Punakha Dzong at the meeting of two rivers under big white clouds

Kingdom of Bhutan · 27.43° N, 89.42° E

Bhutan

Fortress-monasteries at river junctions, archery on a Sunday, and the Tiger's Nest hanging off a cliff above Paro.

Best time
March–May, September–November
Ideal length
7–9 days
Region
Abroad
Journeys from
₹1,18,000

Bhutan limits tourism on purpose, and it shows. Towns stay small, forests stay standing and festivals are held for the people who live there, not for visitors.

Our Bhutan journeys are planned with a Thimphu-based partner we have worked with since 2014. You'll have the same guide and driver throughout, which in Bhutan makes all the difference.

The climb to Paro Taktsang is the finale: two to three hours up through blue pine, a tea stop at the cafeteria viewpoint, and then the monastery itself, impossibly placed on the rock.

(02)When to go

March–May, September–November

Spring brings rhododendrons; autumn brings the clearest Himalayan views and the Thimphu and Paro tshechus.

  1. January: not recommended
  2. February: not recommended
  3. March: recommended
  4. April: recommended
  5. May: recommended
  6. June: not recommended
  7. July: not recommended
  8. August: not recommended
  9. September: recommended
  10. October: recommended
  11. November: recommended
  12. December: not recommended

(03)Don't miss

The moments worth the journey.

Paro Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest monastery, on its cliff above the Paro valley
Photo Aaron Santelices / Unsplash
  1. 01

    Paro Taktsang

    The Tiger's Nest, 900 metres above the valley floor. Start early and go slowly.

  2. 02

    Punakha Dzong

    The most beautiful dzong in the country, at the meeting of the 'male' and 'female' rivers.

  3. 03

    Dochula Pass

    108 chortens and, on a clear day, a line of peaks along the border with Tibet.

  4. 04

    A farmhouse dinner

    Ema datshi, red rice and ara poured by the grandmother of the house.

(04)From the road

Bhutan in pictures

  • A monk in saffron crossing a prayer-flag-strung suspension bridge
    A monk in saffron crossing a prayer-flag-strung suspension bridge
  • Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu above rice fields and forested hills
    Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu above rice fields and forested hills
  • Monks walking along a painted gallery inside a Bhutanese dzong
    Monks walking along a painted gallery inside a Bhutanese dzong

(05)Journeys

Ways to travel Bhutan

Starting points our planners reshape around your dates, your people and your pace.

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