Himalaya only · Saver trips from ₹7,500
Try "Spiti", "snow leopard", "Char Dham", "homestay", "Tiger's Nest"
Comfort Bhutan · Balanced
Bhutan's western valleys at an easy pace: fly into Paro, two nights each in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, a private car and licensed guide, and good 3–4 star hotels including Hotel Druk and Zhiwa Ling Heritage. The Tiger's Nest hike comes on the last full day, after five nights of acclimatising.
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsThis is the trip most first-time visitors want, done at a pace that leaves time to stand still. Flying into Paro saves the two long road days from Phuentsholing, and two nights in each valley mean no early check-outs except one. Your guide is licensed by Bhutan's Department of Tourism and stays with you from arrival to departure, as Bhutan's rules require.
Prices assume Indian nationals, who pay a Sustainable Development Fee of ₹1,200 a night as we understand the current rules. Most other nationalities pay USD 100 a night, a rate set to run to 31 August 2027, which changes the trip cost a great deal. These rules have changed several times since 2022, so check current status before you travel; we confirm the SDF in writing when you book.
Sleeping altitude, night by night
Red points are nights above 3,000 m. We pace those climbs by the usual advice of no more than 300–500 m of sleeping height a day. This is not medical advice: talk to your doctor before a high trip. Try the altitude planner.
Day by day
Flights into Paro land in daylight only, and the approach between ridges is part of the trip; ask for a left-side window seat on the way in. Your guide and driver meet you outside arrivals. Drive along the Paro Chhu to Chhuzom and up the Wang Chhu to Thimphu. Check in at Hotel Druk on Clock Tower Square, then walk Norzin Lam, where a policeman directs traffic from a pavilion in a city without traffic lights.
About ThimphuStart at the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 for the third king, as residents make their morning rounds. Drive up to Buddha Dordenma above the valley, then to the Royal Takin Preserve at Motithang to see Bhutan's national animal. After lunch, visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum to watch students learn the 13 traditional arts, and the Centenary Farmers Market from Friday to Sunday. At about 5 pm, Tashichho Dzong as the flag comes down.
About ThimphuStop at Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 and the oldest dzong surviving in its original form. Climb to Dochu La at about 3,100 m for the 108 chortens and, from October to February, views of the high peaks. Descend to Punakha and walk the field path to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kunley. Check in to a riverside or hillside hotel above the Mo Chhu.
About PunakhaMorning at Punakha Dzong, built by the Zhabdrung in the 1630s where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu meet, reached by a covered cantilever bridge. Walk on to the long suspension bridge upstream. In the afternoon, hike up through rice terraces to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, about an hour up, for a view down the valley. Optional half-day rafting on the Mo Chhu in spring and autumn.
About PunakhaDrive back over Dochu La and down to Paro, arriving for a late lunch at Zhiwa Ling, a hotel built over five years by Bhutanese carpenters, carvers and painters. In the afternoon, walk across the covered bridge to Rinpung Dzong and climb to the Ta Dzong watchtower, home of the National Museum. Evening at the hotel; sleep early before the hike.
About ParoStart at the trailhead at about 2,600 m by 7.30 am and climb through blue pine to the cafeteria viewpoint, then on to the monastery at 3,120 m, about 5–6 hours return for most fit adults. Phones and cameras go into lockers at the gate. A pony can carry you up to the cafeteria. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang on the way back, and finish with a hot stone bath at the hotel if you wish.
About ParoBreakfast and a short transfer to Paro airport for your flight. Flights leave in the morning in most seasons and can be delayed by weather, so we do not book same-day onward connections in India. If your flight is later, a short visit to the Paro weekend market or the main street fills the morning.
About ParoWhere you sleep
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Mid
A long-running city hotel on Clock Tower Square in central Thimphu, open since 1985. Spacious rooms, a restaurant,…
Photo: Xiaojun Deng · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
Mid
A hand-built Bhutanese hotel at Satsam Chorten in the Paro valley, opened in 2005 after five years of work by Bhut…
Questions
The Sustainable Development Fee is a nightly charge that funds health, education and conservation. As we understand the current rules, Indian nationals pay ₹1,200 per night and most other nationals USD 100 per night until 31 August 2027. Children 6–12 pay half. Check current status before you travel.
It saves about two long road days of 10 hours or more and gives you an extra day in the valleys. Flights cost more, often ₹8,000–20,000 each way from Indian cities, and depend on weather. If budget matters more than time, see our saver trips by road from Siliguri.
Hotel Druk on Thimphu's Clock Tower Square, a well-run comfort hotel open since 1985, a 3–4 star riverside or hillside hotel in Punakha, and Zhiwa Ling Heritage in Paro, a hand-built Bhutanese hotel with a temple inside. We confirm hotels when you book.
Yes. Paro Tshechu falls in March or April and Thimphu Tshechu in September or October, on lunar dates. We reorder the days so you attend the main dance day. Hotels fill early and some raise rates, so book four to six months ahead and check current status before you travel.
Yes, with care. Drives are 1–4.5 hours, hotels have attached bathrooms and heating, and most sites need short walks. The Tiger's Nest hike is optional: a pony goes to the cafeteria, or you can view the monastery from the road. Talk to your doctor about altitude first.
Long sleeves, long trousers or a long skirt, and closed shoes; no caps, shorts or sleeveless tops. Remove hats and sunglasses inside. Walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels. Photography is not allowed inside temple rooms, and your guide will tell you where it is.
Indian rupees are accepted at par with the ngultrum in most places, but carry ₹100–500 notes rather than large ones. Hotels in Thimphu and Paro often take cards. Some shops accept Indian UPI payments, but coverage is uneven, so carry cash for markets and small purchases.
Yes. Phobjikha adds two nights between Punakha and Paro, with a stay at Dewachen Hotel or a similar lodge above the valley. From late October to February you may see black-necked cranes. Each extra night adds hotel, SDF, guide and car costs.
Often. Archery is Bhutan's national sport, and matches are held at the Changlimithang ground in Thimphu and on village grounds, especially at weekends and holidays. Your guide will look out for one. Teams sing and dance when they hit the target; stand well back from the line.
More from Bhutan
Photo: Afifa Afrin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Saver
Shared jeep or bus to Jaigaon, then shared vehicle with licensed guide
Photo: Afifa Afrin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Saver
Shared jeep or bus to Jaigaon, then shared vehicle with licensed guide
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Comfort
Private car with driver
Plan with a local planner
We reply within one working day with a route, a sleeping-altitude profile and an itemised price in your tier. Change anything. Pay nothing until you are sure.