- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Cultural tour · 7 days, 6 nights
7 Day Bhutan Itinerary: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the Tiger's Nest
The classic first week in Bhutan: the capital, the great dzong at Punakha, the 108 chortens of Dochula and the hike to the Tiger’s Nest, with a private guide and car.
- 7 days, 6 nights
- Paro, Thimphu, Punakha
- Good in every season
7 days
6 nights in three valleys
3,120 m
Highest point, Tiger’s Nest
4 hrs
Longest drive, Punakha to Paro
Private
Guide, car and driver
Trip overview
The week most first-time visitors choose
If you have one week and it is your first visit, this is the plan we suggest most often. It covers the three western valleys that hold the country’s best-known sights, and it keeps the drives short. You start in Thimphu, the only capital in the world without a traffic light, cross Dochula pass into the warm Punakha valley, and finish in Paro with the hike to Paro Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest.
The order matters. Paro and Thimphu sit at about 2,200 to 2,300 metres, and the Tiger’s Nest climbs to about 3,120. Leaving the hike for day six gives your body time to adjust, so the climb feels like a highlight and not a struggle. Your guide and driver stay with you all week, and every day can be shortened, slowed down or changed if the weather or your energy asks for it.
- Thimphu, Punakha and Paro in one easy loop
- Tiger's Nest on day six, once you have adjusted
- Private guide and car, changed day by day as you like
Highlights
What you will see
Punakha Dzong
The 1637 fortress where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet.
Dochula pass
108 chortens at about 3,100 metres, with Himalayan views on clear days.
Tiger's Nest
Paro Taktsang, clinging to a cliff about 900 metres above the valley.
Buddha Dordenma
The giant bronze Buddha watching over Thimphu.
Living crafts
Hand-made paper, weaving and the painting school in Thimphu.
Farmhouse visit
Butter tea, red rice and an optional hot stone bath in Paro.
Itinerary at a glance
Seven days in western Bhutan
Each day has one or two main visits, with free time in between.
Day 1: Arrive, to Thimphu
Land in Paro, drive an hour to Thimphu, evening at the Memorial Chorten.
Day 2: Thimphu
Buddha Dordenma, the takin, crafts, Tashichho Dzong at dusk.
Day 3: Over Dochula to Punakha
Dochula pass, Chimi Lhakhang, the warm Punakha valley.
Day 4: Punakha valley
Khamsum Yulley Namgyal walk, Punakha Dzong, the suspension bridge.
Day 5: To Paro
Back over Dochula, Simtokha Dzong, Rinpung Dzong and the museum.
Day 6: Tiger's Nest
Hike to Paro Taktsang, Kyichu Lhakhang, farmhouse dinner.
Day 7: Fly out
Transfer to Paro airport.
Day 1
Land in Paro and drive to Thimphu
The flight into Paro is part of the trip. On a clear day the plane passes the high Himalaya, then drops between forested ridges to land in a narrow valley. Your guide meets you outside arrivals with a white khadar scarf, a traditional welcome, and the drive to Thimphu takes about an hour along the Paro Chhu and Wang Chhu rivers.
We keep the first afternoon easy. Late in the day we walk around the National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the third king, where older people circle and spin prayer wheels until dark. It is the best first look at daily religious life in the capital.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Drive: about 1 hour
- Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 2
A full day in the capital
We start at Buddha Dordenma, the giant bronze Buddha on the ridge above the city, then visit the Motithang Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal, an odd mix of goat and cow. Down in the valley, the Institute for Zorig Chusum teaches the thirteen traditional arts, and you can watch students paint, carve and embroider.
After lunch there is time for the Jungshi paper factory, where Deh-sho paper is made from daphne bark, and the Royal Textile Academy. When government offices close, we visit Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the government and the central monk body, as the evening light reaches its courtyards. On Friday to Sunday the Centenary Farmers’ Market is also worth a stop.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Walking: about 2 hours, easy
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3
Over Dochula to Punakha
The road east climbs to Dochula pass at about 3,100 metres. The 108 Druk Wangyal chortens stand here among prayer flags, and on clear mornings, mostly from October to February, the high peaks of the Himalaya line the northern horizon. We stop for tea and a slow walk.
The road then drops about 1,800 metres into the Punakha valley, which is warm enough for rice, oranges and bananas. In the afternoon a 20-minute walk through rice fields takes you to Chimi Lhakhang, the 15th-century temple of Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Madman. Couples come here to be blessed for children, and the village on the way is famous for its painted walls.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Drive: about 3 hours with stops
- Walking: about 1 hour, easy
Day 4
Punakha Dzong and the valley
A morning walk through rice terraces leads to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by the Queen Mother and consecrated in 1999. Its roof terrace looks down the length of the Mo Chhu valley. The walk takes about an hour up and 40 minutes down.
After lunch we visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still the winter home of the central monk body. In spring the jacaranda trees around it turn purple. Late in the day you can cross the long suspension bridge upriver, or float down the Mo Chhu on a gentle rafting trip.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Walking: about 2 to 3 hours, easy
- Optional: river rafting
Day 5
Back west to Paro
We drive back over Dochula, which often gives a second chance at the mountain view, and stop at Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 at the entrance to the Thimphu valley and one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.
In Paro we visit the National Museum in the Ta Dzong, a round watchtower above town, where masks, thangka paintings and old weapons tell the story of the country. We walk down to Rinpung Dzong, built in the 1640s, and cross the river on Nyamai Zam, the covered wooden bridge. The evening is free to walk along Paro’s main street.
- Overnight: Paro
- Drive: about 4 hours with stops
- Walking: about 1.5 hours, easy
Day 6
Hike to the Tiger's Nest
We start early for Paro Taktsang. The path climbs through pine forest to a café viewpoint in about 1.5 hours, then continues for another hour, down a long stairway past a waterfall and up to the monastery gate. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century to meditate in the cave. Most guests take 4 to 6 hours for the round trip, and horses can carry you up to the café.
On the way back we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. In the evening, a farmhouse dinner with an optional hot stone bath, called menchu, is the best way to end the week.
- Overnight: Paro
- Hike: 4 to 6 hours return, moderate
- Evening: farmhouse dinner
Day 7
Farewell to Bhutan
After breakfast your guide and driver take you to Paro airport, about 10 minutes from most hotels. Morning flights are the most reliable, so we time your departure carefully and leave a buffer at your hub city.
Want more time? Two extra days in the Phobjikha valley or a drive over Chele La to the Haa valley fit easily into this plan.
- Transfer: about 10 minutes
- Meals: breakfast
- Extensions: Phobjikha or Haa
Where you stay
Where you stay
We use 3-star hotels as standard and can upgrade any night.
| Nights | Place | Where you stay | Why we chose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Thimphu | 3-star or 4-star hotel in the city | Close to the evening walk and the market |
| 3 to 4 | Punakha | 3-star or 4-star hotel above the valley | Quiet, with rice-field views |
| 5 to 6 | Paro | 3-star or 4-star hotel, or a luxury lodge | Close to the Tiger's Nest trail |
Luxury lodges such as COMO Uma, Six Senses and Amankora can replace any night.
What the price covers
Included and not included
Included
- Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
- Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, with 4-star and luxury upgrades on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- A licensed English-speaking guide for the whole trip
- Private car or SUV with a Bhutanese driver, and all transfers
- Entry fees to dzongs, temples and museums
- Bottled water in the car
Not included
- International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Drinks, laundry and other personal costs
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed under included
Price on request
Tell us your budget and we will send our best price
We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this 7 day trip.
How we price
What decides the cost of this trip
Government fees
The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.
Hotels you choose
Hotel style is the biggest factor. 3-star, 4-star and luxury lodges sit at very different prices, and a mix often gives the best value.
Season and dates
Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.
Group size
Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.
We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.
Good to know
Planning notes for your first week
Best time to go
March to May brings rhododendrons and warm valley days. October and November have the clearest skies and the best mountain views. December to February is cold, bright and quiet, with cranes in Phobjikha. June to August is the monsoon: green and peaceful, with rain most afternoons. Our month-by-month guide has more detail.
Altitude
Paro sits at about 2,200 metres and Thimphu at about 2,300. Most people feel fine after a slow first day. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol at first, and tell your guide about headaches or poor sleep. The Tiger’s Nest, at about 3,120 metres, comes later in the trip for this reason.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees in dzongs and temples, take off hats, and walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels. Photography is not allowed inside shrine rooms. Your guide explains each place before you go in. Read more in our Bhutan travel rules guide.
Visa, SDF and guide rules
Every visitor except Indian nationals needs a visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. The Sustainable Development Fee is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, with half rates for children aged 6 to 11. A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms that visitors travel with a licensed guide. We file the visa and pay the SDF for you. Read more in our Bhutan visa guide and SDF guide.
Flying into Paro
Only Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly into Paro, mainly from Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata and Singapore. Pilots land by sight between the ridges, so morning flights are the most reliable. We suggest a night in your hub city on the way in. Our flights to Bhutan page lists every route.
What to pack
Layers, a warm jacket for mornings and evenings, good walking shoes, sunscreen and clothing that covers shoulders and knees for dzongs and temples. See our Bhutan packing list.
7 day Bhutan itinerary: questions
It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.
Yes, for Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the Tiger’s Nest. With 10 days you can add Phobjikha and Bumthang.
No. Visitors travel with a licensed guide, and a Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 confirms this. We arrange the guide, visa and SDF.
It is steep but not technical. Most reasonably fit people manage it in 4 to 6 hours, and horses can take you halfway.
Yes. It is a private tour, so we can move days around for festivals, weather or flights.
Children under 6 pay no SDF and those aged 6 to 11 pay USD 50 a night.
Two to four months ahead for spring and autumn, so you get the hotels and flights you want.
Price on request
Ask for your best price
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and your budget. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this 7 day trip.
- Share your budget, we shape the trip around it
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.