Happiness Week: Global Summit of Happiness & Paro Tshechu

Fly into Paro. Our guide meets you at the airport and drives you to Thimphu (about 1 hour), stopping at Tamchog Lhakhang's iron bridge if time allows. Evening briefing on the week ahead: the summit in Thimphu, Talo Tshechu in Punakha, and Paro Tshechu. Overnight: Thimphu

The Global Summit of Happiness opens in Thimphu today. Spend the day seeing how GNH shows up in daily life. Visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students train in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts, and the Folk Heritage Museum. Walk past the National Memorial Chorten, where residents circle the stupa through the day. In the afternoon, visit Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government and the central monk body, and drive up to Buddha Dordenma for views over the valley. Overnight: Thimphu

Drive to Punakha (about 3 hours) over Dochula Pass (3,100 m), with its 108 chortens and, on clear days, views of the eastern Himalaya. Afternoon visit to Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, then walk the suspension bridge. Overnight: Punakha

Drive up to Talo Gonpa, a hilltop monastery above the Punakha valley, for the final day of Talo Tshechu (16-18 March 2027, tentative). It is a village festival, much smaller than Paro, with mask dances in the monastery courtyard. Return to the valley in the afternoon and walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kunley. Overnight: Punakha

Morning walk or optional rafting on the Mo Chhu. Drive back to Thimphu over Dochula. Afternoon free in Thimphu: the Centenary Farmers' Market opens for the weekend, and the craft bazaar is good for textiles and souvenirs. Overnight: Thimphu

The UN International Day of Happiness, which Bhutan proposed in 2012, is also the closing day of the Global Summit of Happiness. Spend the morning in Thimphu, including the weekend market. Your guide will check for public events marking the day. After lunch, drive to Paro (about 1 hour). Overnight: Paro

Day four of Paro Tshechu at the festival ground beside Rinpung Dzong. Arrive early for a good viewing spot. Your guide explains the cham dances, the atsaras (masked clowns) and how families spend the day. Dress modestly; locals wear their best gho and kira. Overnight: Paro

Early start (about 3 AM) for the last morning of Paro Tshechu. Before sunrise, monks unroll the giant thongdrel of Guru Rinpoche on the wall above the festival ground. It is rolled back up before direct sunlight reaches it. Back to the hotel for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, an easy visit to Kyichu Lhakhang and a traditional hot stone bath at a farmhouse. Overnight: Paro

Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), on a cliff about 900 m above the Paro valley. The round trip takes 4-5 hours, with a cafeteria stop at the viewpoint halfway. Farewell dinner in Paro. Overnight: Paro

Our guide takes you to Paro airport for your flight out. Tashi Delek!