Trip Facts

  • Duration:5 Days
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Max Altitude:3120 Meters
  • Min group size1
  • Best TimeSpring and Autumn
  • Holiday typeTrek and Tour

About Bhutan tour 4 nights 5 days

Embark on a magical tour to the kingdom of Thunder Dragons, a hidden gem in South Asia, Bhutan. On this exciting and adventurous tour, you will explore Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha historical sites. Likewise, you will also explore the Dochula Pass and go on a day hike to Taktsang Monastery (aka the Tiger's Nest).

Our 4 nights 5 days Bhutan tour is doable for all ages of travelers. You will explore the country's rich culture, tradition, art, architecture, and history. One of our friendly, English-speaking Bhutanese guides will accompany you during the tour. He will introduce you to Bhutan's way of life and beliefs.

You will start the tour with a scenic flight to Paro. During the flight, witness stunning aerial views of many Himalayan mountains. Paro is the only city in Bhutan that has an international airport. From here, you will drive to Thimphu on the same day.

You will stop at Kyichu Lhakhang Temple and Rinpung Dzong during the ride. The next day, spend a few hours exploring monuments like the National Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Temple, Drubthob Monastery, the School of Arts and Crafts, the National Library, and the Traditional Paper Factory and Folk Heritage Museum.

After that, you will drive to Punakha, a lovely little village. On the way, you will cross the Dochula Pass (3,200 m), from where stunning mountain views are visible. In Punakha, you will visit Punakha Dzong, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, and Chimi Lhakhang Temple. Return to Paro the following day.

You will have one full day in Paro to hike to Taktsang Monastery, aka the Tiger's Nest. Also, tour Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang Gompa. Evening is free to stroll on your own and buy souvenirs.

We have meticulously designed our Bhutan tour 5-day itinerary that will allow you to explore many places in all three cities without exhausting yourself. Travelers can also customize the package according to their requirements. 

Places you will visit during the Bhutan tour 5 days

  • Kyichu Lhakhang: Kyichu Lhakhang was built by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. The goal of establishing this temple is to introduce Buddhism in Bhutan. It is considered one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Inside the temple, you can see the ashes of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered Tibetan Buddhist teacher.
  • Paro Rinpung Dzong: Paro Rinpung Dzong was built in the 15th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This dzong is an excellent example of Bhutanese architecture. You can see intricate woodwork, carvings, towering walls, and beautiful murals here.
  • Chimi Lhakhang Temple: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, also known as the Fertility Temple, is a small but significant religious point in Punakha. Couples visit here to get blessed with a child. Likewise, parents with newborns also visit here to get a name for their child.
  • Local Markets and Bhutanese Cuisine: Throughout the tour, you will visit local markets in all cities and try delicious Nepali dishes. Do window shopping and try Bhutanese street food. Your time with locals and the flavorful foods will make your tour more fantastic.
  • Tiger's Nest: It is locally known as Taktsang Monastery. Tiger's Nest is one of Bhutan's most iconic structures perched on the top of a hill. The monastery is situated 3,120 meters above sea level and requires two hours of gradual hiking. The hiking route is well-established and very scenic.
  • National Museum of Bhutan: The National Museum of Bhutan is also called Ta Dzong. It is a historic watchtower built in 1649 to protect Paro Valley from invaders. Later, the dzong was changed to a museum that houses a collection of artifacts, Bhutanese art, weapons, textiles, and history.
  • Drukgyel Dzong: Drukgyel Dzong was built by the first ruler of Bhutan in 1649. He built the dzong to celebrate the victory of Bhutanese warriors over the Tibetan invaders. In 1951, the dzong caught on fire, and only its ruins are left at the moment.
  • Drubthob Monastery (Zilukha Nunnery): Drubthob Monastery, aka Zilukha Nunnery, is a sacred monastery built by a Tibetan saint. It is a center for meditation and Buddhist education for women in Bhutan.
  • School of Arts and Crafts: Established in 1971, the School of Arts and Crafts is dedicated to preserving and promoting the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts. Students here learn different art forms. Likewise, travelers can purchase fantastic art collections.
  • National Library: The National Library houses ancient Bhutanese manuscripts, religious texts, and historical documents. Likewise, it also stores the world's largest published book (a 5x7-foot photographic tome about Bhutan). You can see different historical photos and displays of traditional Bhutanese scripts here.
  • Traditional Paper Factory: Learn about traditional Bhutanese paper-making processes here. You can also buy unique products made of paper, like cards, journals, diaries, notebooks, etc.
  • Folk Heritage Museum: The Folk Heritage Museum shows the rural Bhutanese lifestyle, farming tools, household items, etc. You will also see traditional dress and food here.
  • Witness stunning mountain scenery while crossing Dochula Pass: On the way from Thimphu to Punakha, you will cross the Dochula Pass. Situated 3,200 meters above sea level, you can see stunning mountain views from the top of the pass. Likewise, there are 108 chortens built on the pass in memory of Bhutanese soldiers who died in the 2003 military operation against Indian insurgents.
  • Punakha Dzong: Punakha Dzong is a 17th-century dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The dzong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu & Mo Chhu rivers. Punakha Dzong is an important religious and administrative center in Bhutan. It also served as the coronation site for the first king of Bhutan in 1907.
  • Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten: It was built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck in the 1990s to ward off evil spirits and foster peace in the world. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is renowned for its architecture and peaceful surroundings. 

Is the Bhutan tour 5-day package suitable for you?

If you are looking for a five-day trip to Bhutan, then this is one of the best 5 days Bhutan tour itineraries in the market. We have planned the itinerary to combine three must-visit cities in Bhutan: Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha.

The tour is adventurous and culturally enriching. In just five days, you will have a fantastic experience. From ancient dzongs and monasteries to bustling markets and flavorful foods, our five-day Bhutan tour is designed to offer you a life-changing journey to this beautiful country.

It is an easy tour, so you can do it with your kids. Likewise, students looking for an international trip will also love the Bhutan tour for 5 days. The best thing is that the package cost is affordable compared to most Bhutan tour packages on the market. 

5 day Bhutan tour cost

The cost of our 5-day Bhutan tour for 2025 and 2026 is 2200 USD for one person. Special discounts are available for group bookings. The price may vary if you customize the package. 

Packing list for the tour

The Bhutan tour doesn't require any special clothing or gear. You can check the list below to get an idea of the things you need for the tour.

  • Clothing: Breathable underwear, t-shirt, pants, tops, a few warm pieces of clothing, hiking shoes, casual footwear, socks, and swimwear (in case you get a chance to use a swimming pool, jacuzzi, etc)
  • Accessories as per the weather: Sun hat, sunglasses, thermal socks, beanie, scarf, gloves
  • Travel documents: Passport (valid for at least 6 months), visa, travel insurance (optional), international flight tickets, passport-size photos, Bhutanese currency
  • Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizer, hand sanitizer, wet wipes, personal first aid kit
  • Miscellaneous: Camera, mobile, travel adapter, charger, power bank, extra batteries, travel guidebook, local sim (can obtain upon arriving at the destination), snacks, journal/pen (optional), etc

Why choose us for the Bhutan tour?

Traveling in Bhutan demands meticulous planning, preparation, and support. We, Adventure White Mountain, will organize the tour for you and your loved ones. Our Bhutanese team will handle accommodation, meals, guide, driver, permits, and transportation for the tour. You will not have to worry about anything.

With our 15 years of expertise in organizing tours in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, you will have a stress-free trip with us. We guarantee a safe Bhutan tour. We have the most reasonable Bhutan tour 5 days cost in the market. Our bookings are open for 2025 and 2026 departures. If you need any help, contact us.

Trip Highlights

  • An adventurous short journey to the kingdom of Thunder Dragons, Bhutan
  • Ideal for family trips, student vacations, and all-ages for travelers
  • Explore Bhutan's three famous tourist sites- Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha
  • Witness stunning mountain views from Dochula Pass
  • Enjoy an adventurous day hiking to Taktsang Monastery (aka the Tiger's Nest)
  • Get to know Bhutan's rich culture, tradition, art, architecture, and history
  • Explore ancient monasteries, dzongs, and fortresses
  • Visit several museums to learn about Bhutanese textiles, paper, artisanal products, rural life, etc
  • Try delicious Bhutanese dishes and enjoy their heartwarming flavors

Itinerary

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Upon landing at the Paro International Airport, our Bhutanese representative will welcome you. He will quickly help you with your luggage and drive you to Thimphu.

On the way, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang Temple. It is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, surrounded by vibrant flowers, rolling hills, lush fields, and more. The temple is home to an eight-year-old Buddha statue of Sakyamuni and several intricate paintings, historical relics, and Buddhist scriptures.

Likewise, you will visit Rinpung Dzong, a 17th-century fortress built to protect Paro Valley. After exploring the temple, you will continue the ride to Thimphu. Settle in your hotel and rest. End the evening exploring the bustling streets of Thimphu market.

  • Accommodation 3-Star Hotel
  • MealsB L D
  • Time1.5 Hours Flight and 1.5 hours drive
  • Altitude(2,250 m/7,382 ft)

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and get ready to go on a tour with your guide. He will pick you up from your hotel at the designated time.

You will visit a few tourist sites in Thimphu, such as the National Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Temple, Drubthob Monastery, the School of Arts and Crafts, the National Library, and the Traditional Paper Factory and Folk Heritage Museum.

After the tour, drive to Punakha, crossing the Dochula Pass (3,200 m) on the way. The views of mountains, hills, and verdant forests are stunning from the top of the pass. From here, continue driving and settle in your hotel in Punakha.

In Punakha, you will explore the beautiful Punakha Dzong, which sits at the confluence of two rivers, Pho Chhu and, Mo Chhu. It is the second-largest dzong in Bhutan, built in the 17th century. The beauty of this dzong is unbelievable.

Likewise, you will also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is a stunning structure built in 2004. The chorten is built following the traditional teachings of Bhutanese architecture.

  • Accommodation 3-Star Hotels
  • MealsB L D
  • Time2.5 Hours Drive
  • Altitude1,200 m/3,937 ft

Start the day early with a delicious breakfast and spend a few hours visiting some other tourist sites in Punakha. You will go on a light hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, also known as the fertility temple. Couples visit this temple to get blessed with a child.

After exploring the temple, you will leave Punakha behind and drive back to Thimphu, recrossing the Dochula Pass. From Thimphu, continue the ride to Paro. Spend the evening exploring local markets and buying souvenirs.

  • Accommodation 3-Star Hotel
  • MealsB L D
  • Time3-4 Hours Drive
  • Altitude2,250 m/7,382 ft

Today, you will have a full-day sightseeing tour in Paro. Early in the morning, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. The temple is situated on a hilltop and requires two hours of uphill hiking.

The hiking route is extremely beautiful and offers breathtaking views of the temple, waterfalls, and surrounding scenery. Legends say that Guru Rinpoche flew on a tiger's back to this place and meditated in a cave, where the monastery was built later.

After exploring Taktsang Monastery, you will rest briefly and have lunch. Later, visit the National Museum of Bhutan, also known as Ta Dzong. It was a watchtower back in the day to protect Paro Valley from invaders.

Now, the dzong is a museum that houses Bhutan's rich history, thangkas, relics, and traditional masks. From here, you will visit Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress built in the 17th century to celebrate the victory over Tibetan invaders.

The view of Mount Jomolhari (7,314 m) is fantastic from here. If time allows, you will also visit Kyichu Lhakhang Gompa.

  • Accommodation 3-Star Hotel
  • MealsB L D
  • Time5 - 6 Hours Trek
  • Altitude3,120 m/10,236 ft

On this day, you will fly back to your home. Your guide will help you check out of the hotel and drive you to the international airport.
 

  • MealsBreakfast
  • Time1.5 Hours Flight
  • Altitude1350 Meters

What's included

Included

  • Private transportation by SUV car
  • All necessary travel permits
  • Flight to Bhutan and Back to Kathmandu
  • Bhutan Visa 
  • English-speaking local guide.
  • Accommodation on Single room basis.
  • Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per the itinerary
  • Meal plan: Full Board Basis. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner 

Excluded

  • Insurance of any kind.
  • Additional costs due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstance
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, guide tips, etc.

FAQs

Bhutan does not allow travelers to travel independently in the country. You can only obtain the Bhutanese travel visa through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. Traveling with a guide is compulsory.

The daily tariff of USD 200 is the tourism policy in Bhutan for tourists (except for India, Bangladesh, and Maldives travelers). It covers accommodation, food, guides, and sustainable tourism development fees. The policy was made to control tourist flow in the country and protect and preserve the ecological integrity of the nation.

There are a few things that foreigners should be aware of while visiting cultural sites in Bhutan. We have mentioned them below:

  • Do not wear shoes inside temples and monasteries
  • Do not wear a cap inside monasteries
  • Do not touch any religious statues, paintings, antiques, etc, in temples and museums
  • Do not take pictures or videos inside religious places without asking permission
  • Walk in a clockwise direction around the stupa, prayer walls, and Chortens
  • Do not throw litter on the road, public places, or anywhere randomly

Bhutanese people speak Dzongkha as their official language. Infamous tourist cities like Paro and Thimphu, the English language is widely spoken by the locals.

There is no such thing as the best time for a Bhutan tour. You will have an amazing trip to this country whenever you visit. If you want to experience a certain event or festival, make sure to search for its date and plan your trip accordingly.

Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery is not difficult. It is only a two-hour hike. Unless you are a healthy individual without the issues of asthma or joint pain, you will have no issue hiking to the monastery. The trail is well-maintained and offers stunning views to keep you motivated.

Yes, the Bhutan tour is customizable. You can increase or decrease the length of the tour as you prefer. Talk to our team for more information.

Credit cards are widely accepted in big stores, cafes, and hotels in Paro and Thimphu. However, you have to use cash to pay small vendors. You can withdraw money from an ATM using your international card.

Electric outlets for type D, G, and M are found in Bhutan. The standard voltage is 230V. Get a universal adapter for your electronic devices.
 

Tipping in Bhutan is up to the travelers. Tipping is not mandatory, but it is very appreciated. We highly recommend that our traveler's tip guide and your driver handsomely if you like their service. It is a great gesture to thank your guide and driver and motivate them to work harder.

Famous tourist cities like Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha are quite nice for travelers with disabilities. However, the rural areas are not. The country is still improving its accessibility for travelers who need special attention.

Yes, you can do the 5-day Bhutan tour with your children. It is a family-friendly tour that provides many opportunities for you to bond with your kids and for your kids to learn about Bhutanese culture and traditions.

Useful Information

Accommodation

Accommodations in Paro and Thimphu are nice tourist-strand hotels. You will get a private room with an attached bathroom. Amenities like TV, AC, WiFi, hot water, etc, will be available in the room. The hotels will have a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

If your budget allows, upgrade to a luxury 4-star or 5-star hotel. We will book a single or shared room as per your comfort. If you have any specific requirements, let us know when booking the tour. We will do our best to meet your requirements or give you an alternative.

Meals

The meals included in this package allow you to savor many Bhutanese dishes. You will get three meals a day- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Apart from that, you can buy additional food and drinks on your own. The beverage bill is not covered in our package cost.

We recommend that travelers budget some money for food and drinks as well. Some must-try Bhutanese dishes are Ema Datshi, Kewa Datshi, Shakam Datshi, Jasha Maru, Phaksha Paa, Hoentay, Red Rice, Puta (Buckwheat Noodles), Sikam Paa, etc.

Bhutanese dishes are different from other Asian dishes. Foods are special but very flavorful. Some common ingredients are chilies, cheese, rice, buckwheat, potatoes, ginger, garlic, onions, butter, dried turnip leaf, pork, beef, yak meat, mushrooms, etc.

*Travelers with allergies should check the ingredients before having any food.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance for the Bhutan tour is optional. If you are traveling to Bhutan for the first time, it is good to have travel insurance covering medical bills and at least the loss/theft of personal belongings. You will have peace of mind in case an unseen situation arises.

Best time

The best time to go on a tour of Bhutan depends on what you want to experience. As every season has something special to offer, you should pick the month that meets your requirements.

In general, March to May and September to November are considered great times to travel to Bhutan because of the stable weather and moderate climate.

But you can also do this tour between June to August and December to February. March to May is springtime, so the hills and gardens bloom with beautiful blue poppies, rhododendrons, orchids, etc.

Likewise, September to November is the autumn season. The yellow and brown shades of leaves make the scenery fantastic. Bhutanese also celebrate their biggest festivals in spring and autumn.

Likewise, June to August has hot and humid weather, teeming vegetation, and frequent rainfall. If you like the hot climate and rich biodiversity, you should visit Bhutan in summer/monsoon.

Finally, the winter (December to February) makes Bhutan like a scene from a fairytale book. Everything is covered with snow.

Altitude sickness

Compared to other cities around the world, Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha are situated above 2,000 meters above sea level. So, you will definitely see a rise in elevation compared to what you are used to. It will not affect you drastically, but you may feel uneasy.

While very rare, some travelers may see below symptoms. If you see them, inform your guide. Symptoms of altitude sickness:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite

We highly recommend travelers get ample rest and have lots of water on the day they arrive in Paro. Take it easy and relax to enjoy the rest of the tour to the fullest.

Transportation

We will use a private four-wheeler during the Bhutan tour for 5 days. Depending on the group size, we will provide you with the vehicle. All of our vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition.

Likewise, we will also give you a skilled driver who can speak English and knows the route in depth. All the commutes between the cities, historical sites, and airports will be done through the four-wheeler.

Money and personal expenses

Our Bhutan tour 5-day package covers many expenses incurred during the journey. You do not have to worry about accommodation, three meals a day, a guide, permits, transportation, and the company's service charge.

These expenses are covered in our package cost. However, things like tips, travel insurance, shopping, beverage bills, extra food, and any expense not mentioned in our cost include section are not covered in the package cost. So, we request that travelers budget ample money for these things.