- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Tour from India · 7 days, 6 nights
7 Day Bhutan Tour from India via Phuentsholing: Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
Enter Bhutan by road from Jaigaon to Phuentsholing, then drive up to Thimphu, cross Dochula to Punakha and finish in Paro with the Tiger’s Nest. No visa for Indian citizens, and we handle every permit.
- 7 days, 6 nights
- Pick up from Bagdogra, NJP or Hasimara
- No visa for Indian citizens
INR 1,200
SDF per adult per night
0
Visa needed for Indian citizens
4
Valleys: Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro
Private
Guide and car
Trip overview
The road route from India
Indian visitors make up most of Bhutan’s tourists, and many come by road. You cross from Jaigaon in West Bengal to Phuentsholing through the Bhutan Gate, a few steps that take you from a busy Indian town into a quiet, orderly one. Indian citizens need no visa. You enter with a valid passport or Voter ID card, get an entry permit at the immigration office, and pay a Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1,200 per adult per night.
This trip is built for Indian families and friends travelling together. We collect you from Bagdogra airport, New Jalpaiguri station or Hasimara station, handle the permits in Phuentsholing, and drive you up through the hills to Thimphu. From there you cross Dochula to Punakha, then end in Paro with the hike to the Tiger’s Nest. Food is easy: Indian vegetarian meals are available almost everywhere on this route.
Since April 2026, the Department of Tourism has required all tourists to travel with a licensed guide. Our guides speak Hindi and English, and they take care of route permits, checkpoints and the small rules that can trip up first-time visitors.
- We handle the entry permit and route permits
- Hindi and English speaking guide
- Indian vegetarian food available throughout
Highlights
Highlights on the road route
Bhutan Gate
The colourful gate between Jaigaon and Phuentsholing.
Kharbandi Goemba
A monastery above Phuentsholing with views over the plains.
Buddha Dordenma
The giant seated Buddha above Thimphu.
Dochula
108 chortens on the pass to Punakha.
Punakha Dzong
Bhutan's most beautiful fortress.
Tiger's Nest
The cliff monastery above Paro.
Itinerary at a glance
Seven days by road
Immigration offices work on government working days, so we plan your entry for a weekday.
Day 1: To Phuentsholing
Pick up in Bagdogra, NJP or Hasimara, drive to Jaigaon and Phuentsholing.
Day 2: To Thimphu
Entry permit at Phuentsholing, drive up past Chukha to Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu
Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, route permit.
Day 4: To Punakha
Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong, suspension bridge.
Day 5: To Paro
Chimi Lhakhang, drive to Paro, Rinpung Dzong.
Day 6: Tiger's Nest
Hike to Paro Taktsang, Kyichu Lhakhang.
Day 7: Back to India
Drive Paro to Phuentsholing, cross to Jaigaon, drop at Bagdogra, NJP or Hasimara.
Day 1
Cross into Bhutan
Our driver collects you from Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri station, about four hours from the border, or from Hasimara station, about half an hour away. You cross into Phuentsholing through the Bhutan Gate. In the afternoon you visit Kharbandi Goemba on the hill above town and the Zangdopelri temple in the centre.
- Overnight: Phuentsholing
- Drive: about 4 hours from Bagdogra or NJP
- Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 2
Permits and the road to Thimphu
In the morning your guide takes you to the immigration office in Phuentsholing for your entry permit. Bring your passport or Voter ID and two photos. Once it is issued, you drive up into the hills, about six hours with stops, past waterfalls and the Chukha Dzong viewpoint, to Thimphu at about 2,300 metres.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Drive: about 6 hours with stops
- Documents: passport or Voter ID, two photos
Day 3
A day in the capital
While your guide collects your route permit for Punakha, you visit Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten, the Folk Heritage Museum and the craft bazaar. In the late afternoon you see Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government. Thimphu has many Indian restaurants, so dinner is easy.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Permit: route permit for Punakha
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Over Dochula to Punakha
You cross Dochula at about 3,100 metres, with its 108 chortens and, on clear days, snow peaks. Then you drop into the warm Punakha valley to visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 where two rivers meet, and walk the long suspension bridge. Rafting on the Mo Chhu can be added.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Drive: about 3 hours
- Optional: rafting
Day 5
Chimi Lhakhang and on to Paro
In the morning you walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman. Then you drive to Paro, about four and a half hours. In the evening you visit Rinpung Dzong across the covered bridge and walk around Paro town.
- Overnight: Paro
- Drive: about 4.5 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Hike to the Tiger's Nest
The hike to the Tiger’s Nest takes five to six hours return. Ponies can carry you part of the way. On the way back you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. In the evening, a farewell dinner.
- Overnight: Paro
- Hike: 5 to 6 hours return
- Altitude: about 3,120 metres
Day 7
Back to the plains
After an early breakfast you drive down to Phuentsholing, about five to six hours, and cross back into Jaigaon. Our driver drops you at Hasimara station, New Jalpaiguri or Bagdogra airport. If you prefer, you can fly out of Paro instead, with direct flights to Delhi, Kolkata and other cities on set days.
- Drive: about 5 to 6 hours to the border
- Alternative: fly from Paro
- Meals: breakfast and lunch
Where you stay
Where you stay
Clean, comfortable hotels that serve Indian food.
| Nights | Place | Where you stay | Why we chose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phuentsholing | 3-star hotel | Close to the immigration office |
| 2 and 3 | Thimphu | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Central |
| 4 | Punakha | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Valley views |
| 5 and 6 | Paro | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Near the Tiger's Nest trailhead |
Jain and pure vegetarian meals can be arranged throughout. Tell us when you book.
What the price covers
Included and not included
Included
- Entry permit and route permit applications, handled by our team
- Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1,200 per adult per night (half for children aged 6 to 12)
- Hotels as listed, 3-star as standard, 4-star on request
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- A licensed guide for the whole trip, as Bhutan's rules require
- Bhutanese car with driver from Phuentsholing and back, and all transfers
- Pick up and drop at Bagdogra airport, New Jalpaiguri or Hasimara station
- Entry fees to dzongs, temples and museums
Not included
- Train or flight to Bagdogra, NJP or Hasimara
- Drinks, laundry and personal costs
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Rafting and pony hire
- 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 Bhutan tour from India.
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
Group size makes a big difference on this trip, because the car and guide are shared. Tell us how many of you are travelling.
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
Bhutan travel rules for Indian citizens
Documents you need
Indian citizens need no visa for Bhutan. Bring either a passport valid for at least six months or your original Voter ID card, plus passport-size photos. Children under 18 without a passport need their original birth certificate. Aadhaar cards and driving licences are not accepted as entry documents. These rules are set out by the Embassy of India in Thimphu.
Entry permit and route permit
Your entry permit is issued at the immigration office in Phuentsholing, or at Paro airport if you fly in. It covers Thimphu and Paro. To travel on to Punakha or anywhere else, you also need a route permit, issued in Thimphu. Your guide applies for both. Immigration offices work on government working days, so we plan your arrival in Phuentsholing for a weekday.
SDF for Indian visitors
Indian visitors pay a Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1,200 per adult per night, set by the Royal Government of Bhutan. Children aged 6 to 12 pay half, and children under 6 pay nothing. A day visit to Phuentsholing alone, inside the town’s designated zone and for less than 24 hours, does not require the SDF.
Guide rules
A Department of Tourism notice from April 2026 says all tourists must be accompanied by a licensed guide. This applies to Indian visitors too. Our guides speak Hindi and English, know the checkpoints and permits, and help with everything from food orders to temple etiquette.
Can I drive my own car?
Indian-registered vehicles can enter Bhutan with a permit from the road transport authority at the border, but the paperwork takes time and mountain roads are narrow and winding. Most guests prefer to leave the car in India and travel with our Bhutanese driver. If you want to bring your own car, tell us and we will explain the current rules.
Getting to Phuentsholing
The nearest airport is Bagdogra, about four hours away. New Jalpaiguri is the main railway junction, also about four hours away. Hasimara station is the closest, about half an hour from the border. Kolkata is an overnight train journey. We collect you from whichever you choose.
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.
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.
Bhutan tour from India: 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.
No. Indian citizens need only a valid passport or Voter ID card and an entry permit, which we arrange.
INR 1,200 per adult per night. Children aged 6 to 12 pay half, and children under 6 pay nothing.
No. Only a passport or Voter ID card is accepted for adults.
Yes. Since April 2026 all tourists must travel with a licensed guide. Ours is included.
Immigration offices issue permits on government working days, so we plan for a weekday entry.
Yes. Indian vegetarian, and Jain meals on request, are available across this route.
Yes. You can fly into or out of Paro from Delhi, Kolkata and other cities.
Price on request
Ask for your best price
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and your budget. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Bhutan tour from India.
- 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.