Today we'll catch an early flight out of Bangkok and touch down at the enchanting Paro International Airport.

Upon arrival, we’ll receive welcome blessings and spiritual cleansing from a high lama at a monastery, and then begin our drive to Punakha (3.5 hrs).

We’ll travel through the scenic Dochula Pass where you will be able to see the Himalaya Mountains and stop for a rest at the serene meditation caves. Also at the pass are the Dochula Chortens and Druk Wangyal Monastery. 

We’ll visit and plant a tree sapling at Lampeiri Park, and also stop for lunch. 

If you get carsick, we recommend taking medication prior to today’s mountain drive. If you suffer from altitude sickness, we recommend talking with your doctor to begin doses 1 to 2 days prior to arrival.

When we arrive to Punakha, we’ll relax and have dinner at the hotel.

Meals: L, D

Hotel: Dhensa Boutique Resort, Punakha

Today you’ll be taking in the beautiful sights of Punakha, the former capital of the country, set between two flowing rivers. 

We’ll start our day with breakfast at the hotel and an hour hike to Khamsum Yuelley Monastery. Afterwards, we’ll take a trip to the Punakha Dzong, a stunning and important sight to see. We’ll also take a walk along Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge.

Lunch today is at a local homestay, providing you the opportunity to see how the Bhutanese live and to experience an authentic home-cooked meal. Bhutanese cuisine trends spicy, so let us know if you have any dietary preferences.

This afternoon, you’ll meet an Aum Karma, a traditional Bhutanese dye and weaving expert, for the chance to learn more about these forms of artwork. Her family has served the royal family for generations, and her property adjoins royal property. It's truly stunning and this is a great chance to interact with a prominent Bhutanese woman and learn more about her life.

Later on, we’ll have dinner back at the hotel.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Dhensa Boutique Resort, Punakha

Today is a very unique and special day. This morning after breakfast, we will begin the drive to Gasa. The drive today will take roughly 3 hours, and will wind through the Jigme Dorji National Park.

This is a Damesly exclusive adventure – most travelers never make it to Gasa due to its remote location. We are coming here for one very special reason: to experience a set of natural hot springs that are revered for their healing effects. Gasa tshachhu is believed to cure rheumatism, arthritis, ulcers, indigestion, skin diseases, and even tuberculosis and other ailments.

There are no hotels in this part of Bhutan, so tonight, you’ll be staying at a Bhutanese family’s farmhouse. You'll meet Aum Chador, who will welcome you with a roaring fire and colorful tales of his life. Meet his whole family and enjoy hot tea and perhaps some adult beverages, as well. Accommodations may be a bit more basic tonight, but still lovely. This unique homestay experience will be one we’re sure you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Chador Homestay, Gasa*

*Note: Double-occupancy only for this homestay.

This morning we’ll have breakfast at the homestay and then visit the Gasa Dzong with spectacular hilltop views. 

Gasa is the most mountainous part of the country and has a rugged and wild feeling to it. This chance to get off the beaten path and uncover an area this remote is truly one-of-a-kind.

Afterwards, we’ll begin our drive to Thimphu (5 hrs). 

Along the way, we’ll stop for lunch and then visit  the Chimi Lhakhang Monastery, a fertility temple in Punakha. This will give us a chance to stretch our legs, as we’ll be walking through paddy fields to visit this village.

We’ll continue on to Thimphu and check in to our hotel, where we’ll have dinner as a group.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: The Willows, Thimphu

Today you’ll begin to explore Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. There is a lot to see today! 

After breakfast, we’ll begin by visiting the National Memorial Chorten, built to honor the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. 

From here, we’ll visit the Buddha Dordenma Statue, a giant gold statue of the Buddha that overlooks the mountains. It’s a sight to see! 

Afterward, we’ll take an easy and meditative hike that meanders through the forest, from kuenselphodrang to changangka, a monastery. The hike will take three to four hours, bringing us through a pine forest with city views. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat for this hike as there is not much foliage to provide shade.

By this point, we know you’ll be hungry, so we’ll head to a restaurant known for traditional Bhutanese home cooking.

After lunch, we will visit a traditional Bhutanese paper factory, which provides more history about the rich arts culture in Bhutan. 

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: The Willows, Thimphu

This morning after breakfast, we’ll head to Paro (1 hr).

Upon arrival in Paro, we’ll take a tour of the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro and explore the ancient fortress, Rinpung Dzong.

Afterwards, we’ll have lunch together.

This afternoon, you’ll receive an herbal medicine consultation and treatment session at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, where a traditional Bhutanese medicine doctor will create a personal well-being program, including dietary advice, focused on balancing your body, mind and spirit. 

Tonight we’ll have dinner and rest up at the Naksel Boutique Resort. Get to bed early, as tomorrow morning, we hike to Bhutan’s most incredible attraction: the Tiger’s Nest. 

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Naksel Boutique Resort, Paro

Early this morning you’ll be hiking to the Tiger’s Nest, an incredible monastery set high in the cliffs above Paro. This hike is between 5 and 7 hours long and is challenging, but the rewards and the chance to sit inside this incredibly spiritual monastery and feel its history are beyond worth the effort. 

This is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, something no trip to Bhutan would be complete without. If open, we will even have the opportunity to enter the cave underneath the monastery where the tigress slept!

After descending from the mountain, we’ll have lunch together in Paro, and then you’ll have time to rest. Tonight, we’ll have dinner and a hot stone bath at a traditional homestay, the perfect way to say goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan. 

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Meals: B, L, D

Hotel: Naksel Boutique Hotel, Paro

It’s departure day, and we’re bummed to see you go, but we know you’re leaving with memories, photos, and stories to last a lifetime. Bhutan is a magical and very unique country, and not a place many people ever get to see. We’re so honored to have been able to show it to you in such a unique way.

Today we'll be flying back to Bangkok airport and arriving by 4 pm, so please choose an international flight that departs later in the evening from BKK (7 pm or later). Your tour officially ends at BKK.

See you next time! 

Meals: B

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