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Bhutan · Road trip itinerary

Bhutan by Road via Phuentsholing

The favourite route for Gujarati families. You fly to Bagdogra, cross into Bhutan at Phuentsholing, and drive the full Thimphu–Punakha–Paro circuit without the expensive Paro flights.

7 nights / 8 days Route: Bagdogra – Phuentsholing (1 night) – Thimphu (2 nights) – Punakha (1 night) – Paro (2 nights) – Phuentsholing (1 night) – Bagdogra From ₹45,000 per person, indicative

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Highlights

To the border
Permit and climb to the capital
Capital sightseeing
Dochula and Punakha Dzong
Paro valley
Tiger's Nest
Back to the plains
Fly home

Good to know

Best months

March–May and September–November; December–February is cold but clear; June–August is monsoon (green, fewer tourists)

From Ahmedabad

Fly Ahmedabad → Bagdogra (via Delhi/Kolkata) and drive 5 h to Phuentsholing, or connect to a Paro flight from Delhi or Kolkata

Veg & Jain food

Easy — hotels serve Indian veg food as standard and Bhutanese dishes like ema datshi (chilli-cheese) are vegetarian; Jain meals with notice

Good for

Families with children, honeymooners, senior parents (except the Tiger's Nest hike), anyone wanting a calm, uncrowded trip

Full Bhutan travel guide →

Indicative cost

Standard

₹45,000–53,000

Per person, twin sharing

Premium

₹72,000–85,000

Per person, twin sharing

Per person on twin sharing, land only, indicative for the September–November 2026 high season, based on 4 travellers. Standard 3★ or basic 4★, premium deluxe 4★. July–August and December are a little cheaper. Flights extra.

What's included

7 nights' hotels on twin sharing with breakfast and dinner
SDF for Indian nationals and entry permit processing
Licensed Bhutanese guide for the Bhutan portion
Private vehicles: Indian vehicle for Bagdogra–Phuentsholing, Bhutanese vehicle inside Bhutan
All transfers and sightseeing as listed

Not included

Flights to and from Bagdogra
Entry fees and ponies
Lunches, tips, insurance
GST 5% and TCS

Day by day

Day 1

Ahmedabad → Bagdogra → Phuentsholing

To the border

Fly to Bagdogra (via Delhi or Kolkata) and drive about 170 km (5 hours) to Phuentsholing. Your Bhutanese guide meets you at the gate.

Stay: PhuentsholingMeals: Dinner

Day 2

Phuentsholing → Thimphu

Permit and climb to the capital

Complete the entry permit formalities in the morning, then drive about 176 km (6 hours) up to Thimphu, stopping at the Kharbandi monastery.

Stay: ThimphuMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3

Thimphu

Capital sightseeing

Buddha Dordenma, the Memorial Chorten, the Folk Heritage Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang, the Takin reserve, and Tashichho Dzong in the evening.

Stay: ThimphuMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4

Thimphu → Punakha

Dochula and Punakha Dzong

The Dochula pass and its 108 chortens, Chimi Lhakhang, and Punakha Dzong.

Stay: Punakha / WangdueMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5

Punakha → Paro

Paro valley

Drive to Paro via Tamchog Lhakhang. The National Museum, Rinpung Dzong and the Nyamai Zam bridge.

Stay: ParoMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6

Paro

Tiger's Nest

The Taktsang hike (or the halfway viewpoint for elders), and Kyichu Lhakhang.

Stay: ParoMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7

Paro → Phuentsholing

Back to the plains

About 200 km and 7 hours down to Phuentsholing. Evening shopping across the border in Jaigaon.

Stay: PhuentsholingMeals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8

Phuentsholing → Bagdogra → Ahmedabad

Fly home

Drive to Bagdogra airport (or NJP station) for your onward journey.

Stay: —Meals: Breakfast