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  • Tiger's Nest Monastery built into a cliff above the Paro ValleyTiger’s Nest Monastery hike
  • Punakha Dzong
  • Paro Dzong and a farmhouse visit

The Essential Bhutan Journey

A 7-day Bhutan itinerary through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, with two nights in each.

  • Popular
  • 7 days
  • Private cultural tour
  • Moderate
Get my private tour quoteChoose dates & travellers

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

Why travellers pick this one

  • Tiger’s Nest, done properlyA full day on day 6, after five days to adjust to the altitude.
  • Four days you can swapTrade a sight for a ridge hike, rafting or a hot stone bath. Your planner prices any change in your quote.
  • Just you and your guideA private licensed guide, driver and vehicle for the whole trip.
  • Visa, SDF and permits includedNo separate government fees to work out. Flights are the only big extra.

Your route

  1. Thimphu Days 1–22 nights

    Drive about 2.5 hours

  2. Punakha Days 3–42 nights

    Drive about 4 hours

  3. Paro Days 5–72 nights

    Fly home on day 7

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

Itinerary

4 days can be swapped

  1. Day 1 · Thimphu

    Arrive in Paro, drive to Thimphu

    Meet your guide at Paro airport for the drive to Thimphu, around 1.5 hours with time to stop if you like. Keep the afternoon easy: the National Memorial Chorten, a walk through town and an early night.

    Overnight Thimphu

  2. Day 2 · Thimphu

    A day in Thimphu

    Start at the Buddha Dordenma, then follow your interests through the textile museum, craft shops, cafés or a relaxed local lunch. Tashichho Dzong opens to visitors late in the afternoon on weekdays.

    Overnight Thimphu

    Or swap this day for

  3. Day 3 · Punakha

    Thimphu to Punakha

    Cross the Dochula pass on the 2.5-hour drive to Punakha, stopping for mountain views if the weather is clear. Visit Punakha Dzong and walk across the suspension bridge.

    Overnight Punakha

    Or swap this day for

  4. Day 4 · Punakha

    Punakha Valley

    Take a gentle walk through Punakha's rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, with time at a farmhouse or along the river. This is the least scheduled day, so it can be made more active or more restful.

    Overnight Punakha

    Or swap this day for

  5. Day 5 · Paro

    Punakha to Paro

    Drive back over Dochula to Paro, roughly 4 hours by road. In the late afternoon, visit Paro Dzong, or rest up for tomorrow's hike.

    Overnight Paro

  6. Day 6 · Paro

    Tiger's Nest and Paro valley

    Set off early for Tiger's Nest. The return hike usually takes 4–6 hours, with a tea stop on the way. By now you've had five days to get used to the altitude. Afterwards, visit a traditional farmhouse or Kyichu Lhakhang at an easy pace.

    Overnight Paro

    Or swap this day for

  7. Day 7 · Paro

    Fly home from Paro

    A short transfer to Paro airport, about 15 minutes from town, so even an early flight is easy. If your flight leaves later, there's time for a final walk or some shopping.

    Departure day

Check availability

Select your start date

TotalUS$3,480

For 2 adults · International flights excluded

No. of travellers2
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What's included

In the price

  • Hotels for 6 nights
  • Licensed guide and driver
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Dedicated vehicle transport throughout
  • Visa, permits and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
  • Entry to all monasteries and dzongs
  • Hike to Tiger's Nest

Not in the price

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

Questions before you book

Is 7 days enough to see Bhutan?

For a first visit, yes. Seven days covers Tiger's Nest, Punakha Dzong, Thimphu and the Paro valley without rushing. To add Phobjikha, look at the 10-day Culture & Nature Escape. For Bumthang, ask us for a custom Bhutan itinerary.

How fit do I need to be for the Tiger's Nest hike?

Moderate fitness. The hike is 6 km round trip with 700-900m of elevation gain on well-maintained trails, no technical climbing. Most reasonably fit adults complete it in 4-6 hours. The altitude (the monastery sits at 3,120m) makes it feel harder than the metres suggest, so we schedule it on day 6, once you've had five days to acclimatise, and the next day is only a short drive to the airport.

Is this tour suitable for older travelers or children?

Yes, with planning. We've run this trip with travellers in their 70s and with families. Older travellers can take a horse partway up to Tiger's Nest. Children 8+ generally manage the hike with patience. Tell us about your group when you book and we'll adjust pacing.

How early should we book?

For peak season (March-May, September-November) and festival weeks, book 4-6 months ahead, accommodation in Paro and Thimphu fills early. For shoulder/low season, 2-3 months is comfortable. Bhutan visa processing takes about a week, so the earliest practical booking window is roughly 2 weeks before departure.

Can I change the hotels or days?

Yes. The standard package includes 3-star hotels. Use Request a hotel upgrade to choose another level in your enquiry, or swap itinerary days on this page. We price changes in a free itemised quote before you pay. After booking, send change requests through Manage booking.

Can I change or cancel?

Yes. Change your dates or switch to another private tour once with no admin fee up to 45 days before departure; any price difference applies. Cancelling has no admin fee up to 45 days before. See our cancellation terms for the details.

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 · 2 nights3-star hotelExample: Hotel Phuntsho Pelri3-star
  • Punakha · 2 nights3-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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