5 Nights / 6 Days
Bhutan 5N/6D: Thimphu & Paro
Phuentsholing · Thimphu · Punakha · Paro · Tiger's Nest
Ideal for: First-timers who want a relaxed pace
Price on request · free quote
Bhutan
Bhutan Tour – 6 Nights / 7 Days (by road or flying into Paro)
- 6 Nights / 7 Days
- Starts & ends: Bagdogra / NJP / Siliguri
- Private tour
Tour overview
Bhutan's classic western circuit – Thimphu, Punakha and Paro – with two ways to travel: by road via Hasimara and Phuentsholing, or flying into Paro with a day in the Phobjikha valley.
Route A suits travellers arriving by train: Hasimara station is just 18 km from Phuentsholing. Route B is for those flying into Paro, and uses the time saved for a day trip to Gangtey and the Phobjikha valley.
Both routes include Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong and the Tiger's Nest hike.
Ideal for: Travellers who want Bhutan's classic circuit. Places covered: Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Dochula, Punakha, Gangtey, Paro.
Highlights
- Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang
- Dochula Pass and its 108 chortens
- Tiger's Nest hike
- Phobjikha valley and Gangtey Monastery (Route B)
- Thimphu's Buddha Dordenma and Tashichho Dzong
Day-by-day itinerary
Distances, drive times and altitudes are approximate and vary with road and weather conditions. Points marked optional are extra.
Route A (by road via Hasimara): Phuentsholing 1N – Thimphu 2N – Punakha 1N – Paro 2N
Day1
Hasimara Railway Station to Phuentsholing
≈ 18 km · 30 mins
Meet your driver at Hasimara station and cross to Phuentsholing. Overnight at Phuentsholing or Jaigaon.
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 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
Day6
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
Day7
Paro to Hasimara Railway Station
≈ 200 km · 7 hrs
Drive back via Phuentsholing to Hasimara for your onward train.
Route B (fly in & out of Paro): Thimphu 2N – Punakha 2N – Paro 2N
Day1
Paro Airport to Thimphu
≈ 65 km · 2 hrs
Meet your guide at Paro airport and drive to Thimphu.
Day2
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
Day3
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
Day4
Excursion to Gangtey and the Phobjikha valley
Day trip · ≈ 3,000 m
A day in the glacial Phobjikha valley, winter home of the black-necked crane (roughly November–February), and the hilltop Gangtey Monastery. Return to Punakha.
- Phobjikha valley
- Gangtey Monastery
- Black-necked crane information centre
Day5
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
Day6
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
Day7
Departure from Paro Airport
Transfer
Breakfast and transfer to Paro airport for your flight.
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 6N/7D: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro: 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.
Can we fly into Paro instead?
Yes – that's Route B. You land at Paro, drive to Thimphu (about 2 hours) and fly out from Paro at the end.
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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