For many travellers, Bhutan feels like a place you see in photographs but never add to your real itinerary. Its cliffside monasteries, fluttering prayer flags, and misty valleys carry the image of a luxury getaway, far beyond what most people think they can afford. But here's the truth: Bhutan does not have to be expensive. With some clever planning, budget stays, and shared transport, it is possible to spend four days in Bhutan, cover its capital Thimphu, the scenic valley of Paro, and even trek to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery - all without crossing Rs 15,000.
This is not about cutting corners. It is about travelling smart, eating local, and soaking up experiences instead of bills. Here is how your journey can unfold, day by day.
Also Read: Radhanagar Beach In 12 Hours: A Complete Day Guide To India's Favourite Beach
Day 1: Hasimara To Thimphu
Photo: Unsplash
Your trip begins not with a flight, but with a train ride. From Kolkata or Siliguri, trains to Hasimara cost just Rs 250–600. The views of tea estates and small towns rolling past the window are a reminder that this journey is about both the road and the destination.
From Hasimara, shared cabs to Phuentsholing cost Rs 200–300. After finishing immigration, you continue in a shared taxi to Thimphu (Rs 1,000–1,200 per person). By evening, the city welcomes you with its mix of tradition and modern cafés.
Stay: Budget hotel/guesthouse: Rs 1,000–1,200.
Food: Street momos (Rs 100), Bhutanese thali (Rs 250–300), snacks and tea (Rs 100).
Experience: Clock Tower Square at dusk, lined with shops and prayer flags, gives you your first glimpse of Bhutanese daily life.
Day total: Rs 3,200–3,500.
Day 2: Thimphu On A Budget: Monasteries, Culture And City Strolls
Photo: Unsplash
The next morning, the pace slows. Thimphu feels less like a capital and more like a town that balances old and new. Moving around costs Rs 200–300 by local bus or taxi.
Start your day with Buddha Dordenma, a statue that towers over the valley. Then visit the National Memorial Chorten, where locals walk in circles spinning prayer wheels. At the Motithang Takin Preserve, you meet Bhutan's national animal, part goat and part antelope, that seems straight out of folklore.
In the evening, Norzin Lam Street is lively with shops and budget cafés. A bowl of steaming thukpa (Rs 150–200) or a plate of Ema Datshi (Rs 200–250) keeps dinner affordable.
Stay: Same as Day 1 (Rs 1,000–1,200).
Food: Breakfast included; lunch Rs 200–250; dinner Rs 250–300; snacks Rs 100.
Day total: Rs 2,800–3,000.
Day 3: Thimphu To Paro: Dzongs And Riversides
Photo: Unsplash
Leaving Thimphu behind, you head to Paro in a shared cab (Rs 300–400). The ride itself feels like part of the trip, with valleys and rivers unfolding outside the window.
Paro greets you with budget-friendly homestays (Rs 1,200–1,500). Meals here are hearty and affordable, with local cafés serving food for Rs 250–350.
Spend the afternoon at Paro Dzong, an imposing fortress monastery above the river. A quiet riverside walk slows the pace even more. If you have time, add the National Museum (Rs 100 entry). The evening is about preparing for the big trek the next day.
Stay: Homestay/guesthouse: Rs 1,200–1,500.
Food: Breakfast included; lunch Rs 250–300; dinner Rs 300–350.
Day total: Rs 3,800–4,000.
Day 4: Tiger's Nest Trek
Photo: Unsplash
This is the day most travellers dream of. A shared cab to the base of the Tiger's Nest trek costs Rs 300–400. The climb takes 5–6 hours round trip, with prayer flags leading the way and mountain air keeping you company.
Halfway up, the cafeteria serves simple food (Rs 400–500), and the view alone is worth the cost. The entry fee for Indians is Rs 500. Reaching the monastery clinging to the cliff is unforgettable — proof that budget travel can still feel extraordinary.
By evening, return to Paro, collect your luggage, and share a cab back to Phuentsholing (Rs 1,000–1,200).
Food: Breakfast at the homestay; lunch at trek cafeteria Rs 400–500; snacks Rs 200.
Day total: Rs 3,800–4,000.
Your Practical Toolkit For A Budget Trip To Bhutan
What Is Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) For Indians?
Photo: Unsplash
Indian travellers must pay Rs 1,200 per person per night as the Sustainable Development Fee. It supports Bhutan's conservation and development. This itinerary excludes it from the Rs 15,000 budget to focus on ground costs, but travellers should factor it in separately.
Do Indians Need Visa To Enter Bhutan? What Is Bhutan Entry Permit Requirements For Indians?
Indians do not need a visa, but an entry permit is required. Carry a valid passport or voter ID, two passport-sized photos, and proof of accommodation bookings. Permits are issued at Phuentsholing or Paro Airport. To visit beyond Thimphu and Paro, a special area permit is necessary.
Currency And Payments In Bhutan
The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) is pegged to the Indian Rupee. Both are accepted, but Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes may not work everywhere. Carry smaller denominations. Card payments and UPI are limited outside Thimphu and Paro, so cash is essential.
Also Read: Rs 10,000 And 3 Days In Kerala Backwaters: Here's How To Make It Work
When Is The Best Time To Visit Bhutan On A Budget
Photo: Pexels
Spring (March–May): Clear skies, flowers in bloom.
Autumn (September–November): Crisp weather, colourful valleys.
Winter (December–February): Cold, with occasional snow.
Monsoon (June–August): Green landscapes, but travel disruptions.
Budget travellers often choose spring or autumn for the balance of weather and affordability.
Packing Essentials For A Bhutan Budget Trip
Layered clothing for changing climates
Comfortable trekking shoes
Modest clothes for monastery visits
Raincoat or umbrella in monsoon months
Universal power adaptor
Reusable water bottle
Budget Accommodation Options In Bhutan
Photo: Unsplash
Thimphu guesthouses: Rs 1,000–1,200 per night
Paro homestays: Rs 1,200–1,500 per night
Phuentsholing hotels: Rs 800–1,000 per night
Book early for the best rates.
Eating Bhutanese Food On A Budget
Momos and thukpa: Rs 100–150
Local thalis: Rs 250–300
Homestay breakfasts included
Must-try: Ema Datshi (chilli-cheese stew)
Daily food spend: Rs 700–800.
Cost Breakdown For A 4-Day Budget Trip
| Expense Category | Approx. Daily Cost | 4-Day Total |
| Transport | Rs 1,000–1,200 | Rs 4,000–4,800 |
| Stay | Rs 1,000–1,500 | Rs 4,000–6,000 |
| Food | Rs 700–800 | Rs 2,800–3,200 |
| Activities/Entry | Rs 200–500 | Rs 800–1,200 |
| Grand Total | Rs 3,500–4,000 | Rs 14,000–15,200 |
Bhutan may look like a luxury destination at first glance, but with trains, shared cabs, homestays, and local food, it is within reach for any traveller ready to plan smartly. In four days, you can experience Thimphu, Paro, and the Tiger's Nest trek without exceeding Rs 15,000.
The monasteries, the riversides, the steaming bowls of thukpa — they are not reserved for those on luxury tours. They are for anyone willing to make the trip. Sometimes, the richest journeys are the ones that cost the least.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
