Boutique hotel
Comfortable hotels with Bhutanese architecture, good food and valley views.
All ridesYear-round
Bhutan: Dzongs, Passes & Valleys
Per person, 2 travellers · SDF and taxes extra. Private and tailor-made versions on request.
Overview
A kingdom that travels slowly
Bhutan rewards an unhurried pace. This journey heads east from Paro over Dochula to the warm valley of Punakha, then up to the glacial bowl of Phobjikha, where black-necked cranes spend the winter. You travel with a licensed Bhutanese guide and driver, staying in comfortable hotels and one farmhouse.
We finish in Paro with the climb to Taktsang — the Tiger's Nest — saved for the last full day, when your legs are used to the altitude. Along the way there's time for archery matches, farmhouse lunches and a traditional hot-stone bath.
Day by day
The itinerary
8 days, Paro → Paro. Open a day for the route, travel time, stay and meals.
The westDays 1 – 3
Paro, Thimphu and over Dochula.
Day 1Arrive in Paro, on to ThimphuInto the capital
Route Paro airport → Thimphu
Travel 1.5 hrs
Stay Thimphu
Meals Dinner
Altitude 2,330 m
Your guide meets you at Paro's airport. Drive along the river to Thimphu and settle in.
Day 2ThimphuA small, unusual capital
Route Buddha Dordenma · Tashichho Dzong · crafts school
Travel Short drives
Stay Thimphu
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 2,330 m
The giant Buddha above the city, the government's fortress-monastery and a traditional arts school, with time at the weekend market if you're in town.
Day 3Over Dochula to Punakha108 chortens
Route Thimphu → Dochula → Punakha
Travel 3 hrs
Stay Punakha
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 1,250 m
Cross Dochula with its 108 chortens and, on clear days, views of the high Himalaya, then drop into the warm Punakha valley.
Central valleysDays 4 – 5
Punakha and Phobjikha.
Day 4Punakha Dzong & PhobjikhaRivers and cranes
Route Punakha → Lawala → Phobjikha
Travel 3 hrs
Stay Phobjikha
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 2,900 m
Morning at Punakha Dzong, set where two rivers meet, then up to the wide glacial valley of Phobjikha.
Day 5PhobjikhaGangtey and the valley trail
Route Gangtey nature trail · crane centre
Travel On foot
Stay Phobjikha
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 2,900 m
Walk the Gangtey nature trail, visit the monastery above the valley and, from November to February, look for black-necked cranes.
ParoDays 6 – 8
Farmhouse, Taktsang and home.
Day 6Phobjikha to ParoA farmhouse evening
Route Phobjikha → Wangdue → Paro
Travel 5–6 hrs
Stay Paro farmhouse
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 2,250 m
A long, scenic drive back west to Paro, ending with a hot-stone bath and dinner in a farmhouse.
Day 7TaktsangThe Tiger's Nest
Route Paro → Taktsang trailhead → Taktsang
Travel 4–5 hrs walk
Stay Paro
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,120 m
A steady climb through pine forest to the viewpoint and the monastery itself, clinging to a cliff high above the valley.
Day 8Depart ParoMorning flight
Route Hotel → Paro airport
Travel 20 min
Stay —
Meals Breakfast
Altitude 2,250 m
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Where you'll stay
Stays along the route
Chosen for warmth, cleanliness and character. Exact properties are confirmed when you book.
Farmhouse
A night with a farming family, a traditional hot-stone bath and home-cooked dinner.
Valley lodge
Lodges with warm rooms and wood stoves, a short drive from the dzongs.
Dates & prices
Departures and prices
Prices are per person. Private journeys can start on any date in season.
| Departure | Type | Status | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any date | Private journey · best Mar – May & Sep – Dec | Open | Enquire |
| Option | Indian residents | International |
|---|---|---|
| Private · 2 travellers | ₹1,26,000 | USD 2,150 |
| Private · 4 travellers | ₹98,000 | USD 1,680 |
Per person, 2 travellers · SDF and taxes extra. Single rooms, upgrades and extra nights on request.
What's included
- 7 nights in hotels, a lodge and a farmhouse
- All meals in Bhutan
- Licensed Bhutanese guide and private vehicle
- Entry permits and monument fees
- Airport transfers in Paro
- Hot-stone bath at the farmhouse
Not included
- Flights to and from Paro
- Sustainable Development Fee (charged per night)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Travel and medical insurance
- Taxes as applicable
Before you go
Good to know
Practical notes on altitude, kit, permits and connectivity for this journey.
Entry for Indian citizens
Indian nationals currently enter with a valid passport or voter ID card, and a permit is issued through your operator. We'll confirm the latest requirements when you book.
Entry for other nationalities
Visitors from other countries need a visa, arranged in advance through a licensed operator. We handle the paperwork.
The Sustainable Development Fee
Bhutan charges a fee per person for each night in the country, at different rates for Indian and international guests. We add the current rate to your quote.
Dress and etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees when visiting dzongs and monasteries, remove hats indoors and always walk clockwise around chortens.
Journey essentialsParo → Thimphu → Dochula → Punakha → Phobjikha · Mar – May · Sep – Dec
Route notes: getting there & permits
Along the way
Photographs from the route
A few of the places you'll pass through.
Before you book
Questions we're often asked
How hard is the Taktsang hike?
About four to five hours round trip with a steady climb of roughly 500 m. Take it slowly; ponies can carry you part of the way up.
When can I see the black-necked cranes?
They winter in Phobjikha from around late October to February.
Can I travel in Bhutan independently?
Rules have relaxed for some visitors, but most travellers still find a guide and driver the easiest and most rewarding way to see the country.
Can I travel solo on a private journey?
Yes. Private journeys run for one traveller too; the per-person price is higher because the vehicle and guide aren't shared.
Can you change the itinerary?
Almost always. Private journeys can be reshaped around your dates, pace and interests, and on small-group departures we can add nights before or after the trip.
How do I pay?
A 25% advance confirms your booking and the balance is due 30 days before you travel. We accept bank transfer, UPI and cards.
What if I need to cancel?
Our cancellation terms are set out on the booking terms page — the earlier you let us know, the more we can refund. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and high-altitude evacuation.
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