5-Days Bhutan Itinerary: Paro, Thimphu & Punakha

Five days is the shortest itinerary that touches all three of Bhutan's classic western valleys - Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha - which makes it the sweet spot for travellers spending precious annual leave. After a first day among Paro's dzong and temples, you shift to the capital for its museums, markets, and giant golden Buddha, then day-trip over Dochula Pass - 108 chortens and a horizon of Himalayan snow peaks - to Punakha's riverside fortress, the most beautiful building in the kingdom. The finale is the Tiger's Nest hike, placed on your last full day so you're properly acclimatized. Choose this length if you want the greatest hits with no wasted day; choose six days if you'd rather sleep a night in Punakha's warm valley than visit it in a day.

Tour Highlights

Buddha Dordenma — 51m statue above Thimphu
Takin Preserve Centre — Bhutan's national animal
Bhutanese authentic craft market
Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
Dochula Pass (3,114m) — Himalayan views
Chimi Lhakhang — the Temple of Fertility
Punakha Dzong — between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu
Zilukha Nunnery
School of Traditional Arts — the thirteen crafts
National Museum at Ta Dzong, Paro
Paro Rinpung Dzong
Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (7.4 km, approx. 5 hrs)
Kyichu Lhakhang — one of Bhutan's oldest temples
Complimentary hot stone bath in a farmhouse

Duration 5 Days

Total Tour Cost

Solo Traveler

$1,400

2 Travelers

$1,148 per person

3-6 Travelers

$1,108 per person

7-10 Travelers

$1,100 per person

11+ Travelers

$1,092 per person

Free & no obligation — we'll reply within 24 hours.

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 30 days before arrival for a full refund minus processing fees

Journey at a Glance

Day 1: Arrival in Paro – Drive to Thimphu

Thimphu (2,320m) · 54 km · 1 hr 20 mins
Day 2: Punakha Day Excursion

Thimphu (2,320m) · 146 km round trip · approx. 2.5 hrs each way
Day 3: Thimphu – Paro

Paro (2,250m) · 54 km · 1 hr 20 mins
Day 4: Tiger's Nest Hike

Tiger's Nest (3,120m) · 7.4 km round trip · approx. 5 hrs
Day 5: Departure

Paro Airport (2,235m)

	Distance	Duration	Altitude
Day 1: Arrival in Paro – Drive to Thimphu	54 km	1 hr 20 mins	Thimphu (2,320m)
Day 2: Punakha Day Excursion	146 km round trip	approx. 2.5 hrs each way	Thimphu (2,320m)
Day 3: Thimphu – Paro	54 km	1 hr 20 mins	Paro (2,250m)
Day 4: Tiger's Nest Hike	7.4 km round trip	approx. 5 hrs	Tiger's Nest (3,120m)
Day 5: Departure	—	—	Paro Airport (2,235m)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Paro – Drive to Thimphu

Paro (2,250m) – Thimphu (2,320m) · 1 hr 20 mins

Your guide and driver will receive you at Paro airport and drive you to Thimphu, a journey of about an hour and twenty minutes including a stop along the way.

After lunch, visit Buddha Dordenma, the 51m statue looking out over the valley, followed by the Takin Preserve Centre, home to Bhutan's national animal, and then a Bhutanese authentic craft market.

In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, then stroll around Thimphu city. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.

54 km · Lunch, Dinner · Hotel in Thimphu

Day 2: Punakha Day Excursion

Thimphu – Punakha (1,242m) – Thimphu · approx. 2.5 hrs each way

Early in the morning, drive through Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres, where the Himalayan range opens up on a clear day.

In Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, and the beautiful Punakha Dzong, set between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

Return to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.

146 km round trip · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Hotel in Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu – Paro

Thimphu (2,320m) – Paro (2,250m) · 1 hr 20 mins

In the morning, visit Zilukha Nunnery and the School of Traditional Arts, where students learn the thirteen traditional crafts.

Drive to Paro. There, visit the National Museum at Ta Dzong and the historic Paro Rinpung Dzong. Lunch will be served in Paro.

Enjoy an evening stroll through Paro town. Dinner and overnight in Paro.

54 km · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Hotel in Paro

Day 4: Tiger's Nest Hike

Paro (2,250m) – Tiger's Nest (3,120m) · approx. 5 hrs

In the morning, hike to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery — 7.4 km round trip, approximately five hours.

After lunch, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, and then enjoy a complimentary hot stone bath in a farmhouse. Dinner and overnight in Paro.

Note: if you would like, we can arrange a final lunch in a farmhouse.

7.4 km round trip · Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner · Hotel in Paro

Day 5: Departure

Paro Airport (2,235m)

Early-morning transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Farewell from Bhutan!

— · Breakfast · —

What's Included & Excluded

Accommodation in 3* Hotels (1 Single room just for you).
All Three Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). Lunch will be served in a local Tourist Restaurant.
Daily Tariff.
Visa Fee.
Royalty and Government Taxes.
SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) of USD 100 per night per person, which directly goes towards free education, Free Healthcare and infrastructure development.
Transportation from receive till drop.
Museum and Monument fee.
Bottle Water in Car.
Sightseeing.
English Speaking Guide.
Driver.

Refund Terms and Conditions

More than 30 days before arrival: Full refund minus processing fees
15-30 days before arrival: 50% refund minus processing fees
7-14 days before arrival: 25% refund minus processing fees
Less than 7 days before arrival: No refund
No-shows: No refund
All cancellations must be made in writing via email

Note: We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances.

Send Inquiry

Tell us your travel dates and we take care of the rest — visa, SDF, hotels, guide, transportation and permits.

Duration 5 Days

Total Tour Cost

Solo Traveler

$1,400

2 Travelers

$1,148 per person

3-6 Travelers

$1,108 per person

7-10 Travelers

$1,100 per person

11+ Travelers

$1,092 per person

Free & no obligation — we'll reply within 24 hours.

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 30 days before arrival for a full refund minus processing fees

Send Inquiry

Free Cancellation

Cancel up to 30 days before arrival for a full refund minus processing fees

What's Included & Excluded

Accommodation in 3* Hotels (1 Single room just for you).
All Three Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). Lunch will be served in a local Tourist Restaurant.
Daily Tariff.
Visa Fee.
Royalty and Government Taxes.
SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) of USD 100 per night per person, which directly goes towards free education, Free Healthcare and infrastructure development.
Transportation from receive till drop.
Museum and Monument fee.
Bottle Water in Car.
Sightseeing.
English Speaking Guide.
Driver.