Best of Bhutan

Welcome to Bagdogra/NJP then drive to Phuentsholing on your 9 days in Bhutan 

Arrive to Phuntsholing and check in to your hotels.

PHUENTSHOLING:

Phuentsholing (alt. 300m / 985 ft.) - The frontier town, it is a thriving commercial centre, situated directly at the base of Himalayan foothills. It is a fascinating place where different ethnic groups mingle prominently Indian, Bhutanese and Nepalese. Being the border town, Phuentsholing serves as the convenient entry/exit point for Bhutan and also the important link to visit the Indian state of West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam. later visit;

Evening take a down town walk.
Overnight at the hotel in Phuntsholing
Distance from Bagdogra to Phuentsholing : 172 km
Travel time: 4 hour 10 minutes (approximately)

Get transferred to Thimphu on Day 2 of your Bhutan Itinerary

After an early breakfast move for immigration formalities after done with immigration transfer to Thimphu, on arrival check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000, it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Also take a walk to the Coronation Park.
Located on the banks of the river (near the city stadium), this 5.6 acres of parkland offer a pleasant and relaxing environment to stroll or to sit and watch the river flow by.
Evening time can be spent strolling through the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and woodcarvings, jewellery, interesting items made from local materials.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Altitude 2,320m)
Distance from Phuentsholing to Thimphu : 165 km
Travel time: 4 hour 45 minutes (approximately)

Visit enchanting local sites as part of your Bhutan tour itinerary

Savor a delectable breakfast and gear up for local sightseeing in Thimphu.

1. Visit Buddha Dordenma: At more than 50 meters high, Buddha Dordenma is a giant statue of Lord Buddha and one of the most significant landmarks in Thimphu. It is considered a sacred site and a symbol of peace, happiness, and prosperity.
2. Explore Memorial Chorten: A stupa or chorten is a sanctified Buddhist monument that Thimphu has in abundance. The Memorial Chorten is one of the most popular sites and is dedicated to the third king of Bhutan. It acts as a focus for daily devotion and attracts devotees from all over the country.
3. Take a Trek to Tango Monastery: Tango Monastery is a 13th-century temple that sits atop a hill five kilometers from Thimphu. A trek to the monastery is one of the best activities in Thimphu. It offers a stunning view of Thimphu valley and a hike through rich woodlands, traditional villages, and fertile farmland.
4. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang: This 12th-century fortress-like structure is another important destination in Thimphu, which is located in a serene, elevated spot overlooking the town. It is an excellent place for tourists to understand the Bhutanese approach to spirituality and religion.
5.The Takin zoo in Thimphu, Bhutan is a unique attraction that showcases the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. The zoo is located in the Mothithang area of Thimphu and is a must-visit destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
6.TashiChho Dzong - or the Fortress of the Glorious Region is another 'must visit' site on a Bhutan Package Tour. Situated on the west bank of Wang Chhu river, the Trashi Chhoe Dzong is the formal coronation site of the fifth King that hosts the annual Tsechu festival. This Dzong was built in the year 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, later it was reconstructed in the 1960s in a traditional Bhutanese manner, without the use of nails or architectural plans.

Overnight stay in Thimphu.

Get transferred to Punakha on Day 4 of your Bhutan tour itinerary

This morning drive to low lands of Punakha valley touching Dochula Pass 10,000 ft and on the way stop at Hongtsho village. Stop at the immigration check point to stamp in your permit. You will be driving through the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan.

You will find the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colorful prayer flags greet you.  

Stop at Lamperi and visit the Royal Botanical Park for 30 minutes. Proceed down towards Punakha. On the way stop and take a short walk through the villages to Chimmi Lhakhang - The divine madman also known, as Drukpa Kinley is a famous teacher with whom the phallic symbol is associated. Tales told by your guide would have excited you to visit Chimmi Lhakhang. Japanese and several American couples visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children.

Also visit Suspension bridge on the way to Punakha.

Afternoon visit majestic Punakha Dzong placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk

Shop for souvenirs and come back to the hotel in Punakha for a good night’s sleep.
Optional- River rafting at Punakha.

Optional: Shopping (charges extra)
Distance from Thimphu to Punakha: 75 km
Travel time: 3 hour 15 minutes (approximately)

Visit sightseeing of Phobjikha as part of your Bhutan tour itinerary

After breakfast visit Chimi Lhakhang on foot, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus.
En route visit Wangdi ruin Dzong and continue to Phobjikha over the pass at 3140m.
Visit Gangtey Gompa, the largest and the only monastery of the Nyingmapa sect in western Bhutan.

Evening relax in your hotel or take a stroll.
Overnight in Punakha
Distance from Punakha to Phobjikha: 98 km
Travel time: 3 hour (approximately)

Get transferred to Paro on Day 6 of your Bhutan tour itinerary

After a piping hot breakfast, Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.

Afternoon in Paro, visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.

Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam

Return to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.

Optional: Shopping (charges extra)
Distance from Punakha to Paro: 125 km
Travel time: 4 hour 15 minutes (approximately)

Enjoy a thrilling trek to Tiger’s Nest today as per your Bhutan travel itinerary.

Arise fresh amidst unpolluted expanses and gorge on a delicious breakfast. The day presents you an incredible trek to Tiger’s Nest. The ascent is an easy one and you can reach the top in almost 2 hours, if you are an enthusiastic trekker. Beginners might take a little more time.

Tiger’s Nest: Also known as Taktshang Goemba or Paro Taktsang, Tiger’s Nest is a monastery that is perched on a cliff and offers you a spectacular scenery of blue pine and rhododendrons forest. Legends state that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tigress’ back to mollify a local demon. Later, he meditated here for three months.

Once you have enjoyed the adrenaline rush with this Bhutan trekking, come back to the hotel and relax your weary self.

Tip: Clicking pictures is not allowed inside the monastery. So, make sure you hold back the photographer in you.

Drive from Paro to Phuentsholing on Day 8 of your Bhutan tour itinerary
After Breakfast drive to Phuentsholing.

Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.
Overnight at the hotel in Phuntsholing

Optional: Shopping (charges extra)
Distance from Paro to Phuentsholing : 160 km
Travel time: 4 hour 30 minutes (approximately)

After a hearty breakfast, check-out from the hotel and head to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station /Bagdogra Airport

Tour Ends.