Bhutan, Where Happiness Has a Place

After breakfast, drive to Buddha Point, also known as Kuensel Phodrang. From here, a giant seated Buddha watches over the entire valley. The view is wide and peaceful, and locals often come here to pray or walk quietly. From Buddha Point, begin the Buddha Nature Trail, an easy and scenic walk through pine and rhododendron forests toward Changangkha Lhakhang. Prayer flags line the path, and the forest feels calm and untouched. With some luck, you may see local birdlife or wild animals along the way. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, a fortress-like temple founded in the twelfth century. It sits high above the valley and is especially important for families who come here to bless newborn children. The temple courtyard offers beautiful views over Thimphu. After lunch, continue to Pangri Zampa, one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and home to a traditional school of Buddhist astrology. The quiet setting offers insight into a lesser-known aspect of Bhutanese spiritual life. Later, visit the Bhutan Post Office and the traditional paper-making workshop. Here, handmade paper is still produced using natural fibers, mainly the daphne plant, and used for religious texts, books, and crafts. In the early evening, visit Trashichho Dzong, an impressive fortress that serves as the seat of government and the summer residence of the Chief Abbot. As the light softens, the dzong takes on a particularly striking presence. Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive back toward Paro. Stop en route at Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in the seventeenth century and now home to an institute of Buddhist studies. Arrive in Paro and check in at your hotel. After lunch, visit the National Museum, housed in the former watchtower above the valley. The collection offers a thoughtful introduction to Bhutanese art, history, and daily life, from religious paintings to traditional armor. Walk downhill to Rinpung Dzong, also known as the Fortress of the Heap of Jewels. Inside, wooden galleries display detailed murals depicting Buddhist teachings, cosmic mandalas, and stories of saints. Overnight in Paro.

After an early breakfast, transfer to Paro Airport for your onward flight. Your guide assists with departure formalities before bidding farewell. You leave Bhutan carrying memories of mountain passes, prayer flags, quiet monasteries, and a way of life that values balance above all else.