Nature Lover's 7-Day Itinerary: Bangalore to Bhutan in December 2023

1. Day 1: Reach Paro International Airport
   1 hour 30 minutes flight from Bangalore

   Arrive at Paro International Airport, the only airport in Bhutan. Spend the day taking in the fresh mountain air and exploring the quaint town of Paro. Visit the National Museum of Bhutan and take a leisurely walk along the Paro Chhu river.

2. Day 2: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery
   10 minutes (2.9 km) from Paro

   Start your day early with a hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery, Bhutan's most iconic landmark. The hike will take around 3-4 hours round trip. Have lunch at the monastery's cafeteria and enjoy the stunning views of the valley below. In the evening, relax at one of Paro's hot stone bathhouses to soothe your tired muscles.

3. Day 3: Explore Thimphu
   1 hour 30 minutes (54.6 km) from Paro

   Drive to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten, the Tashichho Dzong fortress and the National Textile Museum. Have lunch at one of the city's many cafes and try Bhutan's national dish, Ema Datshi. In the evening, take a stroll around Thimphu's Centenary Farmers' Market to experience the local culture.

4. Day 4: Visit Punakha
   2 hours 30 minutes (85.2 km) from Thimphu

   Drive to Punakha, Bhutan's old capital and visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and then hike to the Chimi Lhakhang temple, also known as the temple of the Divine Madman. In the evening, relax at your hotel in Punakha.

5. Day 5: Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
   1 hour (30 km) from Punakha

   Start your day with a hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning Buddhist monument built on a hilltop. The hike will take around 2-3 hours round trip. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and then visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. In the evening, head back to your hotel in Punakha.

6. Day 6: Explore Paro Valley
   3 hours 30 minutes (125 km) from Punakha

   Drive back to Paro Valley and visit the Kyichu Lhakhang temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and then visit the Drukgyel Dzong fortress ruins and the Rinpung Dzong fortress. In the evening, do some souvenir shopping at Paro's main market.

7. Day 7: Depart from Paro International Airport
   10 minutes (6.6 km) from Paro

   Enjoy your last few hours in Bhutan by visiting the Chele La Pass, the highest road pass in Bhutan. Have lunch at a nearby restaurant and then head back to Paro International Airport for your flight back to Bangalore.

Recommendations

If you have more time in Bhutan, consider visiting the Phobjikha Valley to see the endangered black-necked cranes or taking a day trip to the Haa Valley. To maximize your fun, try local Bhutanese food, attend a cultural festival or try your hand at Bhutanese archery.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Flight from Bangalore to Paro (1 hour 30 minutes, £300-£500)
• National Museum of Bhutan (2 hours, £5)
• Tiger's Nest Monastery hike (3-4 hours, £10 for entrance fee)
• Lunch at Tiger's Nest Monastery cafeteria (1 hour, £5)
• Hot stone bath (2 hours, £20)
• National Memorial Chorten (1 hour, £5)
• Tashichho Dzong fortress (1 hour, £10)
• National Textile Museum (1 hour, £5)
• Lunch in Thimphu (1 hour, £10)
• Centenary Farmers' Market (1 hour, free)
• Punakha Dzong (2 hours, £10)
• Hike to Chimi Lhakhang temple (2-3 hours, £5)
• Lunch in Punakha (1 hour, £10)
• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike (2-3 hours, £5)
• Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery (1 hour, £5)
• Kyichu Lhakhang temple (1 hour, £5)
• Drukgyel Dzong fortress ruins (1 hour, £5)
• Rinpung Dzong fortress (1 hour, £10)
• Souvenir shopping (1 hour, £5-£50)
• Chele La Pass (2-3 hours, free)
• Flight from Paro to Bangalore (1 hour 30 minutes, £300-£500)
• Total Estimated Costs: £735-£1065 per person

Click here to check hotel and flight prices