BHUTAN ROAD TRIP - THE LAND OF THUNDER DRAGON

Day 1 : Arrive at Bagdogra. Assemble and Travel to Phuentsholing

• The journey to Bhutan will start from the Bagdogra Airport. Our trip leader will meet you at the airport and from here we will travel to Phuentsholing, which is the border town of Bhutan.
• Phuentsholing is around 164 km from Bagdogra so it will take around 5 hours to reach there. We will depart by 12 pm from the airport. Pickup can also be arranged from New Jalpaiguri railway station. The journey is comfortable and through the plains. Amidst the way, we will also get to see the tea estates of West Bengal. After crossing Hashimara, the mountains of Bhutan would start becoming visible. We will reach by 5 pm in the evening and after reaching, check-in at the hotel and relax. You can roam around Phuentsholing if you want.
• Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 2 : Travel to Thimphu

• The day starts with getting the permits. We all will proceed towards the immigration office after checking out from the hotel. Be ready with your passports and passport sized photographs. After getting the permits, we will head towards the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, which is around 150 km from Phuentsholing. The journey would take around 5 to 6 hours to reach as the complete drive is through the mountains.
• We will be taking a stop at Gedu or any other place to have lunch. The town of Thimphu is big and beautiful. Settled in a valley which is covered with green mountains from all four sides. After reaching Thimphu, we will check-in to our hotel and relax. We will have the dinner and roam around the local markets of Thimpu.
• Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 3 : Sightseeing in Thimphu

• This day is reserved for the sightseeing in Thimphu. After having breakfast, we will start by visiting the Tashichho Dzong which is a fortress and a monastery and is also called as Bhutan King Palace, Changangkha Lhakhang which is a 12th century Buddhist temple, National Memorial Chorten or the Stupa and Motithang Takin Preserve which is famous for Takin, national animal of Bhutan. We will also have to visit the immigration office to get the permits of Punakha and Chele La pass.
• The evening will be spent at the Buddha Point as sunset looks mesmerising from that place. Buddha Point is a temple and a huge statue situated on a hill in the outskirts of Thimphu. After all this, we can visit the football stadium if time allows.
• Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 4 : Travel from Thimphu to Punakha

• We will check out after having breakfast at the hotel and then we move towards Punakha which is around 84 km from Thimphu. Punakha is one of the administrative centres of Bhutan and is also famous as the former capital of Bhutan. The town is based along the two rivers Pho Chu and Mo Chu and these rivers enhance the beauty of this place. We will be crossing a mountain pass, Dochula, which is one of the high passes of Bhutan and is situated at an altitude of 3100 m. One can see a panorama of Himalayan peaks from the pass during clear weather.
• We will have our lunch at the pass as there is a café situated there. After crossing the pass, we will drive down to the town of Punakha. The town is mainly famous for the beautiful Dzong and the longest suspension bridge of the nation. We will visit the bridge and explore the town and then we will check in into our hotel.
• Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 5 : Travel from Punakha to Paro

• We will start our day with the sightseeing at Punakha Dzong. The Dzong means the administrative centre of a district and it also comprises of a temple or a monastery. The Punakha Dzong is built beautifully on the river bed. After exploring, we will head towards the town of Paro.
• Paro is a historic town, settled in the Paro valley and is home to many historic sites and palaces. The town is 125 km from Punakha and it will take around 4 hours to reach. After reaching, relax in the hotel as the next day is reserved for the trek to Tiger’s Nest.
• Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 6 : Trek to Tiger’s Nest

• We will get ready and head towards the starting point of the trek by 9 am. The Tiger’s Nest or the Paro Taktsang is a monastery situated on a mountain cliff and is a popular sacred site for Buddhists.
• The monastery is dedicated to Buddhist Guru Padmasambhava. In actual, it is not a trek. It is a hike as the distance is less, only 8 km including the ascent and descent. The trail starts from the outskirts of Paro and is not very steep. The entire hike is easy except the last half km as it comprises of stairs. After negotiating all this, we will reach the main temple premises which is built amazingly on a cliff. One can see the beauty of Paro and the paddy fields from the hike. We will explore the temple and come back to Paro after descending all the way through the same trail. The evening can be spent in the local markets of Paro.
• Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 7 : Sightseeing in Paro and Travel to Phuentsholing

• Today, we will do the sightseeing in Paro which will cover places like Paro Dzong, National Museum of Bhutan and exploring the markets and cafes of Paro. 
• After this, we start our return journey to Phuentsholing which is about 3-4 hrs of travel time.
• Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 8 : Travel from Phuentsholing to Bagdogra

• Now it’s time to leave Bhutan. We will travel directly to Bagdogra Airport and it will take around 4 hours to reach.
• We will reach the airport by 1pm in the evening so book your flights/stay accordingly.

Things To Pack

• Down Jacket /Main Jacket
• Thermals (Upper & Lower)
• Clothes
• Socks
• Undergarments
• Gloves
• Slippers
• Running Shoes/ Outdoor Shoes
• Hats/Caps
• Daypack
• Medicines (Diamox – to reduce chances of AMS)
• First Aid Kit
• Documents – ID (Driver’s License, AADHAR Card, Voter ID :: Passport and Visa copy for Foreign Nationals)
• Sun Glasses
• Torch
• Water Bottle
• Power bank
• Mobile Charger / Travel Charger
• Raincoat
• Hand Sanitizer
• Toiletries
• Cold Cream
• Lip Guard
• Sunscreen Lotion