Arrive at Paro International Airport, where you will be greeted by your guide. Upon landing at Bhutan’s picturesque riverside airport, private transfer winds through Paro Valley’s terraced fields towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Enroute, visit Tachogang Lhakhang and cross the iron bridge built by the Kagyu Master, Thangtong Gyalpo in the 15th century. Overnight at Thimphu.

Bhutan’s culture is a combination of religion, spirituality, art, architecture, customs, traditions. First, make a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Bhutan’s third king. A focal point for daily prayer and circumambulation, it offers insight into local spiritual life and a quiet moment for personal reflection.

Following that, we drive to Buddha Point (Buddha Dordenma), a monumental bronze Buddha statue overlooking Thimphu Valley. At 51 meters, it ranks among the largest Buddha statues in the world.

Continue to Zorig Chusum, the Institute of Traditional Arts, where students train in the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts, including painting, sculpture, weaving, and woodcarving.

Next, explore the Crafts Bazaar, a vibrant market offering handmade textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts. This lively space provides a meaningful opportunity to support Bhutanese creativity and experience the country’s rich artistic traditions firsthand.

In the afternoon, visit the Textile museum where you can see the evolution of Bhutanese garments and how they are still preserved and woven today.

Conclude your day of cultural exploration at Tashichho Dzong, a magnificent fortress-monastery housing government offices and monastic quarters. This Dzong is also an administrative center and it is best to visit after 5pm as parking will be unavailable during the office hours.

Scenic drive east over Dochu La Pass (3150m), adorned with 108 chortens, fluttering prayer flags, and staggering Himalayan panoramas on clear days (including Masanggang peaks). Take a walk near the gardens and the beautiful, quiet pine forests.

Descend to subtropical Punakha Valley. When the vechile approaches Lobesa, take a slight detour to reach the village of Sopsokha. From the village, take a 20-minute walk across a village and farmlands to reach Chimi Lhakhang, the famed fertility temple. Adorned with phallic symbols, this is an intriguing temple founded by the eccentric monk Drukpa Kuenly, also known as the divine madman, centuries ago. Continue on your drive to Punakha where you will spend the night.

After breakfast, drive through the fertile Punakha valley where terraced fields and traditional farmhouses line the riverbanks. The morning begins with a scenic hike to Khamsum Yulley Chorten, a temple built by the Queen Mother for the peace and protection of Bhutan. The trail climbs gently through rice paddies and light forest, passing local farmers and small hamlets.

After descending, visit Punakha Dzong, the most impressive fortress-monastery in Bhutan, set at the meeting point of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. You explore its courtyards, wooden galleries, and traditional artwork that reflects Bhutanese history and Buddhist teachings.

Later, walk across the long Punakha Suspension Bridge, gently swaying above the clear river below. Continue through nearby villages to observe daily rural life.

After breakfast, drive to Paro. Upon arrival, visit Ta Dzong, the former watchtower above the valley, now the National Museum of Bhutan, housing a fine collection of religious art, thangkas, textiles, and historical artifacts that offer an introduction to Bhutanese culture and history.

Continue to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of the Heap of Jewels), an impressive monastery-fortress known for its massive white walls, wooden galleries, and cantilevered roofs. Walk through its courtyards and traditional corridors decorated with Buddhist murals and paintings.

In the late afternoon, visit the sacred Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century. The temple complex, with its ancient orange trees and twin shrines symbolizing Bhutan’s spiritual unification, offers a peaceful setting.

After an early breakfast, drive to the trailhead and begin the hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most iconic pilgrimage site. The trail climbs gradually through pine forest scented with juniper and lined with fluttering prayer flags, with viewpoints opening across the Paro valley. The hike takes about 2–3 hours to reach the cafeteria viewpoint, where you rest and enjoy the first close view of the monastery clinging dramatically to the cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor.

From here, continue along a narrower path descending to a waterfall and then climbing a final stone staircase to the monastery. According to tradition, Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave here in the 8th century, making it one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Inside, you visit the temples and sacred chambers and spend time in quiet reflection.

After lunch at the cafeteria (or on return), descend along the same trail to the base and drive back to Paro. Evening at leisure and overnight in Paro.

Morning transfer to the airport for the one-hour flight to Kathmandu, Nepal, with clear-weather views of the Himalayan range along the way. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and proceed to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and an important center of Tibetan Buddhism. Walk the kora path around the stupa alongside pilgrims and monks, visit surrounding monasteries, and experience the calm atmosphere of butter lamps, prayer wheels, and chanting.

Afternoon free to relax or explore Thamel, Kathmandu’s lively traveler district filled with cafés, small shops, handicrafts, bookstores, and restaurants. Evening at leisure and overnight in Kathmandu.

Transfer to airport for 1.5-hour flight to Lhasa Gonggar, crossing the Himalaya with aerial thrills. Private transfer to old town hotel; essential rest for acclimatization at 3650m altitude—hydrate, avoid alcohol. The drive from the airport to the city will take about an hour.  Evening gentle orientation stroll along Barkhor Street’s pilgrim crowds, thangka shops, and butter tea stalls.

After breakfast you visit the Potala Palace and enjoy wide views over Lhasa Old Town. Inside, you learn about the lives of the Dalai Lamas and see the palace’s remarkable treasures, including the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of Tibet’s 33rd great king.

Afterward you walk to Longwangtan Park at the base of the palace, where the Potala can be admired from another angle while locals gather for music, dance, and daily leisure activities.

In the afternoon you continue to the Jokhang Temple, the religious heart of Tibet. Within the temple stands the revered statue of twelve-year-old Buddha Shakyamuni, while outside pilgrims perform prostrations in devotion. Surrounding the temple is Barkhor Street, where you can join the kora with pilgrims and browse the traditional market.

You then visit a lively indoor Tibetan tea house. Over cups of sweet Tibetan tea, your guide explains local customs, social life, and everyday traditions. Overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning you drive toward Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet. The road crosses the Gampala Pass (4,790 m) with views over the turquoise waters of Yamdrok Lake (4,440 m), one of Tibet’s three sacred lakes, and distant Mount Nyenchen Khangsar (7,191 m). You also pass the impressive Karola Glacier as its ice tongue descends along the mountainside.

At Gyantse, make a visit to the Pelkor Monastery and the multi-tiered Gyantse Kumbum, with views of the Gyantse Fortress above the town.

Continue to Shigatse, where you will spend the night.

In the morning you visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama and the second-largest monastery in Tibet. Explore its golden-roofed halls, see the 26-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha, and follow a hillside kora scented with juniper incense. After a quick momo lunch, you set out on the drive westward.

The road follows the Yarlung Tsangpo River through wide gorges dotted with wildflowers and herders’ tents, leading to Rongbuk Monastery (5,072 m), the world’s highest monastery and the spiritual gateway to Everest Base Camp. Take a short acclimatization walk before settling into your guesthouse for the night.

Before dawn you hike or drive 8 km to Everest Base Camp (5,200 m), where prayer flags stand against the immense North Face of Everest under the stars. Spend about an hour there to watch the mountains glow at sunrise, with an optional short ridge walk if conditions allow.

You then return to Rongbuk for breakfast and begin the scenic drive back across the Lhatse plains, with distant views of Everest along the way. Arrive in Shigatse by evening and relax, with an opportunity to sample traditional barley wine. Overnight in Shigatse.

The morning is free to wander through Shigatse market, where stalls display spices, turquoise jewelry, and local goods. You then drive toward Lhasa, passing the ruins of the Gyantse Dzong overlooking the valley.

By evening you arrive in Lhasa. Relax at your hotel after many days of adventure. Overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast, conclude your journey through Tibet and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Take a final look at the city’s unique blend of ancient monasteries, vibrant streets, and Himalayan vistas, carrying memories of your spiritual and cultural adventure.