration of your tour in Bhutan. Paro, is actually home to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, we like the hold the best for last so instead of ending the tour in a single day we depart Paro and drive on from the airport to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimpu.
It takes about one and half hour to reach Thimpu from Paro. As you can expect from a capital city Thimpu is just magical the first time you see it! Located in a small valley surrounded by hills this city is where many places in Bhutan sightseeing are available. After we check in to your booked hotel we suggest to take some time to refresh, rest from your long journey and in the afternoon or evening you can explore around the evening markets or bazaars of Thimpu. For your first morning of the Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery tour we have a somewhat earlier breakfast as there is lots to see and do today!
We start your Bhutan sightseeing tour in Thimpu of with a visit to the iconic Memorial Chorten. Located on a small patch of green grass the white color of the Chorten with its golden decorations really stands out and makes for a great place to start of your tour in Bhutan. After spending some time here we head on to one of the oldest Nunneries of Bhutan, the Zilukha Nunnery. Here you get to learn from the nuns who spend their time in devotion taking care of the Nunnery as well as provide religious support to the local people. At the Takin Sanctuary or mini zoo in Thimpu you get to see one of the world’s most unique and rare animals.
The Takin, also known as Bhutan’s national animal looks like a cross between a cow and a goat! Just before lunch we make a stop at the Institute of Medicinal Services. Since 1978 this Institute is doing valuable research in Himalayan medicine as well as providing health care to the local people of Bhutan.
After enjoying a great lunch we continue the tour and head for the Textile and Heritage Museum as well as the Traditional School of Arts & Crafts. Last up on today’s sightseeing tour in Bhutan is a visit to the fortress known as the Tashichho Dzong! Known as the “fortress of the glorious religion” this impressive fort rest tactically at the banks of the Wang Chu River. With the sun setting now the evening atmosphere makes for a perfect ending of today’s tour in Thimpu. Tomorrow we head to the old capital Punakha!
It’s day three now of your Bhutan Tiger Nest Monastery tour and while driving to Punakha we pass by the famous Dochu La Pass (3,150m/10,335ft). At the top of the Pass we take a short break so you get to enjoy the incredible views of the surrounding Himalayas, which also count as a highlight of this short Bhutan tour. Continuing on to Punakha we reach the hotel just in time for lunch! Having had a delicious old school Bhutanese lunch we take a sightseeing tour around the old capital.
First we visit what is known as Bhutan’s most scenic Dzong or fortress, the Punakha Dzong. This is also the second oldest and largest Dzong that you can find in Bhutan! We take our time exploring around the fortress and getting detailed information from the local guide. Lastly we visit the Chhimi Lhakhang. This monastery is used to pray and ask guidance as couples trying to start a family.
Due to this the monastery is also known as the “Temple of fertility”. Visiting here you get to see an important part of Bhutan’s culture. Depending the time and your interest we can also take tour around the late afternoon markets of Wangdue before returning to the hotel in Punakha. We have a delicious dinner at the hotel and prepare to leave the next day back to Paro and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery!
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery tour in Paro:
On the last full day of the Bhutan Tiger Nest Monastery tour we head back to Paro via Thimpu. Along the way near Thimpu we can make a quick stop to visit the Honshu Tibetan Refugee village. Once back at Paro we check in to your hotel and have an energizing lunch. The Taktsang Monastery is located quite high and accessible only via hiking or by hiring a pony. Build around the sacred Tiger’s Nest cave where the Guru Padmasambhaya practiced Vajrayana Buddhism. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is also the Paro Taktsang and during March or April depending the local calendar a big festival is held in the entire Paro Valley.
It takes about 5 hours to complete this trip. And during that time we make sure to enjoy the incredible views from the Monastery as well as exploring around this ancient and spiritual complex. A few Buddhist treasures and scrolls are display in the monastery and your local guide will give you all the detailed information about the origin and history of the Taktsang Monastery. It’ll be late afternoon once we return back to the hotel in Paro. Since it’s your last night of the Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery tour we do suggest to take a stroll around Paro’s old town and it’s local markets to take in Bhutan’s culture one last time!
The next day morning after your hotel breakfast and check out we transfer you back to the airport for your ongoing journey. See the best of Bhutan in 5 days with the unique Bhutan Tiger’s Nest Monastery tour, and book your ticket today with Nepal Trekking Routes!
Short itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Paro’s International Airport + drive to Thimpu
Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimpu
Day 03: Drive to Punakha
Day 04: Drive back to Paro and visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Day 05: Departure
