See the fullest sweep of the Himalayan kingdom on this 7 Nights / 8 Days tour, entering overland at Phuentsholing and taking in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. It combines the capital’s Dzongs and museums with the Dochula Pass, the Temple of Fertility, Punakha Dzong at the river confluence and the hike to the Tiger’s Nest.
Route: NJP / Bagdogra – Phuentsholing – Thimphu – Punakha / Wangdue – Paro – Phuentsholing
Tour Highlights
- Overland Entry through Phuentsholing
- Kharbandi Goemba & Its Valley Views
- Buddha Dordenma & Tashichho Dzong
- Dochula Pass with 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas
- Chimi Lhakhang & Punakha Dzong
- Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi
- Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest
- Private Vehicle with Bhutanese Guide Throughout
01
Day 1
NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport to Phuentsholing (170 km / 5 hrs, Phuentsholing 293 m)
- On arrival at NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport, transfer to Phuentsholing, the border town of southern Bhutan and a thriving commercial centre.
- Meet your Bhutanese guide and photograph the ornate gate that welcomes you into Bhutan.
- Check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Phuentsholing.
02
Day 2
Phuentsholing to Thimphu (176 km / 6 hrs, Thimphu 2,350 m)
- After breakfast, complete immigration formalities and transfer to Thimphu, the capital at 7,710 ft.
- Stop at Kharbandi Goemba, founded in 1967 by the Royal Grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Choden, with paintings of the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche.
- Continue to Thimphu, watching the plains rise into foothills and then the Himalayan slopes.
- Check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Thimphu.
03
Day 3
Thimphu Sightseeing
- After breakfast, set out on a tour of Thimphu city.
- Visit Kuensel Phodrang, home to the gigantic Buddha Dordenma statue atop a hill with magnificent views over Thimphu.
- Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
- Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, and the Motithang Takin Reserve, home to Bhutan’s national animal.
- In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, the Fortress of the Glorious Religion, which houses several ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat and the central monk body.
- Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
04
Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha / Wangdue (77 km / 2 hrs, Punakha 1,310 m)
- After breakfast, drive to Punakha, halting at Dochula Pass at 3,100 m with its 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas.
- On arrival visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility, reached by a short hike of 30 to 45 minutes.
- Visit Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers, then check in at the hotel.
- Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Punakha / Wangdue.
05
Day 5
Punakha / Wangdue to Paro (140 km / 4 hrs, Paro 2,280 m)
- After breakfast, drive to Paro, stopping at the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi, Bhutan’s first botanical park.
- Stop at the Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho village to return the permit stamped earlier, then at Tamchog Lhakhang, built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo.
- On arrival visit Ta Dzong, now the national museum, and Paro Rimpung Dzong, built in 1646.
- Walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge. Check in at the hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight in Paro.
06
Day 6
Paro Sightseeing, Tiger’s Nest
- After breakfast, visit Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest, at an altitude of 3,100 m in the Upper Paro Valley. Legend holds that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at the site.
- The hike takes about 5 to 6 hours. It is steep with stiff stairs and is not recommended for small children or elderly travellers.
- On the way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan.
- Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
07
Day 7
Paro to Phuentsholing (200 km / 7 hrs, Phuentsholing 293 m)
- After breakfast, check out and drive to Phuentsholing.
- On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight in Phuentsholing.
08
Day 8
Phuentsholing to NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport (170 km / 5 hrs)
- After breakfast, check out and transfer to NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey. Tashi Delek!
INCLUSIONS
- Pickup from NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport
- Drop at NJP Railway Station / Bagdogra Airport
- Assistance on arrival
- 02 Nights accommodation in Phuentsholing
- 02 Nights accommodation in Thimphu
- 01 Night accommodation in Punakha / Wangdue
- 02 Nights accommodation in Paro
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- All tours and transfers on a private basis by exclusive non AC vehicle
- Sightseeing tours as per the itinerary
- All toll taxes, driver allowance, parking charges and fuel included
- Exclusive non AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary. Disposal vehicles are not practised in Bhutan; the guide and vehicle are available from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Hotel taxes as applicable
- Guide and escort charges for the Bhutan portion
- SDF charges
EXCLUSIONS
- 5% GST and TCS
- Air fare / Train fare
- Lunch
- Any other activities such as rafting or archery, for which supplemental charges are payable directly by guests
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone bills, bar bills, tips, gratuity and bottled water
- Entrance fees for museums and monuments, upgrade charges and optional tours, payable directly on the spot
- Any cost arising from unforeseen events such as landslides, road blockages or political disturbances, recovered directly on the spot
- Any increase in government taxes, fuel price or visa fees coming into effect before departure
- Anything not listed under inclusions
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Documents: all guests must carry original valid identity proof. Adults need an original valid passport or original Voter ID card. Children need an original valid passport or original birth certificate with a school photo ID. Scanned or photocopied documents are not accepted and anyone without originals will be deported by immigration.
- Permits: holders of an online or tourist permit may not seek employment in Bhutan. Misuse is a penal offence carrying a fine of Nu 3,300 and deportation under IRR 2015.
- Sustainable Development Fee: Bhutan charges an SDF for foreign visitors. The applicable fee will be confirmed at the time of booking.
- Dress code: remove hats when visiting Dzongs, monasteries and in front of the National Flag. Long sleeves and full length trousers are required at Dzongs, temples and government offices. Shorts are not permitted.
- Currency: Indian travellers may carry Indian currency in denominations of Rs 100 or smaller. Notes of Rs 500 and above are banned in Bhutan. The Ngultrum is at par with the Indian Rupee and Indian currency is widely accepted.
- Telephone: international roaming in Bhutan is expensive. A local SIM is easiest, obtained by submitting a copy of your voter ID or passport with two passport photographs. Your guide will assist.
- Tobacco: tobacco products are banned in Bhutan. Limited quantities for personal consumption may be imported on payment of applicable duty. Smoking in public places carries a fine of Nu 500.
- Clothing: pack according to the season and temperature at the time of travel, and carry hiking shoes.
- Credit cards: facilities are very limited. Only a few handicraft stores and hotels accept VISA, usually with a 5% surcharge. Check acceptance with your card provider before travelling.
