Best Short Bhutan Tour Itinerary: Paro, Thimphu & Tiger’s Nest in Just a Few Days

Bhutan is a little Himalayan kingdom that provides the travelling man with a nest of untouched mountains besides the colourful culture and spiritual life. Known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan is not just known for its breathtaking landscapes, however also its preserved traditions, colorful festivals and warm hospitality. Even with few days you can visit some of the most recognizable places in Bhutan such as Paro, Thimphu and the great Tiger Nest Monastery. This is a short Bhutan tour itinerary that is aimed at ensuring you make the most of your stay in this country as you have an unforgettable experience.

Day One: Arrival in Paro and City Exploration

Your tour in Bhutan usually starts with a flight to the small town of Paro which is known for its picturesque airport set amidst towering mountains. The Paro valley is picturesque and lovely and it is a perfect start of the Bhutanese natural beauty. You will be able to check-in to your hotel and freshen up once you are there and then proceed with sightseeing the city.

The city of Paro has an ancient historical and cultural heritage and beautiful monasteries, old temples and traditional Bhutanese architecture. During the day, you can explore RinpungDzong which is a fortress monastery where both monks and government offices are located.Another important site is the National Museum of Bhutan, which is housed in the Ta Dzong building. The traditional arts, historic artifacts and religious treasures are found in this museum and offer an insight into the Bhutanese culture and history.

RinpungDzong: Pay a visit to this grandiose monastery and see this grand fortress.

National Museum of Bhutan: Study about Bhutanese art, history and religion.

Paro Market: Walk along the local market for handicrafts and souvenirs.

In the evening, you can have a traditional meal that is a Bhutanese meal made up of dishes like emadatshi (a spicy chili cheese) and momos (local dumplings). The combination of the scenic landscapes, the cultural landmarks and the local cuisine make Paro an enchanting beginning to your Bhutan tour.

Day Two: Thimphu City Tour

On the second day, it is possible to visit Paro to Thimphu the Bhutanese capital city. The cart path is one or two hours, and very pretty in scenery of the valleys, woods, and the rivers. Thimphu presents a unique combination of Bhutanese tradition and modernization, which makes it a very fascinating place to go.

Thimphu boasts of a range of cultural and religious and recreational places. The Buddha Dordenma statue that is a large seated Buddha that dominates the valley is one of the most renowned structures in Bhutan. The sculpture is more than 50 meters tall and symbolizes peace and happiness and the landscapes are panoramic of Thimphu valley.

Some other important sites are TashichhoDzong which is a fortress and a monastery, the office of the king and the central monastic body. The National Memorial Chorten is a stupa built in memory of the third king, which is an important spiritual site where locals come to pray and walk round in clockwise direction as part of their daily rituals.

Buddha Dordenma: Goliath Buddha statue with sweeping views of valley.

TashichhoDzong: Historical Fort and Monastery.

National Memorial Chorten: A Place to See Religious Rituals of the People

Textile Museum: Experience Bhutanese Weaving Culture and Craftsmanship.

Craft Bazaar: Shop for handmade; traditional textiles.

Thimphu also has a number of cafes and restaurants where you can have Bhutanese tea and snacks. Thimphu is a great place to visit; it has a fine balance of sightseeing, cultural exploration and exposure to the warm locals.

Day Three: Hiking to the Tiger Nest Monastery.

Any trip to Bhutan cannot be complete without the visit to the most popular Monastery in Bhutan known as the Tiger Nest Monastery or ParoTaktsang. Situated on the cliff, and at an elevation of approximately 3,120 meters is this sacred monastery that is considered as one of the most stunning religious sites in the Himalayas.

The round-trip hike to Tiger’s Nest usually takes three to four hours, depending on pace and physical condition. To the monastery, the route goes through the pine wood, rocky walks and meditation caverns. The route will have spectacular views of the Paro valley and mountains.

• Trail to Tiger’s Nest: A moderate hike through pine forests and cliffside paths.
• Tours: It is important to pause at scenic points to capture photos and have panoramic view.
• Visit to the monastery: Go to the monastery, observe the prayer halls and have an opportunity to see the monks performing rituals.

It is important to wear comfortable shoes, carry water and dresses modestly for the visit to the monastery. The spiritual ambiance in combination with the unbelievable location makes Tiger’s Nest one of the highlights of your Bhutan tour. Once you have come down, you can relax in Paro town or meet local cafes to have refreshments.

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Optional Day Four: More Explorations in Paro

On an additional day, there are quite a few interesting places in the area of Paro that are worth visiting. The rebuilt historic fortress called DrukgyelDzong is a good choice and has gorgeous mountainous scenery. Another spiritual site is the KyichuLhakhang which is among the oldest temples in Bhutan. Another place that nature lovers would like to visit is the Paro Valley that has walking paths along rivers and rice fields.

DrukgyelDzong: The ruins of an ancient fortress with picturesque mountains below.

KyichuLhakhang:It is among the oldest and most sacred temple in Bhutan.

Nature walks: Mild walks through rice fields and walks along rivers.

Such a day trip will enable the travelers to see more than the major sites and appreciate more the history, spirituality and sceneries of Bhutan.

Travel Tips for Short Tour of Bhutan

To make the best out of your time in Bhutan, planning your visit there, although it will take a bit of detail, is necessary. The following are some of the tips that would help you to make your experience a very smooth and enjoyable one:

Visa and Permits:Most travelers must obtain a visa and entry permit in advance. These are usually organised by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.

Best Time to Visit: Spring from March to May and autumn from September to November would be ideal due to pleasant weather and clear skies.

Local Currency: Most commonly used is Bhutanese Ngultrum and Indian Rupees are accepted. Credit cards can be used in a small number of hotels and shops.

Clothing: One should dress modestly in order to visit monasteries. Layered clothing is recommended due to the different temperatures.

Guided Tours: Short tours to Bhutan are best experienced with the help of a guide who can help to give historical and cultural context.

Why choose Bhutan for a Short Trip

Bhutan is perfect for those travelers who wish to see a combination of culture and spirituality and nature even in a relatively short period of time. Unlike other destinations, Bhutan allows you to enjoy the Himalayas, ancient monasteries, colorful festivals, and traditional architecture within just a few days. With organized tours and beautiful landscapes, even a three four day tour make a great impression.

The country is also known to have the policy of sustainability, Gross National Happiness that makes sure that the tourism is responsible and culturally respectful. Tourists will be able to enjoy genuine traveling life without the number of people and hurry of the more common destinations.

Conclusion

A brief Bhutan visit of Paro, Thimphu and Monastery of the Nest of Tigers is an ideal start to the wonders of this Himalayan kingdom. Every single moment is memorable, be it the cultural affluence of the capital, the spiritual atmosphere of the monasteries in the cliffs, the lovely streets of Paro. Although it takes a couple of days, the travelers will be able to see some spectacular scenery, visit pre-historic temples, meet the locals and get to know them and their culture better.

This brief Bhutan tour program is a perfect compromise between the adventure, cultural excursion and spiritual fortification. Under well thought out and comfortable arrangements and an expert local operator, even a short stay in Bhutan can result in life changing adventure of awe, wonder and inspiration.

Start planning your journey to Bhutan today and witness the peace and beauty of the Land of the Thunder Dragon, even with just a few days in hand.