Bhutan Travel Itinerary One Week
Bhutan, nestled in the Himalayas, is a captivating and remote destination. Although traveling there can be challenging, the journey is well worth it for those seeking an extraordinary adventure. I recently spent a week exploring Bhutan and cherished every minute of the experience.
Typically, visitors to Bhutan Travel Itinerary stay for 5 to 7 days, which allows ample time to explore many of the country’s main attractions. However, it’s likely you’ll still feel reluctant to leave.
Bhutan offers a rich blend of culture and natural beauty, remaining untouched by mass tourism. Even popular spots such as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery keep a genuine and intimate atmosphere, free from the usual crowds.
In this travel blog, I’ll outline my perfect Bhutan Travel itinerary and highlight some top activities for a one-week visit. This itinerary closely mirrors the one I followed, with enhancements based on my personal experiences.
Best Bhutan Travel Itinerary Tour Company
For visitors from most countries, traveling to Bhutan requires a visa, and a tour arranged through a local Bhutanese tour operator. There is a daily fee of $100 USD per person, a policy implemented by the Bhutanese government to promote high-quality tourism rather than mass tourism.
I traveled to Bhutan with a tour company I found in GetYourGuide, and the experience was excellent. I would gladly recommend them to others. The company’s owner, teasing, help design an ideal 7-day itinerary, which included a visit to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and many other impressive locations throughout Bhutan.
My private guide, L. Dorji, was exceptional and incredibly supportive throughout the journey. He generously offered to carry my heavy backpack and assisted with switching camera lenses while I was photographing.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 1: Paro Acclimatization
• Ta Dzong
Welcome to Bhutan Travel Itinerary After your flight to Paro, you might feel weary. Begin your itinerary with a relaxed visit to Ta Dzong, which is just a 20-minute drive from the airport.
This uniquely shaped cylindrical structure is a 17th-century watchtower that now functions as Bhutan’s national museum. It houses an array of Bhutanese paintings, statues, weapons, and various artifacts.
Personally, the highlight for me was admiring the exterior of the building and enjoying the stunning views of the valley below.
• Paro Dzong
For many visitors, Paro Dzong will be your initial encounter with a Bhutanese fortress-monastery, known locally as a ‘doing.’ These structures are akin to castles in Bhutan Travel Itinerary.
Also referred to as running Dzong, this is the principal fortress and monastery in Paro, constructed in the 17th century with a commanding view of the river and valley.
Both the exterior walls and the interior courtyard are striking, and be sure to check out the large beehives suspended from the windows!
You can explore this fortress in about 30 minutes, but it’s definitely worth a visit. The best photo opportunity is on the approach path leading to it.
• Kyichu Lhakhang
Keichū Lhakhang is a historic Buddhist temple from the 7th century, making it one of Bhutan’s oldest temples.
Located just a 10-minute drive north of Park Town, it’s a convenient visit even for those with limited time.
• Archery Match
Archery has been Bhutan Travel Itinerary national sport since 1971, and locals frequently practice their bow and arrow skills. Watching an archery match can be quite entertaining, as many participants are highly skilled.
Although I skipped it because of fatigue and wanting to conserve energy for other activities, I later had the chance to see some archery matches from a distance while exploring the Bhutanese countryside.
You’ll have many opportunities to experience archery during your travels in Bhutan.
• Paro Town
If you have some energy left, you can spend the rest of the day exploring Park Town and browsing for souvenirs. The main street is lined with shops offering a variety of Bhutanese crafts, as well as typical items like shirts, fridge magnets, and more.
• Overnight In Paro
Spend the night in Paro, at an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters (7,200 feet). I stayed at Hotel clothing, a historic 3-star hotel perched on a hill, nestled among pine forests and offering a view of the Park Valley. Although the hotel is dated, its location is lovely.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 2: Thimphu
• Drive To Thimphu
After breakfast, you’ll head to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan Travel Itinerary. Although the distance between Paro and Thimphu is just 45 kilometers, the journey takes 60-90 minutes because of the winding mountain roads.
During the drive, you’ll see Tachov Lhakhang, a monastery situated across the river, as well as an old iron suspension bridge. Your guide can stop briefly for you to take photos of these sights before proceeding to Thimphu.
• Taschichho Dzong
Tashichho Dzong is a massive fortress-monastery that also functions as the administrative center of Thimphu.
I was fortunate to visit Bhutan during the annual toothache festival, typically held in Thimphu in late September or early October. This allowed me to witness the traditional mask dances, surrounded by thousands of locals dressed in vibrant national attire.
It was an incredibly captivating experience and one of the standout moments of my trip to Bhutan Travel Itinerary!
• Cheri Monastery
The Cheri Monastery hike is a pleasant excursion into the forest near Thimphu, where you can encounter local wildlife and visit a 17th-century monastery nestled on the hillside.r pace, and slightly less time to descend. While mostly uphill, it’s easier than the renowned Tiger’s Nest hike, making it manageable for most people.
During the hike, we spotted birds, mountain goats, and langur monkeys. My guide mentioned tigers could sometimes be heard roaring in the distance in the 1980s, and Himalayan black bears were occasionally seen in the area, as it borders Jigme Dorji National Park.
• Overnight In Thimphu
Spend the night in Thimphu, at an elevation of around 2,300 meters (7,500 feet). I stayed at Kisa Villa, a 3-star hotel with a garden and close-up views of Tashichho Dzong. The doing is beautifully illuminated at night.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 3: against Valley
• Dochula Pass & Drukwangyel
Day three starts with the drive from Thimphu to Phobjikha, which takes around 3 hours because of the winding roads typical of Bhutan. However, the journey offers plenty of scenic beauty to enjoy.
About 45 minutes into the drive, you’ll stop at Dochula Pass, at an altitude of 3,150 meters (10,335 feet). Morning is the ideal time to visit this spot.
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On a clear day, you can enjoy stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, including Gangshar pains, Bhutan’s highest mountain and the tallest unclimbed peak in the world.
Dochula Pass is also home to a monastery with 108 stupas, built to commemorate 100 years of the Bhutanese monarchy. Although the weather was cloudy during my visit, we still caught glimpses of the distant mountains.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 4: Punakha & Wangdue
• Punakha Dzong
After breakfast, you’ll embark on a 2-hour drive from Phobjikha to Punakha, heading back west in the direction you came from earlier.
Your first stop in Punakha should be the Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan Travel Itinerary oldest and largest fortresses. The iconic view of the dzong from across the Mo Chu river is a classic Bhutanese image.
You can explore the interior of the dzong and stroll through the courtyard, which features many intricate details, including a striking gold door. Overall, I found it to be the most impressive dzong I visited in Bhutan Travel Itinerary.
Punakha is situated at a lower altitude of around 1,200 meters (about 4,000 feet), making it warmer than other places you’ve visited in Bhutan Travel Itinerary.
During my visit in September, the weather was quite warm, and I even considered taking a dip in the river to cool off!
• Chimi Lhakhang
Chimi Lhakhang is one of the most unusual temples in Bhutan. Known as a fertility temple, it features phallic symbols and other sexual imagery, established by the 15th-century ‘divine madman.’
Couples who cannot conceive often visit to pray for a child. Inside the temple, there’s a unique tradition where visitors receive a blessing by being tapped on the head with a wooden phallus.
The temple is on a hill, requiring a short hike of about 15 to 30 minutes to reach it, making it somewhat more challenging to access compared to some other Bhutan Travel Itinerary temples.
• Pho Chu River Bridge
One of the top attractions in the Punakha region is the bridge spanning the Pho Chu river, which holds the title of Bhutan Travel Itinerary longest suspension bridge!
You can traverse the entire 200-meter span, enjoying spectacular views of the valley and the stunning turquoise glacier waters of the Pho Chu river along the way.
• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
My favorite view in the Punakha area was at our final stop of the day, a hike up to a stupa nestled in the mountains. This stupa, known as Khamsom Yulley Namgyal Chorten, has a name that’s quite a mouthful.
The hike to the stupa takes about an hour and is all uphill. Along the way, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of rice terraces and the Punakha valley. At the top, you’ll find a 30-meter-tall stupa and breathtaking mountain vistas.
If you’re reasonably fit and enjoy a bit of hiking, this location should definitely be included in your Bhutan itinerary. It’s one of the country’s top experiences!
Bhutan Itinerary Day 5: Revisiting Thimphu
• Buddha Dordenma
After breakfast, head back to Thimphu by driving over Chile Pass once more. The journey from Punakha to Thimphu will take approximately 2 hours. Welcome back to the capital!
Begin your fifth day of exploration in Bhutan Travel Itinerary with a visit to the massive golden Buddha statue perched on a hill overlooking Thimphu valley. This statue is one of Bhutan Travel Itinerary most iconic landmarks.
Known as the Buddha Dordenma, this statue stands at 52 meters (169 feet) tall, making it one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. The statue, which cost over $100 million USD, was constructed to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bhutan Travel Itinerary fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
• Sangay-gang Viewpoint
On your way to the Takin Preserve, take a brief detour to the Sangay-gang viewpoint for a great aerial view of Thimphu city.
After a 20-minute drive up the mountain, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Thimphu below. There are also nature trails available if you wish to extend your visit and explore further.
• Motithang Royal Takin Preserve
The Takin, Bhutan Travel Itinerary national animal, is a fascinating creature I was unfamiliar with before my trip. It resembles a blend between a goat and a buffalo.
The Takin Preserve near Thimphu is home to nearly two dozen takins, as well as a few sambar and barking deer. A metal walkway encircles the sanctuary, providing excellent vantage points for viewing and photographing the animals.
In Bhutan, the Takin is a protected species and is rarely seen in the wild, except in places like Jigme Dorji National Park. The preserve offers a chance to observe and photograph these unique animals up close while allowing them ample space to move about naturally.
• National Memorial Stupa
Following our visit to the Takin Preserve, we made a brief stop at the National Memorial Stupa, in the heart of Thimphu.
Constructed in 1974 to honor Bhutan Travel Itinerary third king, this white stupa is a significant site where elderly Buddhist devotees come to walk around it in a clockwise direction while reciting prayers.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 6: Tiger’s Nest Monastery
• Drive to Paro
On your sixth day in Bhutan Travel Itinerary, it’s time to return to Paro, where your journey began. After breakfast, you’ll drive about 1.5 hours back to Paro, and then continue a short distance beyond the town to start the hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
• Tiger’s Nest Hike
The time has come for the highlight of your Bhutan Travel Itinerary: the Tiger’s Nest Monastery!
Many tours schedule this trek for the end of the trip because it’s such a remarkable site and because acclimating to the altitude beforehand makes the hike more manageable.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a stunning 17th-century structure that precariously clings to the edge of a dramatic 900-meter cliff. Its almost surreal appearance makes it Bhutan’s most famous and photogenic location.
This hike is not only a standout experience in Bhutan but is also considered one of the most spectacular day hikes globally.
You’ll need an entire day to visit the Tiger’s Nest, as the hike takes approximately 4 to 8 hours, not including time for photos and exploring the temple’s interior.
There’s a cafeteria at the halfway point where you can enjoy lunch with excellent mountain views. The overall experience is incredible.
While the hike is challenging, most individuals with average fitness levels should be able to manage it. For a detailed guide on the Tiger’s Nest hike, check out the link below.
• Hot Stone Bath (Optional)
You might enjoy an optional hot stone bath. This traditional experience involves heating river rocks over a fire and placing them in a wooden tub with herbs.
It’s a fantastic way to relax and unwind after a day of hiking to the Tiger’s Nest.
• Overnight in Paro
For your final night in Bhutan Travel Itinerary return to Paro and unwind at hotel clothing. This spot was one of my favorites, offering a chance to relax and take in the views.
Bhutan Itinerary Day 7: Paro Farewell
• Dzongdrakha Monastery (Optional)
On your final day in Bhutan Travel Itinerary, if you have some extra time and energy, consider adding an activity before you depart. For example, my flight back to Bangkok with Druk Air was at 4:20 PM, which allowed me some extra time.
One intriguing option near Paro is Dzongdrakha Monastery. This Cliffside monastery is reminiscent of the Tiger’s Nest, but involves a shorter and less strenuous hike. It’s less frequented by tourists, so you might enjoy a more solitary visit.
Note that most tour packages in Bhutan Travel Itinerary don’t include such activities on the last day, so you might incur an additional charge if you wish to include this in your itinerary.
• Go To Airport
After a fantastic 7 days in Bhutan Travel Itinerary, my driver and guide took me to the airport, marking the end of my trip. Leaving Bhutan was bittersweet; it had been a truly unique experience, and I was sorry to go.
