Bhutan
Bhutan by Road: Phuentsholing, Thimphu & Paro
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Phuentsholing
- Thimphu
- Paro
- Phuentsholing
Price on request
Across the border
Bhutan, planned from next door
Dzongs above the rivers, prayer flags on every pass, and the Tiger’s Nest on its cliff — Bhutan is a day’s drive from Siliguri.
Bhutan feels further away than it is. From NJP or Bagdogra the road reaches Phuentsholing, the border town, in four to five hours, and from there the highway climbs into another world: white fortress-monasteries called dzongs, farmhouses painted with flowers, and a country that still dresses in national costume for work.
The classic circuit runs Phuentsholing – Thimphu – Punakha – Paro, with the climb to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest, as its finale. We plan Bhutan trips for travellers from all over India, either by road from Siliguri — the way most of our guests go — or by air into Paro.
Registered with Sikkim Tourism Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA
What to see
Places worth your time
- 01
Paro & the Tiger’s Nest
Taktsang monastery clings to a cliff 900 m above the valley. The walk up takes most of a day and is the high point of any trip.
- 02
Thimphu
The capital: Tashichho Dzong, the Buddha Dordenma statue, the weekend market and the textile museum.
- 03
Punakha
The old capital, with its beautiful dzong at the meeting of two rivers and the long suspension bridge nearby.
- 04
Dochula Pass
108 memorial chortens at about 10,000 ft on the road from Thimphu to Punakha, with Himalayan views on a clear day.
- 05
Phobjikha Valley
A wide glacial valley where black-necked cranes winter from late October to February.
- 06
Phuentsholing
The border town and the gateway by road from India, where entry permits are issued.
Itineraries
Bhutan tour packages
Every itinerary can be changed to your dates and pace. Prices on request.
Bhutan
Bhutan Classic: Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Phuentsholing
- Thimphu
- Dochula
- Punakha
- Paro
- Phuentsholing
Price on request
Bhutan
Bhutan with the Phobjikha Valley
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Phuentsholing
- Thimphu
- Punakha
- Phobjikha
- Paro
Price on request
Gangtok · Bhutan
Sikkim & Bhutan: Gangtok, Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
- NJP / Bagdogra
- Gangtok
- Tsomgo Lake
- Phuentsholing
- Thimphu
- Punakha
- Paro
Price on request
When to go
Seasons
March – May
Spring
Rhododendrons, jacaranda at Punakha and clear passes. Festival season in Paro.
June – August
Monsoon
Rain and leeches on the trails, but green valleys and fewer visitors.
September – November
Autumn
The best season: clear skies, harvest colours and the great festivals.
December – February
Winter
Cold and clear; the cranes are at Phobjikha. Dochula may see snow.
Getting there
By road: NJP or Bagdogra to the Jaigaon–Phuentsholing border in about four to five hours, then on to Thimphu the next day. This is how most of our guests travel.
By air: flights to Paro from several Indian cities. We meet you at Paro airport and plan the trip from there.
Permits & documents
Indian nationals need a valid passport or Voter ID card (EPIC) — Aadhaar is not accepted — and an entry permit, issued at Phuentsholing or Paro airport. Children need a passport or birth certificate.
Travel beyond Thimphu and Paro, for example to Punakha, needs a route permit issued in Thimphu. Bhutan also charges a Sustainable Development Fee per person per night; we include the current rate in your quote.
From our office in Namchi
Local tips
- Carry the same ID you used to book; the name must match on every document.
- Dress modestly for dzongs and temples: long sleeves and no shorts.
- Do the Tiger’s Nest hike near the end of the trip, once you are used to the altitude.
Questions
Bhutan: frequently asked
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No. Indian nationals need a valid passport or Voter ID and an entry permit, which is issued at the border or the airport. We help prepare the documents.
How many days do I need for Bhutan?
Five nights covers Thimphu and Paro with the Tiger’s Nest. Six or seven adds Punakha and Dochula, and eight lets you add the Phobjikha valley.
Can you combine Bhutan with Sikkim?
Yes. Both are reached from Siliguri, so a Gangtok-and-Bhutan trip of nine or ten days works well.
Talk to a local
Tell us where you want to go
Send your dates and the number of travellers. We reply with a written, day-by-day itinerary and an itemised quote — and it costs nothing to ask.
- +91 80162 57040
- WhatsApp the office
- Lower Ghurpisey, Namchi, South Sikkim 737126, India
Registered with Sikkim Tourism Reg. No. 77/DoT&CAv/S/20/TA