Bhutan Group Tour with Bumthang

Day 1: Welcome to Bhutan

Our driver will receive you at Bagdogra airport of NJP railway station and will drive you to Phuntsoling, the small little town at India - Bhutan Border on the Bhutan side. Our guide will meet you at the border and help you check-in to a hotel. Evening is free for taking a stroll on your own in Phuntsoling (Bhutan) or Jaigoan (India), the two border towns.

Day 2: Drive to the capital, Thimphu

Our guide will help you with completing the immigration formalities. Later, we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Enroute we will visit Gedu Town and Wangkha Waterfalls. The entire drive will take about 5-6 hours, depending on how long you take at each stop. Once you reach Thimphu, you can checkin to the hotel. If you are interested in nightlife of Thimphu, you can experience it today.

Thimphu is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centres. However, it still retains its cultural identity and values amidst the signs of modernisation. The culture of Bhutan is fully reflected in Thimphu in respect of religion, customs, national dress code, the monastic practices of the monasteries, music, dance, literature and the media.

Day 3: Visit the local attractions of Thimphu

Thimphu has a lot of places to introduce you to the amazing culture of Bhutan. We start our day by visiting Buddha Point (also called Buddha Dordenma) which is located on top of a hillock. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th Century A.D and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world.

Later we will go to Simply Bhutan Museum which is a live museum and will showcase and demonstrate typical Bhutanese culture and traditions. This includes a glimpse of festivals and folk dances.

We will also visit Takin Reserve. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. Hear the mythical story behind the creation of this animal from your guide while visiting.

We will also go for a short but picturesque Wangdi Tse Hike (offbeat hike) to enjoy the panoramic view of entire Thimphu Valley.

Evening will be at leisure to stroll remaining town of Thimphu.

Day 4: Drive to Punakha

We start our day with a drive to Dochula Pass, which is located on the way to Pobjikha. The pass is a popular as it offers a stunning panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will also see 108 chortens with the backdrop of these mountain ranges.

On reaching Punakha, we will visit will visit Chimi Lhakhang which is also known as fertility temple. The temple was built over half a millennium ago by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14th Drukpa hierarch. The temple is renowned throughout Bhutan as a fertility inducing magnet, pledging that all who wish to conceive will find guidance at the temple.

We will also visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful and most important Dzong of Bhutan. This is the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to the dzong's characteristically towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. All of Bhutan's kings have been crowned here. Further walk towards Male River to swing on the Longest suspension bridge of Bhutan.

Day 5: Drive to Bumthang

It will be a long but beautiful drive today to Bumthang in Central Bhutan. On reaching Bumthang, we will vsiit Trongsa Dzong and later checkin to a hotel.

We will also visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful and most important Dzong of Bhutan. This is the most beautiful dzong in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to the dzong's characteristically towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. All of Bhutan's kings have been crowned here. Further walk towards Male River to swing on the Longest suspension bridge of Bhutan. Later, we will check in to a hotel and relax.

Day 6: Explore Bumthang

You are one of the lucky few who get to visit Bumthang. This place is added to our group tour when there are any cultural festivals that you can witness. Immerse into the cultural extravaganza here.

You will also be visitng varioius places like Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang, Kenchosum Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, Swiss Farm

Back to the hotel and relax.

Day 7: Drive to wonderland, Pobjikha

After early breakfast from the hotel, drive to the grasslands of Pobjikha. On the way we will take a stop at Trongsa. Later checkin to a hotel and relax.

Day 8: Pobjikha - Paro

We will start our day by visiting Gangtey Monastery and enjoy the Gangtey Natural Trail.

Later, we will drive to Paro, checkin to a hotel and relax.

Day 9: Trek to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger's Nest Monastery

After early breakfast from the hotel, drive to north of Paro for most exciting point of the interest of Bhutan tour: Taktsang Lhakhang. This is Bhutan's most iconic landmark and religious site and is the highlight of this group tour to Bhutan.

The name Taktsang translates to The Tiger's Nest. This temple is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley. It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 7th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it. You could do a meditation session in the inner temple for few hours as well.

Taktsang Lhakhang is located approximately 10 km north of Paro town at an altitude of 3.120 m. In order to arrive at the temple visitors must trek for around 2-3 hours through beautiful, shady pine forests. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.

Day 10: Paro - Bagdogra / NJP

Today, we start very early in the morning and travel all the way to Bagdogra airport. It will a long drive, so book your return flights / train after 4 pm.

This concludes the happiest group tour to the beautiful and the happiest country, Bhutan.