Places to visit in Bhutan

Guides to thirteen of Bhutan’s twenty districts, grouped into five regions, with the tours that visit each one.

Bhutan is small, but mountain roads make distances long, so most journeys focus on one or two regions. First-time visitors usually start in the west; a second week opens up central Bhutan, and the east rewards travellers with time to spare.

Western Central Eastern Northern Southern

Western Bhutan

The classic introduction to Bhutan: Paro and its airport, the capital Thimphu, Punakha’s great dzong, the Phobjikha Valley and quiet Haa.

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Paro

Bhutan's gateway valley: Tiger's Nest, Rinpung Dzong and the country's only international airport.

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Thimphu

A capital of temples, markets and museums, famous for having no traffic lights.

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Punakha

The former capital, where Punakha Dzong stands at the meeting of two rivers.

Wangdue Phodrang

Gateway to central Bhutan and home to the Phobjikha Valley, winter refuge of the black-necked crane. Read the Wangdue Phodrang guide

Haa

A high, quiet valley over Chele La from Paro, opened to visitors only in 2002. Read the Haa guide

Central Bhutan

Over Pele La into the historic heartland: Trongsa’s dzong, the temple valleys of Bumthang and the forests of Zhemgang.

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Trongsa

The great dzong of central Bhutan and ancestral seat of the royal family.

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Bumthang

Four high valleys of ancient temples, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.

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Zhemgang

Forested hills, traditional villages and the road to Royal Manas National Park.

Eastern Bhutan

Beyond Thrumshing La, fewer visitors and strong living traditions: Drametse in Mongar, the weavers of Lhuntse, Trashigang and Chorten Kora in Trashiyangtse.

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Mongar

Gateway to eastern Bhutan, with Drametse Monastery and excellent birdwatching.

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Lhuntse

A remote northeastern valley, ancestral home of the royal family and of kishuthara weaving.

Trashigang

The hub of eastern Bhutan, with a cliff-top dzong and the Brokpa villages of Merak and Sakteng. Read the Trashigang guide

Trashiyangtse

Chorten Kora, woodcraft traditions and black-necked cranes in the far northeast. Read the Trashiyangtse guide

Northern Bhutan

The high frontier of Gasa, with Laya village, hot springs and the starting points of Bhutan’s great treks.

10. laya gasa trek 15 nights 16 days

Gasa

Bhutan's high northern frontier: hot springs, Laya village and the start of the great treks.

Southern Bhutan

Warm, forested foothills along the Indian border, including Chhukha, Samtse, Dagana, Tsirang and Sarpang. Phuentsholing and Gelephu are the main overland entry points from India.

We are preparing guides to the southern districts. In the meantime, ask us about including southern Bhutan in your journey.

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