Come and explore the cultural heart of Bhutan [26°42′N–28°18′N latitude and 88°45′E–92°10′E longitude] on this 8-day journey from Kathmandu to Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Along the way, you will see old dzongs, peaceful monasteries, high mountain passes and sweet village walks. The trip also includes the famous Tiger's Nest hike above the Paro valley. The hikes are short and the sightseeing days are comfortable, so the trip stays easy to enjoy and does not turn into a trekking trip. You return to Kathmandu on Day 7, and Day 8 is a separate departure day, so you have a helpful buffer before your onward flight.
Bhutan Tour via Nepal - 8 days
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu into Paro, with Himalayan views on a clear day.
- A short forest hike to Cheri Monastery, one of Bhutan's early religious sites.
- Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu, covering monuments, museums and daily city life.
- Drive over Dochula Pass, with its 108 chortens and mountain views in clear weather.
- Village walk to Chimi Lhakhang, followed by Punakha Dzong at the meeting point of two rivers.
- Walk across Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longer suspension bridges in Bhutan.
- Stop at Chunzom, where two rivers and several regional road routes meet.
- Free time in Paro town, with the chance to see sites such as Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum depending on the day's schedule.
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger's Nest, built into a cliff above the Paro valley.
Bhutan Tour in 8 Days: What to Expect?
This tour takes you through western Bhutan, moving between Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, three valleys that each have their own character and pace. Days combine road travel with sightseeing, temple visits and a few short walks, so you get a good mix of culture and light physical activity without long trekking days.
Buddhist culture is present everywhere on this route. You will see dzongs, monasteries and prayer flags on almost every drive, and your guide will explain their role in Bhutanese daily life rather than just their history. Many of these sites are still in active religious use, so visits are calm and respectful rather than crowded tourist stops!
The scenery changes noticeably as you move through the country. Paro and Thimphu sit in cooler mountain valleys, while the drive over Dochula Pass takes you briefly above 3,000 metres before dropping down into the warmer, lower valley of Punakha.
Moreover, weather plays a role in how much of the mountains you actually see, so treat clear Himalayan views as a welcome bonus rather than something guaranteed.
The hike to Tiger's Nest is the main physical part of the trip. It is a steady uphill walk of around 2 to 3 hours that requires reasonable fitness, with rest points and a cafeteria along the way. Outside of this hike, most days are unhurried, with reasonable free time for shopping, resting, or walking around town at your own pace.
The programme ends with a planned overnight back in Kathmandu before your final departure. This gives a practical buffer in case of any changes to the Paro to Kathmandu flight, so your international departure is not tightly dependent on that single leg running exactly on time.
Why Travel Bhutan With HEN?
Our team is based in Kathmandu and handles the Nepal side of your trip directly, including airport pickup, hotel transfers, and a clear briefing before you fly to Bhutan. We coordinate closely with our Bhutanese guide and driver team so that your onward journey through Paro, Thimphu and Punakha runs smoothly once you land in the country.
We keep communication simple and direct, so you always know what is happening next, whether that is flight timing, hotel arrangements, or changes that come up along the way.
Furthermore, our staff have years of experience organizing travel across the Himalayan region, and we use that experience to plan realistic days, sensible transfers, and honest information rather than an overpacked schedule.
We are upfront about what is included in the programme and what is optional, such as the hot-stone bath after the Tiger's Nest hike, so there are no surprises once you arrive. If something reasonable needs to change during the trip, we do our best to adjust and support you, rather than leaving you to sort things out on your own.
Main Attractions of 8-Day Bhutan Tour From Nepal
Now, let us get into each attraction that you'll experince/visit during your time to Bhutan:
- Paro: Paro is a quiet valley town and the location of Bhutan's only international airport, making it most travelers' first and last stop in the country. Beyond the airport, Paro has a well-preserved old town, farmland along the river, and a strong concentration of religious and historic sites, which is why it also serves as the base for the Tiger's Nest hike.
- Thimphu: Thimphu is Bhutan's capital and its largest town, though it remains modest in size compared to most capital cities. It combines government buildings, monasteries and everyday markets in a small, walkable area, and is one of the few capitals in the world without a single traffic light, relying instead on a traffic police officer at its main junction.
- Cheri Monastery: Cheri Monastery sits above the Thimphu valley, reached by a short drive to Dodena followed by an uphill forest walk of around 45 minutes. It was built in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Tibetan lama who unified Bhutan and shaped much of its early religious and political structure. The site remains an active retreat location for monks and offers a quiet setting and a good view back down the valley.
- Dochula Pass and the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens: Dochula Pass sits at around 3,100 metres on the road between Thimphu and Punakha. It is marked by 108 chortens built on the ridgeline, known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens, constructed in memory of Bhutanese soldiers. On clear days, the pass offers wide views of the eastern Himalayan range, including Gangkar Puensum, Bhutan's highest peak, though visibility depends entirely on weather.
- Chimi Lhakhang: Chimi Lhakhang is a small temple reached by a short walk through farmland near Lobesa. It is associated with Lama Drukpa Kunley, a 15th century Buddhist teacher known locally as the Divine Madman for his unconventional teaching style. The temple is an important local pilgrimage site, and some Bhutanese families visit it as part of long-held local religious traditions.
- Punakha Dzong: Punakha Dzong stands at the point where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet, and is widely regarded as one of the most striking dzongs in Bhutan. Built in 1637 and 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it served for many years as the seat of Bhutan's government and was the site where the country's first hereditary King was enthroned in 1907.
- Punakha Suspension Bridge: Close to the dzong, the Punakha Suspension Bridge crosses the river and is strung with prayer flags along its length. It is one of the longer suspension bridges in the country and offers open views over the water and surrounding valley, making it a popular short stop after visiting the dzong.
- Chunzom: Chunzom marks the confluence where the Paro Chhu and Thimphu Chhu rivers meet to form the Wang Chhu. It also functions as a road junction and checkpoint, where routes toward Paro, Thimphu, Haa and Phuentsholing connect. Three chortens built in different regional styles stand at the site, and it makes for a short, worthwhile stop to see the river meeting point.
- Rinpung Dzong: Rinpung Dzong overlooks Paro town from a hillside above the river and is one of the country's best-known examples of traditional dzong architecture. Like other dzongs in Bhutan, it combines religious and administrative functions, and its whitewashed walls and wooden galleries are a familiar sight in the valley. Depending on the day's schedule, you may have time to visit it during your stay in Paro.
- Ta Dzong / National Museum: Ta Dzong is a former watchtower above Rinpung Dzong that now houses Bhutan's National Museum. Inside, it holds a collection of traditional art, textiles, weapons and religious items, giving a useful introduction to Bhutanese history and craftsmanship. A visit here fits in when the Paro schedule allows time for it!
- Kyichu Lhakhang: Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, located in the Paro valley. Simple in appearance compared to some larger sites, it is known for its calm atmosphere and long history as a place of local worship, and is included when the day's timing allows.
- Taktsang Monastery / Tiger's Nest:Taktsang Monastery, known worldwide as the Tiger's Nest, is built into a cliff face above the Paro valley and reached by an uphill hike of around 2 to 3 hours from the Ramthangkha trailhead. According to Bhutanese Buddhist tradition, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, flew to this site on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave here, an event regarded as central to the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. The monastery remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country and one of the defining images of a Bhutan trip.
Bhutan Tour via Nepal - 8 days Itinerary
Your Bhutan journey begins in Kathmandu. On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will be waiting to receive you and transfer you to your hotel!
Once you have had time to freshen up, we will meet you for a short briefing about the days ahead. We will walk you through tomorrow's flight to Paro, what to expect on arrival in Bhutan, and answer any questions you have about the trip.
Kathmandu can be a lot to take in after a long flight, with its traffic, noise and crowded streets, so we keep this first day light on purpose. The rest of the day is yours to rest, recover from jet lag if you have travelled from far away, and get ready for an early start tomorrow.
Today, you fly from Kathmandu to Paro, and this short flight is one of the genuine highlights of the trip before you have even set foot in Bhutan.
The route is served by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, the only two carriers permitted to fly into the country, and the flight typically takes a little over an hour. On a clear morning, you get a rare eye-level view of some of the world's highest mountains from your window seat.
As the plane begins its final approach, the scenery changes quickly, dropping into a narrow green valley with pine-covered ridges, terraced farmland, farmhouses and small monasteries appearing just before landing. Once you land and clear immigration, your Bhutanese guide and driver will be waiting to meet you outside the terminal.
From Paro, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, a journey of a little over an hour that follows the Paro Chhu river before joining the Wang Chhu valley on the approach into the city.
Along the way, you will get your first look at rural Bhutanese life, with traditional farmhouses, prayer flags along the ridgelines, and small roadside shrines. Once you check in to your hotel, the rest of the day is free to rest or explore Thimphu at your own pace!
Today starts with a short but rewarding hike, before moving into a full afternoon of sightseeing around the capital. After breakfast, you will drive around 25 minutes north out of Thimphu town to Dodena, where the paved road ends at a small bridge over the Thimphu Chhu.
This is the starting point for the walk to Cheri Monastery. Cross the wooden bridge, pass a chorten and a rock painting of Guru Rinpoche near the base of the trail, and begin the climb through pine forest.
The path is well marked and steady rather than technical, and it takes most people around 45 minutes to reach the top, though this can vary depending on your pace. Cheri Monastery was built in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the Tibetan lama who unified Bhutan and gave the country much of the identity it still carries today, including its laws, its national dress and the Dzongkha language.
It is regarded as one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan and remains an active retreat site where monks come for meditation. At the top, take some time to look around the monastery grounds and enjoy the view back down the valley before making your way downhill to rejoin your vehicle.
From Cheri, you will drive back into Thimphu for an afternoon of sightseeing around the capital. Start at the National Memorial Chorten, a large white stupa built in memory of the third King of Bhutan, where you will often see local residents of all ages walking around it and spinning the prayer wheels as part of their daily routine.
From there, continue to Buddha Dordenma, the enormous seated Buddha statue that sits on a hillside overlooking the Thimphu valley and has become one of the city's most recognisable landmarks.
Next, head to the Motithang Takin Preserve, a forested enclosure where you can see the takin, Bhutan's unusual national animal, which looks like a cross between a goat and an antelope. Continue on to Tashichho Dzong, the large fortress and monastery complex that houses government offices, the throne room of the King, and the central monk body of Bhutan.
Depending on the time of day and what is happening inside, you may be able to walk through parts of the courtyard. From there, visit the Folk Heritage Museum, a restored traditional farmhouse that gives you a good sense of how ordinary Bhutanese families lived before modern conveniences arrived.
To close the day, take an easy evening walk around Clock Tower Square in the centre of town, where you can browse the small shops, look at local handicrafts, and get a feel for everyday life in Bhutan's capital.
This is a full and varied day, taking you from the capital, over a high Himalayan pass, and down into the warmer, lower valley of Punakha. Leave Thimphu after breakfast and begin the drive east.
Not far out of the city, you will stop at Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan and a good introduction to the style of dzong architecture you will see throughout the trip.
As the road starts to climb towards Dochula Pass, keep an eye out for small roadside stalls where farmers sell fresh local apples, often packed loosely in plastic bags, which make a good snack for the road when they are in season.
At Dochula Pass, you reach 3,100 metres above sea level, the highest point on this part of the route. This is home to the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens, a dramatic cluster of stupas built on the ridgeline and strung together with colourful prayer flags. Take some time here to walk among the chortens, and if the weather is clear, look north towards the high Himalayan skyline.
On a good day you can see a line of snow covered peaks, including Gangkar Puensum, which at 7,570 metres is Bhutan's highest mountain and one of the tallest unclimbed peaks anywhere in the world. Visibility depends heavily on the season and time of day, so treat a clear view as a bonus rather than a guarantee!
From Dochula, the road winds steadily downhill through forests of pine and rhododendron, and the air noticeably warms as you descend towards the Punakha valley. You will pass through the village of Thinleygang before reaching Lobesa, where you leave the main road for a short walk through rice paddies and farmland to reach Chimi Lhakhang.
This small temple is associated with Lama Drukpa Kunley, a 15th century Buddhist teacher known in Bhutan as the Divine Madman for his unconventional and often humorous approach to spreading Buddhist teachings, and the temple remains an important site of local pilgrimage today.
After this walk, continue into Punakha and check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 and 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the striking meeting point of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.
For many years, this dzong served as the seat of Bhutan's government, and it was here in 1907 that the country's first hereditary King was enthroned, an event that marked the beginning of the modern Bhutanese monarchy. To end the day, walk across the nearby Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan, strung with prayer flags and offering good views over the river below.
After the busy previous day, today is a more relaxed drive back towards Paro, with one worthwhile stop along the way. After breakfast, you will retrace the road back towards Thimphu, climbing once again over Dochula Pass, though today's crossing is simply part of the journey rather than a planned stop.
On the far side, rather than driving back into Thimphu town, you will join the highway that bypasses the city, passing through the Semtokha area and onto the road that leads west towards Paro.
Along the way, you will stop briefly at Chunzom, the point where the Paro Chhu and Thimphu Chhu rivers meet to form the Wang Chhu. This is also a road junction and checkpoint, where routes towards Thimphu, Paro and Haa divide, and it is marked by a small cluster of chortens built in different regional styles.
It is a modest stop rather than a major sight, but it is a good place to get out of the vehicle, stretch your legs, and take a short walk across the bridge to look at the confluence of the two rivers before continuing on. From here, it is a straightforward drive into Paro.
Once you arrive in Paro, check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. This is a good afternoon to rest ahead of tomorrow's hike, do some laundry, or take a gentle walk around Paro town, which is smaller and quieter than Thimphu, with a scenic backdrop of the valley and Rinpung Dzong visible on the hillside above!
This is the day most travellers remember most vividly from their time in Bhutan. After breakfast, you will drive around 20 to 30 minutes from your hotel to Ramthangkha, where the trail to Tiger's Nest begins.
The trail climbs steadily through pine forest, and depending on your pace and fitness level, it typically takes between 2 and 3 hours to reach the monastery. There are rest points, benches and a cafeteria partway up where you can pause, catch your breath, and get your first proper close-up view of the monastery across the valley before the final stretch.
Taktsang Monastery, known worldwide as Tiger's Nest, clings to a sheer cliff roughly 900 metres above the floor of the Paro valley. According to Bhutanese Buddhist tradition, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, flew to this site on the back of a tigress, a transformed manifestation of his consort Yeshe Tsogyal, in order to subdue evil spirits in the area.
He is said to have meditated in a cave on this cliff and appeared in eight different manifestations, and this legend is central to why Taktsang became one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the entire Himalayan region. This is presented here as tradition and legend rather than verified history, but it is deeply woven into how Bhutanese people understand this site, and your guide will be able to tell you more once you are there.
After exploring the monastery buildings and taking in the views over the valley, you will walk back down to Ramthangkha and return to Paro by vehicle.
If your legs are tired after the climb, you can choose to end the day with an optional hot-stone or herbal medicinal bath back in Paro, a traditional Bhutanese way to relax the body after a long hike. This is available at an additional cost and is entirely optional.
Spend the rest of the evening at leisure in Paro, with time for a final walk around town or some last-minute shopping for souvenirs!
After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your return flight to Kathmandu.
As with the outbound flight, this leg often offers good mountain views if the weather cooperates, giving you one last look at the Himalayas before leaving Bhutan. On arrival in Kathmandu, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free!
This extra day in Kathmandu is built in deliberately, so that your onward international flight is not dependent on the Paro to Kathmandu flight running exactly on schedule, which can vary with weather and other factors beyond anyone's control.
If you have the energy after your Bhutan trip, you can use this time for some last exploring or shopping in Kathmandu, or simply rest!
Today is your final day with us, and it depends entirely on your flight time. Depending on when your flight departs, you may have some free time in the morning for last-minute shopping or a short walk near the hotel.
When it is time, our HEN team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward international flight. We make sure the transfer is smooth and comfortable, so your Bhutan and Nepal trip ends on an easy note.
Trip Cost Details
Includes
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Kathmandu
- Kathmandu hotel accommodation as per the package
- Round-trip airfare between Kathmandu and Paro
- Accommodation in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Private transportation for sightseeing and transfers in Bhutan
- Services of a Bhutanese guide and driver
- Sightseeing and entrance fees for attractions included in the itinerary
- Bhutan visa processing and applicable visa fees
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Airport transfers for all scheduled arrivals and departures
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
Excludes
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu
- Bhutan visa fee and Sustainable Development Fee if not included in the confirmed package
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and meals not specified as included
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Optional hot-stone or herbal medicinal bath
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Excess baggage charges
- Any additional services or expenses caused by flight changes, delays or circumstances beyond the programme
- Any other item not specifically mentioned under Cost Includes
Trip Gallery

Essential Information
Best Time to Visit
The best time for this Bhutan tour is usually March to May and September to November. The weather is nice for sightseeing, road travel and the Tiger's Nest hike.
Now, lets' get into what each season brings in Bhutan:
- March to May: Spring is lovely in western Bhutan. Days feel comfortable for sightseeing and hiking. The valleys get greener and more colorful as the weeks go by.
- June to August: Summer is warmer and rainy. The monsoon rain can wash the roads and hide the mountains. You can still travel, but some drives and outdoor fun may change because of rain.
- September to November: Autumn is usually drier, and the mountains look clearer. October and November can be extra nice for sightseeing and the Tiger's Nest hike.
- December to February: Winter is colder, especially in Thimphu and at Dochula Pass. You can still visit the lower valleys like Punakha and Paro, but please pack warm layers. On clear winter days, you can see the mountains well, but it can be chilly at higher places.
Note: Weather in Bhutan changes with height, so we can't promise clear Himalayan views, even in the best seasons
Permits Required for Bhutan Trip
Most visitors from other countries need a Bhutan visa before they travel. The only exception is for travelers from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, who follow their own entry-permit rules.
You can get the visa online or through a registered tour operator like HEN ourselves. The visa application fee is US$40 right now. The Sustainable Development Fee is US$100 per adult for each night.
For this tour, our team at HEN helps with the Bhutan travel papers together with our local service partner. Please send us your passport and personal details early, so we can finish the visa and other steps on time!
You must travel with a certified local guide in Bhutan. If you are with a certified guide, you don't need a separate route permit to move around the country anymore.
Any visa fee, Sustainable Development Fee or other government charge will be written clearly in your final package quotation. This way, you will know what HEN covers and what you need to pay yourself.
Difficulty of Bhutan Trip Explained
This is an Easy to Moderate sightseeing tour with short hikes. It is not a trekking trip!
Most days are for sightseeing, cultural visits and road travel. There are two shorter uphill walks and one longer hike.
The biggest challenge is the Tiger's Nest hike. It takes about 2 to 3 hours going up from the trailhead, depending on how fast you walk and how fit you are. The path goes uphill for a long time and has stairs. So please be reasonably fit and wear comfortable walking shoes.
The hike to Cheri Monastery is shorter, about 45 minutes going up. You will also walk around monasteries, dzongs, viewpoints and towns during the sightseeing days.
On the drive to Punakha, you cross Dochula Pass at about 3,100 metres. You won't sleep at this height. But some travelers may feel the air is a little thin during the short stop. Go slowly, drink lots of water, and tell your guide if you don't feel well.
Accommodation and Food in Nepal and Bhutan
You will stay in hotels in Kathmandu, Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro during the tour. Your stay is set up in each place, so you can enjoy the main sights while the daily travel stays easy and comfortable.
Your meals will be a mix of Bhutanese food and international dishes. Rice, vegetables, noodles, soups, and curries are common. Bhutanese dishes often have chilli and cheese. Ema datshi, a chilli and cheese dish, is one of the most famous foods in Bhutan that you should definitely try!
Vegetarian meals are available, and special diets can be arranged if you tell us early. If you have food allergies or any special food needs, please let us know before you leave. Our team will talk with the local service providers to help you!
Optional Operation from New Delhi, India
You can also start this Bhutan tour directly from New Delhi, India. Our crew and tour organizer can meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Your stay will be on a B&B plan!
The next day, you will fly from New Delhi International Airport to Paro, Bhutan. When you arrive, you will check in to your hotel. On the same day, we will give you a briefing about your trip.
With this second option, you don't need to come to Nepal and go back again, so you can save both money and time.
But Nepal is a very special place too. It is the Himalayan kingdom, a land full of culture and nature, and a country of temples. The Nepali people hold their values close, and their kindness is one of the most important parts of tourism in Nepal.
If you would like to learn about all of this and understand it better, you can plan your Bhutan trip from Nepal itself.
And if you think that 8 days isn't enough, definitely go and check out our 10-day Bhutan Tour via Nepal. That two additional days can surely enhance your trip further!
Equipment Lists
This is a sightseeing and cultural tour with short hikes rather than a trekking or climbing trip. Pack comfortable walking gear, light layers for changing weather, and modest clothing for monasteries, dzongs and other religious sites.
- Sun hat or cap
- Warm beanie
- Buff or neck gaiter
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- T-shirts or moisture-wicking shirts
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Fleece or warm mid-layer
- Light waterproof or windproof jacket
- Lightweight gloves for cooler mornings or higher elevations
- Comfortable trekking or hiking trousers
- Lightweight trousers
- Comfortable casual pants
- Modest clothing for religious sites
- Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking shoes with good grip
- Comfortable casual footwear
- Passport
- Bhutan visa or required travel documents
- Flight and hotel details
- Travel insurance documents
- Copies of important documents
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with SPF
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat or cap
- Personal toiletries
- Hand sanitizer
- Small quick-dry towel
- Personal medications
- Reusable water bottle
- Water purification tablets or filter, if preferred
- Small snacks for hikes
- Daypack
- Small travel bag or duffel
- Waterproof bag or cover for the daypack
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Personal medications
- Prescribed medicines
- Mobile phone
- Camera
- Power bank
- Universal travel adapter
- Headlamp or small flashlight
- Small umbrella or rain protection
Bhutan Tour via Nepal - 8 days FAQs
Yes. If you need a Bhutanese visa, you must get it before you enter Bhutan. Our authorized Bhutanese service provider helps arrange the visa, so please send us the needed documents before your trip. Any visa fees should be confirmed when you book!
The Tiger's Nest hike is the hardest activity on this tour. The path goes steadily uphill from the trailhead to Taktsang Monastery. It usually takes about 2 to 3 hours going up, depending on how fast you walk and how fit you are. You should feel okay walking uphill for a few hours.
Yes! The tour is nice for families who are happy with regular sightseeing, road journeys and short hikes. The Tiger's Nest hike needs more effort, but the rest of the trip can be enjoyed at a slow and relaxed sightseeing pace.
Some activities can be added for an extra cost, depending on availability and timing. For example, you can add a hot-stone or herbal medicinal bath after the Tiger's Nest hike. Please talk with our team about any extra activities before or during the tour, so we can check everything for you!
Bring comfortable walking clothes and layers you can add or take off when the temperature changes. Comfortable walking shoes are very important for Cheri Monastery and the Tiger's Nest hike. When you visit monasteries, dzongs and other religious places, please wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees!