Travel to Bhutan | 7 days Detailed Itinerary

Home > Guides

Bhutan - Land of the Thunder Dragon

FYI

  • If you are flying west, get a seat in your flight to the left to see the himalayas.

  • INR is accepted but 500 and 2000 Rupee notes are not accepted. 100 and 50 Rupees notes are accepted. The ground reality is that even 2000 Rs notes are accepted as of 2019.

  • No photography or wearing of cap inside monasteries.

Basic Dzonkha Language

Datsi - Cheese

Kew - Chillies

Sag - Spinach

Kewa - Potato

Good Luck - Tashi Delek

Thimphu (Day 1-2)

 

Buddha Dordenma

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/aYzgmMUUWRu

50 m tall Buddha statue

The National Memorial Chorten

  • Aka Thimphu Chorten, located on Doeboom Lam.

  • Built in 1974 to honour the 3rd King of Bhutan.

  • Prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. Popularly known as the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan.

  • The king wanted to build “a chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha”.

  • Entry Fee - Rs 300

Simply Bhutan Museum

  • Meet Pema Tshering - a cerebral palsy patient and a renowned artist of Bhutan.

  • A guide accompanies you and explains you the history and culture of Bhutan.

  • Watch the local dance performance and have complimentary butter milk tea.

  • Entry Fee - 200 Rs

Textile Museum

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/vqm45SSDU5G2

Entry Fee - Rs 50

Handicraft Bazaar

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/ifQiQdiDQbk

Opp. to Bhutan Development Bank

Folk Heritage Museum

Location : https://goo.gl/maps/xyih4JUc24D2

Entry Fee - 30 Rs.

Tashichho Dzong

  • Home to current King’s throne and known as “fortress of the glorious religion”

  • Get Punakha permit near here

Motithang Takin Preservation centre

Entry Fee - Rs 100

Punakha (Day 3)

Dochula Chorten

  • Also     known as Dochula Pass

  • On the way from Thimphu to Punakha. 40 mins from Thimphu.

  • At an Altitude of 10,000 ft.

  • These stupas were built in 2004, in memory of the war between the Assamese (of India) and Bhutanese militants.

  • When the sky is clear, the mountain view is spectacular. 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range.

Fertility Temple (Chime Lhakhang)
 

Between Thimphu and Punakha

 

Punakha Dzhong

  • Aka Pungtang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss”) is the administrative centre of Punakha District. Second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan.

  • River Rafting - 55 USD

 

Punakha Drubchen Festival

12 – 14 February 2019

 

Longest Suspension Bridge

Punakha Suspension Bridge

 

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten

Hike, surrounded by Rice Fields.

Wangdue, Gangtey and Phobjikha Valley (Day 4)

 

  • Map from Punakha to Wandue, Gangtey and Phobjikha

  • From Punakha to Phobjikha, and back to Punakha

  • Total Drive time - 5 hr 20 Mins (164 Kms)

  • Endangered species, Monastery...

  • 2hrs from Fertility Temple.

  • Either go from Fertility Temple or Plan it as a seperate day.

  • Phobjikha

    • Black necked Cranes

    • Horse Riding

    • Homestay with locals

  • Gangtey

    • Gangtey Trail - 4 KM, easy.

Paro (Day 5)

  • Map from Punakha to Paro

  • For Hiking, Mountain biking, and rafting, Snowman Trek

  • Total Drive time - 4h Punakha to Paro and around Paro (150 Kms).

Kyichu Lhakhang Monastery

 

  • Constructed in the 7th Century to pin down the left foot of a giant ogress.

National Museum of Bhutan -

  • Cultural museum in the town of Paro.

  • Over 3000 works of Bhutanese art, covering more than 1500 years of Bhutan’s cultural heritage.

 

Lampelri Precinct Botanical Park, near Dochula

Rinpung Dzong

Also known as Paro Dzhong

Drukgyel Dzong

  • It was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of Paro District.

  • It was built to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet.

  • In the 1950s, it was almost completely destroyed by fire.

Chele La and Haa Valley (Day 6)

  • Map from Paro to Chele La Pass

  • Total Drive time - 4h to and back to Paro (128 Kms).

    • Just Chele La - 2.5h to and back to Paro (73 Kms).

  • Full day excursion

  • On the way, go to Chele La, the highest mountain in Bhutan.

  • Go to Haa Valley View Trail, 2 KM in length, effortless hike.

  • Return back to Paro Hotel

Final Day - Tiger’s Nest (Day 7)

  • Map from Paro city to Tiger’s Nest

  • Also called Paro Taktsang

  • Timing - counter opens from 7 AM to 3 PM

  • Time plan

    • Leave hotel at 6 AM

    • start 7AM

    • Reach 9 AM (1 hr there)

    • Ground at 1 PM

  • Total drive - 44 Mins (23 kms)

  • Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery aka Taktsang Palphug Monastery

  • Built in 1692, Guru Padmasambhava who is credited to introduce Buddhism to Bhutan is said to have meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and 3 hours in the 8th century.

  • Popular festival known as Tsechu is celebrated in the Paro Valley during March or April.

  • It is recommended to visit Tiger’s Nest at the end of your trip to Bhutan so that you acclimatize to the elevation.

  • You can hike to the top in about 3 hours even if you are taking regular breaks.

  • The entire hike and coming back to the start point will take you a total of 5-7 hours

  • Close to Airport.
    1.5 to 2 hours trek to 1000 m elevation, 3000m above sea level.

  • Round Trip Taxi from Paro to Tiger’s Nest - 1400 BTN ($20.99)
     

Other places to Go

Bhumtang Valley

 

  • Far - 5hrs from Gangtey Valley.

Things to do

Meet the people

Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath

Gasa

Attend a Festival

Trongsa - Black Mountains
 

Manas National Park - tigers, elephants, langur, birds, plants - wilderness. Boat, car or trek
 

Trek to Himalaya (2-25 days)

Highland Festival
 

Bumthang - temples and monasteries
 

Whitewater Rafting

Comment Form is loading comments...



Table of contents