Bhutan, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” is a Himalayan kingdom where fortress-monasteries command river valleys and prayer flags wheel in the wind. Ancient trade routes spilled into today’s western Bhutan—Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha—whose dzongs and chortens narrate a thousand years of Buddhist art and statecraft. Your journey starts on the lush southern border at Phuentsholing and climbs into the highlands via one of Asia’s great mountain roads.

Two big ideas frame travel here: living Mahayana Buddhism and Gross National Happiness. You’ll see both in daily life—from butter lamps glowing in temples, to community-led festivals, to a measured approach to tourism that preserves culture and nature. Expect thoughtful hospitality, hearty red rice and ema datshi (chili-cheese), and road trips punctuated by waterfall views and tea stalls.

Practical notes as of 2025: International visitors must pay the Sustainable Development Fee (currently USD 100 per person per night; Indian nationals pay INR 1,200 per person per night) and travel with a valid permit/visa; permits are commonly processed at Phuentsholing on weekdays. Roads are good but winding—plan extra time. ATMs work in larger towns; the Bhutanese Ngultrum is pegged 1:1 to the Indian Rupee (cash still goes far). Mobile data is reliable in towns with B-Mobile and TashiCell.

Phuentsholing

Phuentsholing is Bhutan’s southern gateway, a busy market town that brushes the Indian border at Jaigaon. The Bhutan Gate, Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, and the Amo Chhu wetlands hint at the nature-and-spirit blend awaiting in the highlands.

• Top sights: Bhutan Gate photo stop, Zangtho Pelri (a colorful temple), Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre, riverbank strolls.
• Food & drink: Try momos, thukpa, and chili-cheese at humble kitchens near Zangtho Pelri; multi-cuisine dinners at hotel restaurants; sweet lassis and samosas from border-market stalls.
• Stays: Browse centrally located hotels and family-run guesthouses via Hotels.com (Phuentsholing) or home-style stays on VRBO (Phuentsholing).

Day 1: Arrive Phuentsholing (Night 1)

Arrival/travel: Most travelers fly into Bagdogra (IXB, near Siliguri, India) then drive ~4.5–5.5 hours (165 km) to Phuentsholing. Search flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Trains to NJP (New Jalpaiguri) are frequent; see Trip.com Trains. A private taxi from IXB is typically INR 4,500–6,000/USD 55–75 for a small car.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress with masala tea. Walk to the ornate Bhutan Gate for golden-hour photos, then amble through the border market for fresh fruit, puffed-rice snacks, and local textiles.

Evening: Dinner at a hotel dining room—order chicken momos, ema datshi, and red rice. If you prefer a casual scene, head to the eateries near Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang for thukpa and hot butter tea.

Day 2: Phuentsholing Permits and Local Strolls (Night 2)

Morning: Permit formalities. The Immigration Office typically operates on weekdays; bring passport, photos, and hotel confirmation. Indian nationals can use government ID for entry permits; international visitors travel with a pre-arranged visa and SDF payment proof. Afterward, visit Zangtho Pelri, a small temple with serene murals.

Afternoon: Drive or hire a local taxi to the Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre to spot gharials and mugger crocs. Swing by the riverside for a breezy walk and mountain views.

Evening: Simple supper at a border-town favorite: try chili-cheese, sautéed fiddlehead ferns (in season), and buckwheat pancakes if available. Cap the night with a sweet lassi from a street stall.

Thimphu

Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, is a valley city of muralled chortens, craft workshops, and café culture—no traffic lights, just a white-gloved officer under a pagoda. Tradition and modern Bhutan meet in its museums and live-music bars.

• Top sights: Buddha Dordenma, National Memorial Chorten, Motithang Takin Preserve, Folk Heritage/Simply Bhutan museums, Centenary Farmers’ Market (weekends).
• Cafés & eats: Ambient Café (legendary carrot cake and espresso), Karma’s Coffee (single-origin brews), Bhutan Kitchen (set thali of local classics), Zombala 2 (robust momos and noodles), live music at Mojo Park.
• Stays: Compare riverside resorts, boutique inns near Clock Tower Square, and modern business hotels via Hotels.com (Thimphu) and VRBO (Thimphu).

Day 3: Phuentsholing to Thimphu Scenic Drive (Night 3 — Thimphu)

Morning: Depart early by private car (recommended) or pre-arranged transfer; Phuentsholing to Thimphu takes ~6–7 hours (170 km). Expect misty forests, waterfalls, and tea stops. Estimated transfer cost: USD 140–200 for a small private vehicle.

Afternoon: Photo breaks at Gedu waterfall and the Chhukha valley viewpoints. Arrive Thimphu by mid/late afternoon and check in. Coffee at Ambient Café—order a cappuccino and a slice of apple pie; it’s a local staple.

Evening: Dinner at Bhutan Kitchen: set platters of red rice, seasonal greens, pork with radish, and ema datshi. Nightcap and live indie covers at Mojo Park if there’s a show.

Day 4: Thimphu’s Temples, Wildlife, and Handicrafts (Night 4 — Thimphu)

Morning: Begin at Buddha Dordenma for sweeping valley panoramas. Continue to the National Memorial Chorten to watch locals circumambulate with prayer beads—a moving window into daily devotion.

Afternoon: Meet Bhutan’s endearing national animal at the Motithang Takin Preserve, then visit Simply Bhutan or the Folk Heritage Museum to try archery and sample suja (butter tea). Lunch at Zombala 2—steam momos, shakam datshi (dried beef with cheese), and chili-dusted fries.

Evening: Browse the Craft Bazaar for handwoven textiles and incense. Espresso after dark at Karma’s Coffee or a hot stone bath arranged via your hotel for deep-journey relaxation. Dinner at a contemporary bistro near Clock Tower Square.

Optional guided experiences:

Amazing Bhutan in 7 Days — a curated, multi-stop private tour covering Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro with scenic highlights.

Punakha

Punakha is Bhutan’s warm, river-laced former capital, famed for its lilac jacarandas in spring and a dzong set on an island between two rivers. The approach over Dochula Pass, with its 108 white chortens, is one of the most photogenic drives in the Himalaya.

• Top sights: Dochula Pass and Druk Wangyal Chortens, Punakha Dzong, Pho Chhu suspension bridge, Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple) village walk.
• Food & drink: Hearty valley fare at Lobesa Village Restaurant, butter tea and buckwheat pancakes around Chimi Lhakhang, riverside lunches with momo baskets.
• Stays: Search Punakha valley hotels and farm stays via Hotels.com (Punakha) or VRBO (Punakha).

Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (Night 5 — Punakha)

Morning: Drive ~2.5–3 hours to Punakha over Dochula (3,100 m). Stroll among the 108 chortens and, if skies are clear, admire serried Himalayan peaks from the ridge. Tea at the pass café to warm up.

Afternoon: Descend to visit Chimi Lhakhang—an easy 20–30 minute walk through fields. Lunch at Lobesa Village Restaurant: pumpkin soup, chili-cheese, and crispy potatoes. Then tour Punakha Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture.

Evening: Sunset on the Pho Chhu suspension bridge, then a cozy dinner at your lodge with seasonal greens and red rice. Early night recommended before tomorrow’s valley transfer.

Paro

Paro is Bhutan’s cultural postcard: a river-valley town of whitewashed farmhouses and apple orchards, guarded by the cliff-clung Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery. Museum treasures in Ta Dzong and the ramparts of Rinpung Dzong complete the story.

• Top sights: Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong (National Museum), Kyichu Lhakhang, old-town wooden arcades, river trails.
• Food & drink: Champaca Café (excellent coffees and bakes), Sonam Trophel (Bhutanese staples), farmhouse dinners with hot stone baths, Namgay Artisanal Brewery (beer tasting with runway views).
• Stays: Find boutique heritage hotels, spa resorts, and homestays via Hotels.com (Paro) and VRBO (Paro).

Day 6: Punakha to Paro with Valley Stops (Night 6 — Paro)

Morning: Drive ~4–5 hours to Paro (via Thimphu). En route, stop at the 15th-century Tamchog Lhakhang to cross the traditional iron chain bridge—an atmospheric slice of medieval engineering.

Afternoon: In Paro, visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) for thangkas, festival masks, and the natural history of the valleys. Walk down to Rinpung Dzong, then along the river to the wooden cantilever bridge for photos.

Evening: Dinner at Sonam Trophel—order kewa datshi (potato-cheese), pork pa (chili pork), and a plate of momos. Post-dinner tasting flight at Namgay Artisanal Brewery; try an IPA or red rice lager with runway views.

Optional spiritual deep-dive:

The floating statue of Dorji Phagmo In Paro — a pilgrimage-themed outing to sacred caves, waterfalls, and the revered Vajravarahi site.

Day 7: Tiger’s Nest and Farmhouse Evening (Night 7 — Paro)

Morning: Start early for the Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) hike—allow 4–5 hours round trip, plus monastery time. The trail ascends steadily through pines scented with juniper; a teahouse at the midpoint serves chai and views.

Afternoon: Late lunch in Paro town—Champaca Café’s espresso and quiche, or a hearty noodle bowl. Stroll old-town shops for handwoven scarves and carved wooden bowls. If you’d like a soak, book a traditional hot stone bath at a local farmhouse.

Evening: Celebrate your final night with a farmhouse dinner: red rice, ema datshi, fiddlehead ferns (seasonal), and stewed chicken with mountain herbs. Share stories by the bukhari (wood stove) and pack for departure tomorrow.

Optional guided hike:

Guided tour of Tiger's Nest in Paro, Bhutan — hire a local expert for context on legends, rituals, and the sanctuary’s art.

Getting Around & Practical Add-ons

• Private vehicle and driver: Easiest way between valleys; budget USD 90–150/day for a small car including driver (fuel extra on some quotes). Road times: Phuentsholing–Thimphu ~6–7 hours; Thimphu–Punakha ~2.5–3 hours; Punakha–Paro ~4–5 hours.
• Flights (to/from Paro): If exiting by air, search regional connections (Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu, Bangkok) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Prefer a bundled tour with logistics handled? Consider this weeklong option that mirrors this route: 6 Nights 7 Days Explore Bhutan Tour Package.

Where to Stay Each Night (Quick Plan)

• Nights 1–2: Phuentsholing — border-town convenience for permits and a gentle start. Hotels.com | VRBO
• Nights 3–4: Thimphu — culture, cafés, and crafts. Hotels.com | VRBO
• Night 5: Punakha — warm valley with riverside walks. Hotels.com | VRBO
• Nights 6–7: Paro — museums, markets, and Tiger’s Nest. Hotels.com | VRBO

Summary: Across seven nights, you’ll enter Bhutan through its southern gate, weave over cloud-brushed passes, and end beneath cliffside temples. Expect slow-travel bliss: tea breaks, prayer wheels, and valley-to-valley stories stitched by kind hosts and mountain roads.