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

Bhutan Airlines B3701 – departs BKK @ 6:30am, arrives PBH @ 9:55am

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 at Mendrelgang Heritage Home. 

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, the former capital building, and a stunning architectural masterpiece. We’ll also take a walk along Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge.

Lunch today is at a local homestay – Aum Om’s family farm home – 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.

After lunch, you’ll have the option to walk (about 40 min) to the Chimi Lhakhang Monastery. This is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman, Drukpa Kunley, a saint renowned for his unconventional teaching methods. The temple is particularly symbolic due to its association with fertility and blessings for children. Pilgrims, especially couples wishing to conceive, visit the temple to receive blessings, symbolized by the sacred wooden phallus used in rituals.

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 at the hotel, we’ll go on a light, 45 minute hike that winds through rice-paddy fields and into the forest.

Then, we will begin the roughly 3-hour drive to Gasa, which will wind through the Jigme Dorji National Park. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch en route.

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 Family Farm 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), and stop along the way for lunch at the Damchen Resort.

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 two to three 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 (ZASA) known for traditional Bhutanese home cooking.

After lunch, we’ll learn the traditional art of Bhutanese paper-making, and have a traditional dyeing and weaving lesson with Aum Kelzang, a leading preservationist. Afterwards, we will meet the BAOWE entrepreneurs (Bhutan Association of Women Entrepreneurs).

Tonight we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant (Musk) and overnight in Thimpu.

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 at Your Cafe.

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!

We’ll enjoy a mountainside picnic lunch together with Chef Diki, and then descend into Paro to rest or visit the small shops. 

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a traditional hot stone bath with freshly picked local therapeutic herbs at a farm home, the perfect way to say goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan. 

Farewell 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.

Bhutan Airlines B3700  – departs PBH @ 10:35am, arrives BKK @ 4:05pm

See you next time! 

Meals: B

Hotel: --