Last checked: October 2026
These Bhutan itineraries are planning outlines, not bookable tours. Bhutan requires most visitors to travel with a guide beyond Paro and Thimphu, and a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is charged for each night, so the number of nights is the main cost decision. We found few published drive times from official sources, so ask your licensed operator for current times before fixing a schedule. The one sourced figure is that the drive between Paro and Thimphu takes about one hour to an hour and a half, according to Druk Asia.
Before You Plan
- Fees: Most adults pay a US$40 visa fee and an SDF of US$100 per night. See the Bhutan visa guide for the details and where sources differ.
- Guides: Ireland says a guide is mandatory for any journey or trek beyond Thimphu and Paro.
- Flights: Paro flights depend on weather, so leave a buffer on your first and last days. See flights to Bhutan.
- Roads: The UK advises avoiding night travel because road accidents are a major cause of injury and death. See getting around Bhutan for drive times and domestic flights.
3 Days: Paro and Thimphu
Three nights is a short but workable first visit if you accept that you will see only the west.
- Day 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport. Rest and adjust to the altitude, and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong if time allows.
- Day 2: Hike to Tiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang), the cliffside monastery. This is the most physical day of the trip, and Little Bhutan says the top steps can be icy in winter.
- Day 3: Drive to Thimphu and see the Buddha Dordenma statue and the capital. Depart from Paro on the following day, or adjust to your flight.
5 Days: Add Punakha
Five days lets you add Punakha, which has Punakha Dzong and, according to Little Bhutan, runs about 6 to 7°C warmer than Paro and Thimphu all year.
- Day 1: Arrive at Paro and rest.
- Day 2: Tiger’s Nest hike.
- Day 3: Paro to Thimphu, then the Buddha Dordenma and the city.
- Day 4: Cross Dochula Pass to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong. Little Bhutan lists the Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival at Dochula on 13 December.
- Day 5: Return towards Paro for your departure, leaving a buffer for the flight.
7 Days: Add Haa or Central Bhutan
A week gives you time to slow down or to add one more region.
- Option A, Haa: Add a stay in the Haa valley. Little Bhutan lists the Haa Spring Festival for 25 to 27 April 2027.
- Option B, Bumthang: Add central Bhutan, where the Jakar Tshechu takes place in October. Check how you will travel there and back, because distances are long and roads can be affected by weather.
- Option C, a trek: Little Bhutan names the Druk Path as the trek with the longest season, with April and May as the classic window and October as the most reliable month on all routes.
Planning Around a Festival
Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and move each year. Little Bhutan advises booking 3 to 6 months ahead for October and late March, and notes that flights sell out on seats, not price. Do not book non-refundable flights until your operator has confirmed the festival dates for your year. Our best time to visit Bhutan guide lists the festival months we found.
How the Fee Affects Length
Because the SDF is charged for each night, a 5-night stay carries about US$500 in SDF per adult at the US$100 rate, before the visa fee, tour costs and flights. Children pay less, and Little Bhutan lists children under 6 as free and ages 6 to 11 at US$50 per night. Ask your operator for a total that shows each item.
Practical Tips
- Carry travel insurance. Ireland says it is mandatory, and the UK says to check it covers local treatment, helicopter evacuation and repatriation.
- Bring layers. Nights can fall below freezing in winter, and rain is frequent in the monsoon.
- Dress modestly at temples and dzongs, according to the UK.
- Ask whether meals are included, and tell your operator about dietary needs.
Official Safety Advice
The US State Department lists Bhutan at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions (updated 4 September 2026). Medical services are limited, especially in rural areas. See the Bhutan travel guide for the full summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need in Bhutan?
Three nights covers Paro and Thimphu, five adds Punakha, and a week gives room for Haa, Bumthang or a short trek.
Can I travel without a guide?
Ireland says a guide is mandatory beyond Thimphu and Paro, so plan to book through a licensed operator.
Is the Tiger’s Nest hike difficult?
It is a steep hike to a cliffside monastery, and altitude affects some people. Take a rest day before it if you can.
Can I link Bhutan with Nepal or India?
Druk Asia lists Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra and Guwahati among the connection cities for Paro. See the flights guide for details.
Should I leave a buffer at the end?
Yes. Druk Asia says Paro flights depend on weather, so avoid tight onward connections.