Thimpu And Paro

Highlights & Route

For a short first look at Bhutan, the two western valleys are enough. This five-day programme flies into Paro, drives the hour and a half to Thimphu for two nights, then returns to Paro for two more, ending with a morning flight home. It fits a long weekend plus a day or two of leave, and it is the simplest of our Bhutan yatras in terms of logistics: one road, two towns, and a licensed guide with you from the airport.

Thimphu is unlike any other capital: a town of painted houses in a valley at about 2,300 m, with no traffic lights and a dress code for officials. The programme covers the National Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Dordenma on its hill, the Tashichho Dzong with its throne room and monastic quarters, the Folk Heritage Museum, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum where the traditional arts are taught, and the takin preserve. Paro adds the Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum in the old watchtower above it, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, and a full morning for the Taktsang hike to the monastery on its cliff.

Indian nationals need an entry permit rather than a visa, issued on arrival at Paro or online beforehand against a passport or Voter ID, and the Sustainable Development Fee of Rs 1,200 per person per night is included for all four nights. Flights to Paro are not included. The yatra suits couples, small families and older travellers who would rather fly than spend two days on the border road.

Route

Paro airport → Thimphu (2 nights) → Paro (2 nights) → Paro airport

Good to know before you book

Indian citizens enter on a permit, not a visa: passport with six months’ validity or Election Commission Voter ID, a photograph and travel insurance for the stay. The permit can be applied for online or obtained at Paro airport on arrival.
The Sustainable Development Fee for Indians is Rs 1,200 per person per night (half for children aged 6-12, nil below 6) and is included for four nights.
Flights to Paro on Drukair or Bhutan Airlines from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra or Guwahati are not included; seats are limited and fares rise close to departure.
Paro flights are weather-dependent and morning departures are the norm; keep a buffer before any onward connection in India.
October to December and March to May are the best months. Winter is cold but clear; the monsoon from June to September brings cloud.
The Tiger’s Nest hike involves about 900 m of ascent over four to five hours; ponies are available to the halfway point at extra cost.

Yatra Highlights

Thimphu's Tashichho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma and the traditional arts school
Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro
A full morning for the Tiger's Nest hike with a licensed guide

Day 1 :

Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu

Land at Paro, where the approach between forested ridges is one of the most memorable in Asia. Our guide and driver meet you outside arrivals, your arrival point (airport, railway station or hotel) at the agreed time, and complete the entry permit and SDF formalities if not done online. Drive about an hour and a half along the river to Thimphu (about 2,300 m). After check-in visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the third king and circled all day by elderly townspeople with prayer beads, then walk through the town centre and the handicraft market on Norzin Lam.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 2 :

Thimphu local darshan

A full day in the capital. Drive to Kuenselphodrang for the Buddha Dordenma, a bronze seated Buddha over 50 m tall with a view over the valley. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, a restored three-storey farmhouse showing rural life, and the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students practise the thirteen traditional arts from painting to embroidery. After lunch see the Motithang takin preserve, home of the national animal, and the Changangkha Lhakhang on its ridge. In the late afternoon, when government offices close, enter the Tashichho Dzong, the fortress-monastery housing the throne room, ministries and the summer seat of the monastic body, with its vast courtyard and gilded roofs.

Overnight: Thimphu

Day 3 :

Thimphu to Paro

Drive about 50 km down the valley to Paro (about 2,200 m), an hour and a half, stopping at Chojum where the two rivers meet. Visit the Rinpung Dzong, the fortress-monastery above the Paro river reached by a traditional covered bridge, and climb to the round Ta Dzong watchtower that houses the National Museum, with thangkas, masks, arms and a gallery of Bhutan's natural history. Continue to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country, dating to the 7th century, with orange trees that fruit all year in its courtyard. Evening in Paro town's main street of carved shopfronts.

Overnight: Paro

Day 4 :

Tiger's Nest hike

An early start for Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest. The trail climbs about 900 m through pine forest to a cafeteria at the halfway viewpoint, then on to a point level with the monastery before a descent and ascent of several hundred stone steps past a waterfall to the gate. The monastery, at roughly 3,120 m, is built around the cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in the 8th century. Allow four to five hours round trip; ponies can be hired to the halfway point at extra cost. Afternoon free to rest, visit the Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang or take an optional hot-stone bath at a farmhouse. Farewell dinner.

Overnight: Paro

Day 5 :

Departure

Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Paro International Airport, your departure point (airport, railway station or hotel), for your morning flight.

Overnight: Not applicable (departure day)

Night	Place	Hotel (or similar)	Room type
1	Thimphu	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
2	Thimphu	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
3	Paro	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis
4	Paro	Hotel confirmed at booking	Standard room, sharing basis

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand all

Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?

No visa, but a compulsory entry permit. It is issued against a passport valid for six months or a Voter ID, a photograph and proof of travel insurance, either online in advance or at Paro airport on arrival. We prepare the application for you.

Is the SDF included in the price?

Yes. Indian nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of Rs 1,200 per person per night, with a 50 percent concession for children aged 6-12 and no fee under 6. All four nights are included.

Which cities have flights to Paro?

Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra and Guwahati, with occasional services from other cities. Fares are not included because they vary widely; we can book them at cost on request.

Is four nights enough?

For Thimphu and Paro, yes: the main monuments of both towns and the Tiger’s Nest hike fit comfortably. Punakha and the Dochula pass need at least one more night; see our longer Bhutan yatras if you want them.

When is the best time to visit?

October to December for clear skies, and March to May for spring blossom and the Paro Tsechu festival. January-February is cold but dry. The monsoon from June to September brings cloud and flight disruption.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Hotel buffets include rice, dal, vegetables and Bhutanese dishes such as ema datshi; vegetarian and Jain meals are arranged with advance notice.

Can we skip the Tiger's Nest?

Of course. The guide can take you to the halfway cafeteria for the view, or spend the morning at Drukgyel Dzong ruins and Paro’s farmhouses instead.

Do we need travel insurance for this Bhutan package?

Yes. Indian citizens enter Bhutan on a permit rather than a visa, and travel insurance covering the stay is required for that permit, along with a passport or Voter ID and a photograph. The insurance is not included in the package price, so please buy it before travel and carry a copy. It also helps on the Tiger’s Nest day, which climbs about 900 m.

Yatra	Duration	Starts from	Price
Thimpu And Paro (this page)	5 days / 4 nights	Paro	From ₹40,000
Amazing Bhutan	8 days / 7 nights	Paro	From ₹62,000
Amazing Bhutan Tour	7 days / 6 nights	Bagdogra	On request
Authentic Bhutan	6 days / 5 nights	Bagdogra	On request
Bali Spiritual & Temple Retreat	6 days / 5 nights	Denpasar (Bali)	On request
Bali Spiritual Journey	4 days / 3 nights	Denpasar (Bali)	On request
Cambodia Angkor Mandir Yatra	6 days / 5 nights	Siem Reap	From ₹50,000
Divine Sri Lanka: Ramayana Circuit with Leisure	8 days / 7 nights	Colombo	From ₹60,000

Highlights & Route

Route

Good to know before you book

Yatra Highlights

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included

Not included

Hotels

Documents & Fitness

Documents to carry

Fitness and health

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

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