Bhutan – 8 N / 9 D – Phuentsholing 2N, Thimphu – 2N, Punakha/Wangdue 2N, Paro – 2N

Day 01: NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport – Phuentsholing

• Distance: 170 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mts.

On arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport you will be transferred to Phuentsholing, border town of Southern Bhutan and a thriving commercial centre. On arrival in Phuentsholing, you would be greeted by your Bhutanese Guide. You can spend time taking the photographs of the huge ornate gate that welcomes you to Bhutan. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing.

Day 02: Phuentsholing – Thimphu

• Distance: 176 kms. / Driving Time: 6 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mts.

After breakfast complete the immigration formalities and get transferred to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan. On the way stop at Kharbandi Goemba, a monastery founded by the Royal Grand Mother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden in the year 1967. The Monastery lies at an altitude of 400 m. It contains paintings on the life of Buddha, statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. A fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and surrounding plains can be seen from the Monastery garden. Later continue your drive to Thimphu. On the way you shall see and experience how the plains become small foothills and then the big Himalayan Slopes. On arrival check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast you would be taken for a tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering magnificent view of Thimphu Town; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, circumambulated by people offering prayers; Folk Heritage Museum, a traditional house giving an insight into the Bhutanese lifestyle and artefacts from the rural households; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve centre for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, Fortress of the Glorious Religion. This impressive fortress houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha / Wangdue Sightseeing

• Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha. Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mts. The landmarks around the pass include 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas. Continue your drive to Punakha / Wangdue. On arrival visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. It is a short hike of around 30 – 45 minutes. Later, visit Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers. Later check in at the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

Day 05: Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha) OR Punakha / Wangdue Sightseeing

• Distance: 78 kms. / Driving Time: 3 hrs. / Altitude of Gangtey (Phobjikha): 2,900 mts.

After breakfast, you would be taken to Gangtey, a beautiful glacial valley which is home to the Black Necked Crane which arrives in winters. Here you can also visit Gangtey Goemba, a monastery of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism and the Black Necked Crane Information Centre, a place for recreation with crane watching equipment and reference books. Later in the evening return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

OR

Alternatively, hike Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a hike of about 45 mins. It offers a breathtaking view of the Punakha Valley. Later visit Punakha Suspension Bridge and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. Rest of the day free for leisure. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

Day 06: Punakha / Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing

• Distance: 140 kms. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.

After breakfast, you would be driven to Paro. Enroute stop at Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi Bhutan’s first botanical park. Later continue your drive to Paro. On the way again stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to return the permit which was stamped earlier. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo also known as the Iron bridge builder. Continue your drive to Paro. On arrival visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Paro Valley built in 1951 now converted into a national museum; Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646; walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge, also known as Nya Mey Zam Bridge, a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting the Paro town to the Dzong. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 07: Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), home of gods and monks located at an altitude of 3100m in the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The hike to the Monastery takes about 5 – 6 hours to complete. As the hike to Taktsang Monastery is steep coupled with stiff stairs, it is not recommended to take the hike with small children and elderly people. On the way back visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 08: Paro – Phuentsholing

• Distance: 200 kms. / Driving Time: 7 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mts.

After breakfast check out from hotel. Later you would be driven to Phuentsholing. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing.

Day 09: Phuentsholing – NJP Railway Station/IXB Airport

• Distance: 170 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of NJP/IXB: 89 mts.

After breakfast check out from the hotel. Later you would be transferred to NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport for your onward journey. Tashi Delek!

Note:

• GST @ 5% & TCS @ 5%/20% extra (or any other rate as notified by the Government) on total bill amount.
• The rates are valid for Indian nationals only holding valid Indian Passport or Voter I Card.
• The rates mentioned above are nett and non-commissionable.
• In case any sightseeing is closed on any particular day, we shall make arrangements to provide alternate sightseeing on the same day.
• The above rates are valid from 1st March 2024 to 30th June 2024. High season surcharge will be applicable during festival period i.e. from 20th March 2024 to 26th March 2024 (Paro Tshechu). The dates may change as official changes are announced.

Accommodation Details

Vehicle Details, Capacity and supplemental charges for upgradation

Note:

• The above vehicle capacity includes Child also.
• In our standard packages we have considered vehicles based on maximum capacity. For instance for 2 Pax travelling together we have taken SUV; for 4 Pax, we have considered Toyoto Hiace and for 6 Pax and above till 8 pax, Toyota High Roof Hiace.
• In case of increase in number of heads including child above the maximum capacity of vehicles considered, the guests will have to take bigger vehicle for which supplement costs shall apply as mentioned above. For example, capacity of SUV is 2 Pax. So if a group size consists of 3 pax where 3rd pax is either an adult or child, than the guests would have to pay supplement for using Toyota Hiace instead of SUV as mentioned above.

Documentation – Permit Requirement

For Indian Nationals – Passport (minimum validity of 6 months from the date of departure from Bhutan) / Voter ID Card or Birth Certificate in English and student ID for children below 18 years is acceptable. In order to process the permit, we need the following documents at least 10 working days before the start of the tour:

• Scanned copy of passport size photograph of the tourists.
• Scanned copy of Passport / Voter ID Card or Birth Certificate for children below 18 years.
• Travel Insurance is mandatory for all tourists.

Permit can also be issued to the guests at the time of arrival in Bhutan at the entry point, for which the above documents are also required. Guests are advised to always carry photocopies of the travel documents.