Thimpu, Bumthang, Punakha / Wangdue Phodrong & Paro 10 Nights & 11 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

Dochula sightseeing & Transfer to Wangdue Phodrang / Punakha - After Breakfast transfer to Punakha - Morning drive to Dochula pass (3080 meters) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan - Later drive to Punakha, Wangdue visit Punakha dzong built strategically at the junction of pho chu & mo chu river in 1963 - Excursion to Punakha - It is approximately 90 kilometers and is nearly 03 hours from Thimphu - Punakha is the administrative center of Punakha dzongkhag, districts of Bhutan - Punakha was the capital of Bhutan - Wangdue Phodrang is a town and capital (dzongkhag thromde) of Wangdue Phodrang District in central Bhutan - Enroute Visit Dochu la Pass, Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong,- Reach  Punakha or Wangdue Phodrang - 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- 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 - Early morning breakfast - Next transfer to Punakha - It is approximately 200 kilometers and is nearly 07 hours drive by road -  Early morning guests can take a short time to stroll around the town and later start for a long drive to Punakha - This is a scenic drive, passing many small villages, waterfalls with spectacular landscape, crossing Black mountains, the ever-changing vegetation and finally arriving in the warm valley of Punakha. As the valley is at a lower elevation of about 1250 meters i.e. 4100 feet above sea level, it enjoys a subtropical climate with warm summers and pleasant winters - After a short rest at the hotel, we guide you to today's highlight - If time permits one can visit Punakha Dzong - Punakha Dzong. It is a very beautiful Bhutanese architecture located at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers - Evening free to stroll around the area - Night Stay at 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

OR

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- 10

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- 11

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