Thimphu Tour - Attractions, Transfer, Weather, Hotels & Restaurants 2020/2021

Thimphu Travel Guide - Attractions, Traffic, Weather, Hotels, Maps

Located at Thimphu Valley with an average elevation of 2,500m (8,202 ft), Thimphu in Western Bhutan is the largest and the capital city of Bhutan after replacing the ancient capital - Punakha. Population here is less than 100,000. It is more like a small country side town without tall buildings and traffic light but one policeman directing flows. The 3rd King of Bhutan led a reformation and moved the capital from Punakha to Thimphu in 1955. Probably you think it’s less prosperous and huge than other capital cities, but numerous tourists from worldwide are attracted to Thimphu to explore its authentic history and culture.

Young Capital, Top Religious and Cultural Center

Normally Thimphu is arranged as the second tourist destination after Paro, because Paro is the only international airport in Bhutan and location of Tiger’s Nest. However, a moment to stroll inside sacred monasteries, witness breathtaking natural landscapes and learn about old Bhutan’s art and heritage is just a minimum of remarkable experience in Thimphu. Much more charm scattered in Thimphu awaits your discovery.

Top Places to Visit in Thimphu

Searching for mystery of happiness? You’ve get the right place. Thimphu will always present you the best beyond your expectation, covering beautiful natural scenery, peaceful Buddhist temples, interesting folk customs, special dresses and much more. Surely, you can’t miss the great Himalayan views and sacred National Memorial Chorten. Exploration of local Bhutanese flavors and daily life in Weekend Market is pleasantly surprise in the short trip.

Top Featured Activities in Thimphu

Praised as “A Happy Kingdom Kissed by Buddha” and “the Land of Thunder Dragon”, Bhutan is endowed with magnificent Buddhist culture. Meanwhile, isolation from chaos, perfect harmony with nature, positive value of development, traditional way of living, all cultivate abundant local culture and happiness of Bhutanese. To help you catch a glimpse of the long history and colorful culture of Bhutan, the top three activities or festivals listed below are highly recommended for you if time is appropriate.

How to Get to Thimphu

Currently, there is no airport serving Thimphu, and Paro Airport is the only international airport in Bhutan, which is about 50km from Thimphu for 1.5 hours’ driving. Besides, Bhutan opens 3 land ports on Bhutan-India border areas. Therefore, tourist planning to travel to Thimphu can either fly to Paro first or have an overland driving from India via one of the land border ports.

Paro to Thimphu: Driving from Paro to Thimphu is the most convenient and popular way to reach Thimphu. If you travel to Bhutan by flight, your first destination is Paro. You are suggested to spend a couple of days to tour major attractions of Paro first, and then you can transfer to Thimphu from Paro by 1.5 hours’ driving on well-paved roads. Travelers can enjoy gorgeous natural views of rivers, valleys and nice-decorated local houses, temples en route.

India to Thimphu: Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar located in Southern Bhutan regions on Bhutan-India border are the only three land ports opened to tourists. After crossing the Phuentsholing in the southwest, you will have a about 6 hours’ driving trip for 170km to Thimphu, while it takes about 10 hours from Gelephu in central-south and at least 3 days from Samdrup Jongkhar in south-east area to get to Thimphu. >> Bhutan Transportation
Best Time to Visit Thimphu

Weather and climate of Bhutan varies widely in different regions according to altitude changes and influence of monsoon from the India Ocean in the south. Due to the location of valley and large area of forests, Thimphu (alt: 2,500m) belongs to a moderate climate zone with clear seasonal features and great temperature variation within a day. In general, months from September to November in autumn are the best time to visit Thimphu, because the weather and climate is mild and comfortable, the sky is clear blue and many colorful and splendid festivals like Dromchoe and Tsechu are held in Thimphu during this period.

Spring of Thimphu starts from March to May, when the average maximum daytime temperature is 11℃~17℃ and average lowest temperature goes between 0℃~5℃. During spring, it is kind of chilly in Thimphu, and often sprinkles in the morning and evening, even thunder shower happens occasionally. The following summer months from June to August comes to Thimphu with warmer but much more rainfalls days. With an average temperate of 17.7℃, July is the month with highest temperature of a year. However, too much rainfall makes it the less-chosen season to travel to Thimphu. Winter of Thimphu begins from December to February, when the weather is cold and dry, probably snow a little in high-elevation areas. >> Bhutan Weather and Climate
Where to Stay – Hotels in Thimphu

Tourists don’t need to worry about accommodation in Thimphu, because it offers lots of choices covering from luxury hotels, budget hotels to local homestays or guesthouses. Whenever you stay, you will be well treated with clean, comfortable rooms, warm hospitality and excellent services by the hotels.

Best Hotels in Thimphu - If you would like to experience luxury lodging during your stay in Thimphu, there are word class 5 star hotels with perfect amenities, service and amazing environment you can choose from. Le Meriden, Amankora, Taj Tashi are the three top ranking hotels in Thimphu. Le Meriden is centrally located, close to the Clock Tower Square and offers the Himalayan views, spacious rooms with internet access and relaxation spa and fitness center. Built in traditional Bhutanese style, Taj Tashi is in downtown Thimphu with magnificent mountain views. Amankora Hotel which is only few minutes’ walking distance to Motithang Takin Preserve provides guests more authentic, pristine feast like being at home.

Budget Hotels in Thimphu - There are still many 3 star and 4 star hotels in comfortable class and reasonable rate in Thimphu. Druk Hotel, Hotel Norbuling, Hotel Thimphu Tower and Osel Hotel are most valued budget hotels with good location, tidy and clean rooms, amazing room views and kindly services from hotel staff. Adventures who like to get closer to local life and culture can accommodate in a Bhutanese homestay or farmstay. >> Hotels in Thimphu and Bhutan
Restaurants in Thimphu

To make you taste more flavors and relax yourselves in cozy places, Thimphu offers tourists large collection of restaurants at moderate price, including western standard cafes, bars, and lots of nice restaurants of traditional Bhutanese food, Asian cuisines, Indian dishes, and etc. Above all, most restaurants in Thimphu and Bhutan are vegetarian friendly restaurants.

The Zone, Ambient Café, Seasons Restaurant are the top rated western-style restaurants which locate conveniently in town center with good food and warm ambience. Here you can enjoy many excellent foods, such as burger, cake, pizza, sandwich, spaghetti, fries, rice, and martini and so on. Pizza lovers can’t miss the Seasons Restaurant! Zombala Thimphu is a local small restaurant famous for delicious Tibetan dishes, including Momo, chicken fried rice, chicken noodles, chilli chicken and Red Panda - the local beer.

Bhutanese Restaurants - When in Rome, do as Romans do. The best way to know about Bhutan’s culture is to try some authentic Bhutanese cuisine. The Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant, Bhutanese Restaurant, Bhutan Orchid Restaurant, Bhutan Kitchen are highly recommended places to experience specialty of Bhutan. They mainly serve vegetarian food and they customized the cuisines for tourists for the original Bhutanese food is casual and too spicy. Indian restaurants in Thimphu - Ama Restaurant, Chh’a Bistro & Bar, Sinchula Indian Cuisine and Chula serve well-cooked Indian dishes with decent price.

Useful Thimphu Travel Notes

1. Highlights for Thimphu Travel
Visiting Thimphu, the capital city, doesn’t mean you could only wonder around political sites. This land has many kinds of natural, cultural and religious places you can explore. If you are interested in natural sights, the Dochula Pass and giant Buddha Dordenma Statue are good viewing points. Local culture lovers are suggested to pay visits to different museums and dzongs, such as National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong. You can’t miss the exciting Thimphu Festival and Weekend Market if time permits.

2. Necessary Permits for Bhutan Tour
Except Indians, Bangladeshis and Mldivians, all tourists wishing to travel to Bhutan are required to obtain Bhutan Visa prior to departure. The Bhutan Visa is a kind of single entry visa that can only be applied by licensed Bhutanese tour operator and their international partners. To obtain the Bhutan Visa, you have to book a Bhutan tour from travel agency, make the full payment of tour package and visa fee, and send us a clear scan copy of your passport for a minimum one week visa processing. Once issued, a Visa Clearance Letter will be emailed to you for taking flights to Bhutan. At last, the immigration officer will stamp the Bhutan Visa on your passport after checking the Visa Clearance Letter. Then you can officially start the dream trip in the kingdom of Bhutan.

3. Altitude Tips of Thimphu Bhutan
The north region of Bhutan is located at southern Himalayas with elevations of 3,000m and above, but Thimphu located at Wang Chhu Valley is a destination generally tourists don’t need to worry about high altitude sickness. Most major attractions in Thimphu are at altitude around 2,500m, which seems to be decent for travel and good for acclimation before heading to other high-elevation destinations. However, visitors need to walk a long path to sites on top of hill, Buddha Dordenma Statue for example.

4. Packing & Wearing Ideas for Thimphu Travel
Though Thimphu enjoys a moderate climate all year around, the temperature will vary widely between day and night, and it can drop to below zero at night during spring and winter. Also Bhutan is a religious country full of monasteries, Dzongs (fortresses) and sacred religious sites, therefore, long pants and long sleeved tops should be worn to show respect while visiting those places. You can dress in layers, easy to put on and off. Warm clothes are needed for winter travel and high-altitude areas. As for trekking, a pair of comfortable and durable shoes is recommended.

Most Recommended Thimphu Tour Packages

Following are some other recommended Thimphu tour packages that you may be interested in. All of our Tibet tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want.