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  • Punakha Dzong where two rivers meet
  • Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike
  • Punakha Dzong and valley

Bhutan Highlights in 5 Days

A 5-day Bhutan tour through Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, just for your group.

  • Short stay
  • 5 days
  • Short cultural journey
  • Moderate

Free to enquire, no payment until you accept a quote · Licensed operator 50002428 · ABTO member

Trip at a glance

Best for
Time-conscious travellers adding Bhutan to a wider Himalayan or Asian trip.
Rhythm
4 nights across three valleys
Walking
Tiger's Nest: 4–6 hours, moderate
Longest drive
Around 4 hours to Paro
Pace
Compact, with early starts

Your route

  1. Thimphu Day 11 night

    Drive about 2.5 hours

  2. Punakha Day 21 night

    Drive about 4 hours

  3. Paro Days 3–52 nights

    Fly home on day 5

Before choosing dates, see how the full trip cost works and what to expect for visa and entry.

Itinerary

  1. Day 1 · Thimphu

    Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu

    Meet your guide at Paro airport and drive about 1.5 hours to Thimphu. Depending on your flight, visit the Buddha Dordenma or Memorial Chorten, or take a walk through town before dinner.

    Overnight Thimphu

  2. Day 2 · Punakha

    Thimphu to Punakha

    Cross the Dochula pass to the warmer Punakha valley, stopping for Himalayan views if the sky is clear. Visit Punakha Dzong and a nearby village before settling in for the night.

    Overnight Punakha

  3. Day 3 · Paro

    Punakha to Paro

    Return west to Paro, roughly 4 hours before stops. Break the drive at Dochula or Thimphu, then visit Paro Dzong or Kyichu Lhakhang if road and arrival times allow.

    Overnight Paro

  4. Day 4 · Paro

    Tiger's Nest Monastery

    Set out early for the 4–6 hour return hike to Tiger's Nest. Pause at the viewpoint café, continue to the monastery if conditions allow, and leave the evening free for a hot-stone bath or an easy final dinner.

    Overnight Paro

  5. Day 5 · Paro

    Paro and home

    Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight. We keep the morning free because flights out of Paro often leave early and can shift with mountain weather.

    Departure day

Read our 5-day Bhutan itinerary guide

Check availability

Select your start date

TotalUS$2,320

For 2 adults · International flights excluded

No. of travellers2
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What's included

In the price

  • Hotels for 4 nights
  • Licensed guide and driver
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Dedicated vehicle transport throughout
  • Visa, permits and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
  • Monastery and dzong entry fees
  • Guided Tiger's Nest hike

Not in the price

  • International flights to Bhutan
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities
  • Personal shopping and extras

Questions before you book

Is 5 days enough for Bhutan?

Yes, for a first look at Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Tiger's Nest, as long as you're happy with early starts and two longer drives. For two nights in each valley and more room to change plans, choose the 7-day Essential Bhutan Journey.

Does the five-day trip feel rushed?

It's busy, but your guide picks one or two main visits each day instead of trying to fit in every museum and temple. Flight times can shorten day one, so we confirm the final plan once you've booked flights.

Can I skip Punakha for a slower trip?

Yes. We can keep the journey around Paro and Thimphu, reducing road time and adding more local walks or cultural visits. Use the custom journey form if that slower version suits you better.

Who is this journey best for?

It suits travellers with a fixed short window who still want Bhutan's main western highlights. It is less suitable if you need slow mornings, want multiple hikes, or prefer several nights in one place; in those cases, the 7- or 10-day journeys offer better value.

What happens after I enquire?

Our planner reviews your request and emails an itemised proposal. Ask for changes, then book when the itinerary and price suit you.

See how it works
What about flights and visas?

International flights are separate from the tour price. Send us your arrival and departure times before buying flights so we can check transfers against your itinerary. We help arrange your Bhutan visa as part of your trip.

Travelling from the US?
When do I pay, and can I cancel?

There is nothing to pay to request a proposal. Review the payment options and booking terms before accepting. Our cancellation policy explains the conditions and any charges.

Where you'll stay

We book certified hotels at the standard shown. Named hotels are examples; we confirm your hotels when you book.

Request a hotel upgrade
  • Thimphu · 1 night3-star hotelExample: Hotel Phuntsho Pelri3-star
  • Punakha · 1 night3-star hotelExample: Meri Puensum Resort3-star
  • Paro · 2 nights3-star hotelExample: Paro Eco Lodge3-star

Photos show the destinations, not the hotels.

Tell us about any room or accessibility needs in your enquiry.

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