Bhutan destinations
Five places most trips are built from. A first visit usually stays in the west, with Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Phobjikha and Bumthang add quieter valleys further east and suit trips of eight days or more.
Where the places are
How a trip usually flows
You fly into Paro, the only international airport. Thimphu is about an hour away, and Punakha a few hours more over the Dochula pass.
Phobjikha and Bumthang are a long day's drive further east, so they belong on longer trips. Bumthang can also be reached by a short domestic flight.
- Tiger’s Nest
- Hiking
Western Bhutan · Gateway valley
Paro
Paro is the arrival point for our standard western itineraries. Its valley has farmland, traditional houses and several important temples, with Tiger's Nest above it. Allow time here before or after the rest of the route.
- Time to spend
- 1–2 days
- From Paro
- International gateway, where trips begin
- Altitude
- ~2,200m / 7,200ft
Tours that go here
- Capital
- Markets
Western Bhutan · Capital city
Thimphu
Thimphu is Bhutan's capital, with government buildings and monasteries alongside cafés, bookshops and markets. Give yourself a full day to choose a few visits, and check access times for Tashichho Dzong with your guide.
- Time to spend
- 1–2 days
- From Paro
- 1–1.5 hours
- Altitude
- ~2,300m / 7,550ft
Tours that go here
- Dzong
- Rivers
Western Bhutan · Former capital
Punakha
Punakha is lower and warmer than Paro and Thimphu. Its dzong stands where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet. A stay here can include temple visits and walks through the valley, with time to rest after the drive over Dochula.
- Time to spend
- 1–2 days
- From Paro
- 3.5–4 hours via Thimphu
- Altitude
- ~1,250m / 4,100ft
Tours that go here
- Cranes
- Walks
Central Bhutan · Crane sanctuary
Phobjikha
Phobjikha Valley is a place for walks around Gangtey Monastery and winter crane-watching. Two nights give you a full day in the valley; one night puts your sightseeing between arrival and departure drives. Reaching it adds mountain-road travel to a western Bhutan trip, so with only six nights, weigh the detour against more time in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Pack warm layers for an overnight stay, including outside winter.
- Time to spend
- 1–2 days
- From Paro
- 5–6 hours
- Altitude
- ~3,000m / 9,800ft
Tours that go here
- Temples
- Slow travel
Central Bhutan · Spiritual heartland
Bumthang
Bumthang's four valleys have temples associated with Guru Rinpoche and other Buddhist teachers. Reaching central Bhutan takes a long road journey or a scheduled domestic flight, so allow enough time to stay and explore once you arrive.
- Time to spend
- 2–3 days
- From Paro
- 8–10 hours, or 30-min flight to Bathpalathang Airport
- Altitude
- ~2,600–2,800m / 8,500–9,200ft
Not sure which places to include?
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