EXPLORE BHUTAN with TAJ MAHAL & RAJASTHAN
Duration: 07 days / 06 nights
Destinations included: Kolkata – Bagdogra – Bhutan – Kolkata
DAY 1: ARRIVAL BAGDOGRA
On arrival at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (Junction) / Siliguri, Guests will be received by our executive who will be waiting just outside of the airport or railway station. He will assist guest to board the vehicle to proceed for Phuentsholling. The drive is of 165 kilometers i.e. 4 to 4 ½ hour’s drive through the lush green Tea Estate of Dooars. On arrival at Phuentsholling. Check into hotel. The border of India & Bhutan, the Indian side is known as Jaigaon and the Bhutan part is called Phuentsholling. Situated at an altitude of nearly 980 feet is a small settlement. Night stay in Hotel at either Phuentshollingor Jaigaon. (You can proceed directly to Thimpu if Permits Obtained well in advance & if time permits).
DAY 2: PHUENTSHOLLING – THIMPU
The drive is 175 km and is 6 ½ – 7 hours drive. Early morning breakfast. Obtain permit with assistance from our representative. Proceed for Thimpu. The drive is beautiful, and one can see some waterfalls along the way – Thimpu is a charming city, probably the smallest capital in the world, resting in the heart of the Himalayas. The skyline hardly changes as new buildings are all constructed in traditional Bhutanese style. It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan. It is a lively place, interesting combination of tradition and modernity. Thimpu is situated at an elevation of 2350 meters / 7710 feet. Reach Thimpu. Check into & Overnight stay in hotel at Thimphu.
DAY 3:PUNAKHA AND DOCHU LA PASS EXCURSION (Drive is 4 hours /130 km)
Punakha, is situated at an elevation of 1300 meters / 4265 feet. Punakha is the winter seat of Je Khenpo (the chief abbot). Its natural drainage from Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers. It offers splendid views of the distant Himalayas at Dochula Pass situated at an elevation of 3050 meters / 10065 feet on Thimphu – Punakha road. The pass is also popular spiritual place for both locals and tourists because of an important temple that is located on the crest of Dochula pass. Visit Punakha Dzong which was strategically built at the confluence of the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyel in 1637. Drive back to reach Thimpu. Check-in Overnight stay in hotel at Thimphu.
(Alternatively) Thimpu Local Sightseeing & Transfer to Paro:(2250 meters / 7382 feet)- 2 Hours / 55 km. Early morning breakfast. Visit to the National Memorial Chorten built in honour of the 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. After lunch, visit Traditional Medicine Institute and to Lungtenzampa. Visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of theJe Khenpo. The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the monks move toPunakha the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Drive to Simtokha Dzong and visit the Handicrafts emporium. Transfer to Paro – Check into Resort & Night stay at Paro.
DAY 4: PARO LOCAL CITY TOUR
Early morning breakfast. Paro has many sites for tourist to roam around. Three (3 ) night stay is the minimum requirement to visit all places. The main tourist attractions in Paro areNya-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”. Then walk down the trail to visitRinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley. Late afternoon back to hotel. Evening free to stroll around the local market. Night stay in Resort at Paro.
DAY 5 : EXCURSION TO CHELE LA PASS
Chele la (Pass) is situated at an elevation 3988 meters is considered to be one of the highest motor able passes in Bhutan. It is nearly 35 kilometers and about an hour later from Paro. About an hour’s drive along a thickly – 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. Back to resort. Guest may spend the day by shopping or simply walking through the town or relax. Overnight stay in Resort at Paro.
(Alternatively) Excursion to Takshang Monastery:(3180 meters /10430 feet). Early breakfast we drive toTaktsang Monastery or ‘The Tiger’s Nest’ . A short drive to Satsam Chorten and from there a 2 hour horse ride or hike to the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. If you are physically fit to walk then you could take this short hike up to the Taktsang. The majestic Jumolhari or the Mountain of Goddess can be seen in the background while hiking up to Taktsang. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. It was here that the great tantric master Guru Padma Sambhava flew in from Tibet on a tiger to bring Buddhist teachings to Bhutan. It is a short climb of 2 hours to 3 hours to the top. Sightseeing ends. Guest may spend the day by shopping or simply walking through the town or relax. Overnight stay in Hotel / Resort at Paro.
DAY 6:TRANSFER FROM PARO TO PHUENTSHOLIN:(180 km, 6 – 7 hours).
After breakfast, drive to Phuentsholing en route – 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 – Just before, arriving Phuentsholing, visit Kharbandi Goemba, the monastery built in 1967. It houses the large and attractive statues of Sakyamuni, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. Arrive Phuentsholling – Evening free to stroll around the area. Check-in & Overnight in the Hotel at Phuenesholling (or) Jaigaon. (You can proceed directly to NJP / Bagdogra / Siliguri if reached well in advance & if time permits to reach before your departure time).
DAY 7: DEPARTURE TRANSFER TO BAGDOGRA AIRPORT
Early morning breakfast or breakfast on the route. Check out of the hotel and start for Phuntsho Chholing (Phuntsholing) / Dooars / New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (Junction) / Siliguri. The drive is through Dooars and on the way four National Parks and Sanctuary are there like Jaldapara, Gorumara, Chapramari and Mahananda. Stop at Coronation Bridge for photography if time permits. Siliguri / Bagdogra is roughly 170 km and is 4 – 5 hours drive.
