DAY 01: BAGDOGRA AIRPORT (IXB) / NEW JALPAIGURI (NJP) – PHUNTOSHOLING  On arrival, guests will be received at the Bagdogra Airport / New Jalpaiguri Station by  Experience Executive who will drop you to Bhutan India border.  Drive to your hotel. Overnight stay at Phuntosholing.

DAY 02: PHUNTOSHOLING – TRANSFER TO THIMPHU  After breakfast transfer to Thimphu upon reaching Thimphu check in at hotel. Evening free for self-activity. Overnight stay at Thimphu.

DAY 03: THIMPHU (CITY TOUR)  Post breakfast visit the Immigration Office to extend your permit to go towards Punakha. Then, visit the following Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory: This is a private factory and they manufacture a special watermark paper as well as products such as lampshades, envelopes and other objects made of traditional Bhutanese paper. They make great gifts to take home with you and are genuinely unique.  Folk Heritage Museum: The folk heritage museum was open to the general public in 2001 upon completion. It treasures troves of culture and rich Bhutanese heritage provide rich insights into the Bhutanese ethos.  Memorial Chorten: Referred to as the Memorial Chorten, it’s actual name is Gongzo Chorten or Gyaldren Chorten. The chorten (stupa) is a chief landmark in the capital city and is also a most sacred place of worship for local people. Changangkha Lhakhang: It is a 12th century temple sitting on top of a hill overlooking Thimphu valley with the main statue of Chenrizig (The Buddha of Compassion). This temple is often mistaken for a dzong by visitors because it looks like one, Overnight stay at Thimphu.

DAY 04: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (3937 FT / 90 KMS / 03 HRS) CITY TOUR  Post breakfast, drive toward Punakha, stop at Dochula Pass (3,100 m), where on a sunny day, you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges. The Dochu La Pass is probably the best known mountain pass in Bhutan. Located at an altitude of 3150 meter above sea level, Another striking feature at the pass are the 108 Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chortens, that were built for the well-being of all sentiment beings on earth. The 108 Chorten were built as a tribute to the Kings of Bhutan for their selfless service and leadership they offer to the people of Bhutan. Continue drive towards Punakha and stop at Lobesa village and have lunch before going for a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), it is dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley (Divine Mad Man) and is the place from where Phalluses  originated as the symbol of fertility a (NOTE: The temple and has some sexual depictions. You may want to reconsider visiting this place if you are not comfortable with children seeing these)

Then drive to Punakha Dzong: The Punakha Dzong or the Pungtang Dechen Phortang Dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu River, combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu which in turn is a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River. Overnight stay at Punakha.

DAY 05: PUNAKHA – PARO (7200 FT / 130 KMS / 04 HRS) CITY TOUR 

After breakfast, drive back towards Dochula and to Paro.. Post lunch drive to Paro, on the way visit Tamchog Lhakhang: Tachog lhakhang is temple that is dedicated to the 13th century saint Thangthong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder.  Ta Dzong (National Museum): The name Ta Dzong translates to ‘watch tower’ and it served the function of watch tower for the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Back in the day, similar look-out points were built for other dzongs (fortresses) to counter any approaching hostilities, for those were the days of frequent strife.  Overnight stay at Paro.

DAY 06: PARO – (TIGER’S NEST HIKE OR CHALELA PASS) Have early breakfast and drive up to the base of Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The most famous and sacred site among all the places in Bhutan. Guru Padmasambhava is said to have come riding on a flying tigress to this place and meditated in a cave for 3 months, it wasn’t until Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal came to this place and meditated that it gained the popularity that it has now. The present structure is said to be built in the 15th century but was destroyed by fire in 1998 and has been restored.

The walk is about 2 hours till the top through wide pathways which was built during the restoration works. One hour into the climb there is a tea point from where you get a very good view of the monastery, they also serve lunch here. From there it’s about another 45 minutes climb to the 2nd view point and the highest point in the hike.

Kyichu Lhakhang: Considered the oldest temple along with Jampa and Kenchosum Lhakhang in Bumthang, it dates back to the 7th century when a Tibetan King ordered 108 temples to be built in a single night to subdue a huge ogress. It was later renovated in the mid-19th century and in the late 1960’s by the Grand Queen Mother. It is also considered by many to be one of the holiest places in the country. Inside the compound is an orange tree which always has oranges no matter what the season. Overnight stay at Paro.

DAY 07:  DEPART PARO – PHUNTOSHOLING After breakfast departure transfer to Phuntosholing. Evening at Leisure.  Overnight stay at Phuntosholing.

DAY 08:  DEPART PHUNTOSHOLING – BAGDOGRA (IXB) AIRPORT (130 KMS / 5 HRS) After breakfast departure transfer to Bagdogra (IXB) Airport for your onwards journeys.