Your first visit, with time in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
Before choosing dates, see how the full trip cost works and what to expect for visa and entry.
At a glance
- Rhythm
- 2 nights each in Paro, Thimphu & Punakha
- Walking
- Tiger's Nest: 4–6 hours, moderate
- Longest drive
- About 4 hours back to Paro
- Flexibility
- Time for local stops and slower starts
Journey highlights
- Tiger's Nest Monastery hike
- Punakha Dzong fortress
- Thimphu traditional markets
- Paro Valley cultural sites
Itinerary
Paro
· Days 1–2Arrive in Paro
Meet your guide at Paro airport and settle into your hotel. Keep the first evening easy with a walk through town, a simple dinner, and an early night after the flight.
Tiger's Nest & Paro Valley
Set off early for Tiger's Nest. The return hike usually takes 4–6 hours with a tea stop on the way; afterwards, visit Paro Dzong and a traditional farmhouse at an unhurried pace.
Thimphu
· Days 3–4Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu after breakfast, around 2 hours with time to stop if you like. Spend the afternoon at the National Memorial Chorten, the traditional medicine museum, and the textile market.
A day in Thimphu
Start at Tashichho Dzong and the Buddha Dordenma, then follow your interests through craft shops, cafés, or a relaxed local lunch. Your guide can keep the afternoon light if you prefer.
Punakha
· Days 5–6Thimphu 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, then spend a quiet afternoon in a nearby village.
Punakha Valley
Take a gentle walk through Punakha's rice fields and along the river, with time at a local temple or farmhouse. This is the least scheduled day, so it can be made more active or more restful.
Paro
· Day 7Return to Paro & Depart
Return to Paro, roughly 4 hours by road, with an early start if your flight requires it. If timing allows, there is time for a final tea or a little shopping before departure.
What the complete journey includes
- Hotels (Budget, Mid-range, or Premium tier)
- Licensed guide and driver
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Dedicated vehicle transport throughout
- Permits and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Entry to all monasteries and dzongs
- Hike to Tiger's Nest
Not included
- International flights to Bhutan
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Personal shopping and extras
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough to see Bhutan?
For a first visit covering the iconic sights, Tiger's Nest, Punakha Dzong, Thimphu, and Paro Valley, yes. 7 days hits the highlights without rushing. If you want to reach lesser-visited valleys like Phobjikha or Bumthang, look at the 10-day Culture & Nature Escape instead.
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 2 to give you 24 hours to acclimatise after international flights.
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.
Make it your own
Adjust the dates, swap activities, or design a fully custom journey. Tell us what you have in mind.
Other journeys
Not quite the right fit? Explore our other Bhutan tours.
Bhutan Culture & Nature Escape
10 Days · Slower pace · More nature
Bhutan Festival Journey
9 Days · Dates shaped around festivals
Druk Path Trek & Culture
8 Days · 5-day trek · Paro to Thimphu