Bhutan
Bhutan itineraries: 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks
For 7 days, follow the parent route: Paro (2 nights), Thimphu (2), Punakha (2), Phobjikha (1) — Tiger's Nest on the last full day in Paro. Add Bumthang at 10–14 days, and only route east to west with 3 weeks and a land entry from Assam.
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- Plan calculated
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GuideBhutan
Key facts
- Best first route
- Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Paro; all travel with a licensed guide
- 7-day shape
- 2 nights Paro, 2 Thimphu, 2 Punakha, 1 Phobjikha, 2 Paro; Tiger's Nest on the last full day
- Add Phobjikha
- Built into the 7-day route; crane season November–February
- Add Bumthangcheck
- At 10–14 days; fly Bumthang–Paro if seats exist
- 3 weeks
- East-to-west land entry via Samdrup Jongkhar; Indian visa needed
- Arrive and leave
- These routes start and end at Paro; keep a spare day for delays
- Cost driver
- Sustainable Development Fee is charged per night, so nights set the bill
Summary by length, route and cost
Nights include the Sustainable Development Fee, charged per night, so a longer route costs more before you add transport. Cost bands below are 2026 estimates for a mid-range guided trip per person, excluding international flights, and are unconfirmed — check operator quotes.
| Length | Route | Nights | Cost band (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Paro | 5 | check |
| 7 days | Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Phobjikha → Paro | 7 | check |
| 10 days | West plus Trongsa and Bumthang | 10 | check |
| 14 days | East to west, land entry from Assam | 14 | check |
| 21 days | East to west, extended | 21 | check |
Bands are unconfirmed; operator rates, hotel class and season move them. Check current SDF and visa fees before booking.
Step by step: how to build the route
Fix your dates first, then hand them to a licensed Bhutanese operator. The operator files the visa and the SDF; travel beyond Thimphu and Paro is with a licensed guide. See plan your trip to Bhutan and bhutan visa requirements.
Build the loop around Paro airport. Day one is arrival and Rinpung Dzong; day two acclimatise in the Paro valley or walk to Tiger's Nest if you feel ready. Move to Thimphu for the capital's dzong, Memorial Chorten and weekend market, then cross Dochula to Punakha for the dzong at the river confluence. Continue to Phobjikha, then return to Paro for the last two nights so a delayed flight does not strand you.
At 10–14 days, continue east over Pelela to Trongsa and Bumthang, then either fly Bumthang–Paro or drive back. At three weeks, enter by land at Samdrup Jongkhar from Assam and work west, which needs an Indian visa and accepts long road days.
Book the Tiger's Nest day for the end of the trip, not the start: the climb starts around 2,300 m and most people do better after a few days at altitude. Keep one buffer day before your flight out.
- Day 1: land Paro, Rinpung Dzong, National Museum
- Day 2: Paro valley or Tiger's Nest
- Day 3–4: Thimphu
- Day 5–6: Punakha via Dochula
- Day 7: Phobjikha
- Day 8: back to Paro, fly out next morning
Notes and common mistakes
The most common error is a tight final day. Paro flights are weather-dependent and cancellations happen, so a same-day connection in Delhi, Kathmandu or Kolkata is a gamble. Add a night in Paro or a buffer in your onward city.
Second: treating the map as small. Distances look short but mountain roads are slow; Thimphu to Punakha is roughly three hours, Punakha to Trongsa most of a day. Ask your operator for driving times, not kilometres.
Third: skipping the SDF arithmetic. It is charged per night, so every extra night raises the total before hotels. Decide your length before you compare operator quotes.
Finally, dress and behave for active monasteries and dzongs: covered shoulders and knees, no hats inside, and photography only where your guide says it is allowed. Visitor hours at working dzongs are limited, so let the guide set the order of the day.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is a good 7-day itinerary for Bhutan?
Paro 2 nights, Thimphu 2, Punakha 2, Phobjikha 1, Paro 2. Fly into Paro, see Rinpung Dzong, move to the capital, cross Dochula to Punakha, continue to Phobjikha, return to Paro and walk to Tiger's Nest on the last full day.
How many weeks should I spend in Bhutan?
One week covers the west well. Two weeks adds Trongsa and Bumthang. Three weeks lets you cross the country east to west with a land entry from Assam. Most first trips run 7–10 days; nights drive the Sustainable Development Fee bill.
What is the best route through Bhutan?
For a first trip, the west loop: Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Phobjikha → Paro. Longer trips continue east to Trongsa and Bumthang, then fly or drive back to Paro. The full east–west route starts at Samdrup Jongkhar and ends at Paro.
Can I plan a Bhutan itinerary on my own?
No. Travel beyond Thimphu and Paro is with a licensed Bhutanese guide, and an operator handles your visa and Sustainable Development Fee. You choose the dates and route; the operator arranges the trip.
When should I book a Bhutan trip?
Three to six months ahead for March–May and September–November, the busiest windows. Paro flights are limited and good guides fill early. Check current visa and SDF rules before paying a deposit.
How much does a 7-day Bhutan trip cost?
Cost bands for a mid-range guided 7-day trip are unconfirmed 2026 estimates, excluding international flights. The Sustainable Development Fee is charged per night, so length is the biggest single lever on your total.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialTourism Council of Bhutan
- officialDepartment of Immigration, Bhutan
- officialDrukair
- officialBhutan Airlines
- secondaryWikivoyage – Bhutan