Bhutan Itinerary– After coming from Bhutan, I would certainly say that Bhutan is the Land Of The Thunder Dragon and The happiest place on Earth. Readout my below Bhutan tour itinerary & save money.
I updated the post with the latest mandatory fee for Indian to Bhutan starting July 2020, also we are going to Bhutan in a group tour. Interested?
WHY AM I SHARING MY BHUTAN ITINERARY?
Because I want you to experience Bhutan in the way it should be & not confined to useless package that feels more to travel with certain conditions & boundaries. Please take a moment and read on my day to day break up and the cost of traveling in Bhutan.
Either you can follow my suggested trail or build your own or even better feel free to contact me for any clarification you need & it’s FREE! I also organize group trips for the authentic travel experience. Don’t forget to join our exclusive Facebook group for all updates by clicking on the icon
BHUTAN PERMIT FEE FOR INDIAN [UPDATED]
As per the latest news, the Bhutan government is going to end the free travel for Indian passport holders. Add Rs 1,200 per day to your trip (for adults) and Rs 600/- per day for kids from July 1st, 2020.
I strongly recommend doing the Bhutan trip before July 2020 and you are in luck, we are taking a group to Bhutan in May 2020 at a very nominal rate and with the best experience and stay. Interested? drop an email to contact@travelescape.in now to get all detail and itinerary. Do not miss out on this.
WHY I TRAVELED BHUTAN
The beautiful kingdom of Bhutan lies on the eastern edges of the Himalayan foothills – far away from the chaos and frenzy that rules the present-day world. Bhutan calls itself the land of happiness.
I traveled to Bhutan because I wanted to know what it means when it says that. And my short trip of 5 days rationalized every bit of it so well. Spectacular landscape, amazing people, a great environment and so much more.
WHY YOU SHOULD PLAN ?
Every part of this kingdom is shrouded in mystery and you will love unveiling the truth behind them. Nature lovers will find the truest meaning of sublime natural beauty.
This place is a must-go if you really want to know how it would be to stay in a place untouched by industrialization and pollution.
TRAVELESCAPE GROUP TOUR
Hey, we are going to Bhutan in MAY 2022 yeiee! in case you are interested to join our cool group of traveler heading to Bhutan, check out our rough itinerary
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Don't miss out on discovering the best of Bhutan with our guided tour in MAY 2020. Interested?
BHUTAN NATIONAL TARIFF
Let’s talk about the famous Bhutan mandatory national fee. In order to visit Bhutan, visitors are charged a “minimum daily package.” The national tariff rule is not applicable to Indian.
The $200 per day (January, February, June, July, August) and $250 per day (March, April, May, September, October, November) package includes a minimum of 3-star accommodations, costs for food, an experienced local, trained guide, and transportation within the country.
Indian Nationals Traveling to Bhutan through the road? check out this piece of information directly from the Indian consulate
Also included in the price is a $65 per day Sustainable Development Fee that goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation. All of these services will be arranged by your tour operator. For full details on the daily tariff & other detail, visit the Bhutan tourism website.
APPROX COST OF THE TRIP WITH X DAYS Y NIGHTS
It has not been too long for Bhutan to open its gates to the rest of the world. Because of its geographical location, Bhutan for a long time was not a known place in the world. As soon as this lovely land got discovered, it quickly became a pace of major attraction to tourists from different parts of the world.
Bhutan is a tiny country. But it has a lot to be explored. If you are fit enough to trek through the rocky mountains and indulge in other adventurous activities, it’s good if you plan at least 8 nights 9 days trip to Thimphu and Paro.
If you want to skip the adventure part, then a trip of 4 nights 5 days is more than enough to enjoy the beauty of Thimphu and Paro. Bhutan is not a very expensive place. You can have a really nice time (with 3-star accommodation) at a budget of 20,000 INR for a couple. This does not include your flight fare and personal shopping expenses.
OUR VIBRANT COMMUNITY
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WAYS TO REACH BHUTAN (THROUGH INDIA)
To reach Bhutan you can either cut down the transit time and fly directly to Paro international airport (only the airport of Bhutan) or take the more adventurous road trip to reach Bhutan through the road route.
I preferred the road route because Paro airport is considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world. I wrote a detailed post on my exclusive experience about the road & air routes to Bhutan. Readout my post on Bhutan blog
DAY 1: ARRIVAl AT PARO
Whatever route you take in arriving at this beautiful country, let’s start your journey from the breathtaking Paro. Paro is a small town surrounded by a valley and a breathtaking landscape. The famous cover poster of the hilltop monastery you see in the glossy Bhutan tour package is located in Paro.
I suggest check-in in Kamsum Hotel (3.3 Km from Paro Airport). This hotel is in one of the best locations in the town. The hotel is very close to some of the popular tourist attractions in Paro.
LATER THAT DAY
Walk or ride around and explore the nearby area. Check out the local temples ( Tibetan Temple), visit the Paro Peak, and enjoy the beautiful aerial view of the valley from the top.
In the evening you can explore the market. If you are traveling during the winters it’s good to be back at the hotel early. The chilly wind won’t let you stay out for long no matter how packed you are in warm clothes.
DAY 2: PARO DZONG, NATIONAL MUSEUM, TIGER’S NEST
Start your day very early and go directly to the Tiger’s Nest valley foot. If you want to trek all the way up, you better extend your stay by another day. It takes about 3 hours to reach the top and about 1.5 hrs to climb back down. You will have to go there by foot so decide properly if you want to take this adventure trip or not. (It is better you skip it if you are above 40 years old).
You can then visit the National Museum which can be covered in about an hour. From there check out the Paro Dzong which is just next to the museum. It must be afternoon by now, so head on for some great authentic Bhutanese cuisine. As a bonus, check out these Bhutan Monasteries famous for meditation.
You then have an option here, enjoy the evening in Paro or head towards Thimphu after checking out from the hotel, I would suggest do not rush while you travel and take a break in Paro itself. Pamper yourself with great local Bhutanese food and some drink!
DAY 3: CHECKOUT & HEAD TOWARDS THIMPHU
After breakfast, you can start your drive to Thimphu the capital of Bhutan, which is about 2 hours from Paro. On your way to Thimphu, stop by at the Paro Chu tourist spot and breath some fresh cool air as you enjoy the beauty of this river. The water of this river is so clear that you can even see the rocky river bed.
If it’s not too late you might even want to take the low hanging ropeway that will take you to the other side of the river. Do not worry. There is nothing to see on the other side. So it won’t take you much time at this place. Consider spending about 30-40 minutes here and hit the road again to Thimphu.
ANOTHER NICE STOP ON WAY TO THIMPHU
You can then stop at the Chhuzom. This is just at the place where the road from Paro takes a sharp turn to the road leading to Thimphu. Do not miss the Chhuzom view. IT is the place where the Paro river meets the Thimphu river. Treat your eyes with this stunning view that I bet you will rarely get to see in your everyday life. By the time you reach Thimphu, it is going to be afternoon.
Check-in to my suggested hotel called Namseling Boutique hotel. The hotel is nice & not very costly, check out the actual user’s review on booking.com. Get some rest in the hotel & awesome lunch in or outside the hotel of your choice.
DAY 4: DOCHULA PASS & THIMPHU LOCAL SIGHTSEEING
You can start exploring Thimphu from today. The first place that you might want to go to is the captivating Dochula Pass. This place is about 45 minutes drive from the hotel. So plan your timings accordingly. This place is a major tourist attraction where 108 memorial stupas are built. This place is so beautiful, I am sure you won’t want to come back from it very soon. So consider spending about 4 hours of your day here (including travel time). So if you leave by 9 am you can be back by 1.
You can then check out the Buddha Dordenma. This is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the entire world, with a height of about 52 meters. The statue is made of bronze and beautifully gilded in gold. You will have to climb about 208 stairs to reach this statue which sits magnificently overlooking the city.
LATER IN THE EVENING
By the time you are done, it will be time for lunch. Treat yourself to some good food and then head straight to the Norzin Lam. This is where the main Thimphu market is. The clock square is located here. So go check it out.
You can check out the handicrafts in the handicraft market lane just opposite the Taj hotel. The National Textile Museum is also located in this area you can spend some time there if you are interested in textiles. Head back to the hotel after dinner. By the time you reach, you will not want to do anything but hit the pillow. If that does not happen you can head out to take a walk around the area.
DAY 5: DOCHULA PASS & THIMPHU LOCAL SIGHTSEEING
You can start your day with a visit to the Thimphu Chorten Memorial which is about 10 minutes away from the hotel. This place is dedicated to tantric Buddhism. It is a great place to have a peep at the Buddhist culture and tradition. The walls are adorned with beautiful paintings and artwork that you will surely love.
The next place that you can head towards is the Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest dzong (fortresses) in Bhutan and was constructed in the early 1600s. This Dzong is now converted into a learning institution.
The 3rd place to see here is the Changangkha Lhakhang. This is one of the oldest temples in Thimphu. It is believed that people who do not have children come here to get the blessing so that they can have a kid. Make sure you throw the dice inside the temple and ask the monk what your fortune holds.
LATER IN THE EVENING
As this is your last evening in Thimphu and eventually Bhutan I strongly recommend you to take it easy and enjoy the atmosphere by having hot chocolate, tea, coffee or drink with your friends and family.
FINAL THOUGHT BEFORE I SIGN OFF
An inspirational quote by Mark Twain about the value of Spread Your Wings: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. ”
FINAL CONCLUSION ON ITINERARY
Tiger’s Nest paro
Do not stay out for too long at night. Bhutan is a cold country and because of its high altitude, there is a constant wind blowing that makes it even colder (during winters). If you are from a hot country like India you might not like this cold very much.
You can get in touch with us if you want to know anything else about Bhutan before planning your trip. We can help you with all your queries and even plan the trip for you and set you up with the local guides there. We do not charge anything for help. All we want is for you to have an amazing trip. So click on the link below and get in touch for more information.
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How is Phunaka ?
Hello Shruti, I guess you mean Punakha, which is another town in the Himalayas of Bhutan. It’s known for the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress at the juncture of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers
If you have ample time , do visit Punakha
Also, we replied your email. We are going to take a group to Bhutan in Feb/March-19 with best trip leader and doing some great local activities. Please join our VIP FB group for latest updates