Day 1: NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport – Phuentsholing

(Distance: 170 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mts.)

On arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport you will be transferred to Phuentsholing, border town of Southern Bhutan and a thriving commercial centre. On arrival in Phuentsholing, you would be greeted by your Bhutanese Guide. You can spend time taking the photographs of the huge ornate gate that welcomes you to Bhutan. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing.

Day 2: Phuentsholing – Thimphu

(Distance: 176 kms. / Driving Time: 6 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mts.)

After breakfast complete the immigration formalities and get transferred to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan. On the way stop at Kharbandi Goemba, a monastery was founded by the Royal Grand Mother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden in the year 1967. The Monastery lies at an altitude of 400 m. It contains paintings on the life of Buddha, statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. A fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and surrounding plains can be seen from the Monastery garden. Later continue your drive to Thimphu. On the way you shall see and experience how the plains become small foothills and then the big Himalayan Slopes. On arrival check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast you would be taken for tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering magnificent view of Thimphu Town; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honour the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck circumambulated by people offering prayers; Folk Heritage Museum, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle and artefacts from the rural households; Changangkha Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Thimphu and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve centre for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, Fortress of the Glorious Religion. This impressive fortress houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha / Wangdue Sightseeing

(Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.)

After breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha.  Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mts. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas. Continue your drive to Punakha / Wangdue. On arrival visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility. It is a short hike of around 30 – 45 minutes. Later, visit Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers. Later check in at the hotel. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

Day 5: Excursion to Gangtey (Phobjikha) OR Punakha / Wangdue Sightseeing

(Distance: 78 kms. / Driving Time: 3 hrs. / Altitude of Gangtey (Phobjikha): 2,900 mts.)

After breakfast, you would be taken to Gangtey, a beautiful glacial valley which is home of Black Necked Crane which arrived in winters. Here you can also visit Gangtey Goemba, monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism and Black Necked Crane Information Centre, a place for recreation with crane watching equipment and reference books. Later in the evening return back to the hotel. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue. 

OR

Alternatively, hike Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a hike of about 45 Mins. It offers a breathtaking view of the Punakha Valley. Later visit Punakha Suspension Bridge and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery. Rest of the day free for leisure. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

Day 6: Punakha / Wangdue – Paro Sightseeing

(Distance: 140 kms. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.)

After breakfast, you would be driven to Paro. Enroute stop at Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi Bhutan’s first botanical park. Later continue your drive to Paro. On the way again stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to return the permit which was stamped earlier. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo also known as the Iron bridge builder. Continue your drive to Paro. On arrival visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Paro Valley built in 1951 now converted into national museum; Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646; walk down to Nemi Zam Bridge, also known as Nya Mey Zam Bridge is a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting the Paro town to the Dzong. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 7: Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), home of gods and monks located at an altitude of 3100m in the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The hike to the Monastery takes about 5 – 6 hours to complete. As the hike to Taktsang Monastery is steep coupled with stiff stairs, it is not recommended to take the hike with small children and elderly people. On the way back visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Paro – Phuentsholing

• (Distance: 200 kms. / Driving Time: 7 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mts.)

  After breakfast check out from hotel. Later you would be driven to Phuentsholing. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing.

Day 9: Phuentsholing – NJP Railway Station/IXB Airport

Documentation – Permit Requirement

For Indian Nationals – Passport (minimum validity of 6 months from the date of departure from Bhutan )/ Voter I Card or Birth Certificate in English and student ID for child below 18 years is acceptable. In order to process the permit, we need the following documents at least 10 working days before the start of the tour

• Scanned copy of passport size photograph of the tourists. 
• Scanned copy of Passport/ Voter I Card or Birth Certificate for child below 18 years

Permit can also be issued to the guests at the time on arrival in Bhutan at the entry point for which also above documents are required. Guests are advised to always carry photocopy of the travel documents. 

Inclusions:

• Accommodation on twin sharing basis. 
• All the rooms are base category, unless indicated separately
• Meal Plan (MAPAI)
• Hotel taxes applicable (as per itinerary).
• Guide / Escort charges for Bhutan portion only.
• SDF
• Exclusive Non a/c vehicle for all transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary. The concept of disposal vehicles is not practiced in Bhutan. The guide and the vehicle shall be available with the guests from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM.

Exclusions:

• Air Fare/Train fare, insurance premium, any other activities like rafting, archery etc for which supplemental chares will be applicable to be paid by the guests directly.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone bills, bar bills, tips & gratuity, bottled water etc.
• Entrance Fees for museums and monuments, Upgradation Charges and Optional Tours to be paid by the guests directly on the spot.
• Any additional costs because of additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle other than mentioned in the itinerary will be recovered directly from the guests. Such additional costs are also applicable for usage of vehicle and guide beyond the specified time or normal working hours as mentioned above.
• Any cost arising due to unforeseen events like landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc. Such expenses will be recovered directly from the guests on the spot.
• Any increase in costs due to increase in government taxes or fuel price or implementation of VISA fees, which increases cost of surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure.
• Anything which is not included in the inclusion
• Goods and Service Tax @ 5% and TCS @2%