Arrive at Bagdogra airport and drive through northern Indian tea plantation to transfer to Pheuntosholing.
Process for route permit and you have the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Pheuntsholing (Dinner)
Note:
Note: If you are entering Bhutan via land, it is to be noted that the permits are issued only during working days and hours. (Monday to Friday between 9 am to 4 pm during winters and 5 pm during summers). No permits are issued on Saturday, Sunday and Bhutan government holidays.
Lets travel to the unexplored path
Amanzing Bhutan - An Ultimate road journey
Road trip from Bagdogra to Bhutan
Bhutan – the Happiest Country in the world. Lets explore the serene landscapes, ancient monasteries, lush valleys and quaint towns dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags.
All this topped with a warm dose of happy locals that make Bhutan, the perfect destination to travel, explore & celebrate life.
The best time to visit Bhutan is between March-May (spring season) or October-February (autumn).
An Ultimate Road Trip to Bhutan
Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, is for many people the “holy grail” of travel destinations. Getting to “The Land of the Thunder Dragon” is an adventure on its own.
A Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. In the High Himalayas, peaks such as 7,326m Jomolhari are popular trekking destinations. Paro Taktsang monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest) clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley.
Bhutan was closed to foreign travellers until 1974. In the first year that Bhutan opened up to tourism, only 287 tourists visited the country. In 2015 the number had increased to 48,800 tourists visiting the country. More than 90% of these are Indian tourists.
Druk Air, the national airlines and the privately owned Bhutan Airlines.
The country’s only international airport is located in Paro, and landing there is a thrilling experience. Both landing and takeoff must be completed manually, and only eight pilots in the world are certified to land and takeoff from Paro International Airport.
Day 1: Arrive Bagdogra - Phuentsholing (Approx. 160 kms / 5-hour drive)
Day 2: Phuentsholing - Thimphu (Approx. 179 kms / 5-6 hour drive)
After breafkast, transfer to the capital city of Thimphu through the mountains, this journey is of almost unbelievable beauty. The road leads from the northern Indian tea plantations through endless turns, hair pin bends and daring stretches carved into the mountain rock via Chukka to Thimphu.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon you can relax and in the evening spend some time in clock tower square.
Overnight at Thimphu (Breafkast & Dinner)
Day 3: Thimphu – Local sightseeing
Today’s sightseeing includes the Folk Heritage Museum, National Library, Handicraft Center to view the traditional arts, the indigenous Medicine Hospital, the Painting School and from the road point take a glimpse of Tashichho Dzong.
Further drive uphill and visit Takin Zoo where you will find national animal of Bhutan. Afternoon visit National Memorial Chorten a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan and Buddha statue.
Evening take a walk to the main city from Clock tower square.
Overnight at Thimphu (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 4: Thimphu - Punakha via Dochula pass (Approx. 77 kms / 3-hour drive)
This morning drive to low lands of Punakha valley touching Dochula pass 10,000 ft and on the stop at Hongtsho village. Stop at the immigration check point to stamp in your permit. You will be driving through the first mountain pass in the western part of Bhutan. See the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped in colorful prayer flags greet you. You could take three rounds and offer prayers, take some best photo shots. If the weather is clear you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north, Gangar Punsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the world. Proceed down to Thinleygang village and upon reaching Lobesa turn left and enter Punakha valley.
After the visit, drive to Punakha and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit majestic Punakha Dzong placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk.
Overnight at Punakha (Breafkast & Dinner)
Day 5: Punakha - Paro (Approx. 140 kms / 5-hour drive)
Morning drive to Paro via same road and stop at Lamperi. Visit the Royal Botanical Park for 30 minutes. If you are lucky you could see red pandas, different species of birds, you can take some photo shot close to the natural lake. You could watch a short documentary about the park.
Proceed to Paro via Semtokha and check in the hotel.
Afternoon visit ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and drive till the base of Tigers Nest.
Overnight at Paro (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 6: Paro city
Today morning visit Paro Dzong, the National Museum housed in a round fortress called as the Ta Dzong considered to be one of the best natural history museums in Asia where it has a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts, Paro Penlop Heritage Farm house Kyichu Lhakhang the monastery dates back to 7th century and is one of the oldest and most sacred.
Afternoon at leisure and evening visit the town for shoppin.
Overnight at Paro (Breafkast & Dinner)
Day 7: Paro – Phuentsholing (Approx. 172 kms / 5-6 hours drive)
Morning transfer to Phuentsholing and before reaching Phuentsholing stop and visit Kharbandi Gompa.
On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at Pheuntsholing (Breakfast & Dinner)
Day 8: Phuentsholing -Bagdogra & Bagdogra airport
After breakfast check out and depart to Bagdogra airport to board our onward destination flight.
Answers to your questions
Price Inclusion:
- All internal permits (The permits are issued only during working days and hours. Monday to Friday between 9 am to 4 pm during winters and 5 pm during summers). No permits are issued on Saturday, Sunday and Bhutan government holidays.
- 07 nights hotel accommodation at suggested or similar category hotels
- Meals – Breakfast (Except day 1) and Dinner (except last day) as specified in the itinerary above
- Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by non-air conditioned vehicle
- 1-3 guest (Hyundai Tucson / Creta SUV or similar) 4-8 guest Toyota Hi-ace bus or similar
- Daily 1 Litre Mineral water bottle per person
- Bhutanese accommpanied guide cum escort from Thiphu til Paro.
Program Exclusion:
- GST 5% (Govermant Tax) on total package price
- Airfare/ Railway Fare
- Any other meals than those mentioned above
- Any up gradation in airline class or hotel room category
- English speaking guide
- Any items of personal nature like tips to guides, drivers ,laundry, telephone charges, shopping, wines & alcoholic beverages, mineral water (unless specified), and food and drink which is not part of set group menu,entry fee to museums
- Any optional tours, excursions, supplement costs, services and activities not mentioned in the itinerary inclusions.
- Entrance fees of sight seeings mentioned in the itinerary are not included
- Any extra cost incurred on behalf of any individual due to illness, accident , hospitalization or any personal emergency
Cancellation policy:
- If the Guest decides to cancel the tour for any reason whatsoever then s/he shall give a written application to the Company within specified time limit along with original receipt issued by the Company. Such cancellation will attract cancellation charges stated hereunder.
- Cancellation charges will be calculated on gross tour cost and the cancellation charges shall depend on date of departure and date of cancellation
- Cancellation charges for any type of transport ticket are applicable as per the rules of the concerned authority.
- Air tickets issued on special fares are NON REFUNDABLE and Guest shall bear cancellation charges.
- Any refund payable to the Guest will be paid after the Company receives refund from the respective authorities. The Company deducts processing charges from the refund to be paid to the Guest.
Currency & Internet connection:
- The currency in Bhutan is Bhutanese Ngultrum and it is of the same value as the Indian rupee.
- ATMs are not available everywhere (only in major cities) and Indian HDFC Debit cards do not work in Bhutan. However, the country does accept Indian currency all over.
- Old 500 rupee notes are not accepted & they prefer not taking Indian coins, only notes.
Internet connection:
- Only the bigger stores and hotels have WiFi.
- You can buy a local SIM from either B-Mobile SIM or TashiCell. They are fairly well connected.
Visa & Immigration:
- Bhutan is visa on arrival for Indians, Bangladeshis & Maldivians with a valid passport. You do not need a visa but you will need a passport with minimum six-month validity.
- If you are entering by road from Siliguri, West Bengal into Phuentsholing – you will have to get your immigration done from the local immigration office.
- Please note that the immigration office is shut on weekends and you cannot enter the rest of Bhutan and will have to remain at Phuentsholing until you get approval.
- The visa office has timings with a lunch break and is open from Monday-Friday (9am – 5pm)
Tour details
Things To Keep In Mind Before Visiting Bhutan:
1. The people of Bhutan love and respect their king and queen above all. Each home, restaurant, shop will have a picture of the royal family. Never speak ill about the royal family to the Bhutanese.
2. You cannot smoke on the roads of Bhutan. The sale of tobacco and cigarettes is prohibited in the country. Smoking is considered extremely offensive in the country and you can only smoke in private places. Drinking is allowed.
3. You cannot smoke weed in the country and although it grows freely everywhere, you cannot smoke it. If you are caught smoking weed, you will be imprisoned for 5 years.
4. Most Dzongs (temples) will ask you to cover your arms and legs out of respect to their God.
5. You are not allowed to take pictures inside temples and they are very strict about this.
6. The Bhutanese are extremely friendly and simple people and will greet you even when they pass by you on the road. Always smile back and be polite.
7. Bargain at all the handicraft stores and you will almost always get a discount.
8. The Phallus is worshipped in Bhutan and while they understand that tourists may find this funny, they expect a certain degree of respect.
9. Lastly, the Bhutanese are extremely proud of the cleanliness and the law in their country – with good reason. Do not mock or ridicule them in their country.
10. You can hike but you cannot do mountaineering in Bhutan. Anything upto a 6,000m in considered hiking and above that, mountaineering – which is strictly forbidden and illegal.
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Kiran Bora
I am Kiran Bora, taking care of the marketing & sales department here in Monks & Monkeys Travel (New Delhi, India) |
Monks & Monkeys Travels Pvt. Ltd.
We maintain a strong focus on sustainable tourism, and a commitment to constant forward movement in terms of service, quality and value for money. Every year we do have thousands of satisfied guests who depart with a smile and with lovely memories of India. This has enabled us to offer a quality & personalized service and superb value for money by putting our client`s needs first, than anything else.
Our contacts
+91 (11) 26345215 / 26345216 / 26345217
admin@mnmtravels.in
163, Jeewan nagar Ashram, Near Jeewan Hospital
New Delhi - 110014
INDIA
+91 (11) 26345215 / 26345216 / 26345217
admin@mnmtravels.in
163, Jeewan nagar Ashram, Near Jeewan Hospital
New Delhi - 110014
INDIA
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