Enchanting Bhutan
T R I P F A C T S:
Trip length: 07 Nights / 08 Days
Starts in: Phuentsholing(Bhutan)
Ends in: Phuentsholing(Bhutan)
Activities- Cultural sightseeing and day hikes. Maximum Altitude: 2600m/ 8580ft above sea level
O U T L I N E I T I N E R A R Y :
Day 01: Arrive in Phuentsholing from Bagdogra. Overnight in Phuentsholing.
Day 02: Drive early from Phuentsholing to Thimphu, half day sightseeing in Thimphu. Overnight in Thimhpu.
Day 03: Sightseeing in Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu..
Day 04: Drive to Punakha and sightseeing in Punakha/Wangdue. Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 05: Drive to Paro and do sightseeing in Paro. Overnight in Paro.
Day 06: Sightseeing in Paro. Overnight in Paro.
Day 07: Drive to Phuentsholing. Overnight in Phuentsholing.
Day 08: Depart from Phuentsholing to Bagdogra Airport.
T R I P H I G H L I G H T S :
Hike to Tiger’s Nest in Paro and other day hikes
Visit Farm House
Visit Monastery and some Museums
Stroll around the city shopping
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY FOR ENCHANTING BHUTAN
ARRIVE FROM BAGDOGRA TO PHUENTSHOLING (BORDER TOWN WITH INDIA)
Altitude: 160m/ 528ft above sea level
Phuentsholing, the “gateway to Bhutan ” in the south-west of Bhutan, is the only land border which grants access to the country. 90% of trade in Bhutan is with India and is conducted through this town. Phuentsholing is approximately 170km east of the Indian national airport Bagdogra, near Darjeeling, and 180km from the capital city Thimphu, a drive of around eight hours. Phuentsholing being the border town has an Indian character and taste, even though it tries to maintain Bhutanese way of living.
Your representative from Raven Tours and Trek will greet you on arrival and drive you to the hotel after immigration formalities.
Overnight in Phuentsholing.
PHUENTSHOLING TO THIMPHU
Altitude: 2320m/ 7656ft above sea level.(6 hour 30 minutes drive)
Morning drive from Phuentsholing to Thimphu and later visit, Mini zoo: Here you can see just one animal – Bhutan’s national animal- the Takin. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo.
Kuenselcholing View Point: The view point is also the perfect place to take in some truly breathtaking views of the entire city of Thimpu and also the largest Buddha in the world is being built.
Tashichho Dzong : The names means – Means Fortress of Glorious Religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
Overnight in Thimphu
THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE
Altitude: 1350m/4455ft above sea level.(3 hours drive).
Morning take a hike to Cheri Monastery(Includes Dodina and Jigme Dorji Wild life Sanctuary): Hike about 1hrs(to and fro) leds to Cheri Goemba (Cheri Dorji Dhen). Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this monastery in 1620 and established the first monk body here. A chance to spot birds such as Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Yellow-browed Tit, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Long-billed Thrush, Ultramarine Flycatcher.
Memorial Chorten: This particular chorten was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.
drive).
Bhutan Craft bazaar: The private stalls had a variety of high-end quality products from places across the country such as wood carved national symbols, bags and western wears with touch of traditional designs, wooden and clay utensils, Bangchung, Dhapa, key hanger of jewelry boxes, bookmarks and handmade packing papers (Deysho) in different patterns, antique items and etc. The stalls have a distinctly rich outlook with fine tones of elegance, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. The craft bazaar is also an exemplary of how bamboo can be used to construct houses in the country.
Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE
Altitude: 1350m/4455ft above sea level.(3 hours drive).
Morning driving towards Punakha/Wangdue, we come across a pass known as Dochula (3140m, 10362ft) from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range can be seen, especially in clear winter days. The beauty of this place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chortens- a 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
Later you can also visit the Botanical garden just below Dochula Pass where there are lots of collections of rhododendrons which can be seen during flowering months of April, May and June.
Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TO PARO
Altitude: 2280m/7524ft above sea level.(4 hours drive)
Morning visit, Punakha Dzong (fortress): Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung which is remarkably located between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu. Until the time of second king it served as a seat of the king.
Hike to Chimi Lhakhang(Temple of fertility): This Temple was built by lam Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine Madman) in 1499. It is about thirty minutes hike across fields from the road –Wooden phalluses are often found hanging in the four corners of the houses and also phalluses are painted on the walls of houses. It is the common belief that this helps in driving away evil spirits.(30 minutes hike to and fro, gentle steep, good)
PARO
Morning hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest): This is Bhutan’s most recognizable cultural icon perched 800m/2640ft up a seemingly sheer cliff. Although it was tragically and mysteriously consumed by fire in April 1998 it has now been restored to its former glory. It is believed that in the 8th century, the great tantric master Guru Rimopche/ Padmasambhava (2nd Buddha) flew on the back of a tigress to the site where the monastery now stands. (Five hours hike to and fro, some gentle and some steep hike, some stony foot path and some good ones) If you ride a horse upward it will cost extra US$25 per person.
Visit Farmhouse: Picturesque farm houses dot the valley amongst fields and hillsides. We welcome you to enjoy the hospitality of the Paro farmers. Thrill yourself as the farmers welcome you to their homes with genuine smiles. The two to three-storied Bhutanese farm houses are handsome in appearance, with colorfully decorated outer walls and lintels, and are traditionally built. A visit to a farm house gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming family. (If you take hot stone bath in the farm house it will cost extra US$25 per person.)
Later stroll around the town and see how locals live.
Overnight in Paro.
PARO TO PHUENTSHOLING
Morning visit, Ta Dzong: This means – watch tower, which it served as during the 17th century to guard the region from the Tibetan invasion. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. It houses a fine collection of Bhutanese art, relics, religious thankas (used to bolster the visualization generated during meditation and were made from Himalayan animal fibers), paintings, animals found in Bhutan, arms and ammunitions and the country’s exquisite stamp collections.
Rimpung Dzong: The Bhutanese Dzongs are huge architectural structures constructed for a variety of functions throughout the country, from administrative buildings to monasteries and temples, yet they are carefully and thoughtfully designed and are strikingly beautiful. The Rimpung Dzong, known as the “fortress of the heap of jewels” in the picturesque setting of the Paro valley, is of course no exception, built in the time of the dynamic spiritual and political leader Zhabdrung in 1644. Once a year, as part of the Tsechu festival, one of the oldest Thongdol (gigantic scroll paintings) is ceremonially unfurled here.
Later drive to Phuentsholing.
Overnight in Phuentsholing.
DEPART FROM PARO
Early breakfast at the hotel your escort will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.
CHECK LISTS
• Valid passport (valid for six months from the date of your trip)
• One other picture ID, such as driver’s license (in case of emergency and for use as a substitute of passport or incase of loss of your passport) Photocopy of passport page to carry in wallet
• Air tickets (Make a copy of flight tickets which may be helpful, in case of loss)
• Visa Clearance (Make a copy of visa clearance which may be helpful, in case of emergencies)
• MasterCard, Visa Credit and Debit Cards are accepted in Bhutan. However travelers cheques and some cash are highly recommended.
• Mobile (if your cell phone is from CINGULLAR USA or ATNT (USA) operators then your cell phone will work in Bhutan.)
WHAT TO BRING DURING THE TOUR IN BHUTAN
Hiking shorts (for men) or skirt
Winter clothes
Warm Jackets
Hiking/trekking boots
Socks for hiking boots
Sunscreen for lips and face
Sunglasses
Sneakers
Warm Hats
Pajamas
Sweaters
Long and short T- shirts or cotton shirts
Sun Hats
Walking Sticks
Back pack or Suitcase
DRESS CODE FOR VISITING FORTRESSES, MONASTERIES AND TEMPLES IN BHUTAN
Shirt(either half or full sleeve)
Full pants/long skirts
Any type of shoes with socks
No Hats, No Umbrella, No Slippers, No t-shirts, No short skirt and No half-pants
Photographs allowed in the courtyard only.
For more tour options for lesser or more days, hotels in different categories etc, please do write to us at info@pickyourtrip.com or call us at +91-9350845474
