BHUTAN

DAY 1: Meet at the departure airport, complete check-in procedures, and board your international flight to Bhutan with one stopover.

DAY 2 morning: After a connecting flight in India or Nepal, continue to Paro. The flight into Bhutan is one of the most scenic in the world, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayan range and iconic peaks such as Mount Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Chomolhari.

DAY 2 Afternoon: Private transfer from Paro to Thimphu, Bhutan’s vibrant capital. Established in 1961 by merging several traditional villages in the valley, Thimphu beautifully blends ancient traditions with modern life. Check in to the hotel and enjoy some time to relax.

Day 2 Evening: Welcome dinner and overnight stay in Thimphu.

Morning: Spend the morning exploring Thimphu, Bhutan’s unique capital. Visit the National Library, home to an exceptional collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, followed by the Folk Heritage Museum, which offers insight into traditional Bhutanese life. Continue to the National Memorial Chorten, a beautiful stupa built in 1974 in memory of Bhutan’s third king, before making a brief stop at Wangditse Monastery, overlooking the Thimphu Valley.

Afternoon: After lunch, visit the magnificent Tashichho Dzong, the largest fortified monastery in Bhutan. Originally built in 1216, it has been destroyed by several fires throughout its history before being completely rebuilt and expanded in 1962, when Thimphu became the country’s capital. Today, it serves as both the seat of the Bhutanese government and an important monastic centre.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Thimphu, with the possibility of spending the night in a guesthouse within a monastic complex for an authentic Bhutanese experience.

Morning: Depart for Punakha, travelling along one of Bhutan’s most scenic mountain roads. Cross the spectacular Dochula Pass (3,100 m), where 108 memorial chortens were built by the Queen Mother, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas on clear days. Descend into the lush Punakha Valley (1,200 m), one of the warmest and most fertile regions of Bhutan, before stopping for lunch.

Afternoon: Visit Chimi Lhakhang, the famous Temple of Fertility, built in 1499 by Lama Drukpa Kunley, the legendary “Divine Madman,” whose unconventional teachings have become part of Bhutanese folklore. Continue to Punakha, the country’s former capital, where you’ll check into your hotel before exploring the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built between 1637 and 1638 at the confluence of two rivers. Considered Bhutan’s most beautiful fortress-monastery, it serves as the winter residence of the central monastic body.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha.

DAY 5: Depart for Bumthang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred and culturally rich regions. Enjoy a full-day scenic drive (approximately 6–7 hours) through spectacular Himalayan landscapes, crossing the Yotong La Pass (3,400 m). Descend into the peaceful Chumey Valley, renowned for its picturesque villages, dense pine forests, and traditional weaving. Along the way, visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest fortress and the ancestral seat of the royal family. Afternoon: Continue to Bumthang, often referred to as the spiritual heartland of Bhutan and the cradle of Bhutanese Buddhism. Check in to your hotel, with the possibility of spending the night in a guesthouse within a monastic complex for a truly authentic experience. Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Bumthang.

DAY 6:  Morning: Spend the day exploring the beautiful Bumthang Valley, travelling between monasteries on short scenic walks. Visit the ancient Jambay Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, traditionally believed to have been built in a single night. Continue to Kurjey Lhakhang, an important monastery complex where Bhutan’s first three kings are buried. Afternoon: Walk to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded by the great saint Pema Lingpa. The monastery houses his famous 25 kg iron chainmail, which pilgrims still wear as a blessing. Learn about the valley’s deep spiritual heritage before returning to your accommodation. Evening: Dinner and overnight stay in Bumthang, with the option of staying in a monastery guesthouse.

Morning: Depart early for Gangtey, retracing the scenic route across the Yotong La Pass. Enjoy another spectacular drive through Bhutan’s mountain landscapes before stopping for lunch along the way.

Afternoon: Visit the remarkable Gangtey Monastery, one of the most important Nyingma monasteries in western Bhutan and the only major monastery of its tradition in the region. Perched on a hill overlooking the beautiful Phobjikha Valley, it is surrounded by a peaceful village inhabited mainly by the families of the monastery’s gomchens—lay tantric practitioners who dedicate their lives to preserving Bhutan’s spiritual traditions. After the visit, check in to your hotel.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at Gangtey

Morning: Depart for Paro (approximately 6–7 hours), with scenic stops along the way to visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and Simtokha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s oldest fortress-monasteries. Today, Simtokha Dzong houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies, dedicated to preserving the Dzongkha language and Bhutanese heritage.

Afternoon: Arrive in Paro and check in to your hotel. Visit Ta Dzong, the former watchtower that now houses the National Museum of Bhutan, showcasing the country’s rich history, art, and culture. Continue to the iconic Rinpung Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most important monasteries and fortresses, famously featured in Bernardo Bertolucci’s award-winning film Little Buddha.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Morning: Hike to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, better known as the Tiger’s Nest, Bhutan’s most famous and sacred landmark. Perched dramatically on a cliff nearly 800 metres above the Paro Valley, this extraordinary monastery is one of the country’s greatest spiritual sites. Every Bhutanese is expected to make a pilgrimage here at least once in their lifetime.

Afternoon:After lunch, visit the historic Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress built to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. Continue through the beautiful Paro Valley to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most revered temples. Founded in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, it remains one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites before returning to Paro.

Evening: Dinner and overnight stay at Paro

After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your return flight. Depending on the airline schedule, you will travel back to Italy via a connecting flight, arriving either on the evening of Day 10 or during Day 11. Please note: Depending on flight availability and routing, an overnight stay in Delhi or Kathmandu between Days 10 and 11 may be required. Safe travels, and until your next adventure!