5 Days Bhutan Tour

5 days in Bhutan is the shortest itinerary that touches all three of Bhutan's classic western valleys - Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha - which makes it the sweet spot for travellers spending precious annual leave. After a first day among Paro's dzong and temples, you shift to the capital for its museums, markets, and giant golden Buddha, then day-trip over Dochula Pass - 108 chortens and a horizon of Himalayan snow peaks - to Punakha's riverside fortress, the most beautiful building in the kingdom. The finale is the Tiger's Nest hike, placed on your last full day so you're properly acclimatized. Choose this length if you want the greatest hits with no wasted day; choose six days if you'd rather sleep a night in Punakha's warm valley than visit it in a day.

Tour Highlights

Buddha Dordenma — 51m statue above Thimphu
Takin Preserve Centre — Bhutan's national animal
Bhutanese authentic craft market
Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
Dochula Pass (3,114m) — Himalayan views
Chimi Lhakhang — the Temple of Fertility
Punakha Dzong — between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu
Zilukha Nunnery
School of Traditional Arts — the thirteen crafts
National Museum at Ta Dzong, Paro
Paro Rinpung Dzong
Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (7.4 km, approx. 5 hrs)
Kyichu Lhakhang — one of Bhutan's oldest temples
Complimentary hot stone bath in a farmhouse

Duration 5 Days

5 Days Bhutan Trip Cost

5 Days Bhutan Tour — 5 Days Bhutan Trip Cost by group size
Solo Traveler	$1,400
2 Pax	$1,050 per person
3 Pax or more	$1,015 per person

What's included in the cost? What's included in the cost?

Nature of Tour: The tour will be a private tour, with your own guide and a Driver (which means your group will not join any other group).

Free & no obligation — we'll reply within 24 hours.

Your 5 days in Bhutan at a glance

Day 1: Arrival in Paro – Drive to Thimphu

Thimphu (2,320m) · 54km | 1 hr 20 mins
Day 2: Thimphu - Punakha- Thimphu (Day Excursion)

Punakha (1,242m) · 146 km round trip | approx. 2.3 hrs each way (including stop at Dcohula Pass)
Day 3: Thimphu – Paro

Paro (2,250m) · 54km | 1 hr 20 mins
Day 4: Tiger's Nest Hike

Tiger's Nest (3,120m) · 7.4 km round trip | approx. 5 hrs
Day 5: Departure

Paro Airport (2,250m)

5 days Bhutan itinerary, day by day

Day 1: Arrival in Paro – Drive to Thimphu

Paro (2,250m) – Thimphu (2,320m) · 54km | 1 hr 20 mins

Your guide and driver will receive you at Paro airport and drive you to Thimphu, a journey of about an hour and twenty minutes including a stop along the way.

After lunch, visit Buddha Dordenma, the 51m tall statue, looking out over the valley, followed by the Takin Preserve Centre, home to Bhutan's national animal, and then a Bhutanese authentic craft market.

In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, then stroll around Thimphu city. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu - Punakha- Thimphu (Day Excursion)

Punakha (1,242m) · 146 km round trip | approx. 2.3 hrs each way (including stop at Dcohula Pass)

Early in the morning, drive via Dochula Pass(3,114 metres) , where the Himalayan range opens up on a clear day.

In Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, and the beautiful Punakha Dzong, set between the Pho Chhu(male river) and Mo Chhu(Female River). Lunch will be serverd in Punakha.

After lunch return to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu – Paro

Thimphu (2,320m) – Paro (2,250m) · 54km | 1 hr 20 mins

In the morning, visit Zilukha Nunnery and the School of Traditional Arts, where students learn the thirteen traditional arts & crafts. In this school you will find students whose aptitude is more artistic then academic.

After that drive to Paro. Have a lunch at Paro. Then, visit the National Museum at Ta Dzong and the historic Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646.

Enjoy an evening stroll through Paro town. Dinner and overnight in Paro.

Day 4: Tiger's Nest Hike

Paro (2,250m) – Tiger's Nest (3,120m) · 7.4 km round trip | approx. 5 hrs

In the morning, hike to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery — 7.4 km round trip, approximately five hours.

After lunch, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, and then enjoy a complimentary hot stone bath in a farmhouse. Dinner and overnight in Paro.

Note: if you would like, we can arrange a final lunch in a farmhouse.

Day 5: Departure

Paro Airport (2,250m)

Early-morning transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Farewell from Bhutan!

What's Included & Excluded

Accommodation in 3* Hotels on twin sharing basis
All Three Meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner). Lunch will be served in a local Tourist Restaurant.
Daily Tariff.
Visa Fee.
Royalty and Government Taxes.
SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) of USD 100 per night per person, which directly goes towards free education, Free Healthcare and infrastructure development.
Transportation from receive till drop.
Museum and Monument fee.
Bottle Water in Car.
Sightseeing.
Guide.
Driver.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to do the 5 day Bhutan tour?

Spring and autumn are the two windows most travellers choose. March to May brings the rhododendrons into bloom; October to December gives the clearest Himalayan views. Both carry the big tshechu festivals — Paro in March or April, Thimphu in September or October. Winter is quieter and colder but the valleys stay open, and the monsoon months are green and uncrowded. Our month-by-month guide breaks it down in detail.

How much does the 5 days Bhutan tour cost?

From US$1,015 per person for three or more travellers, US$1,050 each for two, and US$1,400 travelling solo. Those are all-inclusive figures: the Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per person per night — US$400 across your four nights — and the one-off US$40 visa fee are already inside them, along with 3-star hotels, all meals, a guide, driver and private transport. Nothing further is payable on arrival.

Is the Tiger's Nest hike included in the 5 days Bhutan tour?

Yes. The hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) sits on your last full day, once you have had 4 nights to acclimatise. The round trip is about 7.4 km and takes roughly five hours including the tea-house stop.

Which places does the 4 nights / 5 days Bhutan tour cover?

Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.

Can I visit Phobjikha on a 5 days Bhutan tour?

Not in 5 days. Phobjikha is reached on our 7 Days Bhutan Tour, the shortest itinerary that gets there.

Is the tour private or will I join a group?

Private. You travel with your own guide and driver, and your group is never merged with another.

Refund Terms and Conditions

More than 30 days before arrival: Full refund minus processing fees
15-30 days before arrival: 50% refund minus processing fees
7-14 days before arrival: 25% refund minus processing fees
Less than 7 days before arrival: No refund
No-shows: No refund
All cancellations must be made in writing via email

Note: We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances.

Send Inquiry

Tell us your travel dates and we take care of the rest — visa, SDF, hotels, guide, transportation and permits.