How Many Days to Visit Bhutan? Best Itineraries from 4 to 10 Days or More
Bhutan tours offer fascinating experiences, no matter the length of your trip. For most first-time travelers, 5 to 7 days is the ideal travel length. If you’re on a tight schedule, you can still see the highlights of the Himalayan Kingdom in 4 days.
Of course, Bhutan is also worth a long journey with an in-depth exploration into the heartland, or exploring the boundless nature of trekking experiences.
Here, we’ll introduce the most popular Bhutan tours ranging from 4 to 10 days, and provide more itinerary suggestions to help you find the perfect travel plan for your journey in Bhutan.
4 Days in Bhutan: Focus on Paro and Thimphu (Best for a Quick Glimpse)
Generally, 4 days is the shortest amount of time to get an all-around impression of Bhutan. On a 4-day Bhutan tour, you’ll explore the highlights of Paro and Thimphu, the two best-known cities, seeing iconic Dzongs, museums, and cultural wonders.
Start your tour arriving in Paro, the gateway to Bhutan for most travelers. You’ll meet your guide and driver and set out for the capital, Thimphu, only an hour away.
In Bhutan’s largest city, you’ll spend a day exploring the best of the capital city, such as the impressive Tashichho Dzong, the fortress-monastery where the national government and central monastic body are located, the National Library of Bhutan, and the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, which helps preserve Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts.
You’ll also visit the monastery Changangkha Lhakhang to see breathtaking views of the Thimphu Valley and the King’s Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in memory of the third king.
Then, you will back to Paro and take a half-day trek to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched on the side of a cliff, 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The route is about 3 km one way and is a 5-6 hour round trip.
After the hiking, you can explore Paro Valley as you like or visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, which once defended the valley from invasion and is now an administrative center and school for monks.

Visit Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu
5 Days in Bhutan: Cover the Top Highlights in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha (Most Chosen by First-timers)
Visiting Bhutan in 5 days is the most popular choice for first-time visitors to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. A classic 5-day Bhutan tour includes the main highlights of Paro and Thimphu, as well as touring the ancient capital, Punakha.
On the first day, you’ll arrive in Paro and transfer the 54 km to Thimphu to start exploring the capital city. See the famous Tashichho Dzong and King's Memorial Chorten, and visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park to see the 51-meter tall bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.
Next day, you will take a 3-hour drive from Thimphu to Punakha. En route, you’ll cross Dochula Pass, at 3,140 meters above sea level, where you can see the 108 chortens. Also, you will take a chance to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a beautiful Buddhist monastery close to the village of Lobesa.
After you arrive, you will visit Punakha Dzong. The impressive structure sits at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, then continues on to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten perched atop a hill with amazing views of the countryside below.
On the third day, you will take the scenic drive, and arrive in time to see Paro Rinpung Dzong and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong in the north of Paro Valley.
The fourth day is for the world-famous hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. You’ll enjoy the incredible views of the Paro Valley along the trekking trail. After that, you can do some exploring in Paro City, trying the food and visiting local markets.
On the last day, you will take the flight from Paro to your next destination.

Make sure to visit Punakha Dzong if you have the chance.
6 to 7 Days in Bhutan: Deep Dive into Western Bhutan with Phobjikha Valley or Haa Valley (Great for Nature Lovers)
With 6-7 days in Bhutan, you can deeply explore the natural beauty of western Bhutan. The Phobjikha Valley and Haa Valley are the best places to see incredible Himalayan vistas and some of Bhutan’s unique wildlife.
You can add a full-day exploration in Haa Valley on a classic 5-day journey. Once you return to Paro from Punakha, you can take a day trip to the Haa Valley, passing through Chele La Pass (3,988m), which has stunning panoramas of the Himalayan Ranges and the valley beyond. When the weather is good, you can even see Bhutan's second-highest peak, Mt.Jomolhari (7,314m).
Or, you can continue your journey to Phobjikha Valley after visiting Punakha. You can spend a night in Gangtey and take in the stunning views of Phobhikha Valley. If you visit in winter, you’ll also get a rare chance to witness the graceful black-necked cranes in their natural habitat.
8 Days in Bhutan: Travel from Western Bhutan to the Cultural Heartland Bumthang (Classic Bhutan Experience)
If you have more time, an 8-day tour in Bhutan is ideal to venture into Bhutan’s cultural heartland. Visiting Bumthang is a classic Bhutan experience and a chance to immerse yourself deeper into local culture.
Start by following the classic route from Paro to Thimphu and Punakha, and then continue on the Bunthang. It takes around 7 hours to travel 197 km from Punakha. The route travels through stunning scenery of lush oak and pine forests and includes a stop at Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese-style chorten.
It is recommended to spend at least 2 nights in Bumthang so that you can have enough time to explore the cultural heritages in central Bhutan. The Jakar Dzong is a must-visit attraction in Bumthang, which is a majestic building widely admired around the country. Jambay Lhakhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples. It was built in 659 AD and is an important destination for pilgrims. You will also see Kurjey Lhakhang, a monastery complex that houses the imprint of Guru Rimpoche, who meditated in a cave where the monastery was built.
From Bumthang, you’ll take two days back to Paro with an overnight stay in Phobjikha Valley.
Like all the other Bhutan tours, you will spend the last few days in Paro, experience the Tiger’s Nest Monastery hike, and explore the city before departure.

Explore the culture heritages in Bumthang.
10 Days in Bhutan: Ideal for Cultural Experience and Light Trekking (Perfect Balance of Culture and Nature)
Visiting Bhutan in 10 days, you can have more cultural experience or enjoy some short treks in Bhutan. You can add visits to Wangdue, the Haa Valley, and Trongsa to the classic 8-day itinerary for an in-depth cultural and nature exploration.
Alternatively, you can take some short treks in Paro Valley or Phobjikha Valley to fully explore the natural beauty of this land.
If You Plan to Trek in Bhutan, Set Aside 1 to 2 Weeks
Bhutan is a haven for trekkers. From easy beginner routes to challenging trails, there is something for trekkers of all levels to enjoy. It is suggested to plan at least 1 to 2 weeks for your Bhutan trekking tour.
One of the most popular trekking tours in Bhutan is the 9-day Druk Path trekking tour. It’s a great route in spring or autumn. The trek starts in Paro, and it travels through ancient forests, scenic ridges, and alpine lakes over six days on the way to Thimphu. The route lets you visit dzongs and traditional villages and experience panoramic Himalayan vistas free of any crowds. Complete the Druk Path Trek as part of a 9-day tour that includes seeing the sites in Paro and Thimpu.
Shorter treks like the 5-day Bumdrak Trek are also popular. It involves two days of trekking, visiting revered pilgrimage sites, and being immersed in beautiful natural scenery.
Longer tours like the 12 Days Bumthang Cultural Trek let you spend time in the natural setting of Bhutan’s heartland. The trekking is along the Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek, one of the most scenic in Bhutan. You’ll be able to explore the fantastic views of the Himalayan ranges, virgin landscapes, and the diverse fauna and flora of Bhutan.

Trekking in Bhutan is one of the ultimate experiences for anyone visiting the Himalayan Kingdom.
Visit Bhutan during a festival? Stay 2 to 3 days longer
Festivals in Bhutan play an important role in preserving the country’s cultural legacy. If your schedule aligns with one of the major festivals, it’s worth adding 2-3 days to experience the lively and authentic atmosphere of the events.
The Paro Tshechu festival is held every spring in March or April. It’s one of the largest festivals in Bhutan and attracts people from all over for five days of cham mask dances, folk performances, and community spirit. The highlight is the unfurling of the giant Thongdrel, a large religious tapestry of Guru Rinpoche, on the final day, believed to cleanse sins merely by viewing it.
Thimphu Tshechu is one of the most accessible festivals for visitors to Bhutan. It takes place in September or October over three days. Bhutanese people wear their finest traditional clothing and come together for celebrations and spiritual observance. The popular cham dances are a way of sharing stories from Buddhist mythology and Bhutanese history.
Conclusion
The wide range of Bhutan tours has something to cover any amount of time you have available. From four-day whirlwind itineraries of the most iconic sites to in-depth tours of the heartland and trekking adventures into nature, you can tailor your experience in Bhutan to suit your schedule.
If you’re not sure which to choose, start with one of the classics, or contact us for more information. We will help you choose the right plan for having your dream experience in Bhutan.
Recommended Bhutan Tour Packages
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4 Days Glimpse of Bhutan Tour
Paro - Thimphu - Paro
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5 Days Classic Bhutan Sightseeing and Cultural Tour
Paro – Thimphu (1N) – Punakha (1N) – Paro (2N)
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6 Days Best of Bhutan Tour
Paro – Thimphu (1N) – Punakha (1N) – Gangtey (1N) – Paro (2N)
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8 Days Western and Central Bhutan Tour
Paro - Thimphu (1N) - Punakha (1N) - Bumthang (2N)- Gangtey (1N) - Paro (2N)