How many days do you need for the Paro to Bumthang with a Guide and Driver?

7 days minimum; 9 is comfortable.

What is the Paro to Bumthang with a Guide and Driver like in March?

Rhododendron forests in bloom over the Dochula pass; Paro's tshechu draws the whole valley.

Ready-made plans

Custom planning is temporarily unavailable for this route. Ready-made plans are still available.

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Paro to Bumthang with a Guide and Driver: Route Guide

Last updated: 2026-08-16

Taktsang monastery on its cliff face — Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A monastery glued to a cliff face, dzong fortresses at river junctions and prayer flags on every pass: the Himalayan kingdom that measures happiness.

Paro to Bumthang with a Guide and Driver is a 300 km one-way journey (with a driver). It works best as 7–9 days; the plan below is the 9-day version for October, built from 137 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.

7–9

days

300km

distance

Stops

137

curated stops

View ready-made plans 7-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go

The route

Paro→ 55 kmThimphu→ 75 kmPunakha→ 60 kmPhobjikha Valley→ 110 kmBumthang (Jakar)

White walls and richly decorated roofs of Punakha Dzong with mountains behind — Punakha · Day 5
Punakha Dzong
Behold the majestic fortress at the rivers' confluence.
9-day plan →
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 4.0

What you'll see

Taktsang Monastery

Gaze at a monastery perched precariously on a towering cliff.

Paro

Tashichho Dzong

See a historic dzong housing both monastic and civil bodies.

Thimphu

Chimi Lhakhang

Admire scenic paddy fields and serene monastery views.

Punakha

Gangteng Monastery

Connect with ancient Nyingma traditions in quiet reflection.

Phobjikha Valley

Jakar Dzong

Marvel at one of Bhutan's largest and most impressive fortresses.

Bumthang (Jakar)

National Museum of Bhutan

See historic artifacts and indigenous flora and fauna in a watch tower.

Paro

Choose your length

7-day plan24 stops · 9.9 h transit3.4 stops/day · 1.4 h transit/daySee the full plan →9-day plan31 stops · 10.6 h transit3.4 stops/day · 1.2 h transit/daySee the full plan →

When to go

Best months: October, November

Post-monsoon clarity, black-necked cranes arriving in Phobjikha, and the great autumn tshechu festivals.

See the month-by-month breakdown →

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View ready-made plans