10 Nights / 11 Days
Bhutan with Haa Valley & Phobjikha
Phuentsholing · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha · Paro
Ideal for: Travellers looking for quieter, offbeat Bhutan
Price on request · free quote
Bhutan
Bhutan Grand Tour with Bumthang – 10 Nights / 11 Days
- 10 Nights / 11 Days
- Starts & ends: Bagdogra / NJP / Siliguri
- Private tour
Tour overview
Go beyond western Bhutan to the spiritual heartland of Bumthang, crossing high passes and visiting the great dzong at Trongsa on the way.
Bumthang's four valleys are dotted with some of Bhutan's oldest temples and are known for honey, cheese, apples and colourful yathra weaving.
The drive there is long but spectacular, crossing Pele La and Yotong La passes and passing the Chendebji Chorten and Trongsa Dzong.
Ideal for: Travellers who want to see central Bhutan. Places covered: Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Paro.
Highlights
- Bumthang's temples: Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing
- Jakar Dzong
- Trongsa Dzong and Chendebji Chorten
- Pele La and Yotong La passes (over 3,400 m)
- Punakha Dzong, Dochula and Tiger's Nest
Day-by-day itinerary
Distances, drive times and altitudes are approximate and vary with road and weather conditions. Points marked optional are extra.
Day1
Siliguri (IXB/NJP) to Phuentsholing
≈ 170 km · 4 hrs
Meet your driver at Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station and drive across the Dooars to Jaigaon and Phuentsholing, Bhutan's border town. Overnight in Phuentsholing.
Day2
Phuentsholing to Thimphu
≈ 176 km · 6 hrs · Thimphu ≈ 2,350 m
Complete immigration formalities in the morning and climb through forested hills to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. Evening at leisure.
Day3
Thimphu sightseeing
Local · full day
A full day in the capital, with your guide.
- Buddha Dordenma (Buddha Point)
- National Memorial Chorten
- Tashichho Dzong
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Takin Preserve (national animal)
- National Library
- Sangaygang (BBS Tower) viewpoint
- Handicrafts market
Day4
Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass
≈ 77 km · 3 hrs · Dochula ≈ 3,100 m
Cross Dochula Pass with its 108 memorial chortens and – on clear days – a sweeping Himalayan panorama. Descend to the warm Punakha valley.
- Dochula Pass & 108 chortens
- Chimi Lhakhang (temple of fertility)
- Punakha Dzong
Day5
Punakha to Bumthang via Trongsa
≈ 212 km · 8 hrs
A long, scenic drive over Pele La – the traditional divide between east and west Bhutan – past the Chendebji Chorten and the mighty Trongsa Dzong, then over Yotong La to Bumthang.
- Wangdue Phodrang
- Pele La pass
- Chendebji Chorten
- Trongsa Dzong
- Yotong La pass
Day6
Bumthang sightseeing
Local · full day
Explore the valleys of Bumthang.
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Tamshing Monastery
- Jakar Dzong
- Local cheese, honey and yathra weaving
Day7
Bumthang to Punakha
≈ 212 km · 8 hrs
Return west over the passes to Punakha.
Day8
Punakha to Paro, with Paro sightseeing
≈ 140 km · 5 hrs
Drive back over Dochula to the Paro valley and visit its landmarks.
- Ta Dzong (National Museum)
- Rinpung Dzong
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Drukgyel Dzong
Day9
Paro: hike to Tiger's Nest (Taktsang)
Hike ≈ 2–3 hrs up · monastery ≈ 3,100 m
Bhutan's most famous sight clings to a cliff about 900 m above the valley. The hike is steady and rewarding; ponies can be hired for part of the way up. Evening at Paro market.
- Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery
- Paro handicraft market
Day10
Paro to Phuentsholing
≈ 200 km · 7 hrs
Drive back down to the border town for an easy final night.
Day11
Phuentsholing to Siliguri (IXB/NJP)
≈ 170 km · 4 hrs
Transfer to Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway Station for your onward journey.
What's included
- Private SUV/MUV with driver for the full itinerary, including pickup and drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or NJP station
- Hotel accommodation in your chosen category (2★ or 3★ certified hotels)
- Meals as per the meal plan agreed in your quote
- Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide
- Processing of entry and route permits
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- A local SIM card for the trip (returnable)
- Support before, during and after your trip
Not included
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) – paid by the guest (see note below)
- Flights and train tickets
- Monument, museum and dzong entry fees
- Horse or pony hire for the Tiger's Nest hike
- Traditional hot-stone bath
- Tips, bar bills, phone calls, laundry and personal expenses
Inclusions are our standard format. Your final quote lists exactly what is and isn't included.
Entry rules & important notes
- Indian nationals enter Bhutan with an original valid passport or voter ID card. Children under 18 can use a passport or birth certificate. Carry 2 passport-size photos per person.
- Bhutan charges a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). For Indian nationals it has been INR 1,200 per person per night, paid by the guest. The rate can change, so we confirm it with your quote.
- Entry permits are issued at the Phuentsholing immigration office (or on arrival at Paro airport). Permits for travel beyond Thimphu and Paro, such as Punakha, are processed in Thimphu – your guide handles this.
- Travel insurance of about INR 800 per person may apply for non-Indian guests under the insurance package; Indian nationals don't need it. Other nationalities need a Bhutan visa and pay the international SDF – ask us.
Best time for this tour
March–May (spring flowers, Paro festival season) and September–November (clear skies, Thimphu festival season) are the best times. December–February is cold but clear, with black-necked cranes in the Phobjikha valley. June–August is the monsoon.
Read before you go
Request a quote for this tour
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Bhutan Grand Tour with Bumthang: FAQs
What documents do Indians need for Bhutan?
An original valid passport or voter ID card, plus 2 passport-size photos. Children under 18 can use a passport or birth certificate. Other IDs are not accepted, so please check before you travel.
Is the drive to Bumthang worth it?
If you have the time, yes. It's a full day each way, but the passes, Trongsa Dzong and Bumthang's ancient temples show a side of Bhutan most visitors never see.
Is the SDF included in the package?
No. The Sustainable Development Fee is paid by the guest. For Indian nationals it has been INR 1,200 per person per night; we confirm the current rate with your quote.
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Tell us your dates. We'll plan the rest.
Share your travel dates, group size and where you are arriving. We'll suggest a route, the right vehicle and a clear quote — no obligation.