Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom famous for Gross National Happiness, balances ancient monasteries with dramatic valleys and rhododendron-clad passes. Fortresses called dzongs still anchor civic life, while monks in crimson robes chant along incense-wreathed corridors. This 6-day itinerary focuses on Western Bhutan—Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro—where travel distances are short and the scenery never is.

Expect crisp mountain air, pine forests, and rivers braided through terraced fields. Highlights include Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chhu, the 169-foot Buddha Dordenma watching over Thimphu, and the cliff-perched Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), Bhutan’s most storied monastery. Along the way, sample ema datshi (fiery chili-cheese), buckwheat pancakes, and sweet suja (butter tea).

Practical notes: Most international travelers must book through a licensed Bhutanese operator and pay a Sustainable Development Fee (commonly USD 100 per adult per night as of 2025—confirm latest policy before booking). Flights to Paro are limited and weather-dependent; plan buffers. Altitude ranges from ~1,200–3,100 m on this route—hydrate, pace yourself, and keep your camera handy.

Thimphu

Thimphu, the world’s only capital without traffic lights, is a mix of monastic rhythm and modern Bhutanese life. Watch archers at Changlimithang Stadium, browse handwoven textiles, and see artisans practicing Bhutan’s 13 traditional crafts.

• Top sights: Buddha Dordenma, National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong (don’t miss the evening flag ceremony), Zorig Chusum (School of 13 Arts), Motithang Takin Preserve.
• Eat & drink: Ambient Cafe for excellent espresso and banana bread; Babesa Village Restaurant for wood-fired, traditional meals in a centuries-old house; Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant for classic set lunches; Zombala for steaming momos and thukpa.
• Fun fact: The takin—Bhutan’s national animal—looks part goat, part gnu; legend credits the Buddhist saint Drukpa Kunley with its creation.

Where to stay (Thimphu): Treat yourself at Taj Tashi Bhutan or Le Méridien Thimphu, or choose great value at Hotel Norbuling. Browse more stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Punakha

Punakha is lower, warmer, and greener—a valley of rice paddies and river beaches. Its masterpiece is Punakha Dzong, a whitewashed fortress floating over jacaranda blossoms (April–May), once the winter capital.

• Top sights: Punakha Dzong, Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge (one of Bhutan’s longest), Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike, riverside rafting when levels permit.
• Eat & drink: Pause at Druk Wangyel Café atop Dochu La on the way in; in the valley, try hearty set meals at Chimi Lhakhang Cafeteria after visiting the temple; resort restaurants (Dhensa, Zhingkham, RKPO) plate farm-fresh Bhutanese classics.
• Fun fact: The valley’s twin rivers—“male” (Pho) and “female” (Mo)—shape local farming and the spring’s rafting season.

Where to stay (Punakha): River-view serenity at Dhensa Boutique Resort, sweeping-dzong vistas at Zhingkham Resort, or value with views at RKPO Green Resort. See more options on Hotels.com or VRBO.

Paro

Paro Valley is Bhutan’s postcard: farmhouses with prayer flags, a riverside dzong, and the cliff-clinging Taktsang. It’s also the country’s international gateway, so most trips start and end here.

• Top sights: Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) hike, Rinpung Dzong, National Museum (Ta Dzong), Kyichu Lhakhang, Namgay Artisanal Brewery taproom.
• Eat & drink: Champaca Cafe for specialty coffee and pastries; Mountain Café for pancakes and valley views; Sonam Trophel for flaky momos and ema datshi; Bukhari at COMO Uma Paro for refined Bhutanese-inspired cuisine.
• Fun fact: Tiger’s Nest is built around a meditation cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have arrived on a flying tigress in the 8th century.

Where to stay (Paro): For a splurge, COMO Uma Paro; boutique forest setting at Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa; solid in-town comfort at Hotel Khamsum. Explore more with Hotels.com or VRBO.

Getting there: Book flights into Paro (PBH) via regional hubs like Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, or Bangkok. Search availability on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; fares from regional hubs often range USD 300–600 round-trip depending on season and seat availability.

Day 1: Arrive Paro (2,200 m) — Scenic Drive to Thimphu

Morning: In the air. If you can, choose a left-side window seat—on clear days you’ll glimpse Everest and Kanchenjunga on approach.

Afternoon: Land at Paro and meet your licensed guide/driver (usually included with Bhutan bookings). Drive to Thimphu (~1–1.5 hours; ~50 km) with a quick stop at Tamchog Lhakhang’s 15th-century iron chain bridge for photos.

Evening: Settle in and stretch your legs along Norzin Lam. Dinner options: Babesa Village Restaurant for a traditional feast by a wood stove (try buckwheat pancakes and pork with radish), or Bhutan Kitchen for set thalis showcasing local vegetables and red rice.

Day 2: Thimphu Essentials — Crafts, Chortens, and City Life

Morning: Coffee and light breakfast at Ambient Cafe—friendly staff and great granola bowls. Visit the National Memorial Chorten where locals circle clockwise in quiet devotion, then head up to the hilltop Buddha Dordenma for valley views.

Afternoon: Explore Zorig Chusum (School of 13 Arts) to watch students painting thangkas and carving wood, then see the odd-but-endearing takins at Motithang Preserve. Lunch at Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant for farmhouse-style stews and ezay (chili relish).

Evening: Time your visit to Tashichho Dzong for the flag-lowering ceremony at dusk. Dinner at Zombala for momos and spicy thukpa, or look to your hotel’s Bhutanese menu if you prefer a quieter night.

Optional guided experience:

Photography Tour in Thimphu and Dochula Pass — a hands-on way to capture dzongs, chortens, and high-pass vistas with a local expert.

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochu La (3,100 m)

Morning: Depart after breakfast for Punakha (~2–3 hours; ~65 km). Stop at Dochu La Pass to walk among the 108 Druk Wangyel chortens; on clear days, the snow peaks of the eastern Himalaya line the horizon. Warm up with tea at Druk Wangyel Café.

Afternoon: Continue to Punakha Dzong, considered Bhutan’s most beautiful fortress, positioned where the Pho and Mo Chhu meet. Cross the nearby Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge for river views and prayer-flag panoramas.

Evening: Dinner at your resort—Dhensa’s kitchen serves refined takes on local produce, while Zhingkham’s terrace pairs curries with dzong views. If energy allows, enjoy a traditional hot-stone bath (menchu) arranged through your hotel.

Day 4: Punakha — Rice Terraces, Chorten Hike, and Rafting Option

Morning: Early start for the hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (allow ~2–3 hours round-trip). The trail climbs gently through farmland and pine with sweeping valley views from the rooftop of the chorten.

Afternoon: Picnic by the river or lunch at Chimi Lhakhang Cafeteria after a short walk to the fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman.” When water levels are right (typically spring to early autumn), opt for a beginner-friendly rafting run on the Mo Chhu; expect ~1.5–2 hours on the water, mostly Class II–III.

Evening: Sunset stroll along the riverside lanes. Dinner at RKPO Green Resort’s restaurant for homestyle curries and perfectly cooked red rice, or try your resort’s Bhutanese tasting menu.

Day 5: Punakha to Paro — Dzongs, Museums, and Farmhouses

Morning: Drive back to Paro (~4–5 hours; ~125 km). Stretch at Dochu La if views look promising, or stop again at Tamchog Bridge for a different light.

Afternoon: Visit Rinpung Dzong and the round National Museum (Ta Dzong) to trace Bhutan’s cultural timeline, from sacred masks to ancient weaponry. Continue to Kyichu Lhakhang—among Bhutan’s oldest temples, with orange trees said to fruit year-round.

Evening: Dinner in town: Sonam Trophel for platters of momos and chili-cheese, or book Bukhari at COMO Uma Paro for an elegant finale—think yak carpaccio, river trout, and inventive local vegetables.

Optional package (mirrors much of this route):

Bhutan Vacation (5 Nights-6 Days) — a turnkey way to book hotels, guide, and transport in one go.

Day 6: Paro — Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) and Depart

Morning: Early breakfast at Champaca Cafe (opens early; good for a strong flat white and a pastry), then start the Tiger’s Nest hike by 7:00–7:30 a.m. The ascent to the cafeteria viewpoint takes ~1.5–2 hours; the full monastery visit typically runs 4–5 hours round-trip depending on pace. Altitude tops ~3,120 m—take it slow, carry water, and mind the monastery’s dress code (modest clothing; no hats inside).

Afternoon: Descend, enjoy a quick lunch in Paro (Mountain Café pancakes hit the spot), then transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight. If your departure is earlier, shift Tiger’s Nest to late Day 5 and slot Kyichu Lhakhang this morning instead.

Evening: In the air, looking back at forested spines and prayer flags. Kadrinchey la—thank you—for traveling respectfully in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Logistics and Transport Between Cities

Airport and international flights: Arrive and depart via Paro (PBH). Check routes and fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Seats are limited—book early, and build in a buffer for weather.

Within Bhutan: There are no passenger trains and domestic flights are uncommon on this route. Travelers typically move by private car with a licensed guide/driver (usually bundled with your tour). As a standalone reference, point-to-point transfers like Paro–Thimphu (~1.5 hours), Thimphu–Punakha (~2–3 hours), and Punakha–Paro (~4–5 hours) are the norm; if arranged separately, expect roughly USD 80–120 per car per day depending on vehicle and inclusions.

Optional Extras and Alternatives

Short on time or want a guided bundle? Consider:

• Bhutan Highlights Tour - 2 Nights (Thimphu, Paro & Tiger's Nest) — a compact highlights package.

Prefer a broader overview? The following multi-day option spans many of the same valleys with a guided framework:

• Amazing Bhutan in 7 Days

Where to stay recap (by city):

• Thimphu: Taj Tashi Bhutan, Le Méridien Thimphu, Hotel Norbuling
• Punakha: Dhensa Boutique Resort, Zhingkham Resort, RKPO Green Resort
• Paro: COMO Uma Paro, Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa, Hotel Khamsum

In six days you’ll cross high passes, wander fortress courtyards, and climb to a monastery perched on a cliff. Western Bhutan’s valleys reveal a living Buddhist culture and mountain landscapes that linger in memory—long after the prayer flags fade.