6 days in Bhutan

• 01

  Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang)

  A monastery clinging to a cliff, reached by a 3-hour hike.

• 02

  Punakha Dzong

  A fortress at the meeting of two rivers.

• 03

  Dochula Pass

  108 chortens and Himalayan views.

• 04

  Thimphu

  The Buddha Dordenma statue and the weekend market.

1. D1

   Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

   Morning

   Land at Paro, one of the world's most dramatic airport approaches, and meet your driver.

   Afternoon

   Drive an hour to Thimphu, stopping at Tamchog Lhakhang's iron chain bridge over the Paro river.

   Evening

   Evening walk down Norzin Lam, the capital's main street with no traffic lights.

   Carry your passport or voter ID; Indians need no visa.

2. D2

   Day 2: Thimphu

   Morning

   Buddha Dordenma, a 51-metre gilded Buddha overlooking the valley.

   Afternoon

   Memorial Chorten, where locals circle all day, then the folk heritage museum and the weekend market.

   Evening

   Tashichho Dzong, the seat of government, when it opens to visitors at dusk.

   Wear full sleeves and long trousers or skirts for dzongs.

3. D3

   Day 3: Dochula and Punakha

   Morning

   Drive over Dochula Pass (3,100 m) with its 108 chortens and, on clear mornings, a sweep of Himalayan peaks.

   Afternoon

   Descend to the warm Punakha valley; short walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple.

   Evening

   Riverside dinner in Punakha.

   Clear views at Dochula are most likely before 10 AM.

4. D4

   Day 4: Punakha Dzong

   Morning

   Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

   Afternoon

   Walk across the Punakha suspension bridge, one of the longest in Bhutan, then drive back to Paro.

   Evening

   Quiet evening in Paro town.

   The drive to Paro takes 4–5 hours.

5. D5

   Day 5: Tiger's Nest

   Morning

   Start the hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) by 8 AM: about 3 hours up through pine forest to a monastery on a cliff.

   Afternoon

   Tea at the cafeteria viewpoint halfway, then the walk down.

   Evening

   Soak tired legs in a traditional hot-stone bath at a farmhouse.

   Ponies can carry you to the halfway point if needed.

6. D6

   Day 6: Paro and home

   Morning

   Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum in its old watchtower.

   Afternoon

   Shopping for textiles, prayer flags and handmade paper.

   Evening

   Fly home.

   Pay the Sustainable Development Fee before you travel.

Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Bhutan is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.

• Budget

  Guesthouses in Thimphu

  Thimphu

  Simple and central.

  from ₹3,000 /night

  Prices
• Mid-range

  Hotel Druk

  Thimphu

  On the main square of the capital.

  from ₹9,000 /night

  Prices
• Luxury

  COMO Uma Paro

  Paro

  A forest retreat above the Paro valley.

  from ₹50,000 /night

  Prices

• Ema datshi

  Chillies in cheese sauce, the national dish.

• Red rice

  Nutty and eaten with every meal.

• Momos

  Called momo here too.

Travel

Fly to Paro from Delhi, Kolkata or Bagdogra; or drive in via Phuentsholing.

Getting around

Hire a car and driver (often arranged with your stay); roads are winding and slow.

Visa

Indians need only a passport or voter ID and pay Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (₹1,200 a night at last check).

• Start the Tiger's Nest hike by 8 AM.
• Dress modestly with sleeves for dzongs.

• Power bank and charging cables
• Passport and visa printouts
• Warm layers for the evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for temples
• A forex card or some local cash
• Travel insurance