Wonders of Bhutan Ex-Bagdogra
Rs.48300
per person• 08 nights / 09 days
• Tour Code: BHU002
• Phuentsholing (2) → Thimpu (2)
• Punakha (2) → Paro (2)
• Private Vehicle on Tour
• Indian Veg & Jain Meals available
Highlights
- 02 nights in Phuentsholing
- 02 nights in Thimpu
- 02 nights in Punakha
- 02 nights in Paro
- Thimpu: National Memorial Chorten, National Zoo, Buddha Statue at Buddha Viewpoint, Tashichho Dzong, National Library, Folk Heritage Museum, Handicraft Bazaar, Changangkha Lhakhang, Simtokha Dzong
- Punakha: Drive through Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Gangtey Valley, Gangtey Monastery
- Paro: Tiger’s Nest, Paro Dzong, National Museum, Taktsang Monastery, Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang
- All transfers & sightseeing by private AC vehicle (as per itinerary)
- Tour begins from Bagdogra by road
- We only recommend hotels with good ratings on TripAdvisor
08 nights & 09 days
-
DepartureEx-Bagdogra
-
Departure TimeAll Year Round
1
Day 01: Arrival in Bagdogra & Drive to Phuentsholing (160 kms / 05 hrs)
Welcome to Bhutan.
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and drive through northern Indian tea plantation to transfer to Phuentsholing. Process for route permit and you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Stay at Phuentsholing.
Phuentsholing Permit Information:
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and drive through northern Indian tea plantation to transfer to Phuentsholing. Process for route permit and you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Stay at Phuentsholing.
Phuentsholing Permit Information:
- You are allowed to stay at Phuentsholing without permits
- Phuentsholing Permit Office Timings – All working days (Monday to Friday) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Entry permit cannot be made in advance as physical appearance is required at the immigration office
- Bhutan Permit Office remains closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Bhutan Public Holidays
- Usually it takes around 30 minutes to get all formalities done and get your Bhutan Permit/Pass
2
Day 02: Phuentsholing to Thimphu (180 kms / 06 hrs)
After breakfast, proceed to the capital city of Thimphu through the mountains, this journey is of almost unbelievable beauty. The road leads from the northern Indian tea plantations through endless turns, hair pin bends and daring stretches carved into the mountain rock via Chukka to Thimphu.
Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon you can relax and in the evening spend some time in clock tower square.
Overnight Stay at Thimphu.
Check-in at the hotel. Afternoon you can relax and in the evening spend some time in clock tower square.
Overnight Stay at Thimphu.
3
Day 03: Thimpu City Tour
After breakfast, proceed for Thimphu City Tour. When in Thimphu you got to prepare for surprises where this unique capital has no traffic lights but adopted its own version of the British – Indian colonial times traffic policemen.
Visit Handmade Paper Mill, School of Arts and Crafts (Closed on Saturday, Sundays & Government Holidays) where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan. Later proceed to Simply Bhutan Museum. Here one can experience Archery.
Later drive pass by National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the 3rd King. Visit Buddha Viewpoint, Changangkha Lhakhang - the oldest temple in the valley, Takin Preservation Center and Zilukha Nunnery.
Overnight Stay at Thimpu.
Visit Handmade Paper Mill, School of Arts and Crafts (Closed on Saturday, Sundays & Government Holidays) where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan. Later proceed to Simply Bhutan Museum. Here one can experience Archery.
Later drive pass by National Memorial Chorten built in memory of the 3rd King. Visit Buddha Viewpoint, Changangkha Lhakhang - the oldest temple in the valley, Takin Preservation Center and Zilukha Nunnery.
Overnight Stay at Thimpu.
4
Day 04: Thimpu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (77 kms / 03 hrs)
Today’s drive passes through Dochula Pass (3100mts) which is the most beautiful pass in Bhutan. Visit 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens, built over the pass by queen mother in 2003 marks the pass more important than another passes. When the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees.
After a photo break, we will continue our drive to warm valley of Punakha. On arrival, check into the hotel. Afternoon, we will visit the most beautiful Punakha Dzong, which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. The Dzong, showcase the finest example of the arts and crafts of Bhutan. Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (from hotel it is about 15 minutes drive till motorable road and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1 hr 30 mins walk, including both way). Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the temple of fertility. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.
Overnight Stay at Punakha.
After a photo break, we will continue our drive to warm valley of Punakha. On arrival, check into the hotel. Afternoon, we will visit the most beautiful Punakha Dzong, which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. The Dzong, showcase the finest example of the arts and crafts of Bhutan. Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (from hotel it is about 15 minutes drive till motorable road and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1 hr 30 mins walk, including both way). Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the temple of fertility. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.
Overnight Stay at Punakha.
5
Day 05: Punakha to Gangtey Valley to Punakha (90 kms / 3½ hrs)
After breakfast, drive to beautiful Gangtey Valley via Wangdiphodrang Dzong strategically located on a ridge 4,430 ft that overlooks the highway that fork to the east and south of the country. This is an old town with Narrow Street with single storied shops and also the gateway to central and eastern Bhutan. The Gangtey Valley is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan and is the winter home to the endangered black necked cranes (Grus Nigricollis) which migrate to this valley around mid-November from Tibet. These cranes have for centuries captured the human imagination with their intelligence, poise, sociality, beauty and freedom which have given rise to several myths, legends, folktales and songs. The birds fly back across the Himalayas to their summer home towards Tibet and China. The Gangtey Village is small dominated by the yellow roofed Gangtey Monastery. Late noon return to Punakha.
Overnight Stay at Punakha.
Overnight Stay at Punakha.
6
Day 06: Punakha to Paro (130 kms / 04 hrs)
After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.
Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.
On arrival in Paro, check-in to hotel.
Proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
Overnight Stay at Paro.
Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language.
On arrival in Paro, check-in to hotel.
Proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
Overnight Stay at Paro.
7
Day 07: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery (approx 3 hours walk one way): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’.
Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. On the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.
Overnight Stay at Paro.
Afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. On the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.
Overnight Stay at Paro.
8
Day 08: Paro to Phuentsholing (180 kms / 06 hrs)
After breakfast, proceed to Phuentsholing and before reaching Phuentsholing stop and visit Kharbandi Gompa. Check-in at the hotel and evening at leisure.
Overnight Stay at Phuentsholing.
Overnight Stay at Phuentsholing.
9
Day 09: Departure from Phuentsholing / Bagdogra
This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Bagdogra airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station
Inclusions
- 02 nights accommodation in Phuentsholing
- 02 nights accommodation in Thimpu
- 02 nights accommodation in Punakha
- 02 nights accommodation in Paro
- Accommodation on double sharing basis at the hotels mentioned or similar
- Meals: Breakfast at hotels mentioned.
- Indian Veg & Jain Meals available on request
- Thimpu: National Memorial Chorten, National Zoo, Buddha Statue at Buddha Viewpoint, Tashichho Dzong, National Library, Folk Heritage Museum, Handicraft Bazaar, Changangkha Lhakhang, Simtokha Dzong
- Punakha: Drive through Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Gangtey Valley, Gangtey Monastery
- Paro: Tiger's Nest, Paro Dzong, National Museum, Taktsang Monastery, Drukgyel Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang
- All transfers & sightseeing by private Non AC Hyundai Tucson/Santa-fe/Hiace/Similar depending on group size
- Tour begins from Bagdogra by road
- All guests will be picked up from the hotel lobby
- Standard check-in time at the hotels is 14:00 hrs
- Note: Indian Nationals do not require a visa to enter Bhutan. Indian Nationals can travel with a Passport or Voter ID Card & 04 passport size photographs
- Note: Rates are valid for Indian Nationals only
- Note: If you are entering Bhutan via land, it is to be noted that the permits are issued only during working days and hours. Monday to Friday between 9 am to 4 pm during winters and 5 pm during summers). No permits are issued on Saturday, Sunday and Bhutan government holidays
- Note: INR 1200 per person per day SDF charges are NOT included in the package. From 2020 Bhutan imposes a “Sustainable Development Fee” (SDF) on Indian Tourists. This fees has been introduced to deal with rising influx of tourists.
- Note: Restricted Area Permit is required to visit Punakha / Wangdue from Home Ministry of Bhutan. No charge will be applicable for this permit. Please bring 02 passport size photographs and Voter ID card or Passport of each person including child. This special permit will be given only after guest has entered Bhutan. Permits are not issued on Saturday, Sunday and Government holidays
- Note: Guests are requested to buy Local SIM Card from Airport and pass on the new number to us for any communication. Bhutan office will contact on local Bhutan mobile number for any communication
- GST
- Visa (Indian Nationals do not require a visa to enter Bhutan)
- Any additional sightseeing or activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any airfare / train fare
- Any meal plan not mentioned
- Hotel surcharges (if applicable) during high / festive season to be paid extra per person
- Travel Insurance
- Any portage at airports and hotels, tips, camera charges, insurance, wine, mineral water, telephone charges, and all items of personal nature
- Tips & Gratuity or any other hotel expenses
- Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like ferry and flight delays, roadblocks, vehicle mal-functions, political disturbances etc.
- Above itinerary is just indicative. Itinerary with detailed timings will be handed over to guests upon arrival
- Anything not specifically mentioned in 'Inclusions' box
We only suggest hotels having good ratings on TripAdvisor.
Hotels
- 3* Star Hotels
- Extra cost for adult will be 80% of the package cost (with extra bed)
- Child below 5 years will be complimentary (without extra bed)
- Kindly request for rates of child above 5 years (with extra bed)