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Driving routes in Bhutan

Curated multi-stop tourist routes. Each card opens a one-tap Google Maps directions link with all the waypoints loaded — works in the Google Maps app on iOS and Android.

A note on driving times: Bhutan's mountain roads are slow. A 100 km route can take 3+ hours. Google Maps' quoted time is often optimistic — use the “drive time note” on each card as your real planning estimate.

  • Western circuit — Paro · Thimphu · Punakha

    The classic 4-to-5-day western tourist loop. Fly into Paro, see the dzong and Tiger’s Nest, drive to Thimphu, cross Dochu La pass to Punakha and back.

    ~6 hrs total driving across the loop

    1. Start: Paro, Bhutan
    2. Via: Thimphu, Bhutan
    3. Via: Dochula Pass, Bhutan
    4. Via: Punakha Dzong, Bhutan
    5. End: Paro, Bhutan
    • Dochu La (3,100 m) is fog-prone in monsoon — start early
    • Punakha Dzong worth a half-day on its own
    Open in Google Maps

  • Paro → Tiger’s Nest trailhead

    The iconic 3-hour hike up to Paro Taktsang. The road portion is short; this link gets you to the trailhead car park.

    ~20 min from Paro town

    1. Start: Paro, Bhutan
    2. End: Paro Taktsang, Bhutan
    • Allow 5–6 hours total for the hike up and back
    • Closed Mondays — check current schedule
    Open in Google Maps

  • Thimphu cultural day

    Tashichho Dzong, the Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten, and the Folk Heritage Museum.

    ~3 hrs of driving across the city

    1. Start: Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu
    2. Via: Buddha Dordenma, Thimphu
    3. Via: National Memorial Chorten, Thimphu
    4. End: Folk Heritage Museum, Thimphu
    Open in Google Maps

  • Western → Central — Punakha to Bumthang

    The extension into central Bhutan. Cross Pele La and Yotong La, sleep in Phobjikha or Trongsa, end in the Bumthang valleys.

    ~9 hrs eastbound, plan a Trongsa overnight

    1. Start: Punakha, Bhutan
    2. Via: Pele La, Bhutan
    3. Via: Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan
    4. Via: Yotong La, Bhutan
    5. End: Jakar, Bhutan
    • Phobjikha valley side trip is worth the half-day
    • Trongsa Dzong is the largest in Bhutan
    Open in Google Maps

  • Phuentsholing → Thimphu (border road)

    The land-border arrival route from West Bengal. 170 km of switchbacks climbing from 200 m to 2,300 m.

    ~6 hrs, no overtaking on most of it

    1. Start: Phuentsholing, Bhutan
    2. Via: Chukha Hydropower, Bhutan
    3. End: Thimphu, Bhutan
    • Indian nationals enter Bhutan via Phuentsholing — Entry Permit is processed at the border
    • Avoid driving after dark in the lower stretches
    Open in Google Maps

  • Paro → Haa via Chele La

    Day trip across Bhutan’s highest motorable pass (3,988 m) into the Haa valley.

    ~3 hrs each way

    1. Start: Paro, Bhutan
    2. Via: Chele La Pass, Bhutan
    3. End: Haa, Bhutan
    • Chele La views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake on a clear morning
    • Closed in heavy snow, December–February
    Open in Google Maps

  • Bumthang valley loop

    Jakar Dzong, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing, and Jambay Lhakhang — the spiritual heart of central Bhutan.

    ~2 hrs of driving; full day with stops

    1. Start: Jakar Dzong, Bhutan
    2. Via: Kurjey Lhakhang, Bhutan
    3. Via: Tamshing Lhakhang, Bhutan
    4. End: Jambay Lhakhang, Bhutan
    Open in Google Maps

Want a route that's not here? Most Bhutanese tour itineraries are linear (Paro → east) or loop variants of the western circuit. If you have a bespoke itinerary, copy any place name from a card above into Google Maps directly. For trekking trails (Druk Path, Jomolhari, Snowman), trailhead locations are on each dzongkhag's article infobox.