DAY 1 : Arrive  to Kolkata

Upon arrival at Kolkata meet and assist with our local correspondent and transfer to the booked hotel.Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 2 : BAGDOGRA - PHUENTSHOLING

After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the Domestic Airport to catch the flight for Bagdogra. Upon arrival in Bagdogra to meet our local representative and travel through the rain forest, farmlands and roadside Bazaar with vibrant local culture and famous tea garden of the Dooars. On arrival you will received by the representative of Bhutanese counterpart in Border Phuentsholing.

After completion of all Bhutan visa formalities,Bhutan which is at an altitude of 300 meters and is southern part of country border with India.You will realize that once when you cross the gate. What the Bhutan means, peace and harmony !!. This south part of Bhutan is very peaceful and only place to go for tourists would be kharbandi Gonpa.The Queen Mother of Bhutan built it and it is 5 kilometers from main town.From here one enjoys the whole panoramic view border of India & Bhutan.Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY 3 : PHUENTSHOLING - THIMPHU

After breakfast in the hotel, drive as early as possible to catch early morning scenic and beautiful landscapes of Bhutan.Traveling through many winding road of Bhutan, one comes across lot of changes in vegetation and climate from tropical to sub-tropical to alpines forests.

On way you would come across, one of big hydroelectric project that Bhutan have in country. It is called Tala Hydro Project and due to security one faces lot of checks. On arrival to stay in the booked hotel.

DAY 4 : THIMPHU – PUNAKHA / WANGDUE

After morning breakfast, continue with a sightseeing and enjoying the Thimphu Tsechu festival and an evening drive to Wangdue the drive begins with the ascent to the Dochula pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters. On a clear DAY, you can see the whole range of the Bhutan’s Himalayas from here. The pass has 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens. Then descend to Punakha/Wangdue. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 5 : WANGDUE – PUNAKHA - WANGDUE

After morning breakfast, drive to Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong the winter capital for over 300 years until the time of the second King. Punakha Dzong that dominates the whole area was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, and established the central monastic body with 600 monks.

Today, Punakha is still the home for Je Khenpo (chief Abbot) and the central monastic body. It was built at the confluence of two rivers called the PO-CHU and MO- CHU. This means, Male & Female.

After Punakha Dzong, drive further 6 kilometers to make a mini hike to Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Chorten which was built by one of the four queens. The mother of Crown prince and it represent three elements Fire, Water,Air.It is dedicated to well-being of the crown prince and peoples those who live in this village.

Make a village hike to Chhimi Lhakhang through picturesque of sopsokha village and drive back to Wangdue and visit Wangdue Dzong. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 6 : WANGDUE - BUMTHANG

After morning breakfast we will drive to Trongsa. It is 128 kilometers and 5 hours drive from Punakha and 13 kilometers to another district called Wangdue. This Dzong was built after 1 year of Punakha Dzong on Confluence of Puantsang Chu and Drang Chu. Visit the Wangdue Dzong which was built in 1638 to control the south, west and to the east. It has also got festival during the month of October depending on Bhutanese lunar calendar. This is the only Dzong that has wood plank roof and unique.

The road will climb all the way to the Pele-la pass. It is at 3300m. It is a landmark between east & west, and from here we will drive on to Trongsa. On the way we will come across Yak herder’s camps and encounter Yaks especially during winter. We will see high Himalayan villages like Rukubji and Chendebji. All the houses are clustered at one place and fields at another.

The road then descends through Rukubji village further down to Chendebji village. Here you will see the 18th century Nepalese style stupa built by saint Shida. The drive to Trongsa from here is about one and half hours with great view. Trongsa - Bumthang. (68KM. 2Hours. 2600-+M)

Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family. Both the First and Second King ruled the Kingdom from this ancient seat. All the Kings of Bhutan have to become Trongsa Pen lop (Honorary post of Governor) prior to being crowned as the Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan). Trongsa Dzong (Fort) is one of the largest & most impressive in the country. It was first built in 1648 and later enlarged many times. Because of being situated on a high commanding position on the only connecting route between the eastern and western regions (where the trail actually runs through the Dzong), the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of the eastern region very effectively for many centuries.

About three hours drive from Trongsa; we will reach to the famous valleys of Bumthang. Bumthang is combined of four main valleys, Chummey, Tang, Ura and Choskhor (Jakar). A few miles after crossing Yotong La Pass (3400m), you will encounter buckwheat fields and the only straight road in the country entering the first valley of Bumthang, Chummey. The main development center of the province is situated in Choskhor commonly known as the Jakar valley where you can see a little bit of the modern touch with the Swiss influences. On the way one can see girls weaving Yathra the traditional woolen materials used for different purposes on a traditional handloom. The finished products are all displayed in a shop, outside in the open & for sale. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 7 : BUMTHANG

After morning breakfast, make a hike to Thangbi Mani countryside. It is a very easy trail and we will come across a few villages. Here they have a very old monastery with Gomchens & the local community school. We will return for lunch in Jakar.

After lunch we visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, Guru Lhakhang, and the Swiss Cheese Processing Unit. Here they produce cheese, apple juice and herbal brandies etc. Visit Jakar Dzong and more if time permits, united by paved alleys of stone, a rare sight in Bhutan. The big community monastery dominates the village. Which is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche (the great teacher) and they have Ura festival, which usually take place in the 2nd week of May or sometimes in June, dependent on Bhutanese lunar calendar. Thimshingla National park starts here and if one wishes to see it they have a field office at Ura. It is open Monday to Friday except on holidays. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.


DAY 8 : BUMTHANG – URA - BUMTHANG

After morning breakfast visit Ura and enjoy the Tangbi Mani festival in Bumthang. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 9 : BUMTHANG – GANGTEY - WANGDUE

After morning breakfast in the Hotel. Later visit Gangtey Goemba was built on a small hillock surrounded by blue pine trees. The descendant of Pema Lingpa founded it. The great Bhutanese saint from Bumthang, in the 16th century. At the end of 17th century it was enlarged once and at present it is headed by the 9th reincarnation called Gangtey Trulku. At present it is under renovation and Further down you will reach the Phobjikha valley. This place is reserved for the migration of the black Neck Crane. The people out here have become friendly with the endangered species and every consecutive year starting from 2nd week of November to 1st week of April. The fields and marshes of this undisturbed valley are alive with the sight of these rare cranes.

After having a picnic lunch here and drive to Wangdue. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 10 : WANGDUE – THIMPHU - PARO

After an early breakfast then drive to Thimphu for our lunch, as well as shopping for souvenirs/ sightseeing then an evening drive to Paro. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 11 : PARO

Morning breakfast at the hotel and then later visit TA – DZONG: This building was Paro’s Watchtower – cum Fortress with a history stretching over 340 years. Tenzin Drungdra, the first penlop (Governor) of Paro and the second Desi (Regent) of Bhutan who ruled from 1656 – 1667 built it. He was the half brother of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and was born in Trongsa Mangde.

Ta – dzong is an unusual round, seven – storied structure, with 2 ½ meter thick walls, which is of great historical significance. It was built above the main Paro Dzong with a view it protecting this main fortress. The Ta – dzong has plays an important role in the modern history of Bhutan as well. In 1872, Prince Ugyen Wangchuk, later to become the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan, was sent by his father, Jigme Namgyal, to quell the insurrection of Paro Penlop, Tshewang Norbu. The revolt of Tsewang Norbu was quickly suppressed and Paro Dzong was captured. Prince Ugyen Wangchuk stayed in Paro to put things in order. A plot was hatch to assassinate the young prince, but his father discovered the plot and the prince were saved in this dzong. Unfortunately, this historical Watchtower was not properly maintained and so by 1950’s it had almost reached to a state of collapse. It was in 1968 that the National Museum of Bhutan was established in Ta – Dzong, Paro Bhutan. The ancient Ta – Dzong was renovated in the line with the command of His majesty, the king Jigme Dorji wangchuk, the third hereditary monarch of Bhutan. ToDAY the National Museum has in its possession over 300 works of exquisite art, covering more than 1500 years of cultural heritage and now it has become a feast or the eyes of the local and foreign visitors. Later walk down the trail Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. This is the head quarter of Paro district and headed by the Governor (Dzongdag) in local call Dasho. The principle of every dzong in Bhutan is same and it is divided in two. It is called dual system. Religious and Political runs together from here. An every Dzong in Bhutan contains many monasteries inside which are run by the monk body under the leadership of LAM NETEN (Head of Religion) equivalent to Governor.

Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong, although it is in ruin, but today it holds the significance history behind. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese army repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name Drukgyel ‘means “victorious fortress”. In a good weather one can see the magnificent vista of Mount Jomolhari, “Abode of the Goddess Jumo” (7315m). The Nomads those who live up there pray for well- being of their yaks and any peaks in Bhutan. In the evening, visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalaya. However, most people can only visit the main site called Taktsang Pel-phu according to legend Padmasambhava who founded Taktsang Monastery in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated here for three months in a cave and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism.

It has got around 6 monasteries in this location. Hike will take 5-6 hours for round trip. On the way back from Taktsang monastery visit the Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest in Bhutan with one in Bumthang Jambay lhakhang (Maitreya). Both of these monasteries are dated back to 7th century. Kichu was built by the first king of Tibet, Songtsen Gompo to subdue the ogress threats to over come the Buddhism. Another was added on 19th century by the Royal Grand Mother Ashi (Queen) Phuntsho Chhoden and it is called Guru Lhakhang. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 12 : PARO - PHUENTSHOLING

After morning breakfast at the Hotel drive to Phuentsholling border through same route. Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.

DAY 13 : PHUENTSHOLING – BAGDOGRA – KOLKATA - onward destination

After early morning breakfast drive for Bagdogra Airport to catch a flight for Kolkata. Upon arrival in Kolkata transfer to the Kolkata International Airport to take a flight for onward destination.