Is 5 days enough for Bhutan?
Yes, for a first visit to the west. Five days and four nights is the shortest length that reaches all three classic valleys: an afternoon and evening in Thimphu, a full day over the Dochula pass to Punakha Dzong and back, a day that ends in Paro with its museum and Rinpung Dzong, a whole day for Tiger's Nest, and a departure morning. The trade-off is the Punakha day, which is about two and a half hours each way with the pass stop; it is a long, rewarding day rather than a hard one. If you would rather sleep in Punakha's warm valley and see the dzong in the morning light, our 6 Days Bhutan Tour adds that night. Phobjikha needs seven days, Bumthang and the east ten or more. Five days suits travellers with a working week of leave who want the dzongs, the pass and the hike without a wasted day.
When is the best time of year to do the 5 day Bhutan tour?
Spring and autumn are the two windows most travellers choose. March to May brings the rhododendrons into bloom; October to December gives the clearest Himalayan views. Both carry the big tshechu festivals — Paro in March or April, Thimphu in September or October. Winter is quieter and colder but the valleys stay open, and the monsoon months are green and uncrowded. Our month-by-month guide breaks it down in detail.
How much does the 5 days Bhutan tour cost?
The 5 days Bhutan tour package costs US$1,015 per person for three or more travellers, US$1,050 each for two, and US$1,400 travelling solo. Those are all-inclusive figures: the Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per person per night — US$400 across your four nights — and the one-off US$40 visa fee are already inside them, along with 3-star hotels, all meals, a guide, driver and private transport. Nothing further is payable on arrival.
Is the Tiger's Nest hike included in the 5 days Bhutan tour?
Yes. The hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) sits on your last full day, once you have had 4 nights to acclimatise. The round trip is about 7.4 km and takes roughly five hours including the tea-house stop.
Which places does the 4 nights / 5 days Bhutan tour cover?
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
Can I visit Phobjikha on a 5 days Bhutan tour?
Not in 5 days. Phobjikha is reached on our 7 Days Bhutan Tour, the shortest itinerary that gets there.
Is the tour private or will I join a group?
Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and your group is never merged with another.
Can I do this tour on my own?
Yes. Every tour here can be booked for one traveller, and the solo rate of US$1,400 is the whole price: your own guide and driver, a room to yourself, and no separate single supplement. The difference from the pair rate of US$1,050 each is the share of guide, car and room that a second traveller would split. Evenings and strolls around Thimphu and Paro are your own, and women who prefer a female guide can ask for one when booking. Our solo travel guide covers safety, costs and where you can go on your own.
