The Kingdom of Bhutan is a visually stunning Himalayan country situated in the eastern Himalayas and bordered by Tibet and India. The mountain peaks here are over 7,000m, yet the nation also has lush subtropical plains. The pristine countryside is home to fabulous wildlife, including Tigers, Red Pandas, Himalayan Black Bears, Leopards, Gray Wolves, and Elephants, to name just a few of the more iconic animals. The people are Buddhist, and their culture is fascinating. Situated at 2,320m, Thimphu is the capital city, although we fly into the main airport at Paro, 1.5 hours’ drive away. Flights to Paro depart from Kathmandu early in the morning, so the rest of the day is free to acclimatize and enjoy.
Tiger’s Nest Monastery
We can offer you short tours of 2 nights, 3 days, or longer visits of 7 nights. On these tours, you may visit places such as the Tiger’s Nest – a monastery built into a cliff (yes, we will hike up to it) – and the Tashichho Dzong. There are many cultural sites, such as museums, monasteries, and craft bazaars. You can try your hand at the national game, archery, hike through rice fields, green valleys, and fascinating villages. The countryside is so stunning. You will certainly not be disappointed by this Kingdom with its snow-capped mountains and crisp, clean air.
Tour Highlights
Enjoy a breathtaking Himalayan flight from Kathmandu to Paro with stunning view of Mt. Everest.
Experience one of the world’s most thrilling landings at Paro International Airport.
Hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous landmark.
Explore the charming capital city of Thimphu.
Visit historic monasteries and fortresses, including Tashichho Dzong.
Experience Bhutan’s unique Buddhist culture and peaceful way of life.
Discover scenic landscapes with green valleys, rice terraces, and traditional villages.
Try Bhutan’s national sport, archery, and interact with friendly locals.
Travel comfortably with a private vehicle and professional local guide.
Learn about Bhutan’s unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisine throughout your journey.
Capture unforgettable moments in one of the world’s most pristine Himalayan destinations.
Tour Itinerary
Altitude Chart For 2 Nights, 3 Days Bhutan Tour
Day 01 :
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro (2,200m) & drive to Thimphu (2,320m).
Today we will fly from Kathmandu to Paro Airport with Druk Air, a 1-hour flight. When you are on the air, the scenic beauty of the Himalaya mountains will amaze you. If the weather is favorable, you can also view Mt. Everest and other peaks. After arriving in Paro, we will drive to Thimphu, about 55 km from the Paro airport, for a 1:30-hour drive, and check into our hotel.
Flight from Kathmandu to Paro
Moreover, we will visit Kuenselcholing viewpoint, from which Thimphu is clearly visible. We can also visit the Buddha Dordenma statue in Thimphu, a giant statue of the Buddha. Similarly, the Memorial Chortens are the next attraction, with a particular Chorten built in 1974 in memory of the 3rd King. The king was also popular as the father of the modern Buddha. Likewise, ‘Fortress of Glorious Region’ Tashichho Dzong is another feature of this place, which was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1641. In that place, there is the throne of the King, the King’s office, the Secretariat building, and the central body of the monks. Overnight in Thimphu.
Drive from Thimphu to Paro (2,200m) & hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (3,120m) then Paro sightseeing.
Early in the morning, after having breakfast, we will drive back to Paro from Thimphu. There we will go for a hike to Taktsang Monastery, also called Tiger’s Nest. It is a remarkable thing in Bhutan, which is perched. The fire destroyed it in 1998, and it was rebuilt. It is said that the Guru Rimpoche came to this site sitting in the back of a Tigress. The trail during the hike is some gentle, steep in some places, and stony in others. After that, we will visit the Farmhouse. Rest, refresh, and spend the night in Paro.
Today, we will have breakfast early in the morning, then drive to Paro Airport to take the flight to Kathmandu. Our company representative will meet you at the airport for pickup and transfer to the hotel in Thamel.
You can book your own accommodation in Kathmandu. This hotel is not included in a package.
Includes/Excludes
The Cost Includes
All airport pickup and drop-off services by private transportation.
Flight tickets from Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu.
Private comfortable transportation during sightseeing.
English-speaking local Bhutanese cultural tour guide.
Bhutan visa fees & all necessary travel permits.
Sightseeing & monastery entrance fees as per the itinerary.
Accommodation on a twin-sharing or double room basis (3-star category hotel).
Full board meal plan (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
Bhutan Government Royalty Fee (100$ per person, per night).
Mineral water during the trek or tour.
All government taxes & service charges.
The Cost Excludes
Travel & medical insurance.
Food and accommodation in Kathmandu.
Any kind of drinks (except water) or bar items during the tour.
Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, bar bills, laundry, and snacks etc).
Additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstance.
Horse ride during the hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Tips for guide and driver (Expected).
Any additional services not listed in the included section.
No Fixed Departure Available!
More Information About Bhutan
Flight Details
Many tourists visiting Bhutan first arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, and then travel to Paro. All because of the opportunity to see the highest mountain in the world. Believe it or not, the air route between Kathmandu and Paro offers 7 out of the 14 highest mountains in the world, including Mt. Everest and hundreds of other small peaks below 7,000m. It is flying over more than half of the Himalayan airspace. However, Nepal is not the only route into Bhutan.
Flight from Kathmandu to Paro
There are limited (only seven of the) countries that have flights to Bhutan. You can travel to Bhutan from Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdogra, Delhi, Gaya, Guwahati, and Kolkata), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok), the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Vietnam (Hanoi), and Nepal (Kathmandu). Druk Air operates two weekly flights from Bagdogra, Gaya, Guwahati, Kolkata, Dhaka, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore. And there are seven flights every week by Druk Air & Bhutan Airlines during the season from Delhi, Bangkok, and Kathmandu, Nepal. By far, Kathmandu, Nepal, is the most significant transit point to enter Bhutan.
Visa Information For Bhutan
Individual travelers are not allowed to enter Bhutan. It means you must book the tour through the authorized travel company by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. It costs USD 40 for a 30-day single-entry visa for all nations (except for visitors from India, who require a permit).
Nationals of Bangladesh, Maldives, Switzerland, and Thailand who hold diplomatic or government-official passports are also eligible for a visa on arrival at their port of entry. To apply for a visa online, you will need:
A digital copy of a valid passport
A recent digital passport photo
Arrival and departure dates
Bhutan eVisa
It is easier to process a Bhutan tour package through Nepal-based operators. If you look at the requirements of the Tourism Council of Bhutan, you’ll find a long list that must be completed in advance. Kathmandu, Nepal, being the most significant entry point to Bhutan, offers travel companies more flexibility and competitive market prices.
Better deal with a Nepal-based company.
You can pay the visa fees once you have received the visa online.
The per-day package fee (USD 200-300), including SDF, could be paid upon arrival.
Only a copy of the passport and a passport-sized photograph is required to issue the visa.
The visa will be ready within 72 hours, and you can request that it be sent to your email.
All you need to do is plan the itinerary and negotiate with local operators. Please email us for more information. We are happy to make the best offer and make the process easy. Visit our review page on TripAdvisor to learn more about our recent customer who has recently explored Bhutan with NEST Adventure.
Flight Schedule: Kathmandu (KTM) → Paro (PBH)
Airline
Flight No.
Route
Days of Operation
Departure
Arrival
Druk Air
KB 4003
KTM → PBH
Every Friday
08:00
09:10
Bhutan Airlines
B3 774
KTM → PBH
Mon, Thu, Sat
08:55
10:10
Druk Air
KB 401
KTM → PBH
Sun, Mon, Wed–Fri
09:00
10:20
Bhutan Airlines
B3 772
KTM → PBH
Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri
09:35
10:50
Druk Air
KB 401
KTM → PBH
Tue & Sat
10:00
11:20
Note: This flight schedule is based on the airline’s timetable for this month (April 2026). It may vary depending on the season and weather conditions, so please check with the airline or your travel company for the most up-to-date information.
Druk Air, Paro Airport
As of 2026, Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines operate more than ten flights per week between Kathmandu and Paro. While Druk Air flights to Kathmandu, Nepal, are available every day, Bhutan Airlines flights are available every other day. It’s a question I frequently receive from my customers. Why should I go to Nepal before Bhutan? Here’s why.
Opportunity to fly beside 7 out of the 14 highest mountains in the world, which include Mt. Everest and hundreds of other small peaks below 7,000m.
The only available short (404 km/1:20 minutes) flight is one of the most scenic and challenging air routes in the world.
The only country with daily flights with two carriers and the cheapest of all.
Easy, affordable, and hassle-free visa and permit arrangements by a local Nepali travel company.
For many, a visit to Nepal is often followed by a trip to Bhutan.
Accommodation in Bhutan
Part of the government tourism policies is “high-value low impact.” A 3-star hotel is included in the Bhutan tour package. When you book a tour with a local company, you can’t lower the price or request a standard hotel while visiting Bhutan. Typically, there is Wi-Fi, a clean bed, a hot/cold shower, a TV, a phone, a restaurant/bar, etc. You can upgrade to a 4 or 5-star hotel for an additional USD 50 per night.
Hotel in Thimphu
Food in Bhutan
The package includes all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). As Bhutan offers more local and authentic options, you might not find all Western food, but you can expect a local taste. While visiting Bhutan, don’t forget to try some of the most common local Bhutanese food: Ema, Datshi (chilies and cheese), Jasha Maro (spicy chicken), Phakshan Pang (pork with red chilies), and Momos (Dumplings).
Food in Bhutan
Other Expenses
All meals, ground transportation, a local guide, the attraction entrance fee, and accommodation are included in the package and should be arranged in advance. However, personal expenses, tips, and donation shopping, etc., should be extra. Bhutan is also an excellent place for shopping. It would be best if you arrived with your backpack relatively empty, so you have space to bring things back. As the world’s last Buddhist kingdom, they offer many artistic souvenirs that your friends and family will love. A thanka painting, a singing bowl, a statue of Buddha, a colorful Buddhist door curtain, and a praying flag might be the best souvenirs from Bhutan.
Selling Products in Bhutan
Best Time to Visit in Bhutan
Bhutan is located in the eastern trans-Himalayas, bordered by Tibet to the north and India to the east, west, and south. The weather in Bhutan varies significantly from place to place.
The monsoons start from June to September with heavy rains and high humidity. During the monsoon, the Himalayan vista might often be bothered by the cloud, but the hide-and-seek between these two giants is the most dramatic to watch in Bhutan. Autumn starts from October to November. The sky remains unobstructed with clear views of the Himalayas. While it usually is sunny, a light snow shower might occur at high elevations in late November.
Another ideal time is during spring, from March to May. High up in the valley, seasonal flowers come in full bloom. The Mountain views are at their most visible on clear days. Here is the weather of Paro, Bhutan, and the temperature throughout the year.
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Min Temp °C
-17
-15
-10
-5
-1
3
5
4
2
-5
-12
-16
Max Temp °C
1
1
4
7
10
12
12
13
11
8
5
3
Rainfall (mm)
4
8
16
21
24
40
75
72
34
14
4
1
What Should You Know Before Visiting Bhutan?
It’s the first tobacco-free country. Buying and selling tobacco is illegal in Bhutan. Tourists are limited to 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 150 grams of other tobacco products), so make sure to find a safe place; otherwise, you might be in trouble.
The last standing Buddhist nation in the world has a compulsory national dress for everyone.
The last country to experience radio (1973), TV (1999), and the Internet (1999).
The country’s products and consumption are primarily organic food.
In Bhutan, they don’t measure their country’s progress in GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Instead, they use GNH (Gross National Happiness), which is based on spiritual values. Bhutan has consistently ranked number #1 in Asia on the happiness index and in the top 10 worldwide.
Bhutan is just about ten times smaller than New York, with a population of about 8,00,000.
The first carbon negative country in the world, meaning it absorbs more CO2 than it gives out.
72% of Bhutan’s total area is forested, and the rest is covered by mountains, wildlife sanctuaries, nature reserves, and green hill terraces deep in valleys.
The wildlife in Bhutan is well preserved. If you harm, kill, or hunt an animal, you will be sentenced to life in jail.
Paro International Airport is one of the most dangerous airports in the world. As of 2026, there are only 50 pilots worldwide qualified to land in Paro, Bhutan, deep in the valley at 2,200m.
35% of the money you paid as part of the package directly supports the government fund for free healthcare, education, and the maintenance of tourist attractions.
If you love spicy food, you should try the Bhutanese menu. They eat chili at every meal.
A phallic symbol in Bhutan is common; you can see it almost everywhere during the festival.
You pay in USD or Bhutanese currency (NU), but receiving change in Indian rupees (INR) is common in Bhutan. Bhutanese currency NU 1 is equivalent to 1 INR.
Mountaineering is not permitted in Bhutan. Anything below 6,000m is considered a trekking peak and is legal to hike.
Summer means monsoon in Bhutan. Expect the rain and heavy snow in the country.
Do not discuss the royals or the political issue, and make a discussion matter of illegal things, such as Bhutanese refugees, public smoking, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Bhutan?
Bhutan is a South Asian, landlocked country located in the eastern Himalayas between India and China.
How to enter Bhutan?
Except for residents of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, all other visitors need a visa to enter Bhutan. Also, a tour operator is required—the visa fee is 40 USD.
When is the best time to travel Bhutan?
The best time to travel to Bhutan is Autumn and Spring, i.e, September to November, and March to May. The festivals of Bhutan take place during this time, and the weather is also warmer and perfect for viewing.
What are the documents that I have to carry to Bhutan?
You need to have the visa confirmation letter provided by your tour operator and a copy of the itinerary with you.
What about the altitude sickness during the hike in Bhutan?
Bhutan is a Himalayan country. So altitude sickness is common, and many travelers are affected. If you experience fatigue, edema, dehydration, insomnia, shortness of breath, or dizziness while traveling to Bhutan, it’s likely due to altitude sickness. To prevent altitude sickness, stay hydrated, plan rest days, limit alcohol intake, and prepare with short hikes and exercises before the tour.
Is Bhutan safe for travel?
Bhutan is a safe country as it has a low crime rate. But it is said that prevention is better than cure, so take care of your backpack and personal items. It is better to have a professional and experienced travel guide to Bhutan for safety.
What are the facilities available in Bhutan?
In most places, the facilities and services are limited in Bhutan as the country is still in the process of development. However, the hotels and resorts you stay at may have facilities such as Wi-Fi, electricity, and hot water. But you will be charged for using those facilities.
What currency is used in Bhutan?
The Bhutanese Ngultrum is the currency of Bhutan and is tied to the value of the Indian currency. So Indian currency is accepted in Bhutan.
What type of food and accommodation is found in Bhutan?
Western and Indian cuisine are found in most places in Bhutan. The main feature of Bhutanese cuisine is its sharp taste, often accompanied by chili.
Accommodation options range from homestays and small 3-star hotels to big 5-star hotels. It all depends on how much you can afford and the place you visit.
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