Bhutan · Western Bhutan · Tour
Bhutan Cultural Highlights
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha in eight days
- Duration
- 8 days
- Group size
- 4–12
- Guaranteed at 4
- Difficulty
- Gentle · 2/5
- Highest point
- 3,120 m
- Highest night
- 2,320 m
Is this your kind of journey?
The published itinerary covers 5 of the 8 days in detail, typically 1–2.5 hours of walking a day, with 3-star hotel, twin-share accommodation. Read the day-by-day route and preparation information below to judge whether this journey suits you.
Explore fitness and preparation ↗Itinerary at a glance
8 days, day by day
Highest night 2,320 m · longest walking day 2.5 h
- Day 1Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphusleep 2,320 m
- Day 2Thimphu2.5 h walking · 4 km · sleep 2,320 m
- Day 3Thimphu to Punakha1.5 h walking · 3 km · sleep 1,250 m
- Day 4Punakha2.5 h walking · 5 km · sleep 1,250 m
- Day 5Punakha to Paro1 h walking · 2 km · sleep 2,200 m
Days 6–8 are in the itinerary PDF we send with every inquiry.
The journey
More than a destination.
A journey through Western Bhutan.
The Bhutan cultural highlights group tour covers the three western valleys where most of the kingdom's dzongs and temples stand: Thimphu's markets and the Buddha Dordenma, the Dochu La pass, Punakha dzong at the meeting of two rivers, and the Paro valley with Tiger's Nest on the final full day.
Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night is included, as are the guide, driver, hotels and every meal, which is how the kingdom requires tours to run.
- ✓Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee (USD 100 per night)
- ✓Paro airport transfers
- ✓Seven nights in 3-star hotels, twin-share
- ✓All meals
- See all inclusions and exclusions ↗
Highlights
- •Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) hike
- •Punakha dzong and the suspension bridge
- •Dochu La and its 108 chortens
- •Thimphu weekend market and Buddha Dordenma
- •Sustainable Development Fee and all meals included
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphusleep 2,320 m
The flight into Paro passes close to the Himalaya; look left for Everest and Kangchenjunga. An hour's drive to the capital.
Meals: Lunch, dinner. Overnight: 3-star hotel, twin-share.
Day 2Thimphu2.5 h walking · 4 km · sleep 2,320 m
Buddha Dordenma, the memorial chorten, the takin reserve and Tashichho dzong after 5 pm when the offices close.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: 3-star hotel, twin-share.
Day 3Thimphu to Punakha1.5 h walking · 3 km · sleep 1,250 m
Over the Dochu La (3,100 m) with its 108 chortens and, on a clear morning, the whole eastern Himalaya. Descend to Punakha via Chimi Lhakhang.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Valley hotel, twin-share.
Day 4Punakha2.5 h walking · 5 km · sleep 1,250 m
Punakha dzong at the confluence of the Pho and Mo rivers, the suspension bridge, and a walk up to Khamsum Yulley chorten through rice terraces.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Valley hotel, twin-share.
Day 5Punakha to Paro1 h walking · 2 km · sleep 2,200 m
Return over the Dochu La to Paro. Afternoon at Rinpung dzong and the national museum in the old watchtower.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: 3-star hotel, twin-share.
Full day-by-day detail for all 8 days is in the itinerary PDF we send with every inquiry.
Route and altitude
Where you walk, and how high you sleep
Route map is sent with the itinerary PDF.
- Walking days
- 4
- Distance on foot
- ~14 km
- Total ascent
- ~550 m
- Longest day
- 2.5 h
Altitude by day
Hover, tap or tab through the days for figures.
Dates & prices
| Dates | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Nov 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 | 12 seats | $2,450 | Book |
| 9 Mar 2027 – 16 Mar 2027 | 12 seats | $2,450 | Book |
| 12 Apr 2027 – 19 Apr 2027 | 12 seats | $2,450 | Book |
| 6 Oct 2027 – 13 Oct 2027 | Guaranteed | $2,450 | Book |
Prices per person, twin-share. Single room supplement $380. 25% deposit at booking; balance due 60 days before departure.
What's included
- ✓Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee (USD 100 per night)
- ✓Paro airport transfers
- ✓Seven nights in 3-star hotels, twin-share
- ✓All meals
- ✓Licensed Bhutanese guide and driver
- ✓Private vehicle
- ✓All entrance fees
Not included
- –Flights to Paro (Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines, we can book)
- –Travel insurance
- –Drinks and tips
- –Personal expenses
- –Horse for the Tiger's Nest hike (USD 25, optional)
Travel information
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November. October brings the Thimphu tshechu; spring has rhododendrons on the Dochu La. Monsoon (June–August) is green but wet.
Difficulty & fitness
Grade 2. One hike: Tiger's Nest, 4–5 hours round trip with 500 m of ascent to 3,120 m on a wide trail with a cafeteria halfway. Otherwise short walks at sites.
Accessibility & dietary needs
Bhutanese meals are vegetable-heavy; vegetarian and vegan are easy, gluten-free with notice. Hotels have ground-floor rooms. Tiger's Nest is optional; a horse can carry you to the cafeteria.
Health & safety
Maximum altitude is 3,120 m on the Tiger's Nest hike and 3,100 m at Dochu La; altitude sickness is rare. Roads are winding; anyone prone to motion sickness should bring medication. Tap water is not drinkable; bottled and boiled water is provided.
Local etiquette
Dzongs require long trousers and covered shoulders; remove hats. Walk clockwise around chortens. Photography is not allowed inside temples. Smoking is heavily restricted in Bhutan.
Travel documents & permits
Passport valid six months. We apply for the Bhutan visa from your passport scan 30 days before; it is issued as a letter you show at Paro airport and stamped on arrival.
Packing list
Everything we recommend bringing for this trip.
- Layers for cool mornings and warm afternoons
- Rain jacket
- Trainers or light hiking shoes for Tiger's Nest
- Long trousers and covered shoulders for dzongs
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Daypack
- Water bottle
- Passport with six months validity
Questions about this trip
Is the Sustainable Development Fee included in the Bhutan Cultural Highlights tour?
Yes. The USD 100 per person per night fee is included in the price, along with the visa, guide, driver, hotels and all meals, as Bhutan requires for group tours.
How hard is the Tiger's Nest hike on this Bhutan tour?
Four to five hours round trip on a wide trail with 500 m of ascent to 3,120 m. There is a cafeteria at the halfway point, and a horse can be hired for the first half. Most travellers in reasonable health manage it.
How do I fly to Paro for the Bhutan group tour?
Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines fly from Kathmandu, Delhi, Bangkok, Singapore and Kolkata. Seats are limited; we can book them for you when you confirm the departure.
What are the hotels like on the Bhutan cultural tour?
Comfortable 3-star properties approved by Bhutan's tourism department, with private bathrooms and heating. An upgrade to 4- or 5-star hotels is available on request at a per-night supplement.
Can I see a festival on the Bhutan Cultural Highlights tour?
The October departure is timed for the Thimphu tshechu and the March departure for Paro tshechu. Exact festival dates follow the lunar calendar and are confirmed when the departure opens.
What should I wear to visit dzongs in Bhutan?
Long trousers or a long skirt, covered shoulders and no hats inside. Your guide will tell you when to remove shoes. Bhutanese dress is not required for visitors.
Reviews
★★★★★
Every day had something
Punakha dzong in the morning light and the Tiger's Nest on the last day. Our guide Kinley's knowledge of the Buddhist stories made it come alive.
★★★★★
Effortless
Everything from visa to meals was arranged; we just showed up at Paro. Ten in the group, good mix of ages.
Talk to the person who runs this trip
Our Kathmandu team
Questions about fitness, dates or rooming? Our Kathmandu team answers Sunday to Friday, 9am to 6pm Nepal time.
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