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Paro to Bumthang with a Guide and Driver: Route Guide

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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 (staffed road transport). 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
5
Stops
137
curated stops

Plan your own version → 7-day plan · 9-day plan · best time to go

The route

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

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
Simtokha Dzong
Visit the first dzong in unified Bhutan housing a language institute.
Thimphu
Punakha Dzong
Behold the majestic fortress at the rivers' confluence.
Punakha

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 →

Similar journeys

Plan your own version →