Bhutan · 5 Nights · 6 Days
Bhutan Highlights
Duration
5 Nights · 6 Days
Group sizes
2, 4, or 6 people
Pickup
Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / NJP Railway Station · Paro International Airport (for air entry)
Starting from
₹38,500/person
About This Journey
Journey Overview
Few journeys compress a kingdom's entire soul into six days the way this Bhutan trip package for Indian nationals does. You are picked up from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) or NJP Railway Station, cross the Phuentsholing land border into Bhutan — no visa required, just your voter ID or passport — and begin a 5-night arc through the Thunder Dragon Kingdom's greatest icons. Thimphu holds the 51-metre Buddha Dordenma and the fortress-monastery of Tashichho Dzong. Day three takes you over the cloud-wreathed 108 chortens of Dochula Pass and down into Punakha, where the Palace of Great Happiness sits at the confluence of two sacred rivers. Paro's two nights deliver Rinpung Dzong, the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, and — the centrepiece — the full-day hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) at 3,120 metres, four temples fused into a sheer cliff face above a pine valley. The Bhutan Highlights tour is priced from ₹38,500 per person, with the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of ₹1,200 per person per night already included.
Day by Day
Your Itinerary
Monasteries clinging to cliffs, river-straddled dzongs, and the thunder-dragon kingdom's greatest icons — all in one seamless Himalayan arc.
- ·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 along winding Himalayan roads (approx. 5–6 hrs, 165 km)
- ·Hotel check-in and leisure evening in Thimphu's clock-tower square
- ·Buddha Dordenma — 51-metre gilded statue gazing over the Thimphu valley (altitude 2,500 m)
- ·National Memorial Chorten — revered stupa dedicated to world peace and the Third King
- ·Tashichho Dzong — the gleaming fortress-monastery housing the King's Throne Room (evening visit)
- ·Changangkha Lhakhang — hilltop temple with sweeping valley views
- ·Evening stroll at Norzin Lam and local craft shops
- ·Morning drive over Dochula Pass (3,100 m) — 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and Himalayan panorama on clear days
- ·Druk Wangyal Lhakhang monastery at the pass
- ·Punakha Dzong — the 'Palace of Great Happiness' at the confluence of two rivers (altitude 1,200 m)
- ·Suspension bridge walk across the Mo Chhu river
- ·Chimi Lhakhang — the Fertility Temple of the Divine Madman, a 30-minute walk through rice fields
- ·Morning leisure and last views of Punakha Dzong
- ·Drive to Paro (approx. 3–3.5 hrs via Wangdue Phodrang)
- ·Rinpung Dzong — the 17th-century fortress above the Paro River
- ·Kyichu Lhakhang — one of Bhutan's oldest temples, built in 659 AD
- ·National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)
- ·Paro town evening walk
- ·Full-day hike to Paro Taktsang Monastery (3,120 m) — Bhutan's most sacred site
- ·4.5 km trail through pine and rhododendron forest, approx. 4–6 hrs round trip
- ·Cafeteria stop at the halfway viewpoint for tea and photos
- ·Explore the four main temples built into the cliff face where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 8th century
- ·Return hike and celebratory dinner 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 memories of the last Himalayan kingdom
Package Pricing
Group of 2
₹52,000
per person
Group of 4
₹44,500
per person
Group of 6
Best value₹38,500
per person
* All prices inclusive of applicable taxes. Quote valid for 3 days from issue.
No commitment — we'll answer your questions first
Accommodation
Comfortable 3-star category hotels and boutique guesthouses throughout. Properties are locally owned, well-located — in Thimphu's city centre, riverside in Punakha, and Paro valley farmhouses where available.
What's Included
- Accommodation for 5 nights (2N Thimphu, 1N Punakha, 2N Paro)
- Daily breakfast
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) — INR 1,200 per person per night (₹6,000 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)
- Camera fees at monuments
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indian nationals visiting Bhutan?
Indian nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1,200 per person per night — not the USD 100 per night rate that applies to international tourists. On this 5-night package, the total SDF per person is ₹6,000, and it is fully included in the package price. Children below 5 years are exempt; children aged 6 to 12 pay 50% SDF (₹600 per night). No additional SDF payment is needed at the border.
Do Indian nationals need a visa to enter Bhutan? What documents are required?
Indian nationals do not need a visa to enter Bhutan. You can enter via the Phuentsholing land border — which this package uses — with either an original Indian Passport (minimum 6 months validity) or an original Voter ID card. Photocopies are not accepted. ClearEast Trip assists with entry permit processing at Bhutan Immigration in Phuentsholing. A licensed Bhutanese guide, mandatory for all tourists, is included.
What is the best time to visit Bhutan?
March to May is the most popular window — spring brings rhododendron blooms across the valleys and reliable clear skies for Himalayan views from Dochula Pass. September to November is the second peak, with post-monsoon clarity and ideal trekking conditions for the Tiger's Nest hike. Avoid July and August, when heavy rains affect roads. Winter (December to February) is cold but peaceful, with occasional snow at higher elevations.
Is the Tiger's Nest hike difficult? Can anyone do it?
The Paro Taktsang hike covers 4.5 km each way with a 518-metre elevation gain, reaching 3,120 metres. Most reasonably fit travellers complete it in 4 to 6 hours round trip. There is a halfway cafeteria stop and a horse option for the lower section. Guests with cardiac conditions, severe asthma, or limited mobility should consult a doctor before booking. The trail is pine-forested and well-marked — your licensed guide accompanies you the entire way.
What does the Bhutan Highlights package include?
Included: 5 nights accommodation (2N Thimphu, 1N Punakha, 2N Paro), daily breakfast, Sustainable Development Fee (₹6,000 total per person), Bhutan entry permit processing, a 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, personal expenses, and travel insurance. Prices start from ₹38,500 per person.
Important 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).
- ·Paro International Airport is served by Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines from Kolkata, Delhi, Bagdogra, and Guwahati — flying in saves 1 travel day but adds flight cost.
- ·Tiger's Nest hike involves 518 m elevation gain to 3,120 m — guests with cardiac conditions or limited fitness should consult a doctor.
- ·Best travel months: March–May (spring, rhododendron bloom) and September–November (post-monsoon clarity).
- ·A licensed Bhutanese guide is mandatory for all tourists — included in the package.
Ready to go?
Let's plan your journey
Tell us your dates and group size on WhatsApp. We'll confirm availability and answer every question before you commit.