5 Nights 6 Days Bhutan Tour Itinerary, Cost, Tips

Bhutan’s colorful tradition and culture, close ties with the nature and lovely people offer travelers a unique experience. One can easily spend weeks in Bhutan exploring their culture and events. But if you have a short time to spend, with proper planning & itinerary you can still get a glimpse of Bhutan worth cherishing.

This itinerary is for 5 nights & 6 days trip in Bhutan. Though anyone can follow this itinerary, this is made keeping in mind the independent travelers of Bangladesh, Maldives and India. Following this itinerary might be a little difficult if there are small kids in the group.

Checkout “6 Days in Bhutan” Trip Report

5 Nights 6 Days Bhutan Tour Itinerary

Day 1
It will be best to go directly to Thimphu which takes around 90 minutes. After checking in a hotel and having lunch you can visit Memorial Chorten (30 minutes) followed by Buddha Point (30-60 minutes) and Tashichho Dzong. In winter, Tashichho Dzong is open from 4pm-5:30pm and in summer from 5pm-6:30pm. You could end the day with a stroll by the handicraft market or exploring the streets of Thimphu.

Day 2
Drop your permit applications at the department of immigration. The office opens at 9am. You can either wait 20-30 minutes to collect the papers or you can visit the Takin Zoo and the Traditional Arts School and collect the paper on your way back. You can end your Thimphu sightseeing with a visit to the Handmade Paper Factory and be on your way to Punakha around noon.

You will reach Dochu La at around half past one where you can have your lunch. Reaching Punakha go straight to the Dzong followed by the suspended bridge nearby. Checkin at the hotel in Punakha in the evening.

Day 3
Spend the morning strolling through the small town and the nearby villages of Punakha. Checking out of the hotel go to the Chime Lhakhang, which will be on the way. You will have to go on a 20-30 minute hike through paddy fields to reach the temple. Have lunch in Thimphu or go to Paro and have lunch there. You will reach paro by 3pm. In the afternoon there might be an archery match in the archery ground nearby.

Day 4
Start for Haa village in the morning. It takes around 4 hours to reach Haa with a stop at Chele La. You can have lunch at Haa and shop for some local items, like cheese, there. You can get back to Paro by evening.

Bhutan travel diary

Day 5
Hike to the Takstang Monastery takes around 3 hours and getting down in around 2 hours. So starting early in the morning will allow you some time in the afternoon. If you don’t want to walk, you can hire a horse to get you to the half point mark, where there is a cafeteria. Though you will have to get back down on foot. After that visit the Drukgyal Dzong and if you have time, visit Ta Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.

Day 6
The airport in Paro is not a very busy one. But it might be wise to get there atleast 2 hours before the flight.

Estimated cost for 5 nights in Bhutan

  • Taxi & Sightseeing: 13,000 – 15,000 ngultram
  • Hotels (double room): 7,000 – 9,000 ngultram
  • Food (two persons): 3,000 – 6,000 ngultram

Tips & Suggestions

  • There are many taxis waiting to get a client at the airport gate. You can negotiate the rate with them for the whole trip. It will be much convenient for you.
  • Buying a sim card from the airport will result in higher call rates and poor internet packages. If you request your taxi driver to buy it form the local shop you can get regular sim card with regular offers.
  • Hotels will offer big discounts in off seasons. So don’t shy away from bargaining.
  • Eating in local restaurants will offer you an authentic Bhutanese experience and will be 5 to 10 times cheaper than eating in hotels and big restaurants.

Further Reading:

About Irtiza

A small town kid, stuck in a big city!