Places to visit in Bhutan · Updated October 2026 for 2027
Bhutan Destinations 2027
From Tiger’s Nest in Paro and the capital Thimphu to the crane valley of Phobjikha and the temples of Bumthang: where to go in Bhutan, how long to stay, the best time for each valley and what it costs to get in.
Licensed by Bhutan's Department of Tourism · Licence No. 1052914
Bhutan at a glance
Where to go in Bhutan
Bhutan is small, but mountain roads make it feel big. Most first trips cover the western valleys of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, often with Phobjikha. Central Bhutan (Trongsa and Bumthang) needs at least 9–10 days in total, and the far east is for longer journeys. Travel times are slow, so choosing fewer places and seeing them well usually makes for a better trip.
20
Districts (dzongkhags)
Each has its own dzong, the fortress that houses the district’s government and monastic body.
69.7%
Forest cover
Bhutan’s 2023 National Forest Inventory. The Constitution requires at least 60% to stay forested.
Thimphu
The capital
At about 2,300 m, home to the government, the King’s offices at Tashichho Dzong and the 54 m Buddha Dordenma.
Paro
Main airport
Paro International Airport is the main gateway; overland entry is via Phuentsholing or Samdrup Jongkhar.
Top places to visit in Bhutan
Six destinations every first trip should consider
Each has its own in-depth guide with what to see, where to stay and how long to spend.
Western Bhutan
About 2,200 m · Bhutan's gateway
Home to the airport and to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), clinging to a cliff about 900 m above the valley. Over 108,000 people visited it in 2025.
- Tiger's Nest hike (about 5 hours return)
- Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum
- Kyichu Lhakhang, from the 7th century
Mar–May, Sep–Nov · 2–3 days
The capital
About 2,300 m · Capital of Bhutan
A capital with no traffic lights, where many people still wear the gho and kira to work. The best place for museums, markets and crafts.
- Buddha Dordenma and Tashichho Dzong
- National Memorial Chorten
- Centenary Farmers' Market
All year · 2 days
Western Bhutan
About 1,250 m · Former capital
A warm, low valley where Punakha Dzong (1637) stands at the meeting of two rivers. Reached over Dochula Pass from Thimphu.
- Punakha Dzong and the suspension bridge
- Chimi Lhakhang through the rice fields
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Oct–May · 1–2 days
Wangdue Phodrang
About 3,000 m · The crane valley
A wide glacial valley where endangered black-necked cranes spend the winter. RSPN counted 640 here in the 2024–25 season.
- Cranes from about late October to February
- Gangtey Goenpa, founded in 1613
- Gangtey Nature Trail
Oct–Mar · 1–2 days
Western Bhutan
About 2,700 m · Opened to tourists in 2002
A quiet valley over Chele La pass (about 3,990 m) from Paro, with village homestays, hikes and the white and black temples, Lhakhang Karpo and Nagpo.
- Chele La viewpoint on clear mornings
- Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo
- Farmhouse homestays and hoentey dumplings
Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov · 1–2 days
Central Bhutan
About 2,600 m · Spiritual heartland
Four valleys full of Bhutan’s oldest temples and the stories of Guru Rinpoche and Pema Lingpa. About a day’s drive beyond Phobjikha, or a domestic flight.
- Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang
- Mebar Tsho, the Burning Lake
- Buckwheat food, cheese and local brewery
Mar–May, Sep–Nov · 2–3 days
Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan
Things to do in Thimphu
Thimphu is Bhutan’s capital and largest city, the seat of the government and the King’s offices. It is about an hour’s drive from Paro airport, and most visitors spend one or two days here. Two days lets you see the main sights without rushing.
Thimphu sightseeing: our top picks
- Buddha Dordenma: a 54 m bronze, gilded Buddha on a hill above the city, with wide valley views.
- Tashichho Dzong: the seat of government and the central monastic body; visiting hours are limited while offices are open.
- National Memorial Chorten: built in 1974, where locals walk circuits and spin prayer wheels all day.
- Centenary Farmers' Market: by the river; chillies, datshi, red rice and seasonal fruit.
- Motithang Takin Preserve: see the takin, Bhutan's national animal.
- Folk Heritage Museum: a traditional farmhouse, with Bhutanese meals on request.
- Changangkha Lhakhang: a 12th-century temple where parents bring newborns for blessings.
- Simtokha Dzong: built in 1629 at the entrance to the valley, one of Bhutan's oldest dzongs.
Beyond the western valleys
More places to visit in Bhutan
For a second trip, a longer stay or a trek, central, northern and eastern Bhutan are far less visited and deeply rewarding.
Trongsa
Central Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong, one of the largest and most impressive in Bhutan, sits above the Mangde Chhu gorge. The ancestral seat from which the Wangchuck dynasty rose.
Wangdue Phodrang
Western–central Bhutan
Its dzong, first built in 1638, burned in 2012 and was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 2022. The gateway to Phobjikha.
Gasa
Northern Bhutan
A remote district with a ridge-top dzong and the Gasa Tshachu hot springs, popular with Bhutanese pilgrims.
Laya & Lunana
High Himalaya
Remote yak-herding villages. Laya sits at about 3,800 m on the Laya trek; Lunana lies on the Snowman Trek, one of the world’s hardest treks.
Mongar
Eastern Bhutan
Reached over Thrumshing La (about 3,780 m) from Bumthang; the first stop on journeys into the east.
Trashigang
Eastern Bhutan
The largest town in the east, with a 17th-century dzong above the river. Gateway to the Merak and Sakteng herders’ villages.
Trashi Yangtse
Far east
Home to Chorten Kora, a white stupa modelled on Boudhanath, and Bumdeling, Bhutan’s other main crane wintering ground.
Lhuentse
North-east
The ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family and famous for kishuthara, the most intricate hand-woven textiles.
Monument entry fees
What it costs to enter the main sites
A few of Bhutan’s most visited temples and dzongs charge an entry fee, set by the Department of Tourism to help maintain them. The same fees apply to international and regional tourists, including visitors from India. They are paid on top of the SDF, and we show them in your quote.
Many other sites are free to enter, including Buddha Dordenma, Rinpung Dzong in Paro, Trongsa Dzong and Jambay Lhakhang.
Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
Nu 1,000
Children 6–17: Nu 500
Kyichu Lhakhang and Dungtse Lhakhang, Paro
Nu 500
Children pay half
Tashichho Dzong, Memorial Chorten and Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu
Nu 500
Each site; children pay half
Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha
Nu 500
Each site; children pay half
Children aged 5 and under enter free. Fees as reported by BBS in May 2026; they can change, so we confirm them when we quote.
Suggested routes
How to combine Bhutan's destinations
Every trip starts and ends in Paro (or at a land border). These are the routes that work best for different trip lengths; we tailor each one to your interests and the season.
5 days
The essentials
Paro · Thimphu · Punakha
Tiger’s Nest, the capital and Punakha Dzong. Short, but it covers Bhutan’s highlights.
7 days
Western Bhutan
Paro · Thimphu · Punakha · Phobjikha
Adds the crane valley and a slower pace. The most popular first trip.
10 days
Into the heartland
+ Trongsa · Bumthang
Crosses the Pele La and Yotong La passes to the temples of Bumthang.
14+ days
Across Bhutan
+ Mongar · Trashigang
Continues east and can exit overland at Samdrup Jongkhar into Assam, India.
FAQ
Bhutan destination questions
Still deciding? Read our Bhutan travel guide or ask us to plan your route.
What is the capital of Bhutan?
Thimphu. It sits at about 2,300 m in western Bhutan, around an hour’s drive from Paro airport, and is the seat of the government and the King’s offices at Tashichho Dzong.
What are the best places to visit in Bhutan?
For a first trip: Paro and Tiger’s Nest, Thimphu, Punakha and Phobjikha Valley. With more time, add Bumthang and Trongsa in central Bhutan, or Haa Valley for a quieter side trip.
How many days do I need in Bhutan?
Five days covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Seven days adds Phobjikha at an easier pace, and 10 days or more lets you reach Bumthang.
What is the Tiger's Nest entry fee for Indian tourists?
Nu 1,000 per adult and Nu 500 for children aged 6–17, the same as for international tourists. Children aged 5 and under are free. Indian nationals also pay an SDF of Nu 1,200 per night.
When is the best time to visit Phobjikha Valley?
Late October to February, when the black-necked cranes are in the valley. The Black-Necked Crane Festival is held at Gangtey Goenpa on 11 November.
Is Haa Valley worth visiting?
Yes, for a quieter side of western Bhutan. It is a day trip or overnight from Paro over Chele La pass, and was only opened to tourists in 2002.
Can tourists visit eastern Bhutan?
Yes. It needs a longer trip (around two weeks), with long drives over high passes, but the east is far less visited and you can exit overland at Samdrup Jongkhar.
Do I need permits to travel around Bhutan?
Your tour operator arranges the visa and the route permits needed for travel beyond Thimphu and Paro. You will travel with a licensed guide throughout.
Choose your valleys
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