Arrival at Paro, Transfer to Thimphu (approx. 65 km, 1.5 hours)

Day 1: Arrival at Paro, Transfer to Thimphu (approx. 65 km, 1.5 hours)

Your Bhutan tour packages with flight begin with a flight into Paro International Airport. Druk Air (Royal Bhutan Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines operate flights from several Indian cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra, and Mumbai. The approach into Paro is famously scenic, with the aircraft descending through the Himalayan peaks and banking sharply into the narrow Paro Valley. On a clear day, you can see Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, and other major peaks from the window.

On arrival, a Memorable India representative will receive you at the airport. After immigration and Entry Permit formalities, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Thimphu, approximately 65 kilometres away. The drive follows the Paro Chu and then the Wang Chu river through a forested valley.

In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, the impressive fortress-monastery that houses the secretariat building and the throne room of the King of Bhutan. The dzong is open to visitors in the evening after office hours and is particularly atmospheric at dusk. Overnight stay at your hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu Sightseeing (Full Day)

Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing (Full Day)

After breakfast, dedicate the full day to exploring Thimphu. Begin with the National Memorial Chorten, a Buddhist stupa built in 1974 in memory of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The chorten is surrounded by elderly Bhutanese performing kora (circumambulation) and spinning prayer wheels throughout the day.

Visit the Buddha Dordenma statue, a massive gilded bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha situated on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu Valley. The statue contains over 100,000 smaller Buddha statues within it. From here, you get panoramic views of the valley and the surrounding mountains.

In the afternoon, visit the National Library, which houses a collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Continue to the School of Arts and Crafts (Zorig Chusum), where students train in the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts including painting, woodcarving, embroidery, and sculpture. If your visit falls on a weekend, explore the Thimphu handicrafts and farmers’ market, where local vendors sell textiles, produce, cheese, and traditional Bhutanese goods.

Time permitting, visit the Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, a large and unusual bovid found only in the eastern Himalayas. Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (approx. 75 km, 2.5 to 3 hours)

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (approx. 75 km, 2.5 to 3 hours)

After breakfast, drive from Thimphu to Punakha, crossing the Dochula Pass at 3,100 metres. On a clear day, the pass offers a panoramic view of the snow-capped Himalayan range, including Bhutan’s highest peak, Gangkar Puensum (7,570 metres, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world). The pass is marked by 108 memorial chortens (stupas) built in 2005 and the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang temple.

After the pass, the road descends sharply into the Punakha Valley, transitioning from alpine terrain to subtropical vegetation. The temperature difference between the top of the pass and the valley floor is noticeable. On arrival, visit the Punakha Dzong, the most visually striking of all Bhutan’s fortress-monasteries, situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. The dzong is the winter residence of Bhutan’s central monastic body and the site of the coronation of Bhutan’s first King in 1907.

In the afternoon, take a short walk across rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of the Divine Madman, dedicated to the unconventional 15th-century saint Drukpa Kunley. The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for couples seeking blessings for fertility. Overnight stay in Punakha.

Punakha to Wangduephodrang, Return to Thimphu (approx. 80 km total)

Day 4: Punakha to Wangduephodrang, Return to Thimphu (approx. 80 km total)

After breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang, a small town known for its bamboo and cane products. Explore the local market, which gives an authentic glimpse of Bhutanese rural commerce. The Wangduephodrang Dzong, originally built in 1638, suffered a major fire in 2012 and is currently under reconstruction, but the setting above the Puna Tsang Chu river remains one of the most scenic in western Bhutan.

After Wangduephodrang, drive back to Thimphu. The afternoon is free for personal exploration of Thimphu. You can revisit the handicrafts market, explore local cafes and bakeries, or simply walk along the main street of the capital. Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Thimphu to Paro (approx. 65 km, 1.5 hours), Paro Sightseeing

Day 5: Thimphu to Paro (approx. 65 km, 1.5 hours), Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast, check out from your Thimphu hotel and drive to Paro. On arrival, visit the Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a 15th-century fortress perched above the Paro Chu river. The dzong remains an active monastery and the administrative headquarters of the Paro district. Cross the traditional covered bridge (Nyamai Zam) below the dzong for a classic view of the fortress against the hillside.

Next, visit the National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong), housed in a circular watchtower above the dzong. The museum contains a collection of Bhutanese art, thangka paintings, textiles, stamps, and historical artefacts. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress built in 1649 to commemorate a victory over Tibetan invaders. On a clear day, Mount Jhomolhari (7,314 metres) is visible from this site.

Spend the rest of the evening exploring Paro town at a relaxed pace. Overnight stay in Paro.

Tiger's Nest Monastery Hike (Paro Taktsang)

Day 6: Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike (Paro Taktsang)

This is the highlight day of the 7 days bhutan tour package. After an early breakfast, drive to the base of the Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) trail. The monastery is perched on a sheer cliff face at 3,120 metres, approximately 900 metres above the Paro Valley floor. According to tradition, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) flew to this site on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave here for three years.

The hike to Tiger’s Nest takes approximately 2 to 3 hours uphill and 1.5 to 2 hours downhill. The trail passes through a blue pine forest with prayer flags strung between the trees. A cafeteria at the midway point offers tea and snacks with a direct view of the monastery. The final approach involves descending a staircase to a waterfall and then climbing back up to the monastery entrance. Inside, the monastery contains several temple rooms with paintings, statues, and butter lamp offerings.

The hike is moderate in difficulty but does involve a significant altitude gain. Horses and ponies are available for hire up to the cafeteria point for those who prefer not to walk the full distance. Return to your hotel in Paro by late afternoon. The evening is free for rest or a final exploration of the Paro Valley. Overnight stay in Paro.

Paro Departure

Day 7: Paro Departure

After breakfast, check out of your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, a Memorable India representative will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your return flight to India. Your Bhutan tour packages from India itinerary concludes here.

For travellers who wish to extend their trip, Memorable India can arrange additional days in eastern Bhutan (Bumthang, Trongsa) or a road-based entry or exit through Phuentsholing on the India-Bhutan border, which connects to Siliguri, Bagdogra Airport, and the wider North East India circuit.