PHUENTSHOLING THIMPHU WANGDI BUMTHANG PUNAKHA PARO

DAY 01 : ARRIVAL AT BAGDOGRA AIRPORT /NJP – PHUNTSHOLING

Meet & Greet upon arrival at Bagdogra airport / NJP drive to phuntsholing which take 5 hours journey. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 02 : PHUNTSHOLING – THIMPHU (178 KMS / 06 HRS / 2134Mts /7000Fts)      

After breakfast drive for 6hrs to Thimphu (178 KMS / 06 HRS, 2134Mts /7000Fts), the modern capital of Bhutan which lies at an elevation of 2300m in a valley traversed by the Wang Chu (river).  Although not what one expects from a capital city, Thimphu is a fitting and lively place. Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style. It is also an ideal spot for day walks.  Overnight at Hotel

DAY 03 : THIMPHU

After breakfast go for morning sightseeing –  visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. Afternoon visit the Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare “Takin” national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. Overnight at Hotel

DAY 04 : THIMPHU – WANGDI (70 KMS / 03 HRS, 1350Mts /4330Fts)            

After breakfast drive for 3 HRS to Wangduephodrang (70 KMS / 03 HRS / 1350Mts /4330Fts) via Punakha crossing the Dochu la pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of Lobesa. Visit Punakha Dzong built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17^th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Further proceed 20 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the market area. Overnight at Hotel

DAY 05 : WANGDI – BUMTHANG (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2600Mts /8125Fts)     

After breakfast drive to Bumthang (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2600Mts /8125Fts) crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine.  After one and half hour from Chendebji Chorten arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 HRS to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Hotel

DAY 06 : BUMTHANG

After breakfast go for Bumthang sightseeing which lies at the altitude of 2600m, has an individuality that charm its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing – Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. Overnight at Hotel

DAY 07 : BUMTHANG – WANGDI (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 1350Mts /4430Fts)                 

After breakfast drive back from Bumthang to Wangdi (197 KMS / 08 HRS / 1350Mts /4430Fts). Overnight at Hotel

DAY 08 :  WANGDI – PUNAKHA – PARO (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 2134Mts /7000Fts)     

After breakfast drive for 20 minutes to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong  built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17^th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 HRS to Thimphu for lunch (optional) and proceed 2 HRS to Paro (65 KMS / 02 HRS / 2134Mts /7000Fts) via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 09 : PARO 

After breakfast go for Paro Sightseeing – visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the Dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) Opening Hours – whole week – 0900HRS TO 1600HRS & Closed On National Holidays , which was built in 1651 as a watchtower. Since 1951 the Dzong has been re-established as the National museum and holds fascinating collections of art and religious Thankha paintings. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks.  Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 10 : PARO

After breakfast go for a day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

OR  HAA VALLEY (ON EXTRA COST)

PARO – HAA VALLEY – PARO (65 KMS / 02 HRS – ONE WAY)

Day excursion to Haa Valley (04-05 hrs to & fro). This valley remains one of Bhutan’s most pristine regions. At the Chuzom confluence, the road ascends the dramatic Wang Chu valley where there is time to view the Dobji Dzong and if time permits, hike around its high ramparts. The road into Haa winds up through quaint villages and thick conifer forests before leading into a valley carpeted with fields of millet, barley, potato and wheat. The patchwork fields are dotted with farmhouses all adorned with intricately painted cornices and door and window frames. Visits to both Chhundu Lhakhang and Lhakhang Karpo provides an insight into the history of the valley. There are arrangements to see the Wangchulo Dzong as well. The winding road then ascends through pastureland past grazing yaks, before reaching the 3,900m Cheli La pass. Descending into the Paro Valley, the scenery transforms from sub-Alpine pasture brilliant with wild mountain flowers, to lush forests of blue pine, cypress, larch, fir and rhododendron. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 11 : PARO – PHUNTSHOLING  (176 KMS / 06 HRS, 298Mts / 977Fts)                   

After breakfast drive to Phuntsholing (176 KMS / 06 HRS, 298Mts / 977Fts). Overnight Hotel

DAY 12 : PHUNTSHOLING – BAGDOGRA AIRPORT/NJP 

After breakfast the services end. One can take their onward connection.