Bhutan

Off the Beaten Path in Bhutan

Four friends skip the flight into Paro for a two-day overland crossing through Phuentsholing instead.

7 Nights / 8 DaysDuration
4Cities

Almost every Bhutan itinerary starts with the same dramatic descent into Paro's mountain airstrip. This one skips that entirely ; a flight to Bagdogra instead, then a road crossing through Phuentsholing, Bhutan's gateway town on the Indian plains that most flying visitors never see at all.

This is one of the Bhutan itineraries we've planned for a group of friends before ; seven nights, eight days entered and exited overland via Phuentsholing, built for four adults travelling together. It's shared here to show what an overland route into Bhutan could look like. A version built around your own group's size and dates would look a little different ; and that's the point.

Why This Trip

Why Cross Into Bhutan by Road

Why Cross Into Bhutan by Road

Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial town right on the Indian border, worth a night in its own right before the immigration formalities and the five-hour drive up to Thimphu the next morning. It's a version of Bhutan almost no flying visitor experiences ; the country arrives gradually, by road, rather than all at once through an aircraft window.

The rest of the route holds to Bhutan's core sights ; Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, and the Taktsang hike ; but doing it by road on both ends, with two nights in Phuentsholing bookending the trip, changes the shape of the whole journey.

Holiday Overview

Cities Covered
Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha/Wangdue, Paro
Starting Price
₹70,700

per adult, based on 4 adults travelling together, including Bengaluru–Bagdogra airfare, breakfast and dinner daily

Best Time to Travel
May (clear roads, good visibility for the Dochula Pass views)
Experiences Covered
Overland crossing via Phuentsholing, Thimphu sightseeing, Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong, Taktsang Monastery hike

Tap a pin to preview each stop

Trace Your Path

An itinerary designed
for every moment.

Phuentsholing Day 1, 7–8

Bhutan's gateway town on the Indian plains, a thriving commercial town right on the border, with the evening free to walk around.

Thimphu Day 2–3

Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten, Zorig Chusum's traditional arts institute, the Takin Preserve and Tashichho Dzong.

Punakha/Wangdue Day 4

Punakha Dzong and a short hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, with a stop at Dochula Pass on the way.

Paro Day 5–6

Paro's National Museum, Rinpung Dzong, the hike up to Taktsang Monastery and Kyichu Lhakhang.

Day By Day

Bhutan Trip Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Bagdogra to Phuentsholing

    A flight into Bagdogra, then a road transfer to Phuentsholing, Bhutan's gateway town on the Indian plains. The evening is free to walk around town.

  2. Day 2

    Phuentsholing to Thimphu

    Immigration formalities in the morning, then a five-hour drive up to Thimphu, with photo stops along the way.

  3. Day 3

    Thimphu Sightseeing

    Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten, Zorig Chusum's traditional arts institute, Takin Preserve, and Tashichho Dzong.

  4. Day 4

    Thimphu to Punakha/Wangdue

    A stop at Dochula Pass en route to Punakha Dzong and a short hike to Chhimi Lhakhang.

  5. Day 5

    Punakha/Wangdue to Paro

    A stop at the Royal Botanical Park in Lamperi, then Paro's National Museum and Rinpung Dzong.

  6. Day 6

    Paro Sightseeing and Hike to Taktsang

    The hike up to Taktsang Monastery, followed by Kyichu Lhakhang.

  7. Day 7

    Paro to Phuentsholing

    A five-hour drive back down to Phuentsholing, with the evening free.

  8. Day 8

    Phuentsholing to Bagdogra, Departure

    A road transfer to Bagdogra Airport for the flight home.

What's Included

Experiences Included.

Where You'll Stay

Hotel Stays.

Seven nights across Phuentsholing, Thimphu, Punakha/Wangdue and Paro, with breakfast and dinner daily.

Phuentsholing: Gadhen Hotel or Evergreen Hotel. Thimphu: Bhutan Kubera or Starlight. Wangdue/Punakha: White Dragon or Khuru Khuru. Paro: Gonju Boutique or Center Point.

The Fine Print, Handled

What Travenza Holidays
Will Arrange.

Itinerary planning, hotel reservations, private non-AC transfers by Toyota Hiace, a certified guide within Bhutan, Sustainable Development Fee handling, Bengaluru–Bagdogra flight bookings, and travel support throughout.

Customised by group size, hotel category, travel dates, and whether the group wants to enter overland on one side only.

Ready When You Are

Plan Your Off the Beaten Path Holiday to Bhutan

A border town most visitors never see, a five-hour climb into the mountains by road instead of a thirty-minute descent by air ; the overland route changes how Bhutan actually arrives.

This is one of the itineraries we've built for a group of friends travelling together before, shared here to show what the trip could look like. A version built for your own group ; size, pace, and dates ; would look a little different.

Estimated from ₹70,700 per adult · All inclusive

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