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Bhutan Tour Package – 5 Days | Paro, Thimphu & Punakha

  • Duration5 Days
  • Destination Bhutan
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Maximum Altitude 3,080 m
  • Activity Tour
  • Group Size 1-15
  • Accommodation 3 Star hotel
  • Meals Breakfast, lunch & Dinner

Trip Highlights

  • Epic Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang): Bhutan’s most iconic symbol, perched dramatically on a cliff above the Paro Valley.
  • Sacred Architecture at the Majestic Punakha Dzong: An impressive fortress located at the confluence of two sacred rivers.
  • The Impressive Golden Giant Buddha in Thimphu: One of the largest Buddha statues in the world, offering panoramic views of the capital.
  • 360-Degree Views from Dochula Pass: Admire the snow-capped Himalayan peaks surrounded by 108 commemorative stupas.
  • Walk Through Rice Fields to the Fertility Temple (Chimi Lhakhang): A fascinating place filled with history and legends in the Lobesa Valley.
  • Cultural Immersion in Colorful Festivals (Tshechus): Experience the magic of masked dances and the deep spirituality of the Bhutanese people.
  • Peace and Nature in the Glacial Phobjikha Valley: The winter refuge of the sacred black-necked cranes.

Discover Bhutan on a 5-day cultural journey designed to explore some of the country’s most iconic destinations. This tour combines Buddhist culture, Himalayan landscapes, ancient dzongs, and monasteries with visits to Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, including the famous hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang).

It is an ideal program for travelers who want to experience the highlights of Bhutan in just a few days, with private transportation, accommodation, meals, entrance fees, and a local guide, with the flexibility to customize the trip according to your needs.

If you want to travel to Bhutan, we recommend traveling with a minimum of two people, and we can arrange everything for you. We offer excellent packages and provide attentive service throughout your journey. Since there are very few Spanish-speaking guides in Bhutan, our Kathmandu-based representative provides excellent 24-hour assistance in Spanish via WhatsApp, giving you peace of mind when booking with us.

Why Travel to Bhutan?

Known as the last Mahayana Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, Bhutan offers breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, pristine forests, ancient dzongs (fortresses), and a unique culture that has remained largely untouched by modernization.

Main Reasons to Visit Bhutan

Iconic Landmarks: Hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang), perched dramatically on a cliffside, and explore the historic and impressive fortresses known as dzongs.

Unique Cultural Immersion: Experience vibrant and colorful Tshechu festivals featuring traditional music, masked dances, and deeply rooted spiritual traditions.

Pristine Nature and Hiking: Bhutan is a carbon-negative country with more than 70% forest coverage, offering incredible opportunities for Himalayan hiking.

Gross National Happiness (GNH): Experience a society that measures success through well-being, sustainability, and cultural preservation, offering a peaceful, refreshing, and relaxed way of life.

Bhutan Entry Requirements: Visa and Permits

Bhutan follows a “high-value, low-impact” tourism policy. It is important to know that independent tourism is not permitted: all international travelers (except Indian citizens) must arrange their trip through an authorized operator.

When you book your tour with us, we take care of the entire visa process. To apply, you only need:

  • A passport valid for at least 6 months.
  • A clear color copy of your passport.
  • One passport-size photograph.

The process usually takes around 5 working days. Once approved, you will receive an authorization letter, and the official visa stamp will be placed in your passport upon arrival at Paro International Airport.

Best Time to Travel to Bhutan

Season

Months

Highlights

Spring

March – May

Rhododendrons in bloom, clear skies, and the famous Paro Tshechu festival. Ideal for trekking.

Autumn

September – November

Peak season. Spectacular mountain views and festivals such as the Thimphu Tshechu.

Summer

June – August

Lush green landscapes, fewer tourists, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Winter

December – February

Blue skies and sunny days. Ideal for visiting the lower valleys without crowds.

Bhutan Festivals (Tshechus)

Tshechus are spiritual celebrations filled with masked dances, traditional music, and sacred rituals. Planning your trip around these dates adds an unparalleled cultural dimension to your journey:

  • Paro Tshechu (March/April): The most famous festival, featuring the display of a giant thangka.
  • Thimphu Tshechu (September/October): A vibrant explosion of color in the kingdom’s capital.
  • Punakha Drubchen (February/March): Famous for its dramatic historical reenactments.

Traveling to Bhutan from Nepal: A Noticeable Change of Atmosphere

Traveling to Bhutan from Nepal has something special about it. You are in a similar region geographically, but as soon as you cross into Bhutan, everything feels different. The pace slows down, the surroundings change, and the way people experience everyday life feels different too.

It is a combination that makes perfect sense if you are already in Nepal and want to continue exploring the Himalayas while experiencing a completely different perspective.

Bhutan Tour Package – 5 Days | Paro, Thimphu & Punakha Itinerary

01Day

    You will fly to Paro with Druk Air. The flight will present stunning views of mountains and hills. Upon arriving at the airport, you will be greeted by one of our representatives. He will drive you to Thimpu, capital of Bhutan and drop you at the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to rest. Overnight in the hotel.
     

    02Day

      After breakfast, you will go on the guided sightseeing tour to Thimpu. The first place you will visit is Tashichhodzong, which is a beautiful medieval fortress. You will see government offices and the king's throne room here. Next, you will visit the National Library where you will get a huge collection of manuscripts. Then tour follows up to  Arts & Crafts School and  Handicrafts Emporium. From here you will drive to Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of Bhutan's third king who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. You will end your day with the exotic dinner and stay overnight in the hotel.
       

      03Day

         Today, you will drive to Punakha with your guide. You will take a short pause at Dochula pass (3,080m) to see mani wall, chorten, and colorful prayer flags decorated at the highest point of the road. If the weather is clear, you may see amazing views of Masagang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Gangkar Puensum (7,570 m), and many other mountains.

        Upon reaching Punakha, you will visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637. This gompa has a very significant role in the history of Bhutan. Later, you will visit Wangduephodrang, which is widely popular for its slate, bamboo products, and stone carving. 

        Drive from Thimphu  to Punakha: The drive from Thimphu (80 kms) takes about 3
        hours. The road climbs from Thimphu to Dochula pass (3,050m) and descends
        through ever changing forests into the semi-tropical valley of Punakha and Wangdi at
        around 1200m.

        04Day

           After breakfast, retrace your drive back to Paro. In Paro visit Tiger’s Nest Monastery
          (Taktsang) and Farm House.
           Drive fromThimphu to Paro. The drive from Thimphu to Paro takes less than 1 hour,
          covering total of 65 km. From Thimphu, the western branch of lateral highway from
          Thimphu, runs close to the Wangchu river in the valley floor, through the suburbs
          and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Chuzom, which is also the
          hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom,
          it is north-west for about ½ hour, following Pa Chu river upstream, passing
          Tachogang temple on the other side of the river, then through relatively straight
          road, into the villages and farm houses of Paro valley.
           
          Hike to Taktsang: Drive to north of Paro town for about ½ hr and embark on a trek
          to the famed Taktsang (Tiger’s lair) monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on
          the face of a 1,000m seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff, above Paro valley. 
          The trail begins near the Satsam (2650m) and climbs steeply uphill to the Cafeteria
          (2,940m), an area of exposed ridge with panoramic view of Takstang. This takes
          little more then an hour. (Ponies are provided on request to ride up till this
          Cafeteria, but rest of way, including return downhill must be on foot.) You can get a
          good view from the Cafeteria or hike further uphill for another hour or so to the
          temple itself. There are several other temples and sites within the vicinity. Lunch is
          served at the tea house. The return trek to the road head is quite steep downhill,
          where you will be met by the transport.
           
          Farm House or Village Home: Bhutanese farmhouses are colorful, decorative and
          traditionally built without any nails. Majority of the houses are with three story, first
          floor is utilized for sheltering cattle, second floor for the family to live in and the top
          for storing and drying of foods and fodder for animal. 
          Paro: Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan’s only
          airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow
          trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the
          most popular and important sites also found within Paro district. Paro town (2,280m)
          is still a small with one main street and less then one hundred small family-run
          shops. The weekend market in Paro is held on Saturdays 
           

          05Day

            After having breakfast, you will drive to the airport to fly back to your next destination. Make sure you did not leave any of your belongings at the hotel.

            Cost Details

            Price Includes

            • Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner during the trip
            • Transportation by private car or Hiace as per the group size
            • Standard accommodation in twin share rooms
            • Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides
            • Monument/Museum entrance fees 
            • All necessary travel permits
            • All government taxes

             

            Price Excludes

            • Bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and other cold drinks
            • Travel insurance
            • International airfare and visa fees
            • Personal expenses such as laundry, tips, and other personal purchases
            • Any other expenses not specifically mentioned in the Price Includes section.

            Useful Information

            • Bhutan visa fees and visa processing assistance cost: 50 dollars

            • A single supplement will apply for solo travelers. USD 250 for a single supplement for a single traveler.

            • Nepal–Bhutan–Nepal airfare is subject to seat availability at the time of booking.

            Bhutan Tour Package – 5 Days | Paro, Thimphu & Punakha Reviews

            • M
              Miguel GarcíaMexico,October 31, 2025
              rating star

              Bhutan – A Peaceful Journey in the Heart of the Himalayas

              Our trip to Bhutan was very different from our usual vacations. It is a peaceful country with incredible mountain landscapes and a fascinating culture. We visited Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha and thoroughly enjoyed every place.

              The monasteries and traditional buildings were impressive, but what I enjoyed most was exploring the countryside and discovering small villages surrounded by mountains.

              Tiger’s Nest was definitely the highlight. The hike took several hours, but the views along the way were beautiful. Our guide made the experience even better by explaining the history of the monastery.

              The entire trip was very well organized, and we did not have to worry about transportation or accommodation. An unforgettable experience in Bhutan.

              Posted onlogo
            • J
              Javier MorenoSpain,June 27, 2025
              rating star

              An Incredible Experience in Bhutan – Culture, Nature and Mountains

              Our trip to Bhutan was a wonderful experience from beginning to end. We visited Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, and each place had something special to offer. The peaceful monasteries, beautiful valleys, and traditional Bhutanese architecture were some of the highlights of our journey.

              Our guide was very friendly and had excellent knowledge of the country’s culture and history. Visiting Tiger’s Nest was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments. The hike was a little challenging, but the views from the top were absolutely incredible.

              Everything was very well organized, from transportation and hotels to sightseeing. We really enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of Bhutan and would recommend Outshine Adventure to anyone who wants to discover this beautiful country.

              Posted onTourRadar
            • A
              Anna SchmidtChile,June 26, 2024
              rating star

              A Perfect Cultural Adventure in Bhutan

              Bhutan was one of the most beautiful countries we have ever visited. The combination of mountains, Buddhist monasteries, traditional villages, and friendly people made our trip very special.

              Our journey included Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha. We had enough time to explore each place and also really enjoyed the scenic drives through the countryside.

              Our guide was excellent and explained many interesting things about Bhutan’s history and culture. He was always happy to answer our questions and help whenever we needed it.

              Visiting Tiger’s Nest was the most special moment of the trip. The hike was tiring, but the scenery was incredible. We ended the day tired but very happy. Many thanks to the Outshine Adventure team for this wonderful experience.

              Posted onlogo
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