DAY 01 - Arrive Phuentsholing
On arrival in Phuentsholing, meet by our representative at the hotel followed by check-in and installation. The gateway to the south, Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated directly at the base of the Himalayan foothills, it is a fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect example of mingling of people and their culture. Night halt at Phuentsholing.
DAY 02 - Phuentsholing – Thimphu (172 km, approx 6 hours drive)
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. 4 km ahead of Phuentsholing, visit KharbandiGompa, the beautiful monastery situated in garden of tropical plants and flowers. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden there is a splendid view of Phuentsholing and plains of West Bangal and their tea gardens beyond. Proceed further to Thimphu. Lunch stop en route.Fives miles, before Thimphu, visit SimtokhaDzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies. Night halt at Thimphu.
DAY 03 - Thimpu Sight Seeing
After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit to the following: the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for ZorigChusum (commonly known as the Painting School) , Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions. After lunch, visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials. Evening drive past Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Night halt at Thimphu
DAY 04 - Thimphu to Punakha (75 km, 3 hours drive)
After early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7,060 m), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkarpuensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Later visit to PunakhaDzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, PunakhaDzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. After that drive to Wangduephodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. Night halt at Punakha.
DAY 05 - Punakha – Paro (125 km, approx 4 hours drive)
After breakfast drive to Paro. Afternoon in Paro, visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend RinpungDzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968. Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit RinpungDzong. Built in 1646 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. Night halt at atParo.
DAY 06 - Paro Sight Seeing
After breakfast drive up the valley to view the ruins of DrukgyelDzong. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people. Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion to monastery takes about 5 hours for round trip. While return to Paro town visit en route KyichuLhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Night halt at Paro.
DAY 07 - Paro to Phuentsholing (170 km/220 km, approx 6/8 hours drive)
After breakfast transfer to Phuentsholing. En route take a short stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers with three different style of stupas adorn this confluence. Drive further through Chapcha and later take glimpse of famous Chukha Dam and the magnificent Vince waterfall before Gedu town. ArrivePhuenthsoling by evening and check-into the hotel. Night halt at Phuentsholing.
DAY 08 - drop to ixb / njp
Early Morning visit Jungle (their own cost) at Dooars area. After breakfast check out from the hotel / Resort & drive to NJP/IXB for onward journey.
- 5% Govt. Service tax
- Air fare/ Rail fare
- Optional Activities
- Any Expenses of personal such as porter age, laundry, wines, food and drink not in the regular menu provided by us , telephone calls etc.
- From the booking date till 15 days prior to departure: 30% of the package cost
- Within 15 days prior to departure: 50% of the package cost
- 24 hours to 3 days prior to departure: 100% of the package cost
No refund will be made for any unused accommodation, missed meals, transportation segments, sightseeing tours or any other service. Such unused items are neither refundable nor exchangeable. Room allocation is done by the hotel depending upon availability at the time of check-in in the category of room as specified on your confirmation voucher.
No refund shall be claimed, if the services & amenities of hotel were not up to your expectations, it will be considered on case to case basis.
