A 5 day 4 night first trip from Bangkok can cover Paro, Thimphu and Punakha if you refuse to hike on the afternoon you land. That is the honest circuit. It is not a Gaya combo and it is not a second visa page.
People on r/BhutanTravels ask for a first-timer outline. Here is ours, then the packages page for departures we actually operate.
The four nights
Night 1 — Paro. Land, walk the town, sleep. Read A first-timer's guide to Paro for the landing-day pace. Do not book Taktsang.
Night 2 — Thimphu. Drive the valley, Memorial Chorten, weekend market if it is Saturday or Sunday. Detail lives on Things to do in Thimphu when that page is live; until then your guide holds the list.
Night 3 — Punakha. Dochula, then down to 1,200 m. Punakha Dzong and the suspension bridge is the half-day.
Night 4 — Paro. Back over the pass. Dawn hike to Tiger's Nest, or hike on the morning of day 5 if the outbound is after lunch.
What it costs (GSA numbers only)
- Bangkok–Paro return economy: from THB 31,869 (fare 26,000 + tax 5,869).
- SDF: USD 100 × 4 nights = USD 400 per adult (concession through 31 August 2027).
- Visa: USD 40 once.
The baht stack is on How much a Bhutan trip costs from Thailand. Groups of ten use the Paro group fare.
If you want more days
Add nights in Phobjikha for the Black-Necked Crane Festival on 11 November 2026. The core circuit stays Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
