Short trek · 5 days, 4 nights · 2 days on trail

Sinchula Trek: Thimphu to Punakha on Foot

A short, quiet trek over Sinchu La from the Thimphu valley to Punakha, with one night camping, village trails, the capital’s sights before and Chimi Lhakhang and Dochula after.

3,400 m

Sinchu La, about

Days on trail

Night camping

Easy to moderate

Trek grade

Trip overview

An old foot route between two valleys

Before the road over Dochula, people walked between Thimphu and Punakha on foot trails like this one. The Sinchula trek follows an old route from the northern end of the Thimphu valley over Sinchu La, at about 3,400 metres, and down through farming villages to the Punakha valley. It takes two days, with one night camping in a forest meadow, and sees very few other trekkers.

It is a good first trek: the climb is steady, the pass is not very high, and the second day is mostly downhill through villages and rice terraces. The rest of the trip covers Thimphu before the trek and Chimi Lhakhang, Dochula and Paro afterwards, so you see the main sights as well. Our crew carries the camp and cooks dinner, and you only carry a day pack.

Highlights

What you will see

Sinchu La

A forested pass at about 3,400 metres.

Farming villages

Trails through hamlets and fields on the way down.

Thimphu

Buddha Dordenma, crafts and Tashichho Dzong.

Chimi Lhakhang

The temple of the Divine Madman.

Dochula

108 chortens and Himalayan views.

Forest camp

A night in a meadow with our cook and crew.

Itinerary at a glance

Five days, two on trail

Trek times are approximate and depend on the group’s pace.

Day 1: Arrive, Thimphu

Land in Paro, drive to Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma.

Day 2: Trek to Sinchu La

Climb from the Thimphu valley to camp near Sinchu La.

Day 3: Down to Punakha

Descend through villages to the Punakha valley.

Day 4: Chimi Lhakhang, Dochula, Paro

Chimi Lhakhang, Dochula pass, drive to Paro.

Day 5: Fly out

Transfer to Paro airport.

Day 1

Arrive and see Thimphu

Your guide meets you at Paro airport for the hour’s drive to Thimphu. In the afternoon we visit Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong after office hours. In the evening, a gear check with your trek guide.

Day 2

Trek day 1: up to Sinchu La

We drive to the trailhead at the northern end of the Thimphu valley and walk up through blue pine, oak and rhododendron forest. The climb is steady, with views back over the capital. The camp is in a meadow near Sinchu La, at about 3,400 metres. The cook prepares a hot dinner while you watch the sunset.

Day 3

Trek day 2: down to Punakha

After crossing the pass, the trail drops through forest and then through farming villages and terraces towards the Punakha valley. You pass chortens, small temples and fields of rice and chillies. The car meets us at the road, and we drive to the hotel in Punakha. In the late afternoon, a visit to Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet. It was the seat of government until 1955, and the central monk body still spends the winter here. The courtyards, the tall central tower and the painted assembly hall are some of the finest in the country.

Day 4

Chimi Lhakhang and the drive to Paro

A morning walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman, then the drive over Dochula, with its 108 chortens, to Paro. In the afternoon we visit Rinpung Dzong and the covered bridge.

Day 5

Farewell to Bhutan

Your guide and driver take you to Paro airport in time for your flight. With one more day, we add the Tiger’s Nest hike before you leave.

Where you stay

Where you sleep

Three hotel nights and one night camping.

Nights	Place	Where you stay	Why we chose it
1	Thimphu	3-star or 4-star hotel	Close to the trailhead
2	Sinchu La	Tents with mattresses, dining and toilet tents	Forest meadow camp
3	Punakha	3-star or 4-star hotel	Hot shower after the trek
4	Paro	3-star or 4-star hotel	Close to the airport

Add a night in Paro for the Tiger’s Nest; we strongly recommend it.

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
Camping equipment, cook and crew for the trek night

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
Sleeping bag (we can rent one)

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 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 and group size shape the price. Groups share the crew costs.

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 the Sinchula trek

About the route

The trail between Thimphu and Punakha was once a main route for people, pack ponies and officials moving between the summer and winter seats of the government, which was based in Punakha in winter until the 1950s. Long sections now see very few walkers. On the way down you pass through small hamlets where farmers grow rice, wheat and chillies, and children often walk part of the way with you on their way to school.

Wildlife is shy here, but the forest is full of birds, and in spring the rhododendrons near the pass bloom red and pink. Camp is set in a meadow below the pass, with our cook preparing hot drinks and dinner as soon as you arrive.

What to bring

Comfortable walking boots, a waterproof jacket, a warm layer for the evening, a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. We provide tents, mattresses and all meals on the trail, and we can rent you a sleeping bag. Leave your main luggage in the car; it meets you in Punakha.

Who is this trek for?

First-time trekkers, families with older children and anyone who wants a taste of camping in Bhutan without high altitude. You should be able to walk five to six hours with a steady climb. The trail can be muddy in the monsoon, so we suggest March to May or September to November.

Make it longer

With one extra day, add the Tiger’s Nest in Paro. With three, add the Bumdra trek above Paro for a second night in the mountains.

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.

Villages and altitude

The walk down from Sinchu La to Punakha passes farming villages, with houses of rammed earth and wood and fields that step down the hillside. When a family is home, your guide can arrange a stop for butter tea in a farmhouse. Ask before you photograph people or the inside of a house, and walk clockwise around any chorten or mani wall you pass.

Thimphu sits at about 2,300 metres and the pass is higher, so the first night in Thimphu helps your body adjust. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol and tell your guide about any headache. The pace on the trail is slow and steady, with plenty of breaks.

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.

Sinchula trek: questions

How much does the Sinchula trek 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.

How hard is the Sinchula trek?

Easy to moderate, with a steady climb of about 800 metres on day one and a long descent on day two.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, for active children of about ten and over.

Do I carry my bags?

No, only a day pack. Pack animals and crew carry the rest.

Is the Tiger's Nest included?

Not in the five-day version. We recommend adding a day for it.

When is the best time?

March to May and September to November.

What do we eat on the trek?

Our cook prepares hot breakfasts, packed lunches and a cooked dinner, with Bhutanese and international dishes. Tell us about any diet or allergy when you book.

Is there phone signal on the trail?

There is signal in some places near the pass and the villages, but do not rely on it. Your guide carries a phone and knows where the coverage is.

When should we book?

Two to three months ahead.