Day 01:  Arrive Bagdogra by Flight & transfer to Phuentsholing (165km, approx. 4.1/2-hour drive)

On arrival at Bagdogra airport, received by our representative and embark on a scenic journey to Bhutan’s border town Phuenthsoling, passing through green landscapes and tea gardens that are characteristic of this region. The road is generally well-maintained and offers picturesque views of surrounding hills and forests while you pass through small towns and villages along the way, providing glimpses of rural life.

On arrival in Phuentsholing, after clearing immigration formalities, check in at the hotel.

The frontier town of Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial centre, situated directly at the base of Himalayan foothills. Being the border town, Phuentsholing serves as the convenient entry/exit point for Bhutan and also the important link to visit the Indian state of West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam.

Evening take a stroll around Phuentsholing city centre and have a glimpse of Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang. Situated in city centre, this small temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing (Altitude 300m).

Day 02: Phuentsholing – Thimphu (155 km, approx. 4.1/2-hour drive)

After early breakfast, drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan.

4km ahead of Phuentsholing town, a short stop at Kharbandi Gompa, 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 Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden there is a splendid view of Phuentsholing and plains of West Bengal and their tea gardens beyond.

Proceed further to Thimphu. This entire drive is very pleasant with numerous scenic spots en route.

On arrival, in Thimphu town check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. It is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Post lunch visit the Buddha Dordenma, a massive bronze statue of Shakyamuni atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park. It measures 51.5 meters in height and emits an aura of peace and happiness. Inside the statue, 125,000 smaller Buddha statues are placed. The throne is a large meditation hall.

Next, see the King's Memorial Chorten, a landmark constructed for world peace and prosperity. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to Bhutan's third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. People continuously circumambulate the chorten, reciting mantras and spinning prayer wheels.

Evening explore Centenary Farmers Market. Popularly known as Weekend market, this bustling, colourful market centre is the biggest where farmers from different part of the country gather to sell their farm products. With its wide assortment of products including handicrafts and its picturesque and colourful setting, the Farmer’s Market is a favourite spot for many.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,280m).

Day 03: Thimphu

After breakfast at the hotel, visit to Textile Museum. With the opening of Textile Museum, under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Sangay Choden, Bhutanese textile have reached new heights as one of the most visible distinct art forms. The textile museum has opened its exhibition on six major themes - warp pattern weaves, weft pattern weaves, role of textiles in religion, achievements in textile arts, textiles from indigenous fibres and the Royal collection. 

Evening visit Trashichhoedzong. 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, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Later explore Thimphu city centre & market.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha (75km, approx. 3-hour 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 Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,570m.

At Dochula Pass, 108 chortens or stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens have been built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. These chortens are built in three layers, the first lowest level layer has forty-five chortens, the second has thirty-six and the top layer has twenty-seven, built around the main chorten.

After enjoying nature’s splendour at Dochula pass, drive onward to Punakha.

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and seat of government until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (the chief abbot). Blessed with temperate climate and owing to its natural drainage from Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers, the fertile Punakha valley produces abundant crops and fruits. Located at an elevation of 1300m above sea level, Punakha enjoys mild winters and is popular year-round destination.

Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong or ‘Palace of Great Happiness’, built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Punakha (Altitude 1,300m)

Day 05: Punakha – Paro (125km, approx. 4-hour drive)

After breakfast, visit Wangduephodrang Dzong. Founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638, on the top of high ridge between Punak Tsang Chhu and Dang Chhu rivers, offering fantastic of the valley below, Wangdue Dzong holds special place in Bhutan’s history. The strategic location of the dzong, provided Penlop (Governor) of Wangduephodrang, chance to protect the routes to Trongsa, Punakha, Dagana and Thimphu making him the third most powerful ruler after Governors of Paro and Trongsa. The Dzong had been damaged by fire in 2012 and restored to its original grandeur and splendour recently (in 2022).

Then drive to Paro along scenic highway.

The beautiful valley of Paro encapsulates within itself a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum and country’s only international airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paro River). Paro is also one of the most fertile valleys in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced fields.

Post lunch, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

Day 06: Paro

After early breakfast, embark on a fascinating excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours round trip walk).  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Legends say that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

Then visit a typical farmhouse. Bhutanese farmhouses are very colorful, decorative and traditionally built without the use of single nail. The majority of the population of Bhutan continues to live as it has for centuries – in small, isolated farms and hamlets, surrounded by terraced fields of rice, maize and buckwheat. Also try your hand in Bhutan’s national sport Archery here.

Evening explore Paro local market.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Paro (Altitude 2,280m).

Day 07: Paro – Phuentsholing (150km, approx.4.1/2-hour drive)

Post lunch, drive down to Phuentsholing.

Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing (Altitude 300m).

Day 08: Phuentsholing - Bagdogra (165km, approx.4.1/2-hour drive)

After breakfast, drive to Bagdogra airport for flight back home.