Bhutan by Private Helicopter: Paro, Punakha & Bumthang
Destination: Dochula & Chele La Ridge
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Difficulty: Easy
Best season: Oct 2026 — May 2027
Price: from 9,400 USD per guest
Five days by private helicopter — the roof of the kingdom in a single morning, landing at monasteries no road reaches.
Highlights
Gangkar Puensum from the air, the highest unclimbed peak on earth
Landing at Dochula's 108 chortens
Jakar and the Bumthang valley from above
Chele La, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan
What is included
Private helicopter charter with licensed Himalayan pilot
Four hours of flight time per day, weather permitting
Four nights in Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang hotels
All meals and ground transfers
All landing permissions, permits and SDF
Flight-following photographer on request
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 01 — Paro Arrival & Flight Briefing Meet your pilot at Paro, review the weather windows and the day's routes, and take a short familiarisation flight over the Paro valley if the light allows. Evening at your leisure in the lodge.
Day 02 — Gangkar Puensum & Dochula by Air A dawn departure to circle the highest unclimbed mountain on earth, landing at Dochula beside the 108 chortens for tea on the grass. The chorten mandala from the air is the image most guests remember.
Day 03 — The Eastern Valleys: Bumthang The long leg north-west to Jakar, landing in a meadow near the valley and taking a walk to the Four Sacred Mountains viewpoint. Afternoon return, with the whole spine of the country laid out beneath the flight path.
Day 04 — Punakha & the Rivers A short hop to Punakha and a landing near the dzong, with an afternoon walking the Wang Chhu bank, the raspberry orchards and the Rigu Gompa ridge above town.
Day 05 — Chele La & Departure A final morning flight to Chele La, Bhutan's highest motorable pass, then the road back down to Paro for your onward flight. Landing at midday gives the clearest light over the Zonglab passes.