Road trip to Bhutan - Indian Roadie Preferred Itinerary

Indian Roadie Preferred Itinerary for a road trip to Bhutan.

Siliguri/ Lataguri - Phuentsholing - Thimphu - Punakha - Paro - Lataguri/ Siliguri.

Itinerary for: 6 Nights & 7 Days.

Accommodation:
Phuntsholing(1N) - Thimphu (3N) - Paro (2N)

Itinerary / Tour Plan:

* Day-1:

On arrival at Hasimara / Siliguri / Bagdogra, you will be received by our office executive who will assist you to
board your vehicle to Phuntsholing. The drive is through green Dooars - the land of breath taking beauty, sloping tea
gardens and spectacular views.
Upon arrival, proceed for check in to hotel. The evening is free for leisure and shopping. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.

**Phuntsholing is a border town in southern Bhutan, that lies opposite the Indian town named Jaigaon. The cross border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy. Phuentsholing is uniquely more urban than other Bhutanese towns, having absorbed the neighbouring culture, but distinctly far more quiet and orderly than its neighbour.**

Your entry permission will be processed here.

Overnight stay in phuentsholing .

* Day-2:

# Phuntsholing to Thimphu (Approx 6 hrs ) :

Today after breakfast you will start for Thimphu . En route experience breath taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari, Mount Jichu Drake also view the confluence of rivers the Wang Chu and the Paro Chu.
Upon arrival proceed for check in at hotel. The evening is free to roam around city for leisure and shopping, by your own.

Thimpu is the capital to the tiny HimalayanKingdom of Bhutan. It is perhaps the smallest capital in the world. It is a gallery of traditional Bhutanese art, architecture, culture and tradition and above all still so ethnic and pure. For most part of its history, Bhutan has tried consciously to save its cultures from the blunt influences of the western world. All these make Thimpuand other parts of the country a unique destination.

Night stay at Thimphu.

* Day-3:

Thimpu Sight Seeing :

Morning after breakfast visit ->

1) Memorial chorten - the memorial stupa, thimphu, also known as the Thimphu chorten, is a stupa in Thimphu, located on Doeboom lam in the southern-central part of the city near the main roundabout and Indian military hospital.

2) Buddha Dordenma Statue - Great Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of bhutan celebrating the 60th anniversary of fourth king jigme singye wangchuck.

3) Takin Zoo - Motithang Takin Reserve located in the motithang district of Thimphu, is a wildlife reserve area for takin - "The National Animal of Bhutan". Originally it is a mini-zoo, which was converted into a Reserve.
When it was discovered that the animals refrained from inhabiting the surrounding forest even when set free.

4) General Post Office - Bhutan is famous for producing unique and innovative stamps. After selling peculiar “CD-Stamps”, Bhutan’s post office now offers personalized stamp; we invite you to surprise your family and friends with your custom-made stamp made with one of your favorite holiday photograph..!

5) National Institute for Zorig Chusum - This institute commonly known as ‘The Painting School’ operates four-six years course that provide instruction in bhutan’s 13 traditional arts. Students specialize in painting, woodcarving, embroidery or statue making.

6) The Folk Heritage Museum – The museum is a restored three storied traditional rammed mud and timber house inaugurated as a museum by her majesty the queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo in 2001. It showcase the traditional artifacts used now and in the past, which helps connect, people to the bhutanese rural life.

7) Bhutanese Paper Factory - The art of handmade paper in Bhutan dates back to the 8th century, although usage was limited mainly to religious purposes. Today it is considered an important element in the preservation of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The factory allows guests to view the paper making process and purchase gifts from their showroom.

Night Stay at Thimphu.

* Day-4:

# Thimpu to Punakha & back to Thimphu :

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan during the time of Zhabdrun Ngawang Namkgyal, the founder of Bhutan. Today it is the administrative and religious center of the district and the winter home of Bhutan’s Central Monk Body. It is blessed with temperate climate and owing to its natural drainage from Pho Chhu (male) river and Mo Chhu (female) river, the Punakha valley produces abundant crops and fruits.

1) Dochula Pass - After breakfast we will drive (45 mins.) from Thimphu to Dochula Pass (10,000 ft.). During a clear days you will get a chance to see Himalayan mountain ranges surrounding Bhutan. Enjoy a spectacular view of the highest
Mountain of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chorten – a 108 stupas built by the eldest queen, her majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
After a short tea break continue drive to sub tropical Punakha .

2) Chimi Lakhang - This temple also known as the temple of fertility. A 30 mins. walk from the road to the Lhakhang temple is through open farmland and paddy fields. It is believed that a demon who had been terrorizing the valley transformed herself into a black dog to escape the wrath of Drukpa Kuenlay, the divine madman.

3) Punakha Dzong - The Dzong is considered as one of the most important and one of the most beautiful Dzongs in the kingdom. It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637, and was the seat of the Government during winter until Thimphu was established as the permanent Capital in 1955. It is still the residence of the Dratshang (Central Monastic
Body). Take a time to admire the impressive, colorful and detailed artistry of the surroundings, including huge statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, as well as paintings of One Thousand Buddhas.

Over night stay in Thimphu

* Day 5:

# Thimphu to Paro :

Paro is often called the gateway to the Himalayan Kingdom. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, you would be transferred to Paro valley following Wang-Chhu and Pa-Chhu Rivers. The distance between Punakha and Paro is 150 km & it would take approximately 5 hours to cover the distance.

Paro cultural tour should always start with a casual browse through the:

1) National Museum – Housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) of the Rinpung Dzong. In the museum the intriguing collection of artifacts serves as a great introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the kingdom. The National Museum boasts a rich variety of exhibits collected from all over the country and belonging to different eras, some them are aged as old as 2000 B.C. A visit through the galleries shows the country’s transition the later stone age to a modern Mahayana Buddhist Kingdom.

2) Paro Dzong – take in the amazing architecture of this 17th century monument, a premier example of Bhutan’s architecture. Paro Dzong was built in 17th century to protect Paro from the Tibetan invasion. It is also known as Rinpung Dzong, which means the ‘Fortress on a heap of jewels’. This fine example of Bhutanese architecture now serves as a central monastic and administrative seat of the Paro district. From the Dzong, a leisurely walk back into Paro town crossed the scenic Nyamai Zampa, a unique model of Bhutan’s traditional cantilever bridge.

3) Dungtshe lakhang - It is a buddhist temple in western Bhutan. The temple is notable as it is in the form of a chorten, very rare in Bhutan.

Evening free to explore the beautiful town Paro & experience the typical Bhutanese culture & architectures all around.

Over night stay in Paro.

* Day-6:

# Paro Local Sight-Seeing:

1) Taktsang / Tiger’s Nest Monastery (4 to 5 hrs walk/hike) – Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang Gompha is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 900 meters (2952 feet) above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew in to Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The Taktshang Gompha is built around the cave, which opens
to the public once a year at the end of august. The four-hour round trip hike offers spectacular views of the gompha and the valley below.

2) Kyichu Lhakhang – The 7th century monastery is one of the oldest and most sacred temple in the kingdom where the seed of Buddhism was won in Bhutan. The Tibetan King, Songsten Gampo ordered the establishment of monasteries in the Himalayan region to subdue evil spirits and to spread Buddhism. Of the 108, which were to be built, two major ones were built in bhutan namely the Kyichu Lhakhang and Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang. Kyichu Lhakhang, which pins down the left foot of a treacherous ogress, are a great finish to this day of cultural immersion and your journey to this ancient kingdom of Bhutan.

3) Drukgyel Dzong - A ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors bought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. In the early 1954, the Drukgyel dzong was completely destroyed by fire and today only the ruins remains. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari; mountain of goddesses; can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong.

Over night stay in Paro.

* Day -7:

Today after breakfast check-out for Paro & proceed to Hasimara / Siliguri / Bagdogra for your onward journey with full of unforgettable memories.

# Package Includes :

 Accomodation in Standard / Deluxe / Executive / Luxury / Premium categories Hotels And Resorts (As per your package)
 Meal Plan as per chosen Plan (EP / CP / MAP / AP)
 All Sightseeing as per Itinerary