Thimphu Tour Packages
Thimphu is the world's only capital without traffic lights, home to the Tashichho Dzong, a giant Buddha Dordenma statue and weekend markets. It is a calm base for the first days of a Bhutan trip.
Thimphu at a glance
- LocationBhutan, South Asia
- Time zone30 minutes ahead of India
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+975
- CurrencyBhutanese ngultrum (BTN), pegged to the…
- LanguagesDzongkha, English
- Power plugsTypes C, D, F, G and M · 230 V
- Ideal stay1–2 days
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Top Thimphu travel packages
A few of our Thimphu itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Multi-country toursKathmandu · Paro · ThimphuNepal & Bhutan8 Days | 7 Nights
Cultural holidaysThimphu · Punakha · ParoBhutan Highlights6 Days | 5 Nights
Honeymoon packagesParo · Punakha · ThimphuBhutan Honeymoon6 Days | 5 Nights
Festival and seasonal tripsParo · ThimphuBhutan Festival Trip6 Days | 5 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Thimphu
Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN), pegged to the Indian rupee. Carry some local currency for markets, small shops and tips, and ask your bank about international card charges before you travel.
Not compulsory; guides and drivers are commonly tipped at the end of a tour.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
Types C, D, F, G and M · 230 V. Indian two-pin plugs usually fit; carry an adapter for three-pin chargers.
113 (police), 112 (ambulance)
Languages spoken: Dzongkha, English.
Fly into Paro or drive in through Phuentsholing. All travel within Bhutan is with a licensed guide and vehicle.
Indian visitors pay a lower Sustainable Development Fee than other nationalities; we confirm the current rate when you book.
The Tiger's Nest hike takes 4–6 hours round trip; go early and wear good shoes.
Visit the Memorial Chorten in the early morning to join locals circling it.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Thimphu?
Who should visit Thimphu?
Plan your Thimphu trip from India
Everything you need to know about Thimphu
Thimphu is the world's only capital without traffic lights, home to the Tashichho Dzong, a giant Buddha Dordenma statue and weekend markets. It is a calm base for the first days of a Bhutan trip.
Highlights include Tashichho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten and Motithang Takin Preserve. Local food worth trying: Ema datshi and Phaksha paa. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits culture lovers. Our Thimphu itineraries run from 4 to 8 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
March to May and September to November. Festival season.
How to reach Thimphu
- By air: Paro (PBH), about 1.5 hours
- By rail: No railway
- By road: Road from Phuentsholing
View all Thimphu packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
8D / 7NKathmandu · Paro · ThimphuNepal & Bhutan
Two Himalayan kingdoms in eight days: Kathmandu's Durbar Squares and stupas, then Bhutan's dzongs in Thimphu and the climb to Paro's Tiger's Nest.
View itinerary →6D / 5NThimphu · Punakha · ParoBhutan Highlights
Thimphu's dzong and Buddha, Dochula Pass and Punakha, and the hike to Tiger's Nest in Paro.
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6D / 5NParo · Punakha · ThimphuBhutan Honeymoon
Boutique lodges, Punakha's suspension bridge, a hot-stone bath and the Tiger's Nest climb together.
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6D / 5NParo · ThimphuBhutan Festival Trip
Timed for the Paro or Thimphu Tshechu, when masked dances fill the dzong courtyards.
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4D / 3NParo · ThimphuBhutan Short Break
A compact Bhutan trip for Tiger's Nest, Paro's dzong and Thimphu's highlights.
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7D / 6NThimphu · Punakha · ParoBhutan by Road from Bagdogra
Enter through Phuentsholing by road and loop through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro.
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7D / 6NDarjeeling · Thimphu · ParoBhutan & Darjeeling
Darjeeling's tea estates and toy train, then across the border into Bhutan.
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6D / 5NThimphu · Punakha · ParoBhutan Monasteries & Tiger's Nest
Thimphu's dzong and Buddha Dordenma, Punakha Dzong at the river confluence, and the hike to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, above Paro.
View itinerary →6D / 5NThimphu · Punakha · ParoBhutan Happiness Tour
Six days in the Land of the Thunder Dragon: Thimphu's giant Buddha, the 108 chortens of Dochula Pass, Punakha's river-fort and the cliffside Tiger's Nest monastery above Paro.
View itinerary →9 itineraries
More places in Bhutan
Top things to see in Thimphu
Wildlife in Thimphu
Sightings depend on season and luck and are never guaranteed. Keep your distance, stay with licensed guides and never feed wild animals.
Cultural experiences in Thimphu
Heritage and landmarks
Experiences
- Weekend market
On the menuFood to try
- Ema datshi
- Phaksha paa
Outdoor activities in Thimphu
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Thimphu: March to May and September to November. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Thimphu travel tips
Visa and entry
Entry rules for Indian passport holders change, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival and e-visa schemes, so confirm the current rules on the official government or embassy website for Bhutan before booking flights. Most countries require a passport valid for at least six months beyond your return date. We check the current requirements when we prepare your quote; we cannot guarantee visa approval.
Health and safety
Buy travel insurance that covers medical treatment and evacuation; healthcare abroad can be expensive. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Some places here are at high altitude: rest on arrival, drink plenty of water and ascend gradually. For current safety advice, check the travel advisories published by the Government of India and the embassy in Bhutan.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Bhutanese ngultrum (BTN), pegged to the Indian rupee. Not compulsory; guides and drivers are commonly tipped at the end of a tour.
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November. Festival season.
Getting around
Fly into Paro or drive in through Phuentsholing. All travel within Bhutan is with a licensed guide and vehicle.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
- The Tiger's Nest hike takes 4–6 hours round trip; go early and wear good shoes.
What to pack
Pack warm layers, a down jacket and gloves, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Indian mobile operators sell international roaming packs, or you can buy a local SIM or eSIM on arrival with your passport. Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM before you travel.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Thimphu FAQs
What is Thimphu famous for?
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How many days are enough for Thimphu?
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What languages are spoken in Thimphu?
What plug type does Bhutan use?
Is tap water safe to drink in Bhutan?
What is the time difference between India and Bhutan?
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Bhutan?
What are the emergency numbers in Bhutan?
How much does a Thimphu tour package cost?
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Destinations near Thimphu
NepalEverest Base Camp
The Everest Base Camp trek follows the Khumbu valley from Lukla through Sherpa villages, Namche Bazaar and Tengboche monastery to the foot of the world's highest mountain.
NepalKathmandu
Kathmandu Valley holds seven UNESCO sites, including Pashupatinath, the great stupa of Boudhanath and the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.
NepalChitwan National Park
Chitwan is a UNESCO-listed lowland park where one-horned rhinos, gharials and Bengal tigers live in grassland and sal forest.
NepalPokhara
Pokhara is a lakeside town under the Annapurna range, where the reflection of Machhapuchhre in Phewa Lake is a classic view.
NepalAnnapurna Base Camp
The Annapurna Base Camp trek climbs from the hills above Pokhara through Gurung villages, rhododendron forest and the Modi Khola gorge into the Annapurna Sanctuary, a ring of peaks around a high basin at about 4,130 metres.
NepalLumbini
Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and a UNESCO site.
Plan your Thimphu holiday
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