Where you stay
6 nights in 3 cities, 1 room. Similar hotels may be used if one is full.
What's included
- Accommodation
- Pickup and drop
- Sightseeing
- Meals
Trip details
Day by day
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Day 1 Thimphu
Arrive at Bagdogra & Drive in to Phuentsholing and to Thimphu (170km, approx 4 hrs drive)
Arrive to Bagdogra and transfer to Phuentsholing (alt. 300m / 985 ft) than complete all the immigration formalities at Phuentsholing and then transfer to Thimphu. On arrival checking in hotel, visit King's Memorial Chorten and towards evening go for a walk in Coronation Park, Archery ground & stroll through the governmentrun Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts bazaar.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m) -
Day 2 Thimphu
Thimphu local sightseeing
After breakfast, visit to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) ). The largest seated Buddha statue (169ft) in the country Located at a short drive from Thimphu city,simply Bhutan a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese living traditions.
Post lunch, visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
Then, drive to Takin Preserve.Takin is national animal of Bhutan, and looks like a cross between a cow and goat.
Later in the afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. By evening go for walk along Changyul Park.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Altitude 2,320m) -
Day 3 Punakha
Thimphu to Punakha - 2 hrs Drive
After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochu La. Located at a height of 3,088m/ 10,130 ft,
Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. Later in the day go for excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (the temple of fertility).
Overnight stay will be at hotel in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m) -
Day 4 Punakha
Punakha & Wangduephodrang (Excursion to Gangtey Phubjikha Valley) (2hrs)
After breakfast, embark on a fascinating excursion to Gangtey. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, an extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valley’s are tightly enclosed.
Visit here the Gangtey Gompa : Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey Monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountain’s and also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens who take care of the Monastery.
Then explore the fascainting Phobjikha Valley. This place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Phobjikha, at an altitude of 2900 m, falls under the district of Wangduephodrang and lies on the periphery of the Black Mountain National Park.
Also visit Black Neck Crane Information Centre. Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the black-necked crane information Centre has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. The centre also offers display information that outline the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop, which sells handicrafts produced by the local people. Later in the afternoon drive back to Punakha.
Overnight stay at Punakha . (Altitude 1,300m) -
Day 5 Paro
Punakha to Paro (125km, approx 4 ½ hrs drive)
After breakfast Visit if any place are missed in Punakha and drive back to Paro across Dochu la pass via Thimphu. On your way visit Tachog lhakang & Suspension Bridge which was built around 1420 by Thangtong Gyalpo who was great architect and saint of Bhutan. Then drive further to paro and after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (“fortress of the heap of jewels”).
Overnight stay will be at hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280m) -
Day 6 Paro
Hike to Tiger Nest (approx 6 hours hike) to Phuentsholing – Approx 6 hrs
After breakfast, hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s next) approx 6 hours round trip hike. It is one of the most famous and wonders of Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. After Hike visit AirPort View Point, along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight stay will be at hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280m) -
Day 7
"Final Adieu" - Farewell & Departure from Paro
After the hearty breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to Phuntsholing and to Bagdogra airport enjoying the roadside scenery of the green tea gardens of Duars. There we bid you the final adieu with an undying hope of your visiting our country again to explore the unvisited parts and regions with many more adventures together. We bid you farewell with picturesque memories of Bhutan.