Bhutan Group Tour with Phobjikha Valley

Day 1: Arrive Phuntsoling

Arrive at Bagdogra Airport, Siliguri or NJP Railway Station. Our driver will receive you and the tour starts with a drive to Phuntsoling, the small little town at India - Bhutan Border on the Bhutan side. Our guide will meet you at the border and have a small welcome ceremony at the hotel. Check-in to a hotel and relax. Evening is free for taking a stroll in Phuntsoling (Bhutan) or Jaigoan (India), the border towns.

Day 2: Phuntsoling - Thimphu

After having breakfast, checkout from the hotel. Our host will help you in completing the immigration formalities. After getting the initial vibes of being in another country, we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Thimphu is located at 145 km from Phuntsoling, and the distance can be covered in 4-5 hours. On the way, we will visit Gedu Town and Wangkha Waterfall. In the evening, spend some time at leisure at Thimphu. Check-in to a hotel and relax. 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: Thimphu sightseeing

Today, we will visit the town of Thimphu. We will start the group tour today by visiting Buddha Point (also called Buddha Dordenma) which is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th Century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa 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 which will showcase and demonstrate typical Bhutanese culture and traditions, including 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: Thimphu - Dochula Pass - Pobjikha

Today, we will checkout of hotel. Later, we will drive to Dochula Pass. Dochula pass is located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.

On reaching Pobjikha, we will visit Gangtey Monastery and enjoy the Gangtey Natural Trail. Later, relax in a hotel at Pobjikha.

Day 5: Pobjikha - Punakha

After having breakfast with a view, we will drive to Punakha, and will visit Chimi Lhakhang. Chimi Lhakang is known to the English speaking world as The Fertility Temple, is a Buddhist monastery, in the Punakha District of Bhutan, idyllically placed on a rotund hill. The temple was built over half a millennium ago by Ngawang Choegyel, the 14th Drukpa hierarch. The stupa, meditation hall, was constructed by the Divine Madman, the eccentric Yogi and saint Drukpa Kunley, who blessed the entire grounds. The monastery is renowned throughout Bhutan as a fertility inducing magnet, pledging that all who wish to conceive will find guidance at the temple. Thousands pilgrimage to The Fertility Temple in the hopes of having a child, as well as receiving a wang, blessing, from the saint with the magic thunderbolt of wisdom.

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: Punakha - Paro

Today, we will checkout from the hotel and drive towards Paro.

Paro valley extends from the confluence of the Paro Chhu and the Wang Chhu rivers at Chuzom up to Mt. Jomolhari at the Tibetan border to the North. This picturesque region is one of the widest valleys in the kingdom and is covered in fertile rice fields and has a beautiful, crystalline river meandering down the valley. Accentuating the natural beauty are the elegant, traditional-style houses that dot the valley and surrounding hills. We will also stop at the oldest iron chain bridge at Tamchog Zam. In the evening, we will visit Paro Museum. The museum is set in Paro Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

Checkin to a hotel and relax.

Day 7: 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 8: 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.