DISCOVER THE PEOPLE AND PLACES OF BHUTAN – THE THUNDER KINGDOM

• A diverse introduction to Bhutan
  
• Sightseeing in Paro and Thimphu
  
• Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery
  
• Experience the Druk Path Trek
  
• Visit the spectacular Punakha Dzong

For 2025, we have redesigned our Thunder Dragon Discovery Tour. After the exciting flight into Paro, we’ll make the short drive to Thimphu, where we’ll take the time to experience the history and heritage of the country’s charming capital city. Driving over high passes and walking on countryside paths will take us back in time. Our tour includes visits to Bhutan’s national monuments, ancient temples and the extraordinary dzong situated in the beautiful Punakha Valley. Here the rural lifestyle and architecture of Bhutan is explored before returning to Paro. Saving the best for last, we end our diverse tour with a true highlight – the spectacular Taktsang (the Tiger’s Nest), a small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 3,000 feet / 900 meters above the valley floor. This journey through the astonishing beauty of the people, landscape and culture of Bhutan will have your happiness levels off the scale.

WAIT! WANT MORE? We are now offering you the opportunity to add on the Druk Path Trek: For those wishing to experience a short trek, the Druk Path, which connects Paro and Thimphu, is one of Bhutan’s most scenic hikes and can easily be added on to our cultural tours. The Druk Path Trek will add 4 hiking days and 3 camping nights to your visit, providing you with the opportunity to experience a guided and fully-supported Himalayan trek.

Entry into Bhutan (Paro Airport) is by Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines. While it is possible to arrange flights into Bhutan from several Asian airports, we have arranged our Bhutan itineraries using the daily flights that now exist between Paro, Bhutan and Bangkok, Thailand.

The Thunder Dragon Discovery Tour is part of our Himalayan Classic Trek Series. We are able to arrange this trip beginning on any date during the months of late March through May and mid-September to early November for a group of 1 to 10 people.

TRIP OUTLINE:
Day 1: Arrive in Paro & transfer to Thimphu. Hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu Valley Exploration. Hotel.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha (3 hours/47 miles). Hotel.
Day 4: Punakha to Paro (4 hours/81 miles. Hotel.
Day 5: Tiger’s Nest Hike (Total hike time of 4 to 5 hours). Hotel.
Day 6: Depart Paro.

If you are adding on the Druk Path Trek:
For those wishing to experience a short trek, the Druk Path, which connects Paro and Thimphu, is one of Bhutan’s most scenic hikes and can easily be added on to our cultural tours. The Druk Path Trek will add 4 hiking days and 3 camping nights to your visit, providing you with the opportunity to experience a guided and fully-supported Himalayan trek.

Day 6: Paro to Jele Dzong. 5 miles & 4 to 5 hours of hiking. Standard or Deluxe Camping.
Day 7: Jele Dzong to Jangchu Lhakhang. 5 miles & 4 to 5 hours of hiking. Standard or Deluxe Camping.
Day 8: Jangchu Lhakhang to Simkota Tsho. 9 miles & 6 hours of hiking. Standard or Deluxe Camping.
Day 9: Simkota Tsho to Phajoding Monastery & Paro. 6 miles & 5 to 6 hours of hiking. Hotel.
Day 10: Depart Paro.