Luxury Bhutan tour · 7 days, 6 nights

Bhutan Helicopter Adventure: Laya, Punakha and Paro

Seven days with two scenic helicopter flights, one to the high village of Laya and one over the Punakha and Paro valleys, with nights at COMO Uma Paro and Punakha.

Helicopter flights

3,800 m

Laya village

7 days

6 nights in two lodges

Private

Guide, car and pilot

Trip overview

See Bhutan from the air, then on foot

Bhutan’s mountains are steep and its roads are slow, so a helicopter opens up places most visitors never reach in a short trip. The trip uses two flights with Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services, the national operator based in Paro. The first takes you north to Laya, a village of yak herders at about 3,800 metres that is normally several days’ walk from the nearest road. The second gives you an aerial view of the valleys on the way back to Paro.

The rest of the week is spent on the ground with a private guide: Paro’s dzong and museum, a day in the Punakha valley, and the Tiger’s Nest hike at the end. You stay at COMO Uma Paro and COMO Uma Punakha. Flights depend on weather, so we build in flexibility and always have a ground plan ready.

Highlights

What makes this trip special

Flight to Laya

Over forested gorges and high ridges to a village of yak herders.

Layap culture

Women in conical bamboo hats and wool, and a way of life tied to yaks.

Aerial views

Snow peaks, glaciers and dzongs seen from a few hundred metres up.

COMO Uma lodges

Spa time in Paro and Punakha between flights.

Punakha Dzong

The 1637 fortress at the meeting of two rivers.

Tiger's Nest

The cliff-top monastery to finish the week.

Itinerary at a glance

Seven days, two flights

Flight days are planned for the morning, when the air is clearest. If weather stops a flight, we move it or switch to the road.

Day 1: Arrive in Paro

Land in Paro, check in to COMO Uma Paro, Kyichu Lhakhang in the afternoon.

Day 2: Paro valley

Zuri Dzong walk, National Museum, Rinpung Dzong and Nyamai Zam.

Day 3: Fly to Laya

Scenic helicopter flight to Laya, time in the village, on to COMO Uma Punakha.

Day 4: Punakha valley

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal walk, Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

Day 5: Fly to Paro

Scenic helicopter flight from Punakha to Paro, afternoon free.

Day 6: Tiger's Nest

The hike to Paro Taktsang and a farewell dinner.

Day 7: Fly out

Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight.

Day 1

Arrive in Paro

You land at Paro, and the COMO Uma Paro team and your guide meet you outside arrivals for the ten-minute drive to the lodge. After lunch, we keep the afternoon gentle so you can adjust to the altitude of about 2,200 metres.

A short visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and a walk through Paro town is enough for the first day. In the evening your guide runs through the plan for the week, including the helicopter flights and the weather back-ups.

Day 2

A day in the Paro valley

A morning walk through pine forest above the lodge leads to Zuri Dzong, a small fortress-temple with wide views over the valley and the airport runway. From there the path continues to the Ta Dzong, the round watchtower that holds the National Museum.

We walk down to Rinpung Dzong, built in the 1640s, and leave across Nyamai Zam, the covered wooden bridge. In the afternoon, if there is time, we drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, the old fortress that guarded the route to Tibet, with Mount Jomolhari behind it on a clear day.

Day 3

Fly to Laya, a village of yak herders

This is the day the trip is built around. In the morning you fly north with Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services over forested gorges and high ridges to Laya, at about 3,800 metres. Laya is home to the Layap, highland herders known for the conical bamboo hats and wool clothing worn by the women. Most visitors reach it on a trek of several days.

With your guide you walk through the village, visit a home for butter tea and learn how families live with their yaks through the year. Because of the altitude we keep the visit to a few hours. The helicopter then takes you south to the Punakha valley, about 2,500 metres lower, and you drive the last stretch to COMO Uma Punakha.

Day 4

A day in the Punakha valley

After a day at altitude, Punakha’s warm valley floor at about 1,200 metres feels easy. A morning walk through rice terraces leads to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by the Queen Mother and consecrated in 1999, with a view along the valley.

In the afternoon you visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet, then walk through fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman. The evening is at the lodge, with time for the COMO Shambhala spa.

Day 5

A scenic flight back to Paro

Instead of the four-hour drive, you fly back to Paro. On a clear morning the route shows the high peaks to the north, the 108 chortens of Dochula from above, and the Thimphu and Paro valleys laid out below. It is the best way to understand how Bhutan’s valleys sit side by side, divided by high ridges.

You land in Paro before lunch, and the afternoon is free for the spa or a gentle walk. If the weather stops the flight, we drive over Dochula instead, with a stop at Simtokha Dzong.

Day 6

Hike to the Tiger's Nest

We start early for Paro Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, on a cliff at about 3,120 metres. After Laya earlier in the week, the altitude will feel easy. The path climbs to the café viewpoint in about 1.5 hours and reaches the monastery after another hour. Most guests take 4 to 6 hours for the round trip, and horses can carry you to the café.

Back at the lodge, there is time for a massage before a farewell dinner. If you would like, we can arrange a hot stone bath in a farmhouse instead.

Day 7

Farewell to Bhutan

Your guide and driver take you to Paro airport, ten minutes from the lodge. Morning flights are the most reliable, and we leave a buffer for your onward connection.

Helicopters can also reach Bumthang, Gangtey and the remote east. If you would like a longer flying trip, ask us and we will plan one with the operator.

Where you stay

Two COMO lodges between the flights

We use COMO Uma for this trip because both lodges are close to the helipads we use.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1 to 2	Paro	COMO Uma Paro	Hillside lodge near Paro airport
3 to 4	Punakha	COMO Uma Punakha	Small lodge above the Mo Chhu
5 to 6	Paro	COMO Uma Paro	Close to the Tiger's Nest trailhead

Six Senses or Amankora can replace COMO Uma if you prefer. Ask us for both prices.

What the price covers

Included and not included

Included

Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night
Hotels as listed, or similar if one is full, in the room type you choose
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, museums and the Tiger's Nest
Bottled water in the car
Two scenic helicopter flights with Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services, as described

Not included

International flights into and out of Paro (we can book them for you)
Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
Spa treatments, drinks from the bar and room service
Tips for your guide and driver
Anything not listed under included
Extra flight time beyond the two flights described

Price on request

Tell us your budget and we will send our best price

Helicopter trips are priced on flight time, the number of passengers and your lodge choice, so we don’t publish a fixed figure. Tell us your dates, group size and budget. We will confirm flight options with the operator and reply with our best price.

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

COMO Uma rooms and suites vary by season. Helicopter cost is shared by everyone on board, so groups of three or four get much better 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 a helicopter trip in Bhutan

Weather and flights

Helicopters in Bhutan fly by sight, so cloud and wind decide each day. October to December gives the most reliable flying, with March to May close behind. We schedule flights for mornings and always keep a road plan ready. If a flight cannot run, we discuss options with you, including moving it to another day.

Weight and luggage

Helicopter seats are limited and the operator sets weight limits for passengers and bags. Bring a small soft bag for flight days; your main luggage travels by road with the driver.

Altitude at Laya

Laya sits at about 3,800 metres, and you arrive by air without walking up, so the altitude can be felt quickly. We keep the visit short, walk slowly and descend to Punakha the same day. Tell us about any heart or lung conditions when you book.

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.

Bhutan Helicopter Adventure: questions

How much does a helicopter tour in Bhutan cost?

It depends on flight time, the number of passengers sharing the helicopter, your lodges and dates. Tell us your budget and group size and we will reply with our best price.

Who operates helicopter flights in Bhutan?

Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services, the national operator, based in Paro. We book the flights with them for you.

What happens if the weather is bad?

We move the flight to another day if possible, or follow the road plan. We discuss the options with you before anything is changed.

Is Laya high altitude?

Yes, about 3,800 metres. We keep the visit to a few hours and fly down to Punakha the same day.

How much luggage can we take on the helicopter?

Only a small bag. The operator sets weight limits, and your main luggage goes by road.

Can we add more flights?

Yes. Flights to Bumthang, Gangtey or the east can be added. Ask us for options.

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Price on request

Ask for your best price

Tell us your dates, group size and budget. We will check helicopter options with the operator and reply with our best price.

Free trip planning enquiry

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.