8 days in Bhutan Itinerary

A charming historic town with many sacred sites cradled in a verdant valley, Paro offers a scenic base to explore the important Buddhist attractions and pristine nature around it.

Start off your visit on the 17th (Tue): contemplate the long history of Drukgyel Dzong. On your second day here, see the interesting displays at National Museum, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kyichu Lhakhang, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest).

Take the guesswork out of planning a Paro vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Mumbai, India to Paro is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also do a combination of train and flight; or do a combination of bus and car. Expect much colder temperatures when traveling from Mumbai in December; daily highs in Paro reach 20°C and lows reach 1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Thu) so you can drive to Thimphu.

The kingdom's capital and most modern city, Thimphu offers a mix of ancient traditions and modern commercialism.

On the 20th (Fri), get a sense of history and politics at Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), then pause for some photo ops at Kuenselphodrang, then don't miss a visit to Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), and finally admire all the interesting features of Dochula Pass. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 21st (Sat): get the lay of the land with Walking tours, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Motithang Takin Preserve, and then make a trip to Changangkha Lhakhang.

To find more things to do, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, go to the Thimphu trip planning site .

You can drive from Paro to Thimphu in 1.5 hours. In December, daily temperatures in Thimphu can reach 20°C, while at night they dip to 1°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Sat) so you can go by car to Punakha.

The imperial past feels present in Punakha, where an impressive fortress testifies to the heyday of this former capital of Bhutan.

On the 22nd (Sun), take in the spiritual surroundings of Chimi L'hakhang Temple, take in the spiritual surroundings of Punakha Dzong, and then take in the views from Punakha Suspension Bridge. Keep things going the next day: don't miss a visit to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery and then make a trip to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

For reviews, photos, other places to visit, and tourist information, use the Punakha road trip planning tool .

Traveling by car from Thimphu to Punakha takes 2.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Mon) so you can travel back home.