Set out on an easy walk from Changyul Suspension Bridge, the longest in Bhutan. Follow the banks of the Po Chhu through a White-bellied Heron sanctuary to a scenic spot for a picnic lunch. Afterwards, join friends from Druk Rafting for a gentle float back downriver, drifting past Punakha Dzong and the confluence of two rivers before coming ashore.

In the afternoon, visit Chorten Nibu Monastery, where young monks share the legends of its founding and the “Divine Madman” with humor and warmth. For those with extra energy, there’s also the option of a bike ride around the valley or a hike to the remote King’s Lake (Kabji Hoka Tsho).

Travel east this morning with a stop in Wangdue to visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, dramatically perched above the Punak Chhu. Founded in 1638, the fortress was destroyed by fire in 2012 and has since been carefully restored. Nearby, you may also meet local artisans who produce sacred incense.

Continue into the Black Mountains, crossing Lawa La Pass where you’ll pause for a picnic before beginning the Longtey Lomey hike. This 3–4 hour walk leads through yak pastures and forests into the sacred hidden valley of Gangtey, offering a memorable first glimpse of this spiritual landscape.

Arrive at your lodge in time for a warm welcome, with the possibility of attending evening prayers at the Shedra (monastic college) or Gangtey Goemba. The Phobjikha Valley, home to your lodge, is also the seasonal sanctuary of the rare black-necked cranes that migrate from Tibet each winter.

Rise early for the opportunity to join the monks of Gangtey Monastery in morning prayers, reached on a dawn stroll down into the valley. This is a designated conservation area, supported by the Bhutanese government and the World Wildlife Fund, where sweeping views stretch over wetlands dotted with monasteries and temples.

Later, visit wildlife viewing hides for a chance to spot the black-necked cranes that winter here, or explore the valley’s weaving center. The 16th-century golden-roofed Gangtey Goemba presides over the valley. Walk or bike through the valley toward Kewa Lhakhang, an intimate local temple, linking together farmsteads, shrines, and monasteries as you go. Along the way, keep watch for yaks in the pastures – and with luck, perhaps even the rare clouded leopard or Himalayan bear.

Today’s 6-7 hour drive takes you deep into the remote Tang Valley. En route, stop to visit Trongsa Dzong, an immense fortress-monastery that cascades down a ridge overlooking the Mangde Chhu River. This historic stronghold has long held strategic and spiritual importance, and its scale and setting are unforgettable.

Continue to Ogyen Choling Manor, a beautifully preserved ancestral home that now serves as a museum. A guided tour reveals the manor’s feudal history and rare artifacts, offering insight into Bhutan’s past.

Spend today immersed in the history and serenity of the Tang Valley. Begin at Ogyen Choling Manor House, a treasure of Bhutanese heritage where the same family has lived for generations. The manor’s museum holds priceless artifacts and offers a rare glimpse into everyday life in a feudal household prior to 1950. If your hosts are available, they may personally guide you through the rooms, sharing their family’s story and the legacy of saints and rulers connected to this site.

In the afternoon, wander through Tandingang Village with the mountains rising behind, or follow trails to Towadra or Kunzandra monasteries, both tucked deep into the valley. Countless local walks lead from your doorstep, connecting farmhouses, shrines, and temples in this pristine and timeless landscape.

Set out on the Bushman Trail, a 2–3 hour hike through forested hillsides leading to Membar Tso, the “Burning Lake,” a sacred pilgrimage site rich in legend. Continue your explorations in the Bumthang Valley, where you may visit Wangdicholing Palace – recently restored as a museum – as well as the revered Jambay and Kurjey Lhakhangs and the Dorjibi Weaving Centre. Touring by bike or on foot adds another layer of immersion.

Later, stroll through Jakar town, stopping at the market to sample cheese, honey, and Red Panda beer. If time and energy allow, you may also drive out to Ura Village, thought to be home to some of Bhutan’s earliest settlers.

Today you’ll take a scenic flight west to Paro. The route traces the spine of the Himalaya, offering unforgettable aerial views before descending into the valley.

In Paro, set out on a gentle walk past Ugyen Pelri Palace and the town’s main archery ground, then cross Nyami Zam, the traditional covered bridge over the Pa Chhu River, as devotees make their way to Rinpung Dzong, the “Fortress on a Heap of Jewels.” Afterwards, continue up to Ta Dzong, the former watchtower now housing Bhutan’s National Museum.

Later, take an easy but spectacular hike above the valley to Zurig Dzong. From here, panoramic views stretch across Rinpung Dzong, the palace, the festival grounds, and the valley framed by distant peaks.

Today’s adventure takes you high into the mountains, crossing Chele La Pass at 3,988 m, one of Bhutan’s highest road passes. Along the way, make a short detour to Dzong Drakar and its stupa, site of an annual ceremony.

Climbing above blue pine and rhododendron forests, the road opens into alpine meadows dotted with azaleas, edelweiss, and, in season, the rare blue poppy. Views of Mount Jhomolhari, the “Bride of Kanchenjunga,” appear at nearly every bend, with the Haa Valley, Tibet, and the Paro Valley stretching out below.

From the summit, strong hikers can tackle a five-hour ridge walk to a traditional sky burial site at 4,300 m, while others may choose a gentler two-to-three hour traverse through forest and meadows to reach Kila Goemba. This secluded nunnery, perched on sheer cliffs, has been a place of meditation since the 9th century and is now home to around 30 nuns. After paying respects and making offerings, descend into the valley to meet your driver and return to Paro.

An early start takes you on the iconic hike to Taktsang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), Bhutan’s most celebrated site. The return hike typically takes four to five hours, with a steady two-hour climb bringing you to the viewpoint. From here, descend steeply before climbing again to the monastery itself, passing a waterfall before entering the cliffside complex.

After visiting, there is the option to extend farther up the valley to several smaller monasteries with magnificent views back over Tiger’s Nest and the Paro Valley. Time permitting, continue to Drukgyel Dzong, recently restored and originally built in 1648 to guard the northern route to Tibet. On your return to Paro, you may pause for last-minute shopping, try your hand again at archery, or make offerings at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, where a magical orange tree is said to bear fruit year-round.

Bid farewell to Paro and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.