Bhutan is the destination we know best, for a straightforward reason: our office sits on the Indian side of the Bhutan Gate at Jaigaon, and the immigration counter that issues your entry permit is a few minutes' walk from our door.
That proximity is not a marketing line. It is the difference between handing a guest a processed permit on the morning they arrive and sending them to find a queue in a town they have never been to.
Why go to Bhutan
No visa for Indian nationals
You need an entry permit rather than a visa, issued at Phuentsholing, plus the Sustainable Development Fee. A passport or Voter ID card is required; other photo IDs are not accepted.
Short distances, big scenery
Paro, Thimphu and Punakha sit within a few hours of each other, and every road between them crosses a pass. Six nights covers the western circuit properly.
Built for a measured pace
Thimphu is at 2,320m and Dochula at 3,100m, which is high enough to matter but well short of anything requiring acclimatisation days.
It combines easily
Sikkim, Darjeeling and the Dooars are all within a few hours of Jaigaon, so most guests pair Bhutan with one of them rather than flying in and straight out.
What people come for
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Tiger's Nest, Paro
A 4–5 hour return walk to a monastery on a cliff 900m above the valley.
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Punakha Dzong
Built 1637 where the father and mother rivers meet. The finest building in the country.
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Dochula Pass
108 chortens at 3,100m, with the eastern Himalaya behind them on a clear morning.
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Buddha Dordenma
A 51m gilded Buddha above Thimphu, and the best viewpoint over the capital.
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Phobjikha Valley
A glacial bowl at 3,000m where black-necked cranes winter from late October.
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Tashichho Dzong
Government offices and the central monk body sharing one courtyard in Thimphu.
Full guide: the best places to visit in Bhutan →
Before you book
How long you need
Six nights covers Paro, Thimphu and Punakha without rushing. Eight or nine adds Phobjikha Valley. Under five nights means most of your trip is spent on mountain roads.
Who it suits
Families, couples and first-time Himalayan travellers. The altitude is manageable, the roads are good by regional standards, and nothing on the standard circuit demands fitness beyond the Tiger's Nest walk.
What to watch for
The Tiger's Nest walk is the only physically demanding day. Festival dates follow the lunar calendar and shift year to year, and dzongs close to general visitors during them.
Bhutan Classic — Paro, Thimphu & Punakha
The route we run most often. Tiger's Nest, the Punakha Dzong at the river confluence, and Dochula Pass on a clear morning, at a pace that leaves room to breathe at altitude.
From₹24,999
See the full itineraryBest time to visit Bhutan
| When | What it is like | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| March – May | Spring. Rhododendrons, jacaranda at Punakha, clear mornings. Paro Tsechu falls here. | Best overall |
| June – August | Monsoon. Cheaper and greener, but mountain views largely gone and hill roads can slip. | Avoid for views |
| September – November | The clearest skies of the year, Thimphu Tsechu, cranes arriving at Phobjikha. | Best for mountains |
| December – February | Cold and very clear. Higher passes may briefly close with snow. | Best for photography |
Getting to Bhutan
Overland through Jaigaon. Fly to Bagdogra or take the train to New Jalpaiguri or Hasimara, then road to Jaigaon. Permits are issued at Phuentsholing and it is 5–6 hours up to Thimphu or Paro. This is the route our office exists to serve.
By air to Paro. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly from Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Bangkok, Kathmandu and Singapore. It saves two days and costs considerably more.
Permits and entry rules
Indian nationals need an entry permit issued at Phuentsholing immigration, not a visa, along with the Sustainable Development Fee for each night of the stay. A valid passport or Voter ID card is mandatory; Aadhaar and driving licences are not accepted. Permits for Punakha and beyond are separate from the initial Phuentsholing permit and are extended in Thimphu. We process all of this for our guests.