A deeper 14-day Bhutan itinerary

Continue beyond the western valleys through Phobjikha and Trongsa to Bumthang for temple visits and valley walks.

See the day-by-day route Tailor this itinerary

Route at a glance

Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha · Trongsa · Bumthang

Pace: Immersive, with longer transfers balanced by multi-night stays
Best for: Travellers with time for central Bhutan and several longer road days.
Adult SDF: $1,300 for 14 days
Indicative total: About $3,770 pp

The indicative total assumes two adults sharing mid-range rooms in shoulder season and includes estimated tour services, SDF, and the visa. International flights are excluded; exact pricing depends on dates, group size, and hotel availability.

What fits well

Western Bhutan's major sights plus the central valleys
Trongsa Dzong and several nights in Bumthang
Time for village walks, monasteries, and local craft traditions
A domestic-flight plan with an explicit road contingency

Honest trade-offs

Central Bhutan requires winding mountain-road days.
The Bumthang–Paro flight is limited and can change with weather or schedule.
Fourteen days reaches central Bhutan well, but not the far east without a much faster trip.

Day-by-day plan

Allow time for the road between stops

Treat this as a practical starting point. Flight times, weather, festival access, and your preferred pace should determine the final order.

Day
1
Sleep in
Paro
Arrive in Paro
Meet your guide and keep the first day deliberately light. Visit Paro town or Rinpung Dzong, then rest after the international journey.
Day
2
Sleep in
Paro
Tiger's Nest
Hike to Taktsang Monastery while your itinerary still has weather flexibility. Keep the afternoon open for recovery or a hot-stone bath.
Day
3
Sleep in
Thimphu
About 1–1.5 hours driving
Paro to Thimphu
Drive to the capital and begin with Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten, and an easy orientation through the city centre.
Day
4
Sleep in
Thimphu
A full day in the capital
Explore Tashichho Dzong, Bhutanese textiles or traditional arts, a local market, and a short walk selected for the season.
Day
5
Sleep in
Punakha
About 2.5–3.5 hours, plus stops
Dochula Pass and Punakha Dzong
Cross Dochula and descend to Punakha. Visit the riverside dzong and suspension bridge, leaving the more active valley outing for the next day.
Day
6
Sleep in
Punakha
Punakha Valley
Choose a hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a Chimi Lhakhang village walk, rafting, or additional time around the valley's farms and rivers.
Day
7
Sleep in
Phobjikha
About 3–4 hours driving
Punakha to Phobjikha
Continue into the high glacial valley. Visit Gangtey Monastery or take a short evening walk depending on arrival time and road conditions.
Day
8
Sleep in
Phobjikha
Gangtey Nature Trail and village life
Spend an unhurried day on the valley trail, at local farms, and learning about black-necked crane conservation when the birds are in season.
Day
9
Sleep in
Trongsa
About 4–5 hours, condition dependent
Cross the Black Mountains to Trongsa
Travel east over mountain roads to Trongsa, the historic gateway to central Bhutan. The changing landscape is the day's main experience.
Day
10
Sleep in
Bumthang
About 3–4 hours after sightseeing
Trongsa Dzong and onward to Bumthang
Visit commanding Trongsa Dzong before continuing over Yotong La into Bumthang. Arrive with time for an easy evening in the valley.
Day
11
Sleep in
Bumthang
Bumthang's sacred sites
Explore Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing, and the paths linking temples and villages. Your guide can shape the day around access and walking preference.
Day
12
Sleep in
Bumthang
Villages, crafts, or a longer valley walk
Use a second day for Tang Valley, local weaving and food traditions, a farmhouse visit, or a slower walking route rather than immediately turning west.
Day
13
Sleep in
Paro
Flight schedule dependent
Fly from Bumthang to Paro
Take the scheduled domestic flight when it operates. Because frequency and weather can change, the final plan should include a road-based alternative or re-sequenced nights before you book international connections.
Day
14
Sleep in
Paro
Depart Bhutan
Transfer to Paro Airport with the final night already back in the international gateway, protecting the departure from a same-day domestic connection.

Cost guide

What 14 days costs before flights

Government charges are the fixed part. Guide, driver, hotel, meals, and entry costs vary with season, group size, and comfort level.

Adult SDF

$1,300

$100 × 13 nights

Tourist visa

$40

Per traveller

Mid-range estimate

$3,770

Per person, couple sharing

Price it for your actual trip

Change the month, party size, children's ages, hotel tier, or choose guide-and-driver only in the calculator.

Calculate my 14-day trip

Common questions about 14 days in Bhutan

Is fourteen days too much time in Bhutan?

Not if you travel into central Bhutan. Fourteen days allows meaningful time in Phobjikha, Trongsa, and Bumthang rather than stretching the standard western loop. If you only want Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, seven to ten days is more appropriate.

Does this route cover eastern Bhutan?

It reaches central Bhutan, ending in Bumthang. A responsible trip into far eastern districts needs additional days because road travel is slow and there are fewer reliable shortcuts back to Paro.

Can I rely on the Bumthang to Paro flight?

Treat it as a useful routing option, not an unconditional guarantee. Domestic services may be limited or affected by weather. Build the final itinerary around the published schedule and retain enough flexibility for a road alternative.

How much SDF is charged for fourteen days?

A fourteen-day itinerary has thirteen chargeable nights, totalling $1,300 in adult SDF. The $40 visa and tour services are itemised within our final all-inclusive package total. Eligible children pay reduced SDF rates.