A Bhutan Travel Itinerary for 2-weeks

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This Bhutan Travel Itinerary is an exhaustive 2-week travel guide to Druk Land and will possible answer all your questions. Note that, this is especially written for tourists from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, who are allowed to travel independently in Bhutan without a guide or a registered tour. The blog will answer all questions regarding entry requirement for Bhutan, currency, places to visit, expenditure, planning the trip etc.

The forbidden kingdom of Bhutan sits surrounded by the mighty Himalayas, enveloped in the air of mystery. The country is secretly nurtured through abundance of nature and happiness. The non fictitious Shangri-La of Himalayas – Bhutan stage perfect utopia with high rise mountains covered in more than 70% forest, meandering rivers, gorgeous traditional architecture, deep-rooted traditional craftsmanship and warm, amicable locals.

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Bhutan – The Land of Gross Domestic Happiness

It is a land locked between India on the south and the majestic Himalayas on the North. Tourism in Bhutan is a very new phenomenon; a country that was closed to the world until 1974 does not encourage solo and independent travel. It is the only country with negative carbon emission and touted to be happiest country in the world – Prosperity, progress and growth is determined by Gross National Happiness through well being of the citizens. Bhutan unfolds into plethora of surprises as you hike to serene monasteries, walk through remote villages, learn about Buddhist traditions, witness local festival, stay with local families and get bowled over by their spectacular and vivid art forms, architecture and craftsmanship.

A Perfect 2-week Bhutan Travel Itinerary

Sliver of excitement joined together through cohesion of uncanny routes to be taken as “The Land of Thunder Dragon” waited to bestow eternal peace and happiness. Travelling independently in Bhutan can be a little expensive but unbelievably rewarding. Here is my exhaustive guide for independent travel in Bhutan for 2 weeks.

Day 1 (Leave for Phuentsholing)

The journey started with an overnight train to New Alipurduar from Guwahati. I recommend taking an early morning train so that you reach New Alipurduar in the afternoon and leave for Phuentsholing. Unfortunately, I took a train at 9.30pm and reached New Alipurduar at 1.45am, almost an empty platform awaited. Luckily, I was accompanied by two of my friends, somehow chatted the night away till 5am.

Day 2 – 5 (Thimphu)

We took an auto from New Alipurduar to Jaigaon at the wee hours of the morning and reached the border gate of Jaigaon – Phuentsholing in 2 and ½ hours. The permit office opens at 9.30am (Bhutan time that is ahead of India by ½ hour). After permit formalities and tucking in some food in the stomach, we left for Phuentsholing bus and taxi stand.

Phuentsholing to Thimphu (By Coaster Bus or Shared Taxi)

There are coaster buses that ply at regular interval from Phuentsholing to Thimphu and Paro. Generally the early buses are booked due to limited availability. After managing to get tickets for a coaster bus at 12.30 pm, we contemplated on the serene journey that awaited. The charge per seat for coaster bus from Phuentsholing to Paro is Nu or Rs 230/-. In case seats are not available in buses, shared taxis ply at Nu or Rs 750/-. The journey takes around 6 to 7 hours and is through spectacular landscapes.

Things to Do in Thimphu

• Folk Heritage Museum ( Entry Fee – Nu 50)
• Tashichho Dzong (Entry Fee – Nu 300)
• Tango & Cheri Monastery
• Local Handicraft Market (Opp. Immigration Office)
• Simply Bhutan (Living Museum) (Entry Fee – Nu 300)
• Memorial Chorten (Entry Fee – Nu300)
• Buddha Dordenma
• Local Farmers Market
• Motithang Takin Preserve (Entry Nu -300/-)

Hotel Recommendation for Thimphu – I highly recommend Hotel Ghasel. They have free WiFi, good service and rooms are reasonable priced. Off season rates for single room is Nu 850/- and for double or triple occupancy is Nu 1500 – 1800/-.

Day 6 – 8 (Punakha)

Day 6 was a Monday, means day for permit extension as well as special route permit. At times, the immigration officers act funny while giving an extension and hence it’s better to get a special route permit, visit Punakha and Phobjikha Valley and come back for the extension. We got the permit formalities done by afternoon and left for Punakha by 1.30pm.

Thimphu to Punakha

If you intend to stop at Dochula La Pass, the best bet would be to hire a personal taxi. The cost is around Nu or Rs 1500 – 2000/-.

Shared taxis are available for Nu or Rs 350/- from Thimphu to Punakha, they don’t stop anywhere.

Things to do in Punakha

• Punakha Dzong (Entry Fee – Nu 300/-)
• Chimi Lhakang Temple (Phallus Village)
• Punakha Suspension Bridge
• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
• Take a Day trip to Phobjikha Valley (depends on time)
• River Rafting (Price is standard and fixed – Nu 10000/- per raft)

Khuruthang is the main or center town of Punakha from where you get connectivity to different places in and around Bhutan. There are shared taxis that ply to different places.

Hotel Recommendation in Punakha – It is better to stay at Khuruthang town as it has better connectivity to different places. I recommend staying at Punakha Residency where the price for the rooms starts from Rs 1500/-. There are homestays tucked in small villages but it is far from the main town.

Day 9 – 11 (Haa Valley)

Haa Valley so far has been one of my favorite places in Bhutan. The remoteness of the small town locked between the towering mountains, sweeps of paddy fields, quaint villages and negligible philistine attitude of locals, makes the place an eccentric destination for every millennial monk.

Punakha to Haa Valley

Generally, people take a shared cab from Punakha to Paro and then onwards cab to Haa Valley. There are no direct cabs from Punakha to Haa Valley. You can either choose to first visit and explore Paro and gradually leave for Haa or directly leave for Haa Valley.

Punakha to Paro by shared cab – Nu 350/-. From Paro, take a shared cab to Haa Valley either from Paro bus and taxi stand or from Chuzom. If you reach Paro by afternoon, it is less likely that you will get a cab from Paro taxi stand to Haa Valley. In that case, take a shared taxi from Paro to Chuzom for Rs 200/- and then a shared taxi from Paro to Haa Valley for Rs 400/-. There are even buses that ply but generally the leave early and mostly booked early.

Make sure to take a stop at Chele La Pass enroute Haa Valley from Paro

Things to Do in Haa Valley

• Chele Le Pass (Enroute Haa Valley)
• Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple)
• Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple)
• Stay at an authentic Bhutanese Homestay
• Indulge in Traditional Hot Stone Bath
• Walk along Haa Chuu (River)
• Haa Dzong
• Hike to Katsho Goempa
• Visit the Golf Field
• Haa Summer Festival (Only if you visit during 2 days of the festival in July)

Accommodation in Haa Valley – Choose to stay 2km away from the main town. I recommend staying at Ugyen Homestay for an authentic experience.

Day 12 – 13 (Paro)

Paro was the last leg of the journey before exiting the country with staggering abundance of nature. Most of the cabs that ply from Haa Valley to Paro leave by afternoon. Make sure you reach the taxi stand early in the morning to leave for Paro from Haa Valley. However, if you intend to leave for Thimphu, the cabs are readily available.

Haa Valley to Paro

The shared taxi cost Nu 400/- for each person from Haa to Paro. For hiring the entire vehicle, it would cost around Nu 2000/-. There are buses also that ply but usually the seats are booked in advance due to limited option.

Things to Do in Paro

• Hike to Tigers Nest Monastery (Taktsang Monastery) (Entry fee – Nu 500/-)
• Shop for Souvenirs in the local market
• Paro Dzong
• National Museum of Bhutan (Nu 25/- for SAARC and Nu 300/- for others)
• Learn about Blacksmith at Royal Metal Craft Center in Wochu Village

Day 14 (Leave for Phuentsholing and Exit)

Leave for Phuentsholing from Paro by coaster bus or shared taxi. If you plan to leave for Phuentsholing by bus from Paro, make sure you book your tickets a few days in advance. There are limited buses that ply and everything is fully booked. Even the shared taxi scene is a little gloomy but if available, they charge Nu 750/- per seat. In worst case scenario, you either have to book the entire taxi that would cost Nu 3000/- or take a shared cab to Thimphu first and then to Phuentsholing.

How to Obtain Permit/Visa for Bhutan?

The citizens from all countries except India, Bangladesh and Maldives need visa to enter Bhutan and can travel independently without a tour guide or company. All citizens of any other countries except the three mentioned need to pay a minimum daily fee:

• $200 per person night during low season of December to February and June to August.
• $250 per person per night during high season of March – May and September to November.

This is applicable when you are in a group of three or more. On travelling solo, there is an extra charge of $40 per person per night and $30 if you are travelling in two. The daily fee includes almost everything for the traveler. The visa clearance needs to be done before entering the country by booking a tour with tour operator. The tour operator will process the visa on your behalf and upon showing the visa clearance letter at the entry, the passport will be stamped.

The tour groups can be booked from the official Tourism Site of Bhutan under the Tour operator section. For more information, you can check the Tourism website https://www.bhutan.travel. 

Permit and Documents for Citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives

For Citizens of India, Bangladesh and Maldives – Visa is not required for travelling but an entry permit is required upon entry. It can be obtained free of cost from Monday to Friday at Phuentsholing Immigration Office or at Paro International Airport.

Entry permit

The entry permit can be availed at Immigration office in Phuentsholing if you are planning to enter Bhutan via road. It is the Indo-Bhutan border or precisely Jaigaon – Phuentsholing overland route. The immigration office is open from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM Bhutan standard time from Monday to Friday (9.30 AM to 5.30 PM IST). The lunch hours are from 1 PM to 2PM and it is closed on weekends and public holidays of Bhutan.

Documents Required for Applying for the Permit:-

1. An immigration form duly filled and signed (Available outside at Xerox shops opposite Immigration office)
2. One passport size photograph
3. Photocopy of Passport/Voter’s ID card
4. Proof of Accommodation for at least 1^st night (Book via booking.com and cancel later)
5. If you are a solo traveler – You need to write a undertaking letter stating you are responsible for your own safe.

Address the letter to – The Immigration Officer, Immigration Office of Royal Government of Bhutan, Phuentsholing.

Stand in the queue as early as possible by 8.30am and submit the documents in the first counter. In this you will be asked basic questions like your purpose to travel to Bhutan post which it will be queued for next counter. On being called, you will have to go to the next counter on 1^st floor for getting your picture clicked and for taking finger prints. Post, this you can collect the Entry Permit once it is stamped and signed.

Note: The initial entry permit is only valid for 7 days and one can visit only Thimphu and Paro.

Special Route Permit and Extension

Special Route Permit is required for travelling beyond Thimphu and Paro. It is available only from the Immigration Office of Thimphu. For this you will have to fill up a special route permit application form that can be availed from nearby shops, hotel or from the Immigration office at Thimphu. The Thimphu Immigration Office is open from 9 AM to 4 AM from Monday and Friday. Form the route extension form as well in case you require it for extending your stay.  

Documents needed for extension and special route permit

• Photocopy of original route permit or the photocopy of passport with the permit stamp.
• One photograph

Drop it at the counter and collect the extension as well as special route permit after one hour or the timing the officers at immigration office give.

Tip: I would recommend first visit Thimphu, get the special route permit and visit Punakha and Phobjikha Valley. Come back to Thimphu and then apply for the extension of the route permit. We had a little problem in getting the extension immediately as we still had three days for the permit to become invalid. However, we managed to get it done by afternoon.

How to Reach Bhutan from India or elsewhere?

By Flight

Bhutan only has one International Airport in Paro that is connected to different places. The only carrier in Bhutan is Druk Air and flights are available from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Gaya, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka etc. However, this will be an expensive option.

By train and Road (Entry from Phuentsholing by road)

Bhutan can be entered by Road from Phuentsholing. It is the Bhutan side of the Indo-Bhutan Border where the Indian Side is Jaigoan. The nearest railway station is Hasimara from where you can take a auto to Jaigaon till the gate. Alternatively, you can also take a train to New Alipurduar and take a bus or auto or cab for Phuentsholing. My Bhutan Travel Itinerary is based on overland journey.

SIM Card, Currency, Money Exchange and ATM scene in Bhutan

• The SIM Card is available at the immigration office on the 1^st floor, the same floor where the fingerprint and picture is taken. There are different plans and you can take anything as per your convenience.
• The Bhutanese Currency is Ngultrum that is equivalent to Indian Rupees. There is a currency exchange counter also on the same floor. Indian Rupees is widely accepted everywhere in Bhutan and hence if you are carrying Indian Rupees, you can travel without exchanging.
• The ATMs in Bhutan accept international debit card and Visa card. However, for every transaction made there is a charge of Nu 200/- using International card.
• Indian credit card is not accepted anywhere in Bhutan and it is better to carry cash as well as have an international debit card for cash withdrawal.

Best Season to Visit Bhutan

• Generally the high season is from March to May and then from September to November. These are the dry seasons and highly touristic seasons.
• The monsoons starts from June to August but it is low season and everything is priced slightly lower. The rains are not incessant but you can expect afternoon shower. It is a less tourist season and also the time when Bhutan is at its most green.
• If you wish to experience winters and snow, you can opt for the months from November to February.

Cost for Bhutan Travel Itinerary for 2-weeks

Cabs and Buses	Phuentsholing to Thimphu – Nu 230/- Thimphu to Punakha – Nu 1500 – 2000/- for the complete cab Punakha – Paro – Nu 350/- Paro – Chuzom –  Nu 200/- and Chuzom to Haa Valley – Nu 400/- Haa Valley to Paro – Nu 400/- Paro to Phuentsholing – Nu 750/-
Intercity or town travel	Except to pay Nu 100 – 200 while hiring a taxi or cab within Thimphu A round trip to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is Nu 800 – 1000/- A round trip to Khamsun Yulley Namgyal Chorten – Nu 800/- For Chimi Lhakhang – One way taxi price is Nu 200/- For Tango and Cheri Monastery – One way taxi price is Nu 300/- From Kuruthang to Punakha Dzong – Shared taxi price is Nu 100/-
Hotels and Homestay	Thimphu – Ghasel Hotel starts at Nu 1500/- for double room Punakha – Punakha Residency starts at Nu 1500 to 1800/ – Haa Valley – Ugyen Homestay at Nu 1000/- without food Paro – Mostly starts at Nu 1000/- for double occupancy off season
Entry Fee	Expect to pay around Nu 2500 – 3000/- for entry fee to various places
Food and others	It totally depends on how much are you willing to spend. Expect to pay around Nu 150 – 200 for every meal. Souvenirs are pretty expensive in Bhutan with a fridge magnet starting from Nu 100/-.
Approximate Spend	On calculating, I realized I ended up spending around Nu or Rs 30000/- for the for 2-week Bhutan Travel Itinerary.

Bhutan – The Land of Thunder Land, a country that perfectly blends flavors of heritage, culture and royalty, all in one concoction. The forbidden kingdom of Bhutan is an quintessential cauldron of culture and heritage preserved through centuries, bringing out century old fables about saints, monasteries and preaching. The country will definitely teach you to be happy with basics and finding peace in mundane and simplicity. This Bhutan Travel Itinerary is perfectly crafted for first time visitors willing to travel on their own.

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