1 Days (Drive from Bagdogra to Phuntsholing and to Thimphu)
Pick up by an Indian car from the Bagdogra airport and drive to Phuntsholing (Bhutan border) about 4.5. Keep your passports and other documents ready for the Entry permit clearance. Our Purely Bhutan guide and car will meet you at the gate and help you through the Immigration. After the entry permit clearance, we will drive from Phuntsholing to Thimphu, about 4.5 hours from the warmer climes of the south up to the foothills of the Himalayas. Take a late afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. Overnight in Thimphu
2 Days (THIMPU )
Thimphu sightseeing. Start your day by visiting Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery, popularly known as Zilukha Nunnery. You will have the opportunity to witness what a Bhutanese nunnery looks like and their daily life at the Nunnery. You can sit with the Nuns and join them during their prayers. [If you wish, you could offer tea and snacks to the nuns – with some donations]. Then you can visit the School of Traditional Arts to watch students at work andto get an introduction to the 13 traditional arts, including painting, embroidery, woodcarving, mask-making and statue-making. You can also visit the Takin Reserve showcasing the unique national animal, the Takin. You may browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum or the weekly market. In the afternoon, you can visit the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. The huge 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. Then hike from Kuensel Phodrang nature park to Changangkha Temple. A hike of around one hour or so through beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forest, which also gives a fantastic view of Thimphu valley. Then visit Tashichho Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room and offices of the King. You may also like to visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps. If you would like to view or buy Bhutanese handicrafts you may like to visit the new market opposite Taj Tashi hotel which has an array of stalls run by local handicraft shops selling purely homemade articles with no imports. Tell your guide what takes your interest. Overnight in Thimphu
3 Days (DRIVE TO PUNAKHA)
Thimphu to Punakha. In the morning drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3050 metres, where we will stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. You will notice the change of climate and vegetation as we approach low-lying Punakha at 1250 metres. Take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Here, you can visit a Farmhouse for lunch or tea, to taste the red rice and local cuisine to experience the traditional Bhutanese way of life. You can alsowitness farmers working in the fields for the cultivation of paddy or the vegetables. You can visit the farmlands and try your hands on the farming. Then we will visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. Overnight in Punakha .
4 Days (PUNAKHA TO PARO)
Today we return to Paro, a drive of approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon you can start your culture tour of Paro valley by visiting the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum. From here take a leisurely 1-hour hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong. The walk passes Gonsaka Lhakhang and then Zuri Dzong and provides wonderful views down over the valley and of Paro Dzong. Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods. Continue your walk down to the Uma Resort junction where you turn right towards Paro Dzong and here again you should have a good view of Paro Dzong and town. Your driver will be waiting at the Paro bridge to pick you up. Late afternoon, take a walk around the Paro town and continue your walk towards the Paro bridge along the riverside. Here you should have a good view of Paro Dzong to take photographs. You can also walk across the bridge to get more view of the Dzong. Overnight in Paro
5 Days (PARO)
Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. Late afternoon, visit a local farmhouse and take the opportunity to try the restorative properties of a hot stone bath to feel relaxed after the hike. If you prefer your creature comforts, you can take tea or dinner with the family and then return to your hotel. Overnight in Paro
6 Days (Drive from Paro to Phuntsholing and to Bagdogra)
After breakfast drive back to Bagdogra via Phuntsholing. On the way from Paro, you can view the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers with three different styles of stupas. Drive further through Chapcha, take a glimpse of famous Chukha Dam and the magnificent waterfall before Gedu town. Your guide and car will accompany you to the border gate to see you off onto your next journey and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).
