How many days are enough for bhutan tour

Bhutan is a unique travel destination often called the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon.' Tourists generally take short tours spanning 5 to 7 days to visit Bhutan. However, there are longer ones spanning 15 days and above to immerse in its rich culture and Himalayan landscape fully.

The duration of your trip to Bhutan solely depends on your interests. Generally, a trip duration of 7 to 12 days to cover major attractions like Thimphu, Paro, and Tiger's Nest Monastery is the perfect duration. Extension of the tour may depend on several factors, including other treks and activities. So, a 7 to 12 - day tour can suffice for immersion into Bhutanese culture.

The pristine beauty of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and the Phobjikha Valley, the hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery, and the architectural marvels of dzongs and monasteries exemplify its uniqueness. You can get a feel for Buddhist culture through festivals like Tsechu and visiting ancient religious monasteries in Bhutan.

Personalized Travel Experiences

There are many reasons for travelers to visit Bhutan, including vacation, leisure, and relaxation, where as some may visit Bhutan to get immersed in its culture. Therefore, tailoring the trip to personal preferences is a must. If there is an inclusion of treks or special festivals according to seasons, the trip may be extended by a couple of days.

Some people may prefer short trips of up to 5 days, and some may find them selves opting for longer trips extending up to 15 days. Therefore, the ideal number of days varies from traveler to traveler.

Exploring Bhutan's Diversity

Bhutan offers a diverse range of experiences to travelers, ranging from its unique Buddhist culture to its ancient towering monasteries and forts that date back to the 6th century. Bhutanese culture is deeply rooted in Buddhism, displayed by the celebration of festivals like Paro Tsechu and Thimphu Tsechu and indulgence in special cuisines like Ema Datsi and Kewa Datsi.

Among the many ancient structures is Tiger's Nest Monastery, located at a cliffside in Paro Valley, and the Punakha Dzong, with its intricate carving with the ambiance and serenity.

The varied experiences of Bhutan also include the lively view of the majestic mountains like Jomolhari, Chomolhari, Jitchu Drake, and Gangkhar Puensum, among others. These views are visible via short trail hikes, visits to forts, and village walks.

Short Vs Extended Stays

For people looking for short tours, the period is generally from 5 to 7 days, and you'll typically cover the western parts of Bhutan. You'll visit popular destinations like the Tiger's Nest Monastery, Punakha Dzong, Buddha Dordenma, and more in Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha cities.

Additionally, you might also occasionally visit remote villages and communities and get a glimpse of Bhutanese culture via interactions and trying local cuisine.

Short tours offer activities like sightseeing in popular monasteries, museums, markets, cultural experiences, and some light hiking.

Longer tours in Bhutan usually span more than 7 to around 12 to 15 days, are fuller, and take various routes. The comprehensive experience covers most of the western and central regions of Bhutan, including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang, Gangtey, and Trongsa, among others.

In addition to the shorter tours, longer tours offer more in - depth experience into the cultures and traditions by exploring remote villages and also taking part in local religious events and festivals. You'll also experience true natural beauty by walking on unique trails that offer amazing views of hills and the Himalayas of Bhutan. From the Haa Valley tour to the Gangtey trail and Drukgyul hiking, these tours have it all.

Itinerary suggestions

According to the duration of the trip, itineraries can be divided into short trips for a balanced experience and longer trips for an in - depth experience. Some Short tours can include a Bhutan cultural tour with a day hike, a western Bhutan tour, a Druk Wangyel Festival tour, and more. Longer tours include the Western cultural tour with Haa Valley, the Paro Festival tour, the all - inclusive Bhutan highlights tour, and more.

Following are some of the itineraries for travelers based on duration:

7 - day tour in Bhutan:

A short 7-day tour Itinerary for a balanced experience:

Outline Itinerary

Major highlights:

• Visit the largest monastery of Bhutan, the Rinpung Dzong.
• Explore Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan.
• Visit the Tango Goempa, built by the 'Divine Madman.'
• Learn the history of Guru Rinpoche.
• Visit the Punakha Dzong.
• Visit Chimi Lhakhang, 'The Temple of Fertility'.
• Befall upon the largest Buddha statue in the world, The Buddha Dordenma.
• Explore the intricate carvings of The Tiger's Nest Monastery.

Other similar packages

12 - day trip to Bhutan:

A longer 12 days itinerary:

Major highlights:

• Visit the largest monastery of Bhutan, the Rinpung Dzong.
• Cross the Chele La Pass to chance upon the sight of Mt.Jumolhari.
• Get amazed by the Tango Goemba, built by the 'Divine Madman.'
• View the 108 memorial Druk Wangyal chortens near the Dochula Pass
• Visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the oldest in the country.
• Befall upon the largest Buddha statue in the world, The Buddha Dordenma.
• Explore Chimi Lhakhang, 'The temple of Fertility'
• Learn of the history of Guru Rinpoche
• Explore the Kurje Lhakhang, the resting place of the remains of three Druk Gyalpos.
• Visit the Trongsa dzong, the original palace of the royal family.
• Go on an excursion to the famous Tiger's Nest Monastery.
• Stop at the Yathra factory with women working on wooden looms.
• Hike at Punakha village.
• Hike through the Chokhor Valley in Bumthang.

Other packages

Budget and cost considerations

While longer trips may offer the best authentic experience of Bhutan, the budget also increases proportionally. Therefore, it is a must to plan the trip duration considering the budget you have set. The tour's cost also depends on the size of the group you travel with and the services and amenities you choose

One other significant cost that you have to consider is the visa cost and sustainable development fee per day. The latest Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) as of September 2023 is USD 100 per person per night. Hence, shorter tours mean that the total SDF is lesser. You can decide on a budget - friendly adventure or a luxurious getaway.

There are various ways to minimize costs for budget - conscious travelers. Opting for public transport and visiting free attractions will also drastically reduce the costs. For extended stays, you must consider long term accommodation options while preparing your itinerary in consultation with your travel agent.

Planning and personalizing your tour according to your preferences is a responsibility we take.

Seasonal Variations

The best time to go on tours in Bhutan is during autumn, from September to November, and spring, from March to May, when the sky and roads are clear.

However, shorter tours generally take you to the popular tourist destination and do not include high - altitude hikes. Hence, it is also good to take these trips in the winter season from December to February as well.

Longer tours that include hiking in nature trails and witnessing mountains are best taken in Autumn and Spring. The other seasons might obstruct the views due to rain and snow.

Alternatively, you can plan your short tours to witness the different festivals in Bhutan as well. Many festivals fall in September and October, like the Thimpu Tsechu , Wangdue Phodrang Tshechu, and Punakha Drubchen and Lhosar in February or March

Real Traveler Experiences

Please add snippets from recommendations. Bhutan offers a variety of opportunities to its travelers looking for shorter to longer tours, from 5 days to over 15 days.

Shorter tours take you to popular tourist destinations like Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu to explore the culture and monuments of Bhutan. They are also budget - friendly and can be taken not just in the peak seasons of autumn and spring but in winter as well.

On the other hand, longer tours immerse you in the rich and remote cultures, natural trails, and ancient structures of Bhutan's West, Central, and other regions. They are lengthier, so they cost more and are best taken during the peak seasons for better visibility of roads, skies, and mountains

Plan out your trip by contacting our travel agent, who will provide you with a tailored experience as per your budget, number of days, and service preference.