Bhutan Discovery 6N is a slower route through western Bhutan: two nights in Thimphu, one each in Punakha and Phobjikha Valley, and two in Paro. It suits couples, friends and first-time visitors who want more than the Paro-Thimphu basics, without a long road trip to the east.
You see Thimphu's dzong, markets and Buddha Dordenma, cross Dochula Pass and visit Punakha Dzong. Phobjikha Valley adds Gangtey Monastery and open glacial landscapes. Tiger's Nest gets its own day in Paro, which matches what travellers report. Read the Bhutan travel guide and things to do in Bhutan to plan extras.
Everything on the ground moves by private SUV with driver, with breakfast and dinner daily, airport transfers and visa and entry permit assistance included. Flights, lunches, unlisted entry fees and travel insurance are extra. If you have ten days, ask us about adding Bumthang.
Your trip expert can stretch, shorten or swap any day.
Land at Paro International Airport and meet your driver. The drive to Thimphu is about 50 km and normally takes one to one and a half hours, depending on traffic and weather. Check in and rest. Do not plan Tiger's Nest today, because altitude and travel tiredness make a quiet first evening wiser.
Explore Bhutan's capital, where Tashichho Dzong, craft markets and Buddha Dordenma sit alongside national institutions. Your driver groups the stops by area, which avoids repeated cross-town driving. Leave time to browse the craft markets for textiles and handicrafts, and keep the evening free.
Drive over Dochula Pass, known for its memorial chortens and Himalayan views. Cloud can hide the panorama, so stay flexible. Continue to Punakha and settle in. The riverside setting is a gentle place to rest after the road, and the evening is free.
Visit Punakha Dzong, the former seat of government and one of Bhutan's most photogenic fortresses. Then continue to Phobjikha Valley, a quiet glacial valley with broad landscapes. Road journeys take substantial time, so we plan an early start. The valley is colder than western Bhutan, so keep warm layers handy.
Spend the morning around Gangtey Monastery and the valley's open landscapes. In winter, the valley is habitat for black-necked cranes. After lunch, begin the long drive to Paro. Your driver sets the pace and stops as needed. Check in at your Paro hotel and rest.
Spend the day on the hike to Tiger's Nest, Bhutan's most iconic cliffside monastery. The hike is demanding and steep, so start early, wear sturdy shoes and go at your own pace. We keep this day separate from travel, so you have time to recover and rest.
Enjoy breakfast and check out. Your driver takes you to Paro International Airport for departure. Flights from Paro are weather-sensitive, so avoid booking a tight onward connection on the same day. Allow generous time for check-in and security.
Flights are not included.
Indian nationals need no visa, but an entry permit and the nightly Sustainable Development Fee apply. Your written quote states how the fee is handled.
Road journeys between valleys take substantial time. Phobjikha and Punakha days are the longest, so do not add extra stops.
Tiger's Nest is a demanding hike. It has its own day and is never scheduled on arrival day.
Phobjikha Valley is colder than western Bhutan, so pack warm layers even in mild autumn.
Black-necked cranes use Phobjikha Valley in winter. Cloud can hide the view at Dochula Pass at any time.
Breakfast and dinner at the hotel are included. Lunches are extra.
Flights are not included and are booked separately. Paro flights are weather-sensitive, so leave a buffer before onward connections.
Travel in March to May or October to November for the clearest weather. Book early, because rooms and flights are limited.
FAQs
What travellers ask about this trip. Your trip expert can answer anything else.
Six nights covers western Bhutan well: Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley and Paro, with a full Tiger's Nest day. It does not reach Bumthang, which suits seven days or longer because road travel takes significant time.
Six nights in comfort-category hotels on twin sharing, breakfast and dinner daily, private airport transfers, sightseeing by private SUV with driver, and visa and entry permit assistance. Flights, lunches, unlisted entry fees and insurance are not included.
It is a demanding, steep hike. Travellers advise against doing it right after landing because of altitude and travel tiredness. A separate day also leaves room for weather changes and a proper rest afterwards.
Many travellers value it for Gangtey Monastery, broad landscapes and quiet. In winter it is habitat for black-necked cranes. It is also colder than western Bhutan, and the drive takes substantial time.
No. Our packages are land-only, so flights are booked separately. Paro is served by direct flights from Delhi and Kolkata, and usually through a connection from other Indian cities. Planners can suggest timings.
No visa is needed for Indian nationals, but an entry permit using a valid passport or voter ID is required. A nightly Sustainable Development Fee also applies. We assist with the permit, and you can read our visa guide.
More ideas
Thimphu 2N · Punakha 1N · Paro 2N
Thimphu 2N · Punakha 1N · Paro 3N
*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
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