Bhutan Discovered: Thimphu, Punakha & Tiger’s Nest – 7 Days
Dzongs, mountain passes and the Tiger's Nest in a week, with most meals included.
Tour overview
This 7-day trip is a compact introduction to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, with a local leader and a group of up to twelve. You stay six nights in hotels, with nearly all meals included.
In Thimphu you visit the National Memorial Chorten, a weaving centre, an incense workshop and the giant Buddha Dordenma, and walk through paddy fields to Cheri Monastery.
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You cross the Dochula Pass to Punakha, the old winter capital, to see its riverside dzong, the fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang and a hilltop nunnery, and hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
The trip ends in Paro with the hike up to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest Monastery clinging to a cliff, and a home-cooked farewell dinner. The physical rating is medium.
Trip highlights
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Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu (Day 2)
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The Dochula Pass (Day 3)
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Punakha Dzong (Day 3)
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Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike (Day 4)
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Tiger's Nest Monastery (Day 6)
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A home-cooked dinner in Paro (Day 6)
Your route
5 stops from Paro to Tiger's Nest Monastery
- Paro Days 5–7
- Thimphu Days 1–2
- Dochula Pass Day 3
- Punakha Days 3–4
- Tiger's Nest Monastery Day 6
Why choose this tour
Bhutan's highlights in one week. Nearly all meals included.
Best suited to
- First-time visitors to Bhutan
- Culture and Buddhism enthusiasts
- Walkers
- Solo travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
7 days from Thimphu, Bhutan to Paro, Bhutan
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Day 1 · Thimphu Thimphu
Welcome to Bhutan.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
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Day 2 · Cheri Monastery, Buddha Dordenma Thimphu
Thimphu's sights.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3 · Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang Punakha
Over the pass to Punakha.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Punakha
Hike and nunnery.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Dochula Pass, Paro Paro
To Paro.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 · Tiger's Nest Paro
Tiger's Nest.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 · Paro Paro
The trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Thimphu (2 nights) Hotel
- Punakha (2 nights) Hotel
- Paro (2 nights) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 6 nights in hotels
- Meals 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
- Private transport and departure transfer
- Sightseeing in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
- Tiger's Nest hike
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Bhutan visa and Sustainable Development Fee
- Drinks
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You dislike steep hikes
- You want luxury hotels
- You want a longer trip
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,376 per person, twin share, tour only. 59 upcoming departures.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Do I need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes. Bhutan issues a visa linked to this group tour, and a daily Sustainable Development Fee applies; send your passport details when you book.
How hard is the Tiger's Nest hike?
About 4–5 hours return, climbing steeply to around 3,100 metres; you can go at your own pace.
Which meals are included?
6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners.
Can I have my own room?
A single supplement may be available; otherwise solo travellers share with someone of the same gender.
How many people travel together?
No more than twelve travellers, with a leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary