Discover Bhutan

Discover Bhutan, a land surrounded by lush green forests and diverse environments. Culture lovers can explore Bhutanese temples, monasteries, and the unique way of life. Wellness enthusiasts can indulge in therapeutic hot stone baths and rejuvenating experiences. Adventurers can embark on activities like hiking, biking, camping, rafting, and bird watching. Bhutan truly has something for everyone! On this 7-night tour, you’ll explore the natural wonders of Western Bhutan. The drive takes you through ever-changing landscapes, from tropical to alpine forests, with dotted villages along the way. Spend your days mingling with friendly Bhutanese people and visiting traditional Bhutanese farmhouses. Experience the fusion of Tibetan and Bhutanese local cuisine. Explore Thimphu, the only city without traffic lights, and get a night view of the towering Tashichho Dzong (fortress) bathed in an explosion of colorful lights. Visit Punakha, a valley beneath the cascading Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. The magnificent Punakha Dzong showcases the finest Bhutanese architecture and craftsmanship, offering insights into the nation’s history. Take an unforgettable hike up to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, a spiritual journey to one of the most sacred Bhutanese sites.

Day 01:  Arrival in Phuentsholing

Upon arrival in Bagdogra, meet our representative and drive to the frontier town of Phuentsholing. After clearing immigration formalities, check in at your hotel. Phuentsholing is a flourishing commercial center situated in the foothills. Being a border town, it serves as a convenient entry and exit point for Bhutan and also as an important link to visit the Indian states of West Bengal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Assam.

In the latter half of the day, visit Zangtopelri Lhakhang, a Buddhist Monastery located in the heart of the town. This monastery is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. The eight manifestations of the Guru are portrayed on the ground floor. The second floor contains statues of eight Bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara, and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, while on the top floor, the main statue is of Buddha Amitabha.

In the evening, enjoy a stroll in Phuentsholing Town.

Overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing (Altitude 300m).

Day 02: Phuentsholing – Thimphu (155 km, approx.4-hour drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Thimphu, stopping along the way to visit Kharbandi Gompa. The monastery features paintings of the life of Buddha and statues of Guru Rinpoche and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, with an impressive view of Phuentsholing and the border town of Jaigaon. Continuing our drive to Thimphu, in the latter half of the day we visit Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest statues of Shakyamuni at a height of 51.5 meters. Cast in bronze and gilded with gold, it overlooks the southern gate of the valley. Inside, 125,000 miniature statues are placed. It features a large prayer hall with Buddha seated upon it.

The Memorial Chorten was constructed to dedicate world peace and in loving memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, “the father of modern Bhutan.” This landmark is an iconic monument where you can see a large crowd of people circumambulating and chanting mantras.

The Centenary Market in Thimphu, located beside the Wangchu River, commemorates the coronation of the fifth King. It is also the largest domestic weekend market for the sale of vegetables, fruits, meats, and farm products. Farmers from different parts of the country come here to sell their products. A wooden cantilever bridge leads you to stalls selling a collection of textiles, handicrafts, and clothing.

Changlimithang Stadium is the national stadium of Bhutan, where you can catch a glimpse of an archery match and where national football tournaments are held.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320m).

Day 03: Thimphu

After breakfast, we have a full day to visit Thimphu local sights. Begin the day from visit to Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery, locally known as Zilukha Nunnery, is one of the largest nunneries in Bhutan. Built by Thangtong Gyelpo, the builder of iron chain bridges across Bhutan and Tibet, it features an interesting enclosed chorten in the main courtyard.

The Takin Sanctuary is home to the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin, which resembles a goat and a yak and is found in high mountainous terrain. Legend has it that the Tibetan saint, Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman,” created this unique animal.

The Textile Museum in Chubachu houses a cultural and heritage collection of antique textile artifacts. Different patterns from authentic Bhutanese weavers from various parts of the country are exhibited.

The National Institute for Zorig Chusum and Choki Art Institute is a training center for cultural and traditional arts and crafts. Here, students are trained in 13 different techniques for six years in traditional painting, woodcarving, and statue making.

In the latter half of the day, visit Simtokha Dzong, built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1629. It literally means “Atop a Demon.” The dzong is a replica of the Gyal Gyad Tshel Institute of Ralung (Tibet) and is perhaps the first dzong built in Bhutan, making it the oldest.

Jungshi Paper Factory is a small establishment manufacturing traditional Bhutanese handmade paper made from Daphne bark, known as Deh-sho. You can observe the entire process from the dyeing and sorting of pulps. Greeting cards and other products are available for purchase as souvenirs.

The Craft Market, built with bamboo to preserve an eco-friendly environment, offers hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and interesting items made from local materials.

Changangkha Lhakhang, located on a small hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley below Motithang, features Chenrigzi with an 11-head and thousand-arms manifestation. Most Bhutanese visit this temple to seek blessings for a new child.

The National Library contains a collection of religious texts on Bhutan’s history, religious scriptures, traditional medical books, arts, and culturally integrated documentation.

The Folk Heritage Museum offers insight into an impressive collection of artifacts from rural households and the traditional Bhutanese way of life.

Tashichho Dzong is a towering fortress, nestled beside the Thimphu Chu, is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture. It houses the seat of the Chief Abbot, the throne room, and offices of the King, the Cabinet Secretariat, and the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance. Originally built in 1216 and rebuilt in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in the traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2,320 m).

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha & Wangdue (78 km, approx. 3 hours drive)

After breakfast, begin drive towards Punakha. From Thimphu, road climbs upto Dochu la Pass (3,050 m), which is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, adorned with prayer flags and 108 stupas constructed by the eldest Queen Mother, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. It has three layers: the top layer has twenty-seven stupas, the middle one thirty-six, and the lower one forty-five, known as Druk Wangyal Chortens. On a clear day, you can enjoy a clear view of the northern Himalayas from the pass. Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honor of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, merges past and future in its details, narrating the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision reaches into the distant future, a fine blend of history and mythology.

Post-lunch, visit Rinchengang Village, located near Wangdue Phodrang, opposite the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. The village, clustered with traditional Bhutanese houses, is said to have been constructed by the artisans when the dzong was being built. Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 on a high ridge between Punakha and Trongsa, caught fire on 24 June 2012 and was virtually destroyed, save for the lower walls. Under the command of His Majesty The King, reconstruction began in January 2014, and the dzong has since been restored to its original structure.

Chimi Lhakhang, located in Lobesa on a round hill, was blessed by Lama Drukpa Kunley, also known as the “Divine Madman,” known for his unconventional teaching methods. A short hike from the main highway, about half an hour, leads to the temple, which is frequently visited by childless women seeking fertility blessings, often involving a wooden phallus symbol.

Punakha Dzong, or “Palace of Great Happiness,” is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal from 1637 to 1638, it is revered as one of the most beautiful pieces of Bhutanese architecture, being the second-largest dzong in the country. The chief abbot and the monastic body migrate here during the winter season from Thimphu.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue. (Altitude 1,350m)

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

After breakfast, we drive north of the valley to hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which lies at the northern end of the valley. The hike takes about 45 minutes from the road to the chorten. Constructed by the Queen Mother of Bhutan to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability, and harmony, it offers a picturesque view of the upper Punakha valley from the third floor. We then drive back to Paro, descending from Dochu La and following the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys.

Later in the day, we proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower and converted into a museum in 1968. Its collection includes fine arts, paintings, textiles, jewelry, handicrafts, stamps, and galleries of stuffed animals and butterflies from Bhutan. The top floor of the museum houses a chapel with a “tree” depicting the main figures of the four religious schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

We then descend to visit Rinpung Dzong, constructed in 1644 and known as the “fortress of the heap of jewels.” The courtyard features fine Bhutanese paintings depicting the life of Buddha, cosmic mandalas, and the narrative of Milarepa. The most famous Paro festival is held here, with the unfurling of a giant thangka on the last day.

Next, we walk down the trail through a wooden cantilever bridge to Paro town, where you may observe an archery tournament, Bhutan’s national game. Dungtse Lhakhang, a small chorten beside Paro Town across the Paro Chu, was built by Thangtong Gyelpo in 1421 to subdue an ogress. The temple’s unique paintings depict the progressive stages of Tantric Buddhist philosophy, as well as the most significant deities and figures of the Drukpa Kagyu school.

Later in the afternoon, we drive to the north end of the valley to visit Drukgyel Dzong. It was in ruins until 2000 but has since been reconstructed to its original form. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built it in 1646 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders. Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples, was constructed by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century. Of the 108 temples built during his reign, Kyichu is among the 12 main temples. Located 5 km from Paro town, it houses the original 7th-century Jowo Jampa Statue, along with eight standing bodhisattvas and statues of Zhabdrung, Guru Rinpoche, and Chenrezig with 11 heads and 1000 arms.

In the evening, explore the local market and town of Paro.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,290m)

Day 06: In Paro

After breakfast, we drive to the trailhead to hike up to Taktshang Monastery (approximately a 5-hour round-trip walk). It is one of the most important monasteries in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and was visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It is now a place visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

Spend the evening at leisure in the charming town of Paro.

Optional tour: Excursion to Chelela Pass

After breakfast, embark on an optional tour to Chele La Pass. At an elevation of 3,988 meters, it is considered one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan, connecting Paro and Haa Valley. The pass is marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake. Upon returning from Chele La Pass, take a short drive to visit Dzongdrakha Lhakhang, often renowned as the smaller replica of Taktsang Monastery. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche first landed here upon his arrival in Bhutan. During the annual festival at Dzongdrakha, the chorten of the past Buddha is opened, allowing visitors to receive blessings from the relic kept there. Later, visit the Bonday village with a mild walk, exploring traditional farmhouses and meeting local people. Spend the evening at leisure in the charming town of Paro.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280m)

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

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Phuentsholing. Along the way, visit Tachog Lhakhang. Continue our drive to Phuentsholing. In the evening, explore the Phuentsholing market and city center.

Overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing. (Altitude 300m)

Day 08: Departure: Exit to India

After breakfast, depart from Phuentsholing for your onward journey to Bagdogra.