DAY BY DAY PLAN
Itinerary
This is a sample route. The final journey can be adjusted based on your flight dates, hotel preference, walking level, and travel style.
Day 1: Arrival in Paro and Transfer to Thimphu
Arrive at Paro International Airport, where your private guide and driver will welcome you. Continue to Thimphu or Paro, depending on your chosen lodge route, and settle into your luxury accommodation.
The rest of the day is kept relaxed, giving you time to adjust to Bhutan’s peaceful rhythm and enjoy your first evening in the Himalayas.
Day 2: Thimphu Cultural Discovery
Explore Bhutan’s capital through a privately guided cultural programme. Visits may include Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten, traditional craft centres, museums, local markets, monasteries, and scenic viewpoints.
The day can be adjusted to your interests, whether you prefer culture, photography, local life, spiritual sites, or a slower wellness-focused pace.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass
Travel to Punakha over the scenic Dochula Pass, known for its mountain views, prayer flags, and memorial chortens. Continue into the warmer Punakha Valley, where rivers, rice fields, traditional houses, and historic landmarks create a beautiful change of scenery.
Depending on your pace, the day may include cultural stops, a picnic, monastery visits, or time to enjoy the lodge setting.
Day 4: Punakha Valley Experiences
Spend the day exploring Punakha’s cultural and natural highlights. Visit Punakha Dzong, walk across the valley’s suspension bridge, enjoy village landscapes, or hike to nearby temples and viewpoints.
This day can also include wellness time, archery, local food experiences, or quiet time by the river.
Day 5: Gangtey or Bumthang Extension
Continue your journey to Gangtey or Bumthang, depending on your selected lodge combination. Gangtey offers peaceful valley landscapes, monastery visits, forest walks, and wide views across Phobjikha Valley.
Bumthang offers a deeper spiritual experience with sacred temples, ancient monasteries, traditional villages, and a slower rhythm of travel.
Day 6: Valley Exploration and Local Encounters
Enjoy a full day of personalised experiences in your chosen valley. Activities may include guided hikes, monastery visits, traditional village walks, local craft experiences, spiritual sites, scenic picnics, or wellness treatments.
The day is shaped around your comfort level and interests, allowing you to experience Bhutan in a way that feels personal and unhurried.
Day 7: Journey to Paro
Travel to Paro for the final part of your journey. On arrival, visit Paro Dzong, the National Museum, Kyichu Lhakhang, or explore Paro town at a relaxed pace.
The evening can be kept open for lodge relaxation, a special dinner, or quiet preparation for the Tiger’s Nest hike
Day 8: Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Departure or Extension
Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous spiritual landmark. The trail passes through pine forest and mountain views before reaching the sacred cliffside monastery above Paro Valley.
After the hike, return to your lodge for rest and recovery. Travellers staying longer can continue with additional lodge nights, wellness experiences, valley hikes, cultural visits, or a deeper journey into Bhutan.
INCLUDED
What is Included?
- Luxury accommodation at selected Amankora lodges
- Private guided journey through selected Bhutanese valleys
- English-speaking guide, private driver, and vehicle
- Round-trip airport transfers
- Daily cultural excursions and sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary
- All in-house meals at selected lodges
- Picnic meals during selected travel days
- Selected in-house beverages
- Community-based and sustainable travel experiences
- Guided visits to monasteries, dzongs, museums, markets, and local landmarks
- Activities, hikes, and cultural visits as stated in the itinerary
- Touring permits and monument access passes
- Personalised itinerary planning support
- Ground handling and concierge assistance
- Flight reservation support
- Bhutan visa processing assistance
- Laundry service
- One 60-minute holistic massage per person for selected longer journeys
- Pre-trip and on-ground travel support
ADDITIONAL
Additional Benefits for Longer Stays
- One-way domestic flight from Bumthang to Paro for selected longer journeys
- Additional massage or wellness ritual for qualifying stays
- Complimentary night benefit where applicable
- Extended personalised route planning across multiple valleys