Travel Itinerary For Seven Days In Bhutan: Top Attractions include exploring Paro Taktsang, the sacred Tiger’s Nest Monastery, visiting the majestic Punakha Dzong, discovering the cultural highlights of Thimphu, and enjoying the stunning views from Dochula Pass. Experience Bhutan’s rich heritage and natural beauty.
Travel Itinerary For Seven Days In Bhutan: Top Attractions
In the Himalayas, Bhutan is a charming little nation that is remote. If you’re searching for a truly unique travel experience, it’s worth the effort, even though it’s undoubtedly not the easiest place to visit. I recently traveled to Bhutan for a week and had an amazing time.
An itinerary like that provides you ample time to see many of Bhutan’s main attractions, though you’ll still undoubtedly be sad to leave. Most visitors stay between five and seven days in the nation.
Bhutan is relatively undisturbed by tourists, despite having a rich and fascinating natural history. Even locations like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which is often extremely busy and touristy, feel surprisingly intimate and genuine.
I’ll outline my perfect plan for a week in Bhutan in my travel blog, along with some of the must-do activities! This is essentially my itinerary from Bhutan, with a few adjustments made in light of my personal experiences.
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For most nationalities, the only way you can visit Bhutan is with a visa and tour organized by a local Bhutanese tour company. There’s also a daily tax of $100 USD per person, which is a rule established by the Bhutanese government to try to ensure ‘quality over quantity’ tourism.
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Bhutan Itinerary Day 1: Paro Acclimatization
• Ta Dzong
Bhutan’s National Museum, located in a 17th-century watch tower, houses weapons, statues, and paintings. Visit Ta Dzong for a low-key tour and enjoy the stunning valley below.
• Paro Dzong
The Paro Dzong, a Bhutanese fortress-monastery, is a must-see for visitors. Constructed in the 17th century, it offers stunning views of the river and valley. The fortress, also known as the Rinpung Dzong, is easily explored in 30 minutes and is a popular spot for photography.
• Kyichu Lhakhang
One of Bhutan’s oldest temples, Kyichu Lhakhang is a modest Buddhist temple that was built in the seventh century.
Even if you’re pressed for time, you may easily visit this one because it’s only ten minutes’ drive north of Paro Town.
• Archery Match
Bhutan’s archery has been the official national sport since 1971, with talented individuals honing their bow and arrow techniques. Despite being tired, visitors can witness archery events from a distance during their travels through Bhutan’s countryside.
• Paro Town
You can spend the remainder of the day exploring Paro town and going souvenir shopping if you have any energy left. The main street is lined with businesses that sell a good assortment of Bhutanese crafts in addition to the typical shirts, fridge magnets, and other products.
• Overnight In Paro
Spend the night in Paro, which is located at a height of roughly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters). I slept at the Hotel Olathang, a historic three-star establishment perched a hill with views of the Paro Valley and surrounding pine trees. The site is lovely, however it seemed a touch dated.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 2: Thimphu
• Drive To Thimphu
You’ll travel to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, after breakfast. The 45-kilometer journey between Paro and Thimphu may seem short, but the twisting mountain roads make the trip take an hour or more.
Along the route, you’ll see an ancient iron suspension bridge and Tachog Lhakhang, another monastery over the river. Your guide can pause briefly so you can take pictures of it before heading on to Thimphu.
• Taschichho Dzong
The Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu serves as the government’s seat and hosts the Tshechu festival, a fascinating mask dance event with thousands of residents dressed in traditional garb, making it a highlight of my Bhutan trip.
• Cheri Monastery
The Cheri monastery climb, a pleasant detour into Thimphu’s forest, offers a 17th-century monastery and local fauna. The hike takes 45-60 minutes and is not as difficult as Tiger’s Nest. Observers can see langur monkeys, mountain goats, and birds. The location is bordered by Jigme Dorji National Park.
• Overnight In Thimphu
Spend the night in the roughly 2,300-meter (7,500-foot) high city of Thimphu. My lodging was at the Kisa Villa, a three-star hotel with a garden and close-up views of the Taschichho Dzong. Even the dzong is visible when it is lit up at night.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 3: Gangtey Valley
• Dochula Pass & Drukwangyel
On day three of Bhutan’s journey from Thimphu to Phobjikha, travelers travel through Bhutan’s zigzag roads, reaching Dochula Pass at 3,150 meters. The pass offers stunning views of snow-capped Himalayan mountains, including the world’s highest unclimbed mountain, Gangkhar Puensum. A monastery with 108 stupas is also located near the pass.
• Gangtey Monastery
Continue driving till you arrive at Phobjikha, where you may explore the vibrant 17th-century Gangtey Monastery, which has a valley view.
There were a lot of locals there when I went, and they were rehearsing their dancing techniques for another event that was coming up.
• Kwewa Village Nature Trail
The point-to-point nature walk starts from Gangtey monastery and covers moderate climbs, forest, and Phobjikha valley. The valley is home to horses and black-necked cranes from November to February.
• Black Necked Crane Center
Following your tour of the Phobjikha Valley, you can choose to go to an information center dedicated to black-necked cranes, which offers further information about the birds as well as telescopes for viewing them.
Since the black necked cranes were not in season when I went in September, I opted to forego this and relax at the hotel instead.
• Overnight In Phobjikha
Spend the night in the about 3,000-meter-high Phobjikha Valley (9,800 feet). The highest location on this Bhutan itinerary is this one.
Given its more distant position, I had anticipated the motel to be a little rough, but it was actually quite cozy. I slept at the three-star Gakiling Guest House, which had excellent meals, quick WiFi, pleasant service, and lovely views of the valley.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 4: Punakha & Wangdue
• Punakha Dzong
Drive from Phobjikha to Punakha after breakfast, making a stop at Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s oldest fortifications. The dzong is the greatest I’ve seen in Bhutan and has an amazing gold door. Punakha is warmer and more suited for lightweight clothing because of its lower altitude compared to other parts of Bhutan. I took a bath in the river in September to get away from the heat.
• Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century fertility temple in Bhutan, is a unique destination for couples without children. Built by a “divine madman,” it features phalluses and sexual motifs, and is difficult to reach due to its hilltop location.
• Pho Chu River Bridge
The bridge across the Pho Chu river, which is actually the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, is one of the greatest sites in the Punakha area.
The 200-meter bridge may be crossed on foot, and there are amazing views of the valley and the Pho Chu river’s blue glacier water on the other side.
• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
The author highlights the stunning view of the Punakha region from the top of a steep, 30-meter-tall stupa, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal, during their final day’s excursion in Bhutan. This top activity is recommended for those in good shape and interested in hiking.
• Overnight In Punakha
Spend the night at Punakha, which is located at a height of roughly 4,000 feet (1,200 meters). I stayed at Divine Heritage House, a brand-new hotel with lots of windows to let in the views of the rice terraces.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 5: Revisiting Thimphu
• Buddha Dordenma
Drive across Dochula Pass to Thimphu after breakfast; it will take approximately two hours. See the 52-meter-tall Buddha Dordenma statue, one of Bhutan’s symbols. It was constructed for Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s 60th birthday, and it cost more than $100 million USD.
• Sangay-gang Viewpoint
Visit the Sangay-gang viewpoint for a clear aerial view of Thimphu, then hike up the mountain for a 20-minute view of the city and explore nearby nature paths.
• Motithang Royal Takin Preserve
The Takin, Bhutan’s national animal, is a unique sight to behold in the Takin Preserve near Thimphu. The sanctuary houses nearly two dozen takins, sambar, and barking deer, and offers a metal walkway for close-up photography. These protected animals are rarely seen in the wild, except in Jigme Dorji National Park.
• National Memorial Stupa
We visited the National Memorial Stupa in Thimphu, a white white stupa erected in 1974 in honor of Bhutan’s third king, where elderly Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate in prayer.
• Zorig Chusum Arts & Crafts School
Bhutanese youth attend Zorig Chusum in Thimphu, learning traditional arts like calligraphy, painting, carving, sculpting, and weaving. Despite not offering sales, students watch and train in various chambers.
• Farmer’s Market
After visiting Takin Preserve, we visited Thimphu’s National Memorial Stupa, a white white stupa built in 1974 to honor Bhutan’s third king, where elderly Buddhist believers pray.
• Overnight In Thimphu
Again, spend the night in Thimphu. I was glad to be back at the comfortable Kisa Villa, where I could still enjoy the delicious meals and pleasant views outside my window of the Thimphu castle.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 6: Tiger’s Nest Monastery
• Drive To Paro
It’s time to return to the town of Paro where you began because today is your sixth day in Bhutan. Following breakfast, you will travel to Paro, which will take around 1.5 hours by car. From Paro, you will climb a short distance to reach the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
• Tiger’s Nest Hike
Visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a 17th-century masterpiece 900 meters above the ground, as the final destination on your Bhutan itinerary. This picturesque location offers a 4-8 hour hike, including time for photography and temple visits. A midway cafeteria offers stunning mountain views, making it an ideal spot for lunch. Although the hike is challenging, most fitness levels should not struggle. For more information, refer to the comprehensive guide.
• Bhutanese Cooking Class (Optional)
If you’re interested, you can take an evening cooking lesson in a farmer’s house to learn how to prepare regional foods like Ema Datshi, Kewa Datshi, and Jasha Maru.
• Hot Stone Bath (Optional)
I was also given the option of taking a hot stone bath at the end of the day, which involves heating river rocks over a fire and placing them in a wooden tub infused with herbs.
It’s a great way to wind down and relax at the end of your journey to Bhutan, particularly if you hiked to the Tiger’s Nest the previous day.
• Overnight In Paro
Remain in Paro for your final night in Bhutan, unwinding and taking in the scenery at Hotel Olathang. This was one of my favorite spots.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 7: Paro Farewell
• Dzongdrakha Monastery (Optional)
You have one day left in Bhutan. You might want to accomplish one more thing before you go if you have the time and energy left. I had some additional time to use because my Druk Air trip back to Bangkok was scheduled for 4:20 PM.
The Dzongdrakha Monastery is another noteworthy location in the Paro region that is worth seeing. This is a shorter and easier climb to a cliffside monastery that resembles the Tiger’s Nest. You may have the site to yourself because not many tourists are aware of it.
Note that adding this kind of activity to your agenda may come at an additional cost because most tour operators in Bhutan don’t include it in their packages.
• Go To Airport
My driver and guide took me to the airport after a fantastic seven days in Bhutan, where it was time to say goodbye. I was sorry to leave Bhutan because it was a unique experience.
5 Days In Bhutan Itinerary
A five-day schedule can be a reasonable compromise if you can’t stay in Bhutan for the entire seven days and still experience some of the highlights.
This is an example of a suitable five-day itinerary for Bhutan:
- Day 1. Paro acclimatization. Visit the Dzongs of Paro and Ta. Take in an archery competition, then explore Paro Town and buy some mementos.
- Day 2. Paro to Thimphu. View the Tamchog Lhakhang monastery and suspension bridge from a distance while traveling to Thimphu. When you get to Thimphu, check out the Tashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Stupa, the Buddha Dordenma statue, the farmer’s market, and any other things the city has to offer.
- Day 3. Thimphu to Punakha. See the Himalayan Alps by stopping at the Dochula Pass and touring the Drukwangyel monastery while en route to Punakha. Visit the Punakha Dzong, the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal, the Pho Chu river bridge, and Chimi Lhakhang after that.
- Day 4. Punakha to Paro. Travel back to the Paro starting place by automobile, then make your way up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang and have an evening hot stone bath if you have time afterward.
- Day 5. Leave Bhutan. This is not the day to go sightseeing unless you have additional time.
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