Itinerary

Palace in the Sky, the Memorial Chorten & the Buddha Point Hike

Arrive at Paro Airport, where your guide will greet you with a Six Senses sign after immigration and luggage collection. Enjoy a 70-minute road transfer to Six Senses Thimphu, located high above the valley with stunning views of apple orchards and Buddha Dordenma.

Relax after your early morning flight with complimentary early check-in to “The Palace in the Sky” and enjoy lunch on the sunken terrace, featuring a menu inspired by our Eat with Six Senses philosophy.

After lunch, visit Changangkha Temple, a sacred site in Thimphu Valley, where new parents bring their children for blessings. Founded in the 13th or 14th century, it may be the oldest surviving temple in the area. From there, choose to hike for 90 minutes or drive to the 52-metre-tall Buddha Dordenma in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park. This significant statue, conceived by the 4th King of Bhutan, symbolises peace and happiness.

Enjoy tea and snacks among fluttering prayer flags before joining locals for koras at the Memorial Chorten, a prominent landmark built in 1974 that attracts pilgrims from across the Kingdom.

Dinner this evening at Namhkha, the lodge's signature restaurant.

Wellness Tip: Later this afternoon, swim in the heated swimming pool or try the sauna or steam rooms at the Six Senses Spa for a relaxing Jet Lag, Holistic or Deep Tissue Massage—60- and 90-minute spa sessions are available by appointment and subject to additional charges.

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Six Senses Thimphu

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Thimphu to Punakha, A Fertility Temple & a Flying Farmhouse

After breakfast, embark on a 2.5-hour drive to Punakha, passing through forested mountains adorned with monasteries and temples. The East-West Highway leads you to the iconic Dochula Pass, where clear days offer breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Take a moment to stretch your legs with a circumambulation of the 108 chortens.

Descend into the lush subtropical valley, passing charming farmhouses and terraced rice fields. Stop for a stroll across the rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the revered ‘Divine Madman,’ Drukpa Kinley. Inside, discover tantric objects and a statue of Drukpa Kinley at the main altar. Women visit the temple seeking blessings, often receiving taps on the head with wooden or bone phalluses, while the village features graphic phallus paintings in honour of the saint.

From the temple, enjoy a scenic 35-minute drive to Senses Punakha’s cozy ‘Flying Farmhouse’, which serves as the lodge’s lounge and reception, offering beautiful views over the pool and rice fields. Check in and enjoy a late poolside lunch, with the Bhutanese Thali set highly recommended!

In the afternoon, hike along the river to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdom for world peace. It’s a short drive from Punakha Dzong, followed by a 50-minute climb through terraced rice paddies. The temple, completed in 1999, rewards visitors with stunning valley views.

Dinner at Ari, the lodge's rustic chic restaurant

Optional Dining Experience*: Enjoy a private BBQ dinner at the poolside with views over the infinity pool as the sun sets and the mountains in the distance begin to changed colour.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Six Senses Punakha

*24-hour advance booking is required and subject to additional charges.

Punakha Valley – Village hikes, Pomegranate Martinis, & The Palace of Happiness

Rise early to hike across the terraced rice fields to a 16th-century hilltop monastery for a traditional monastic breakfast with young novices. Engage with them and the chief abbot, Lama Nado, for insights into their daily lives—Donation-based activity; contributions support the monastery and the education of resident monks.

Optional Experience*: Enjoy Punakha’s subtropical climate with river rafting later this morning. Choose between the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and the Po Chhu (Father River) for an adventurous ride, lasting approximately 90 minutes.

Return to the lodge for lunch. ​

In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, regarded as one of Bhutan’s most beautiful structures, located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Explore its courtyards, murals, and prayer rooms housing sacred relics.

As the light softens over the valley, walk to the country’s longest suspension bridge adorned with colourful prayer flags, and join locals crossing on foot.

Optional Experience*: Conclude your day with our “Pomegranate Martini” experience, watching the sunset over the dzong while enjoying refreshments served by the Six Senses Team amidst a rice field by advance appointment.

Dine at the cozy signature restaurant, Ari.

Optional Dining Experience*: Nobgang Rice Terrace Dinner—Nestled in the Punakha Valley, Nobgang, or “The Hill of the Precious Gem” features a Bhutanese rice terrace menu inspired by local culinary heritage. Enjoy a tasting menu with unique dishes like Jasha Maru (minced chicken with spring onion) and Hoentsey Datse (local spinach with chili, onion, tomato, and cheese), served in a secluded setting amidst the lodge’s rice terraces.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Six Senses Punakha 

*24-hour advance booking is required and subject to additional charges.

Paro Valley Sites & a Game of Archery

This morning, depart Punakha and follow the East-West Highway to Paro Valley, a 4-hour road transfer to the final stop on your journey.

The impressive Rinpung Dzong greets you on your arrival into Paro town.

Optional Experiences*: Prayer Flag Making & Farmhouse Lunch. Visit a local family known for handcrafting prayer flags for generations, set amidst expansive paddy fields. Learn their craft and make your own prayer flags before enjoying a hearty lunch of local favourites. 

Head to Kyichu Lhakang, a 7th-century sanctuary and one of the oldest religious structures in the Kingdom, famous for its magical orange trees.

Afterward, drive 20 minutes up a mountain road to your lodge. Check into Six Senses Paro, located at 9,415 ft (2,870 m) next to the ruins of a 15th-century fortress, offering breathtaking valley views.

In the afternoon, challenge your guide and driver to archery, Bhutan’s national sport, while enjoying a shot of ara (local moonshine) to boost your skills. 

Enjoy a sauna or a swim at the spa or set out on a 30-minute easy-to-moderate lodge loop hike through the pine forests.

Dinner this evening at Jangkho, the lodge's signature restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Six Senses Paro

*24-hour advance booking is required and subject to additional charges.

A Pilgrimage Hike, Butter Lamp Blessing & Ruins Regale Dinner

Set out early this morning after a hearty breakfast for a 1 hour and 15-minute drive from Thimphu to Tiger’s Nest Base Camp, where you will begin a challenging full-day hike to Taktsang Goemba, known as “Tiger’s Nest”. The hike starts on a forested ridge, climbing to an elevation of 2,950 metres.

Taktsang is a significant cultural icon, perched on a cliff above Paro, where Guru Rimpoche is said to have arrived on a flying tigress in the 8th century, introducing Buddhism to the Kingdom. The monastery is visible from the valley and often shrouded in clouds, adding to its mystique.

Your guide will share stories about the monastery’s history as you walk through pine forests adorned with moss and prayer flags. Hang your own prayer flags to send wishes on the wind.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot during the 4-5 hour hike—This moderate to strenuous hike is doable for most, with ponies available for hire for the first part of the ascent (not for the descent).

Wellness Tip: Unwind at the Six Senses Spa with a Deep Tissue Massage after your hike—60- and 90-minute spa sessions are available by appointment and subject to additional charges.

Optional Experience: Visit the nearby 16th-century Samtenling Monastery, just a ten-minute walk from the lodge. Light 108 butter lamps to dispel darkness, followed by a blessing from the resident monks—Donation-based activity.

Dine at Janghko this evening or on the terrace, weather permitting. Reflect on the amazing adventures of these past days as you prepare for your onward journey.

Optional Dining Experience*: Don traditional Bhutanese attire (a kira for women and a gho for men) and enjoy dining under the stars at our “Ruins Regale Dinner” set against the backdrop of a 15th-century stone dzong. Experience folk songs performed by local musicians, along with bonfires and masked dance performances that evoke a sense of magic and mysticism from a bygone era.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Overnight: Six Senses Paro

*24-hour advance booking is required and subject to additional charges.

Departure

After an early breakfast, finalise your packing and say goodbye to your Bhutanese hosts before departing the lodge. From here it is a 30-minute transfer to the airport. Your GEM will accompany you and assist with your departure flight arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast