Thimpu, Bumathang, Punakha & Paro 11 Nights & 12 Days

Day- 01

On arrival transfer to Phuentsholling - On arrival, our representative will be there to receive guests and assist them to get transferred to Phuentsholling - The drive is approximately 170 kilometers i.e. 04 to 04½ hours - 58 kilometres to Alipurduar and nearly 75 kilometres to Cooch Behar Railway Station (NCB) and is nearly 02 hours drive - Hashimara is 18 kilometres through the lush green Tea Estate and Forested National Park - Phuntsholing, also spelt as Phuentsholing, is a border town in southern Bhutan serving as the corridor to West Bengal - The gateway of the land of thunder dragons, Phuentsholing is often regarded as the abode of kings and queens of the Himalayan Kingdom - At an altitude of only 300 meters, this commercial center lies adjacent to Indian town Jaigaon on the Himalayan foothills -  On arrival at Phuentsholling - Check into hotel - [With guidance from our representative one can fill the permit and pass on the ID and Photos for next day immigration office] - Evening free to stroll around the local market or visit the local pub - Night stay at Hotel at either Phuentsholling or Jaigaon

Day- 02

After the permit is issued transfer to Thimpu - Thimphu is approximately 175 kilometers and is nearly 06  - 06½ hours drive via Chukha and Rinchendling village along Thimphu Highway - Thimphu formerly spelt as Thimbu or Thimpu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan - It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan, and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District - Thimphu is the fifth highest capital in the world by altitude and ranges in altitude from 2,248 meters i.e. 7,375 feet) to 2,648 meters i.e. 8,688 feet - Thimphu is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered throughout the area & Thimphu is one of the few capitals in the world that does not have a single traffic light - The culture of Bhutan is fully reflected in Thimphu in literature, religion, customs, and national dress code, the monastic practices of the monasteries, music, and dance -  On arrival at Thimpu transfer to the hotel - Evening take a stroll around town, Pub or local market or even the main street - Overnight at the hotel, resort or homestay in Thimphu

Day- 03

Thimpu Local Sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - Visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang - One can visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas -  Next visit Buddha Point,  Tashicchhoe Dzong, The Memorial Chorten, The Institute of Traditional Medicine, Coronation Park, School of Arts & Crafts, Handicraft Institute & Motithang Takin Reserve (Takin Zoo) & Simply Bhutan Museum -  The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the monks move to Punakha the ancient winter capital of Bhutan -  Drive to Simtokha Dzong and visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs - Evening free to stroll around the hotel or visit local club or Pub - Overnight stay in hotel/resort or homestay Thimphu

Day- 04

Transfer to Gangtey - Early morning head for Gangtey - The drive from Thimphu to Gangtey is approximately 130 kilometers and is nearly 03½ -  04 hours via Thimphu-Punakha Highway & Thimphu-Wangdue Phodrang Highway - Drive up to Dochu-la pass situated at an altitude of 3088 meters i.e.10130 feet stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the Chorten, Mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road - Enroute visit  Chhimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Suspension Bridge & the 100 Stupas - After that, one can continue driving to Gangtey -Gangtey, the winter home to more than 400 highly endangered black-necked cranes. It is a wide, flat glacial valley, the rolling valley is surrounded by mountains on all sides, creating a sense of deep isolation - It is a beautiful and tranquil place surrounded by lush forests - This evening remains free - If guests are interested, one can stroll around the Gangtey Valley - Night stay at hotel/resort or homestay in Gangtey

Day- 05

Transfer to  Bumthang via Trongsa - Early morning breakfast - Next drive approximately 200 kilometers and is nearly 07 hours drive by road - Early morning a scenic drive to Bumthang, the most historic dzongkhag with extraordinary sceneries - After breakfast, transfer from Gangtey, cross the Pele La Pass and visit the Chendebji Chorten, a large white structure beside a stream - Later stop at Trongsa for lunch and visit its huge white Trongsa Dzong with a distinctive yellow roof - After that continue your adventure to Bumthang after crossing the Yotong La Pass - Bumthang is a district in the north-central region of Bhutan and due to the great number of temples and sacred sites, it is often referred to as the spiritual heartland of the country - Bumthang consists of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor ("Bumthang"), although occasionally the entire district is referred to as Bumthang valley. - Evening free to stroll around the resort, hotel or homestay - Overnight stay at Bumthang

Day- 06

Bumthang local sightseeing - Bumthang is justifiably regarded as Bhutan's cultural heartland where the landscape is dotted with palaces, ancient temples, and monasteries - We will take the whole day to explore the Bumthang valley by visiting the grand Kurje Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of Bumthang - After that, with the assistance of our driver stroll in the village and have close contact with the local people and visit a local handicraft shop - In the afternoon, do a short hike to the Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery, a remarkable Tibetan Buddhist monastery - Night stay at Bumthang - Morning drives to Bumthang across the Yutongla pass (3400 meters) - The enchanting valley of Bumthang is also the religious heartland of Bhutan - Afternoon visit to Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang - Evening free to stroll around the area - Overnight at hotel, Resort or homestay in Bumthang

Day- 07

Transfer to Punakha (Do Chul La Pass) & Sightseeing - After Breakfast: Transfer to Punakha the earlier capital of Bhutan - It is approximately 85 kilometers and is nearly 03 hours drive by Thimphu-Punakha Highway & Thimphu-Wangdue Phodrang Highway - Drive up to Dochu-la pass situated at an altitude of 3088 meters i.e.10130 feet stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the Chorten, Mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road - Enroute visit  Chhimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong & Suspension Bridge -   Punakha is the administrative center of Punakha dzongkhag, districts of Bhutan - It is situated at an elevation of 1300 meters / 4265 feet - Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang are the administrative centers of their respective Dzongkhags and are located close to each other in the same valley -  Reach Punakha - Visit to Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 - Evening free to stroll around the place - Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Day- 08

Transfer to Paro - Early morning breakfast - Next visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century - Next walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong - Built-in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal - It is the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district - Transfer to Paro passing by Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge - It is approximately 135 kilometres and is nearly 04 hours from Punakha & Wangdue - The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong - Paro is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area - Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot and is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing - Check in to hotel/resort or homestay at Paro - Evening free to stroll around the market or local pub - Overnight Stay at Paro

Day- 09

Paro local sightseeing - Early morning breakfast - Paro has many sites for tourist to roam around - The main street, only built-in 1985, is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants - Minimum three-night stay is worth in Paro - The main tourist attractions in Paro are Nya-Mey Zam or “the bridge with no fish” - Ta Dzong, “Ta” means to see/watch and “dzong” means fortress - Dungtse Lhankhang - Drukgyel Dzong or “fortress of the victorious Drukpas” -  Kyichu Lhakhang - Kila Gompa - Druk Choeding - Next Rinpung Dzong or “the fortress of the heap of jewels” & Simply Bhutan Museum - Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley - This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular center of all affairs of the valley - Late afternoon back to the hotel/resort or homestay - Evening free to stroll around the local market - Night stay in hotel/resort in Paro

Day- 10

Excursion to Chele La pass & view of Haa Valley - Chele La (Pass) connects the Valley of Paro and Haa and is situated at an elevation 3988 meters is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan - It is nearly 36 kilometers from Paro and 26 kilometers from Haa Valley and is about 01½ via Bondey-Haa Highway - About an hour's drive along a thickly - the forested road is a botanical paradise - The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake - Made all the more mysterious and beautiful with its abundance of prayer flags - Guest can witness the  cascades of wild roses; purple and yellow primulas; and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor - One can also enjoy the spectacular views of Mount Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, other peaks and also the Paro and Haa valleys - Back to hotel/resort or homestay - Guest may spend the day by shopping or simply walking through the town or visit the local club or pub - Overnight stay in hotel/resort or homestay in Paro

Note: Special Permit & Stay for Haa Valley is Optional - Drive on to Haa situated at an altitude of 2700 meters i.e.8900 feet - Descending all the way for another 22 kilometers nearly an hours drive to Haa - The Haa Dzong view from outside is stunning - One can also visit to the famous Monastery of Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) followed by a visit to Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) - Three hours drive back to Paro

Day- 11

Transfer to Phuentsholing - After breakfast drive enjoy the view of Paro International Airport (PBH) - This airport is the sole international airport of the four airports in Bhutan - It is 6 km from Paro in a deep valley on the bank of the river Paro Chhu -  Next drive further to Phuentsholing en route - Phuentsholling is approximately 175 kilometers and is nearly 06  - 06½ hours drive via Chukha and Rinchendling village along - Thimpu / Phuentsholing road was built in 1962 by Dantak, the Indian Border road organization - The drive on this route is very pleasant with numerous scenic spots en route - One can stop at Chukha viewpoint for some refreshment - The three exit route from Bhutan by road are Jaigaon/ Phuentsholing in West Bengal whereas, Bongaigaon/ Gelephu, and Darangamela/ Samdrup Jongkhar are in Assam - Next to Phuentsholling - Evening free to stroll around the area and local market - Check into Hotel / Resort or Homestay - Overnight at the hotel in Phuentsholing

Day- 12

Departure transfer to Siliguri, Alipurduar Or Cooch Behar - One can stroll around the hotel or resort in the morning and return to hotel - Early morning breakfast - Check out of the hotel and departure transfer starts - The drive is through Tea Estates, National Park & Sanctuary - The Drive is approximately 170 kilometres to Siliguri, 58 kilometres to Alipurduar and nearly 75 kilometres to Cooch Behar Railway Station (NCB) and is nearly 02 hours drive - Hashimara is 18 kilometres - Traffic is always high so guests are requested to start early and not to rush - Drop at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Siliguri, Mal Junction (NMZ) / New Alipurduar Railway Station (NOQ) / New Cooch Behar Railway Station (NCB) / Hashimara Railway Station (HSA) - Forwarding Journey