🇧🇹

Bhutan Itinerary: 5 Days (2026)

This 5-day Bhutan itinerary covers Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang — the sweet spot for a comfortable first visit, day by day with honest costs.

Estimated cost: ₹31,000–₹93,000 (≈ $365–$1,085) per person for 5 days, excluding international flights.

Best months for this route: Mar – May, Sep – Nov

A day-by-day itinerary covering the best of Bhutan — designed for Indian travellers with honest costs, visa tips, and the right cities in the right order.

5 days Mar – May, Sep – Nov Visa required + Sustainable Development Fee ($100/day) BTN (Ngultrum)

Your Route at a Glance

🇧🇹

Paro

Day 1

🇧🇹

Thimphu

Day 2

🇧🇹

Punakha

Day 3

🇧🇹

Gangtey

Day 4

🇧🇹

Bumthang

Day 5

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day

1

Paro — Day 1
🇧🇹

Paro

Full guide

Tiger's Nest Valley

✓Tiger's Nest Monastery — Bhutan's most iconic monastery, clinging to a sheer cliff face 900 metres above …
✓Rinpung Dzong — A fortress-monastery overlooking Paro town, still used as an administrative and …
✓National Museum — A museum housed in a former watchtower, displaying Bhutanese art, textiles, and …
Mar - May, Sep - Nov BTN 6000-18000/day/day

Day

2

Thimphu — Day 2
🇧🇹

Thimphu

Full guide

Himalayan Capital

✓Buddha Dordenma — A massive gilded bronze Buddha statue on a hillside overlooking Thimphu, one of …
✓Tashichho Dzong — A fortress-monastery housing government offices and the throne room of the King,…
✓Folk Heritage Museum — A traditional 19th-century house-turned-museum showing rural Bhutanese domestic …
Mar - May, Sep - Nov BTN 6000-18000/day/day

Day

3

Punakha — Day 3
🇧🇹

Punakha

Full guide

River Dzong Valley

✓Punakha Dzong — Punakha Dzong is one of Punakha's signature experiences. Plan it with a relaxed …
✓Suspension Bridge — Suspension Bridge is one of Punakha's signature experiences. Plan it with a rela…
✓Chimi Lhakhang — Chimi Lhakhang is one of Punakha's signature experiences. Plan it with a relaxed…
Mar - May, Sep - Nov BTN 6000-18000/day/day

Day

4

Gangtey — Day 4
🇧🇹

Gangtey

Full guide

Phobjikha Valley

✓Gangtey Monastery — A grand 17th-century monastery overlooking the Phobjikha Valley, home to a commu…
✓Phobjikha Valley — A wide glacial valley with no electricity poles (buried underground to protect t…
✓Black-Necked Crane Centre — A visitor centre with telescopes for observing the endangered black-necked crane…
Mar - May, Oct - Nov BTN 6000-18000/day/day

Day

5

Bumthang — Day 5
🇧🇹

Bumthang

Full guide

Spiritual Heartland

✓Jambay Lhakhang — One of Bhutan's oldest temples, said to be built in a single day in the 7th cent…
✓Kurjey Lhakhang — A sacred temple complex where Guru Rinpoche is said to have left a body imprint …
✓Jakar Dzong — A fortress-monastery known as the "castle of the white bird," overlooking the Ch…
Mar - May, Sep - Nov BTN 6500-19000/day/day

More Bhutan Itineraries

Bhutan Itinerary FAQ

How many days do you need in Bhutan?

Most first-time visitors need 5–7 days in Bhutan to see the highlights at a comfortable pace. This 5-day plan covers Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang. With more time, slow the pace or add day trips; with less, focus on Paro and skip the longer transfers.

How much does a 5-day Bhutan trip cost from India?

Budget roughly ₹31,000–₹93,000 (about $365–$1,085) per person for 5 days on the ground in Bhutan — covering accommodation, food, local transport and activities at a budget-to-mid-range level. International flights and visa fees are extra. Travelling in Mar – May, Sep – Nov (peak season) sits at the higher end of that range.

What is the best route for 5 days in Bhutan?

The most efficient 5-day route is Paro (Day 1), then Thimphu (Day 2), then Punakha (Day 3), then Gangtey (Day 4), then Bumthang (Day 5). This order keeps travel legs short and one-directional, so you never backtrack. Each stop's day count matches how much there genuinely is to see — the day-by-day plan below breaks down exactly what to do in each.

Is 5 days enough for Bhutan?

5 days is enough for a focused first look at Bhutan — this plan covers Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang without feeling rushed. For the full experience, the 7-day version adds more depth. The best months to do this route are Mar – May, Sep – Nov.