Stopover · 3 days, 2 nights

3 Day Bhutan Stopover from Kathmandu or Bangkok: Thimphu and the Tiger's Nest

Two nights in Bhutan between flights: fly in from Kathmandu or Bangkok, see Thimphu’s dzong and giant Buddha, hike to the Tiger’s Nest, and fly on. The shortest trip that still feels like Bhutan.

Nights in Bhutan

1 h

Flight from Kathmandu

3,120 m

Tiger’s Nest

Private

Guide and car

Trip overview

A stopover worth the detour

Paro is about an hour’s flight from Kathmandu and a few hours from Bangkok, which makes Bhutan an easy side trip if you are already in the region. Two nights is the shortest stay we recommend. It gives you an afternoon and evening in Thimphu, the capital, and a full day for the Tiger’s Nest, the one sight almost everyone comes for.

The flight is part of the experience. From Kathmandu, the route runs along the Himalaya and passes some of the world’s highest peaks, including Everest and Kanchenjunga, on a clear day. From either city, the final approach into Paro winds between forested ridges before the plane touches down in the valley.

A stopover keeps costs simple: two nights of the Sustainable Development Fee, two hotel nights and a private guide and car for the whole stay. We fit the plan around your flight days, because not every route flies every day.

Highlights

What fits into two nights

The flight in

Himalayan views from Kathmandu, a valley landing in Paro.

Tashichho Dzong

Thimphu's fortress and seat of government.

Buddha Dordenma

A giant seated Buddha above the capital.

Memorial Chorten

Where locals pray and spin prayer wheels all day.

Tiger's Nest

The cliff monastery, a full day's hike.

Kyichu Lhakhang

One of Bhutan's oldest temples.

Itinerary at a glance

Three days, two nights

If your flight lands late, we swap days 1 and 2.

Day 1: Arrive, to Thimphu

Fly in from Kathmandu or Bangkok, drive to Thimphu, city sights.

Day 2: Tiger's Nest

Early drive to Paro, hike to Taktsang, Kyichu Lhakhang.

Day 3: Depart

Transfer to Paro airport.

Day 1

Fly in and see Thimphu

Fly in from Kathmandu or Bangkok. From Kathmandu, sit on the left side of the plane for the mountains. Your guide meets you at Paro airport for the hour’s drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon you visit Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong, then walk Thimphu’s main street, where a police officer still directs traffic by hand at the main crossing.

Day 2

Hike to the Tiger's Nest

An early start takes you back to Paro for the hike to the Tiger’s Nest. The trail climbs through pine forest for two to three hours to the monastery, at about 3,120 metres, built around the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated. Ponies can carry you part of the way up. On the way back you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, then spend the evening in Paro town.

Day 3

Fly on

After breakfast your guide drives you to Paro airport for your flight back to Kathmandu, Bangkok or onward.

Where you stay

Two nights in comfortable hotels.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1	Thimphu	3-star or 4-star hotel	Central
2	Paro	3-star or 4-star hotel	Close to the trailhead and airport

Luxury lodges are available on request.

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

Flights to and from 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 stopover.

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

With only two nights, flights are often the biggest cost. We can book them together with the tour.

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 a Bhutan stopover

Flights from Kathmandu and Bangkok

Drukair and Bhutan Airlines both fly between Paro and Kathmandu, and between Paro and Bangkok. Frequencies change by season and not every route flies every day, so check flight days first and build the trip around them. Some Bangkok flights stop in an Indian city on the way. We can book your flights with the tour. See our flights to Bhutan page.

Is two nights worth it?

If you are already in Nepal or Thailand, yes. You see the capital and the Tiger’s Nest, which is what most people come for. You won’t see Punakha or the central valleys. If you can stay one more night, our 4 day short tour adds Dochula pass and a slower day in Thimphu.

The mountain flight from Kathmandu

On a clear day the Kathmandu to Paro flight passes several of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest and Kanchenjunga. Flying from Kathmandu to Paro, they are on the left side of the plane. Mornings are clearest, especially from October to April.

What a stopover costs

The total is made of the visa, two nights of SDF, two hotel nights, meals, the guide and the car, plus your flights. We don’t publish one price because flights and hotels change a lot by season. Send us your dates and we will price the whole thing for you, flights included if you like.

Making the most of two nights

With so little time, the order of the days matters. If your flight lands in the morning, we go straight to Thimphu and save the Tiger’s Nest for the next day, when your legs are fresh. If it lands in the afternoon, we stay in Paro the first night and hike the next morning, then visit Thimphu in the afternoon. Either way, you leave having seen the capital and the cliff monastery, and with a feel for how quiet and unhurried Bhutan is.

Altitude on a short trip

Paro is at about 2,200 metres and the Tiger’s Nest at about 3,120. Coming straight from Bangkok at sea level, some people feel a little breathless on the first day. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol the first night and walk slowly on the trail. Serious altitude sickness is rare at these heights.

What to eat on a short visit

Try ema datshi, the national dish of chillies and cheese, or kewa datshi with potatoes if you want something milder. Momos, red rice and buckwheat noodles are easy to find. Hotels in Thimphu and Paro serve international food too. Your guide can take you to a local restaurant for lunch.

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.

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.

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.

Bhutan stopover: questions

How much does the stopover cost?

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.

Can I visit Bhutan for just two nights?

Yes. There is no minimum stay. You still need a visa, the SDF for each night and a licensed guide.

Can I see the Tiger's Nest on a stopover?

Yes. Day 2 is set aside for it.

Which airlines fly from Kathmandu and Bangkok?

Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Not every route flies daily, so we plan around flight days.

Which side of the plane is best from Kathmandu?

The left side, for Everest and the Himalaya.

Can I add Punakha?

With one more night, yes, or choose our 4 or 5 day tours.

Do I need a visa for a stopover?

Yes, every visitor except Indian nationals needs a Bhutan visa. We arrange it online for you.