BHUTAN – 11 NIGHTS/12 DAYS
Tour Code:- LBC01
Phuentsholing (1+1 N), Thimphu (2 N), Punakha (2 N), Bumthang (2 N), Paro (3 N)
Day 1: ARRIVE AT IXB/NJP STATION – PHUENTSHOLING (Approx. 165 km/ 4.5 hours):- Arrival at IXB/NJP, our driver will greet & receive you from the exit gate. You will be than drive to Phuentsholing, the gateway to Bhutan, on the way you will be expressing the beautiful tea gardens & the lush greenery on both sides of the road. Arrival at Phuentsholing Hotel, check inn. Rest of the day in leisure. Overnight stay in Phuentsholing.
Day 2: PHUENTSHOLING – THIMPHU (Approx. 180 km/ 6 hours)
Our executive will collect your documents required for immigration early morning or a day before, After breakfast, Check-out of your hotel, you will be taken to the Immigration office, proceed to the immigration counter. Complete Immigration formalities and you will be met with your representative at the immigration. And after all the formalities are done, you will be driven to Thimphu.
Thimphu - is the capital and the largest city of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Thimphu is the political and economic hub of Bhutan. Arrive at Thimphu and check-in to your hotel.
Later proceed for short sightseeing of Thimphu.
(Sightseeing on this day is only possible if time permits if a guest arrives late at Thimphu then it will not be possible.)
Memorial Chorten - On the western side of Thimphu's Memorial Chorten, a row of wooden platforms sits in the long grass. Each has been polished smooth by the prostrations of faithful worshippers who gather here in sun, rain, or snow, to pay their respects to His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), the Third King of Bhutan. The Chorten, with its elaborate golden peak representing the crescent moon and sun, is one of Thimphu's most striking religious landmarks. Constructed in 1974, the Tibetan-style chorten's whitewashed exterior boasts richly decorated chapels - one facing each of the cardinal directions. Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 3: THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing tour of Thimphu.
Kuensel Phodrang – The Buddha statue was cast in bronze & was constructed in China. The statue is one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world.
Takin Reserve & Mini Zoo – Takin is considered extremely rare mammal & is the National Animal of Bhutan. Adding to your wish list hidden in a fold of the forest-draped hills high above Thimphu, a herd of takin makes their home in the Mothithang Takin Preserve. Formerly it was a small zoo, now it is the most popular sightseeing & tourist attraction in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Anim Dratshang (Nunnery) – Another popular tourist attraction in Thimphu, Just on the hillside above Thimphu's Tashichho Dzong, just off Gaden Lam, stands Thangtong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery. It’s the home of around 60 nuns. The modest structure was built in 1976 by the 16th incarnation of Thangtong Gyelpo. The road to the nunnery offers magnificent views of Tashichho Dzong, while the small complex houses a covered Chorten and an unusual pillar topped with two carved deer (symbolic of the Deer Park at Sarnath, where Buddha first taught after his enlightenment) and a wheel of law.
Folk Heritage Museum – Situated outskirts from Thimphu main town Folk Heritage Museum recreates a traditional Bhutanese family home inside a beautiful 19th century rammed earth and timber building. The museum is approximately 15 years old. The museums exhibit various items related to the Bhutanese tradition, culture, & life.
Royal Textile Academy & Museum – The Royal Textile Academy & Museum was founded to promote the art of weaving & preserve it since it’s an important part of Bhutanese tradition & culture. The museum, housed in an impressive modern building, celebrates the country's vibrant and varied tradition of hand weaving.
Handicrafts Market – An interesting market with local items and bargain price handicraft goods.
Tashichho Dzong – It is a Buddhist Monastery situated in the western bank of Wang Chu River, a few kilometers north of central Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong looks every inch the seat of government. While the National Assembly no longer convenes inside the fortress's whitewashed walls, today the dzong still houses the throne room and the king's offices as well as the ministries of home affairs and finance.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 4: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (Approx.120 km/ 4 hours with en-route stop at Dochu La Pass)
After breakfast, proceed for Punakha.
En-route visit Dochu La - A mountain pass leading further into the Punakha Valley. It offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. Arrive at Punakha visits below sightseeings and check-in to the hotel. Overnight stay in Punakha.
Day 5: PUNAKHA – BUMTHANG (Distance: 212 km /8 hours)
Wake up early, have breakfast, freshen up & check out from hotel and drive to Trongsa across Pele-La-Pass(11.120 ft.) traditional boundary between east & west Bhutan. Stop Enroute Chendbji Chorten- built in the style of the great Bodhanath Choten of Nepal. Further ahead visit Trongsa Dzong– It was the seat of power over central & eastern Bhutan and Ta Dzong- An ancient watchtower. The chapel inside is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. Then drive further to Bumthang over the Yutong-La-Pass(11,155 ft.). While in Chumey valley in Bumthang, visit the Yathra Weaving Factory- It is the most famous textile product of Bumthang.On arrival check-in at the hotel in late evening. Overnight stay at Bumthang.
Day 6: BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING.
After breakfast starts your Bumthang sightseeing, In 1st half, we visit Jakar Dzong: Literally meaning the Castle of White Bird. The current structure was built in 1667. Lamey Goemba: A large palace and monastery built in the 18th century by Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi Jambay Lhakhang: built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. Chakhar Lhakhang: Literally meaning the Iron Castle, the original palace was made of Iron and hence the name “Chakhar”. Kurjey Lhakhang: Named after body print of Guru Rimpoche. Afternoon 2nd half Visit Tamshing Lhakhang: Literally meaning the Temple of the good message, established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. Membarstho: Literally meaning, “The burning Lake”. The evening ends to visit a local handloom weaving house and Interact with the weavers. Back to hotel late evening Overnight stay at Bumthang.
Day 7: BUMTHANG – PUNAKHA (Distance: 212 km /8 hours )
After early morning breakfast, check out from hotel & drive to Punakha. Reach Punakha by late afternoon. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay at Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 8: PUNAKHA – PARO & SIGHTSEEING IN PARO (Approx. 150 km/ 4.5 hours)
Today we get transferred to Paro, Wake up have some breakfast, get ready, pack your bags. Check out & get transferred to Paro.
Arrive Paro by the afternoon check-in Hotel.
Paro – Paro is one of the important towns of Bhutan in the Paro Valley, Paro is the home of the only International Airport (PBH) in Bhutan. Paro is the place where Bhutan’s most famous sightseeing point Taktsang Monastery popularly known as Tiger’s Nest is present. The closest town to Paro is Thimpu the capital of Bhutan with is about 1 hour & 20 minutes. Paro has more proximity to religious & historical background.
If time permits the tourist can go out for some sightseeing.
Kyichu Lakhang – Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the famous & important Himalayan Buddhist temple situated in Lango Gewog of Paro District, Bhutan. Paro's Kyichu Lhakhang is believed to hold the demoness's left foot in place. With its tiered roof and luminous white walls, the lhakhang's age is not immediately apparent. It is only inside the monastery's ancient heart, the Jowo Lhakhang, that the sanctuary's long history is palpable.
Rinpung Dzong - is a large dzong - Buddhist monastery and fortress - of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school in Paro District, Bhutan. It houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion.
Ta Dzong – It’s the National Museum of Bhutan.
Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 9: FULL DAY PARO CITY TOUR:- After early breakfast start your day with Paro city tour visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 18 km. from Paro town on the north side of the valley, Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.
Post lunch Paro sightseeing. After Lunch visit National Museum which used to be a watchtower for Paro Rimpong Dzong (Fortress). It was converted into Museum in 1968. Visit Paro Rimpong Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1646 AD. Overnight at Paro.
Day 10: TIGER NEST EXCURSION
After breakfast, proceed to visit one of the famous sites in Paro.
Tiger Nest - From a distance, Bhutan's most iconic building seems to float, weightless, halfway up a sheer cliff-face, 900 meters (3,000 feet) above the floor of the Paro Valley. There is a hike of 4.5 hrs in which you can hike or take a pony to reach the Monastery. Walkers can enjoy a rest at the Taktsang Teahouse situated at a wonderful vantage point overlooking the monastery. On clear days you can get a clear view of Mt.Chomolhari the sacred peak of Bhutan. Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 11: PARO – PHUENTSHOLING ( Approx. 160 km/ 5 Hours)
After breakfast check out from hotel & drive back to Phuentsholing. Check-in at the hotel and the rest of the day in leisure. Overnight stay in Phuentsholing.
Day 12: PHUENTSHOLING – IXB/NJP ( Approx. 4.5 hours drive)
After breakfast, transfer to the Bagdogra Airport/ NJP Railway Station to board your flight/ train back home. Farewell and tour end.
The journey started more than a decade ago when a financial consultant, a social activist and a biology researcher came together to start a business in tourism that none of them knew about. But travel is something they loved and enjoyed, and so they decided to change the paradigms in their own way. And they remarked “travel is more than a profession, it’s a passionâ€. Read More [+]
