TALK TO AN EXPERT +977-9764792172
Bhanubhakta Nachhiring
divider-down
duration-icon

Trip Duration

5 Days
destination

Destination

Bhutan
max-alt-icon

Max. Altitude

3,120 m.
difficulty-icon

Trip Difficulty

Moderate
group-size

Group Size

1-12
transportation

Transportation

Private Vehicle/Flight
accommodation

Accommodation

Hotel
activity-icon

Activity

Sightseeing
meals

Meals

All Inclusive
start_end

Start / End

Paro
best-season

Best Season

Spring & Autumn

Trip Overview

Bhutan is not a destination you just pass through quickly. It is a destination that everyone should explore at a comfortable pace. Our Bhutan Sightseeing Tour will enable you to experience the best of Bhutan. With Bhutan Sightseeing Tour 4 Nights 5 Days, you can experience the essence of Bhutan without begin rushed. Culture, architecture, and spectacular mountain landscapes all will be combined into one tour of the wester Bhutan valley.

The tour begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Paro, a spectacularly scenic flight among the mountains. From an airplane seat on a good day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Everest and Kanchenjunga. Then the tour heads to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. It is an ancient town, where traditional architecture co-exists with a modern way of living. Here you can see huge Buddha statues, lively markets, and dzongs.

After that comes Punakha, which is home to one of the most picturesque dzongs in Bhutan. Located at the meeting point of two rivers, it is a place that cannot be fully captured by photographs.

Through the entire sightseeing in Bhutan, you will notice how spiritual the daily lives of the locals, as monks wander around the courtyard, and prayer flags decorated the hills while local turn prayer wheels. The main highlight of this journey is the Tiger’s Nest Monastery located on the cliff side above Paro Valley. From above, you can see the most iconic view of Bhutan and once you see it, it is really different.

This Bhutan Sightseeing Tour is perfect for beginners, cultural lovers, photography and those who want to have a truly spiritual short trip to Himalayas. There is no need for trekking experience for this sightseeing, only a curious mind and comfortable walking shoes.

What Makes this Bhutan Sightseeing Tour Special?

Each country in the Himalayan region has mountains, but Bhutan adds an element of uniqueness by having a culture unaffected by commercialized tourism. This makes the tour package unique and worth considering.

The travel experience will have you traveling on roads between Thimphu and Punakha. The road travels across the Dochu La Pass at 3,100 meters. In good weather conditions, you can see snowcapped mountains dotted with 108 chortens along the pass. Hardly any other road experience anywhere in the world offers such a scenery.

What is unique about the Buddhist culture of Bhutan is that it is not performed for tourists. This is the way the locals live their lives on a daily basis. Monks chant in ancient temples while families come to dzongs to pray and not for tourist photos.

Speaking about dzongs, the Bhutan sightseeing tour offers you to see the best dzongs of Bhutanese architecture in the country. Punakha Dzong with its white walls and carved wooden windows will certainly remain in your memory forever.

Local markets are another dimension of the trip. Every weekend, the Thimphu Market is crowded with farmers selling chilies, cheese, and mountain produce. This is a straightforward, honest experience of Bhutanese life.

Lastly, there is an excursion to Tiger’s Nest that, while short for a trekking adventure, is memorable. The route goes up in the pine forest, then you see the monastery perched on the cliff that is 900 meters high above the valley bottom.

It is the tempo that binds everything together. It is an authentic five-day Bhutan sightseeing tour itinerary that includes a taste of Bhutanese landscapes, spirituality, and architecture.

Highlights of Bhutan Sightseeing Tour

  • Flight sightseeing tour from Kathmandu to Paro (with Himalayan views on clear days)
  • Tour of Thimphu attractions such as Buddha Dordenma and Tashichho Dzong
  • Visit to Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of two rivers
  • Walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of Bhutan
  • Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s best known and most spectacular monastery perched on a cliff
  • Authentic culture, architecture, and lifestyle of Bhutan

Itinerary of Bhutan Sightseeing Tour

The Bhutan sightseeing tour starts with a flight to Paro, surrounded by the beautiful views of Himalayan Mountains. Once you land, you will be greeted by your guide and driver and taken directly to Thimphu.

The journey will take more than one hour through the Paro Chhu river passing through small farming communities. Once at Thimphu, you will have some free time to check in at your hotel and acclimatize yourself.

According to your timings, you may explore the local markets or even just unwind. The first day of your trip will be relatively relaxed before the sightseeing activities start.

activity-small

Activity: Arriva and drive (1,5 hr)

max-alt-small

Max. Altitude: 2234m./7,329ft.

meals-small

Meal: Lunch, Dinner

accommodation-small

Accommodation: Hotel in Thimphu

If you are traveling in a private group, we can arrange a fully customized trip based on your preferences, group size, and travel dates, available any day you choose.

Includes/Excludes

What is included?

  • Visa processing, permits and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) are handled by us
  • 4 nights’ accommodation at 3-star hotels, or similar, in Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro
  • Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from start to end of the tour
  • Private vehicle for Bhutan transportation
  • English speaking Bhutanese guide for the whole journey
  • Entrance fee to all monastery, dzongs, and museums
  • Government tax and permit

What is not included?

  • International Flight to and from Paro
  • Travel insurance which we highly recommend purchasing on your own
  • Any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages except those served during meals
  • Expenses for extra meals, drinks, snacks, charging devices, hot showers, Wi-Fi, laundry, and other personal costs are not included.
  • Tips to your guide and driver, which are optional but welcome
  • Any costs related to emergency evacuation or rescues are not covered
  • Costs associated with modifications of your itinerary because of weather conditions, health reasons or other reasons

Trip Information

Best Place you will Visit

Here are some of the important sight to see during this Bhutan sightseeing package, based on destination

Paro

  • Ringpung Dozong is the 17th century fortress situated in the Paro valley overlooking the whole Paro town. It’s whitewashed exterior and wood architecutre make it the most photographed fortress of Bhutan.
  • National Museum provides context to what is to come in this place. It offers an insight through its collection of thangka paintings, old weaponry, and exhibitions on daily life in Bhutan.
  • Kyichu Lhakhang, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan where locals can be seen visiting the temple daily to turn their prayer wheels and lit butter lamps.
  • Tiger’s Nest Monastery is the jewel in the crown of this Bhutan sightseeing tour package, built on a rock face at 3,120 meters and recognized worldwide as the signature symbol of Bhutan.

 Thimphu

  • Buddha Dordenma stands tall in the capital city standing at 51.5 meters high. The inside has thousands of tiny Buddha sculptures lining its walls, with the best view of the entire Thimphu valley from its viewing deck.
  • The Memorial Chorten is dedicated to the memory of the third King of Bhutan. It is an inspiring place where elderly people make rounds every day with prayer wheels in their hands.
  • Tashichho Dzong is where the government and religious offices work together under one roof, with the courtyard being most beautiful during late afternoons.

Punakha

  • The Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of two rivers, is commonly regarded as the most spectacular fortress in Bhutan. Purple jacaranda blossoms decorate its surroundings during springtime.
  • The Chimi Lhakhang (“Fertility Temple”) is a quaint site that is conveniently accessible via a stroll through rice fields. Newlyweds frequently make pilgrimages to this temple for good fortune.
  • The Dochula Pass is the route between Thimphu and Punakha, and it reaches a height of 3,100 meters. When the weather is clear, the Himalayas become visible beyond 108 chortens.

Difficulty Level of Bhutan Sightseeing Tour

Bhutan Short Tour is a simple tour, except for the Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike, which will require some fitness. You have nothing much to do in most of the days in terms of activity but just sightseeing and visiting places, and there will be no physical difficulties in Thimpu and Punakha.

There is only one activity on your Bhutan sightseeing tour itinerary that will prove challenging and it is the Tiger’s Nest Trek, which is not very challenging but still quite hard. It takes approximately four to five hours in total with the time spent at the monastery itself.

The path will slowly increase as you hike, with an elevation gain of about 900 meters from the base to the monastery. The path is quite steep in many areas, and will drain your energy, especially in the first one hour of the hike.

You don’t need any experience of trekking in order to go through with this Bhutan Sightseeing Tour, but having good physical shape is extremely helpful. The regular hiker and the one who feels find during several hours of walking will be able to do this easily. For the older tourist or people who suffer from joint pain, it’s also possible to complete this tour at a much slower pace. For the tourists who would like to walk less, the mules are provided for the half of the trip uphill.

While on the way there is a cafeteria located on the half of the trail, giving you a great opportunity to take a rest, hydrate and admire the view of valleys, going uphill. The Bhutan Sightseeing Tour 4 Nights 5 Days package is available for anybody who is ready for one day of hard trekking.

Best Time for Bhutan Sightseeing Tour

There is no best season in Bhutan since it all depends on what kind of experience one wants to have. Here’s how each season affects the trip.

Spring (March to May)

The spring season comes with a pleasant climate that in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha regions. The flowering rhododendrons will add color to the existing scenery. Mountain views are usually great at this time of the year due to clearer skies in the mornings. Many people like to visit Bhutan during spring because of comfortable temperatures for day walking.

Autumn (September to November)

Autum is the most favored time for Bhutan Sightseeing tour due to the clear weather and crystal-clear views. The scenery, atmosphere and mountain view are excellent, particularly from the Dochula Pass. It is also the busiest period for Bhutan tourism-wise, so it would be wise to book your hotel and air travel arrangements a little early.

Monsoon (June to August)

This season makes the whole country green, with valleys, forests, and terraced land looking their best. The rain is abundant in Bhutan during this time. It may cause issues with road trips or air travel to Paro since flights may be delayed due to the bad weather.

Winter (December to February)

The climate in winter is cooler, mainly during the morning and evening times. However, clear days in winter give visitors the clearest view of the Himalayas during the entire year. In some places, the weather may get a bit chillier, but not very much.

Accommodation

Accommodation on this Bhutan sightseeing tour is arranged in good 3-star hotel in all destination. They will be clean and tidy with the authentic Bhutanese Style hotel.

Your accommodation destination will be in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, staying at one hotel at a time for each destination. There won’t be any need for carrying luggage from one city to another because of this arrangement.

All the rooms have attached bathrooms, hot water, and basic amenities. Your rooms will have private bathrooms with hot water and other basic amenities. You will most stay at a twin sharing room, but double or single rooms can be provided upon request.

There is breakfast every day at the hotel that is normally served as a combination of Bhutanese, Indian, and continental breakfast items.

In case you want something better than this, upgrade to 4-star or boutique hotels is possible upon request. All you need is to make it known to us, and we will accommodate you as per your requirement.

Meals

The food arrangements for the Bhutan Sightseeing Tour 4 Nights 5 Days include breakfast, lunch, and dinner all through the trip. Therefore, all food needs are sorted from the start of the journey to its conclusion.

Bhutanese cuisine is unique with the inclusion of ingredients like rice, vegetables and cheese. One of the traditional dishes of Bhutan is “Ema Datshi” which consists of cheese and chili and is a must for all tourists who are visiting this country. Your cuisine will consist of a combination of both Bhutanese and continental cuisine, and hence you get to eat something new while at the same time tasting familiar dishes.

There will be no problem for vegetarians in Bhutan. Dishes here contain many vegetable-based foods, and almost any restaurant can cook a meal with vegetarian foods. This Bhutan Short Tour Package ensures that the food is simple and tasty

Bhutan Visa and Sustainable Development Fee

Bhutan requires all foreign nationals to get a visa before arriving in the country. The visa will be arranged on your behalf by Epic Trek Nepal. The process is simple but comes at a government cost that you need to understand first.

For now, Bhutan charger a single visa processing cost of USD 40 per individual. Additionally, there’s a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) priced at USD 100 per individual and per night.

The SDF is used to support health care, education, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation in Bhutan. It is part of Bhutan’s “high value, low volume” tourism strategy. Children from 6 to 12 years get a 50% deduction on the SDF, and those below six years of age doesn’t have to pay for the SDF.

Please keep in mind that all visa requirements, SDF, flight schedule, and government policies can change anytime. This is why we ensure that our clients travel with all updated details before finalizing their bookings.

Transportation

Traveling during the Bhutan Sightseeing tour will be very easy and hassle-free experiencing during your Bhutan tourism package as everything will be arranged for you right after landing.

A private tourist car will take you to your destination, and you will go to Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. You don’t have to worry about traveling using public means or driving your way around.

The driver is very knowledgeable about the mountain roads of Bhutan, such as the Dochu La Pass route, which requires knowledge as the roads can be difficult due to its twists and turns and changing weather conditions.

Transport is provided for all transfers in this tour of Bhutan, including your pickup from Paro Airport until your last departure transfer. As your guide accompanies you throughout the journey, your transportation and touring experience become one single service.

The way to reach Bhutan normally begins with a flight from Kathmandu to Paro, which happens to be one of the most beautiful flights over the mountains possible anywhere in the world. On a clear day, you can spot some of the tallest mountains in the Himalayas like Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.

Upon your arrival at Paro, you will continue your journey by road in your private vehicle. It is an organized way of touring Bhutan without having to go through any difficulty at all.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must for your Bhutan sightseeing tour because although Bhutan is a very safe place to visit, it always necessary to be extra careful.

Make sure that this travel insurance covers the cost of medical care, especially emergency medical assistance and evacuation in case of necessity. Remote locations, such as Dochu La Pass, require this coverage, since it is really important.

It is also useful to get covered for trip cancellation and interruption because sometimes illness or other events may result in changing your itinerary. Travel delay insurance is also a good choice for flights to Paro, since sometimes the weather affects the flight. In addition to that, you need to ensure that you are insured against lost luggage, delayed flights, and personal losses.

Please be aware that Epic Trek Nepal does not offer travel insurance services, but we can help you in finding one suitable for trekking at high altitude locations. Just get in touch with us!

Frequently Asked Questions

Most tourists take the flight route from Kathmandu to Paro that involves a brief scenic flight above the Himalayas. We can assist you with the flight bookings along with the tour package.

Yes, most international tourists need a Bhutan visa that needs to be arranged via online mode through a licensed tour operator like us. The Indian citizens need an entry permit in place of the visa.

Yes, the SDF is included in this Bhutan sightseeing tour package. No need to pay the SDF additionally.

The Bhutan sightseeing tour takes in Paro, Thimphu and Punakha with various dzongs, monasteries and mountain passes included.

Yes, the trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery forms part of the itinerary and is the main attraction of this Bhutan sightseeing tour.

This trek is moderately difficult but still possible for those with average fitness levels. The trek is an ascent for a number of hours, with a rest stop about halfway up.

The package offers comfortable 3-star hotels, in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro, or can be upgraded upon request.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included during the whole tour and will consist of a combination of both Bhutanese and international cuisine.

Yes, this tour program is suitable for families. It can be done at a slow pace and the Tiger’s Nest hike can be modified depending on the fitness level of participants.

Sure. It is possible to change hotel category, add days or modify sightseeing points according to your preference.

Trip Reviews

Similar Packages

Bhutan Cultural Tour
5.0

Bhutan Cultural Tour

  • Duration: 10 Days
  • |
  • Grade: Moderate
Bhutan Luxury Tour
5.0

Bhutan Luxury Tour

  • Duration: 4 Days
  • |
  • Grade: Easy
Nepal Bhutan Tour
5.0

Nepal Bhutan Tour

  • Duration: 10 Days
  • |
  • Grade: Moderate