Private tripClassic route5N / 6D
Private trip · Bhutan · Culture & villages
Bhutan Extended
- 7N / 8D
- Pick-up: Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station · Paro International Airport (for air entry)
- Private car · your dates
★ Google reviews · Read them
Overview
The Bhutan Extended tour package is what happens when you give India's favourite Himalayan kingdom the time it actually deserves,7 nights, 8 days, and a route that adds Phobjikha Valley to the classic circuit. Starting from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or NJP, you cross into Bhutan at Phuentsholing without a visa (voter ID or passport suffices for Indian nationals) and drive up to Thimphu, where the Buddha Dordenma, the Takin Preserve, and Tashichho Dzong fill two full days. Dochula Pass in the morning mist leads you to Punakha before day four swings west over Lawala Pass to Phobjikha, a vast glacial bowl at 2,900 metres where black-necked cranes descend from Tibet each winter and Gangtey Monastery crowns a forested hill.
Route
Thimphu 2N → Punakha 1N → Phobjikha 1N → Paro 3N
Starts and ends at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station · Paro International Airport (for air entry).
Day by day
8 days · Phuentsholing · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha · Paro
- Pickup from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station
- Drive to Phuentsholing, Bhutan land border (approx. 3–3.5 hrs)
- Complete entry permit formalities at Bhutan Immigration, Phuentsholing
- Scenic mountain drive to Thimphu (approx. 5–6 hrs, 165 km)
- Hotel check-in and leisure evening in Thimphu's clock-tower square
Night in Thimphu- Buddha Dordenma,51-metre gilded statue gazing over the Thimphu valley
- National Memorial Chorten, revered stupa dedicated to world peace and the Third King
- Tashichho Dzong, fortress-monastery housing the King's Throne Room
- Changangkha Lhakhang, hilltop temple with sweeping valley views
- Takin Preserve, meet Bhutan's national animal, a bovine-goat hybrid found nowhere else
- Evening stroll at Norzin Lam and local craft shops
Night in Thimphu- Morning drive over Dochula Pass (3,100 m),108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and sweeping Himalayan views
- Druk Wangyal Lhakhang monastery at the pass
- Punakha Dzong, the 'Palace of Great Happiness' at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers (altitude 1,200 m)
- Suspension bridge walk across the Mo Chhu river
- Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple of the Divine Madman, a short walk through rice fields
Night in Punakha- Morning visit to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, hilltop stupa with views over Punakha valley
- Drive to Phobjikha Valley over Lawala Pass (3,300 m), approx. 3.5–4 hrs
- Gangtey Monastery, one of Bhutan's largest Nyingmapa monasteries atop a forested hill
- Gangtey Nature Trail, a gentle 3 km walk through the glacial valley meadow
- Phobjikha Valley viewpoints, a vast bowl-shaped valley ringed by pine-clad ridges
- Evening look-out for the endangered black-necked cranes (October–March season)
Night in Phobjikha- Black-necked crane education centre visit (near Gangtey)
- Drive to Paro via Wangdue Phodrang (approx. 5–6 hrs through mountain passes and river gorges)
- Rinpung Dzong,17th-century fortress above the Paro River
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, built in 659 AD
- Paro town evening walk and dinner
Night in Paro- Full-day hike to Paro Taktsang Monastery (3,120 m), Bhutan's most sacred and iconic site
- 4.5 km trail through pine and rhododendron forest, approx. 4–6 hrs round trip with 518 m elevation gain
- Cafeteria stop at the halfway viewpoint for tea and panoramic photos
- Explore the four main temples built into the sheer cliff face where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century
- Celebratory farewell dinner in Paro
Night in Paro- National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong), watch tower turned museum above Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong ruins, ancient fortress with Chomolhari peak views on clear days
- Paro handicraft market, Yathra weavings, thangkas, and local souvenirs
- Afternoon leisure; optional hot stone bath, a traditional Bhutanese therapeutic experience
Night in Paro- Breakfast at hotel
- Depart Paro, fly out from Paro International Airport, or drive back to Phuentsholing (approx. 5–6 hrs) for onward transfer to IXB / NJP
- Trip ends with the full depth of the Thunder Dragon Kingdom experienced
What's included
Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights (2N Thimphu, 1N Punakha, 1N Phobjikha, 3N Paro)
- Daily breakfast
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), INR 1,200 per person per night (₹8,400 total)
- Bhutan entry permit processing assistance
- Licensed Bhutanese guide for all sightseeing days
- Private vehicle with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
- Monument and site entry fees as per itinerary
- Pickup and drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station
Not included
- Airfare / train tickets to/from Bagdogra or NJP
- Paro International Airport flights (if flying into Bhutan)
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal expenses, shopping, tips
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Optional hot stone bath in Paro
- Camera fees at monuments
- 5% GST on the trip price
Where you stay
Double sharing
2 nights
Thimphu
1 night
Punakha
1 night
Phobjikha
3 nights
Paro
Tourism-certified hotels and farmhouse stay, double sharing. Property names are in your written confirmation before you travel; upgrades on request.
Price for your group
Per person
| Travelling | Per person | Total for the group | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 (a couple) | ₹68,000 | ₹1,36,000 | Plan for 2 |
| 4 people | ₹58,500 | ₹2,34,000 | Plan for 4 |
| 6 people | ₹51,000 | ₹3,06,000 | Plan for 6 |
3, 5, 7 or more travellers? Ask us for the price for your group.
Your price covers
- 7 nightsTourism-certified hotels, Farmhouse stay
- MealsDaily breakfast
- Private carDriver, fuel, tolls and parking
- GuideLicensed Bhutanese guide for all sightseeing days
What changes the price
Your travel dates (festival and peak weeks cost more), how many of you travel, the car you choose and the hotels you pick. We confirm the exact price on WhatsApp before you pay.
How booking works
- 1Message us on WhatsApp or ask for a call.
- 2We talk it through with you by phone or WhatsApp and share the route, dates, price and what is included.
- 3If you like it, pay by UPI or by scanning our QR code.
- 4Once your payment reaches us, you are booked. We send hotels, transport and permits in writing before you travel.
Good to know
Things to know
- Entry permit: Indian nationals need an original Indian Passport (minimum 6 months validity) OR original Voter ID card. No visa required.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is INR 1,200 per person per night. Children below 5 years are exempt; children 6–12 years pay 50% SDF (₹600/night).
- Phobjikha Valley sits at approx. 2,900 m, light warm layers essential even in warmer months.
- Black-necked cranes are present in Phobjikha Valley from late October to early March. Outside this season, the valley remains beautiful but cranes will not be present.
- Tiger's Nest hike involves 518 m elevation gain to 3,120 m, guests with cardiac conditions should consult a doctor.
- Best travel months: March–May (rhododendron bloom) and September–November (post-monsoon clarity; crane season begins late October).
- A licensed Bhutanese guide is mandatory for all tourists, included in the package.
Getting there
- The trip starts and ends at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station · Paro International Airport (for air entry). Flights and trains are not included, so you can book the fare that suits you; we fit the first and last day around your times.
Booking
- Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and group size.
- We send the written itinerary and price, with your hotels and homestays named.
- You book with a deposit by bank transfer; the balance is due before you travel.
Who looks after you
Your driver and local guide from the region, through partners we know on the ground, and our team on WhatsApp the whole way.
One number, before and during the trip
+91 90360 21836WhatsApp or call. One team answers it, so you never chase a driver's number.
Our team in Bengaluru and the hillsQuestions about this trip
How much does the Bhutan Extended cost per person?
₹68,000 per person for 2 travellers, ₹58,500 for 4 and ₹51,000 for 6. The price covers your stays, the private car and driver, and pick-up and drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station · Paro International Airport (for air entry); the full list of what is and is not included is on this page.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indian nationals on the 7-night package?
Indian nationals pay INR 1,200 per person per night in SDF, not the USD 100 international rate. Over 7 nights, the total SDF per person is ₹8,400, and it is fully included in this package price. Children under 5 are exempt; children aged 6 to 12 pay 50% SDF (₹600/night). There is no additional SDF to pay at the border or during the trip. The fee supports Bhutan's carbon-negative development model.
Do Indian nationals need a visa for Bhutan, and what documents are required?
No visa is required for Indian nationals entering Bhutan. Entry via the Phuentsholing land border requires an original Indian Passport (minimum 6 months validity) or an original Voter ID card. Photocopies are not accepted at the Bhutan Immigration counter. ClearEast Trip handles entry permit processing assistance in Phuentsholing, and a licensed Bhutanese guide (mandatory by Bhutanese law) is included and stays with your group throughout the trip.
What is Phobjikha Valley and why is it special?
Phobjikha is a wide, bowl-shaped glacial valley at approximately 2,900 metres in central Bhutan, one of the most serene landscapes in the country. It is home to Gangtey Monastery, one of Bhutan's largest Nyingmapa monasteries. The valley's biggest draw is its wildlife: from late October to early March, endangered black-necked cranes migrate here from Tibet for winter. A gentle 3 km nature trail winds through the meadow. Even outside crane season, the valley's silence and scale make it a genuine highlight of any Bhutan itinerary.
What is the best time to visit Bhutan on the extended itinerary?
March to May offers spring blooms and clear Himalayan views, ideal for Tiger's Nest and Dochula Pass panoramas. September to November is the second peak season; late October onwards also marks the start of black-necked crane season in Phobjikha, making it the best window for the extended route. Avoid June to August for road travel. Winter (December to February) is cold but uncrowded, with the cranes present in Phobjikha through February.
What does the Bhutan Extended package include and exclude?
Included: 7 nights accommodation (2N Thimphu, 1N Punakha, 1N Phobjikha, 3N Paro), daily breakfast, SDF of ₹8,400 per person, Bhutan entry permit assistance, licensed Bhutanese guide, private vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing, monument and site entry fees, and Bagdogra/NJP pickup and drop. Excluded: flights or train tickets, lunches and dinners, optional hot stone bath, personal expenses, and travel insurance.
How do I book this Bhutan package, and how far in advance?
Message us on WhatsApp at +91 90360 21836 with your dates and group size. We answer your questions first, then confirm your seats with a deposit by bank transfer. For Bhutan we recommend starting 6 to 8 weeks before travel so permits and rooms are comfortably arranged. Faster is often possible if your dates are flexible.
What travellers say
Reviews on Google · Read them all →
★★★★★
“Spoke with ClearEast trip team. It was just wow, they are best if anyone planning for bhutan or northeast trip. They don't try to sale. They have guide me step by step and made me understand the complete process for bhutan trip. They hear me out…”
suraj s · Bhutan trip · Google review, Nov 2025
★★★★★
“I booked my Sikkim trip with Cleareast Trip, and it was one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had! The entire tour was perfectly planned — right from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake and Nathula Pass. The hotels were clean and comfortable.”
Soniya Mangar · Sikkim trip · Google review, Aug 2025
★★★★★
“I recently booked trip through this travel company and everything was perfectly organised from start to finish. The team was helpful responsive and genuinely cared about making our journey smooth and memorable. Hotels transportation and everything…”
Dipankar Deka · Google review, Aug 2025
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