Day 01: Arrival at Phuentsholing – Thimphu
Upon arrival at Phuentsholing, you will be met by our representatives and help with the entry formalities and drive to Thimphu (approximately 7-hour drive). In fine weather, you will have the magnificent view of the vast plain of India spreading out endlessly towards the horizons. It is strikingly obvious how the Himalayas form a mighty barrier rising like a wall from the plain. The road to Thimphu gradually climbs through the dense forest of Junipers, conifers rhododendrons, magnolia, wild cherry and finally onto Bunakha tourist restaurant for lunch. After lunch, a short drive will take you into the beautiful valley of Thimphu, the modern capital city of Bhutan. Thimphu has a population of about 98,500. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing – Punakha
After breakfast visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. After visiting the School of Arts and Crafts where the 13 Crafts are taught to the Young Children which was established in 1971 with two objectives in mind, a) to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts and b) to create more job opportunities. Lunch served at a restaurant in Thimphu. After lunch drive to Punakha, Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong, the ancient capital of Bhutan, spanning the MoChu and Po Chu rivers. This is the winter residence of the monastic body and the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbott). Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Punakha – Gangtey/Wangdue
The drive to Gangtey is approximately two and a half hours via Wangdue Phodrang, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. The drive is approximately 2 and a half hours climbing steadily through semi-tropical vegetation with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor is the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gently sloping hillside of Phobjikha is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climates. In Gangtey visit the Gangtey Gompa monastery which dates back to 16th century. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Wangdue / Gangtey – Thimphu
After breakfast, a drive will take us to Lobesa and visit Chhimi Lhakhang, the walk through the rice terraced fields for the visit to Chhimi Lhakhang. After the visit drive over Docho-la pass (3050m) and lunch served at a restaurant In Thimphu. After lunch visits the Bhutanese Handmade paper factor. Evening walk around the beautiful valley of Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Thimphu – Paro
In the morning drive to Paro valley to visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built-in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m) and then drive to Satsam Chorten to hike to Paro Taktsang, the hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and then drive your way back to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Lunch served at a restaurant in Paro. After lunch drive to visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner in the evening and stay overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Paro – Phuntsholing
The morning after breakfast drive to Phuntsholing en route visit Tachooling Monastery. Lunch at Chukha. Before reaching to Phuntsholing town visit Kharbandi monastery built by queen mother in 1970. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Phuntsholing.
Day 07: Depart to India
After an early breakfast served at your hotel and then depart. Bhutanese escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.
Note:
If you use this itinerary, you should have to buy Sikkim package with Indian double entry visa and Sikkim special permit.