Trip Facts:
Trip Name: Bhutan Overland Tour
Trip Id: TIB1408
Trip Duration: 06 Days
Max. Altitude: 3,120m/10,240 ft (The Tiger Nest Monastery)
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Meal: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation: Government approved 3 stars and Above
Transportation: Private car, van or bus (Depends on group size)
Trip Type: Private Tour
Trip Overview:
Bhutan Overland tour is a magical experience with visits to some of the age-old monasteries, shries, temples, fortress scattered all over the Dragon Kingdom. Bhutan Overland tour encircles the three major cities; the colorful – Paro, the tiny capital – Thimphu and the old capital city – Punakha. The tour starts with meeting the group at the border town of Bhutan and India at Phuentsholing. It then winds along to Thimphu then following Punakha, Paro and eventually ends back at Phuentsholing. The tour covers major landmarks in these cities like Buddha’s point, King Memorial Chorten, Paro Ringpung Dzong, Punakha Dzong, Chimmi Lakhang and taking along the ever popular hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ located outskirts of Paro. Overall, Bhutan tour is a great way to experience Bhutanese daily lives and it’s culture and traditions along with visiting some of the ancient and historical landmarks of the country tucked high up in the Himalayas.
Trip Highlights:
- Scenic drive from/to Phuentsholing into the Dragon Kingdom
- Visit the city of Paro exploding with colors and tradition.
- Guided city tour of the tiny capital Thimphu.
- Hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3,120m) outskirts Paro.
- Short hike to Chimi Lakhang, en-route Thimphu to Paro.
- Dochu La (3,140m) pass commanding great mountain panorama of the eastern Himalayas.
- Experience Bhutanese culture, tradition and lifestyles.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Phuentsholing (250m)
Day 02: Phuentsholing to Thimphu (2350m)
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha (1310m)
Day 04: Punakha to Paro (2250m)
Day 05: In Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tigers’ Nest’ (3120m)
Day 06: Paro to Phuentsholing (250m)
Day to Day Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Phuentsholing (250m)
Arrive Phuentsholing, meet our representatives and after concluding the formalities. Check-in hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 02: Phuentsholing to Thimphu (2350m)
Early morning drive from Phuentsholing towards Thimphu following Pa Chhu downstream which takes 6-7 hours. In Thimphu, drive on to the Buddha Terrace for a stunning view of the valley and take a drive to visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose! Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before circumventing the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.Visit Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals, the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha (1310m)
After breakfast, drive for about 1 & half hour to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochu La at 3140m. On clear weather, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Enjoy some tea and snacks at the end of hike while overlooking the fields. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 04: Punakha to Paro (2250m)
Drive to Paro re-crossing Dochula. In Paro, Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan; the Dzong continues its age-old function as the seat of the district administration, district court and the monastic body. The southern approach to the Dzong has a traditional roofed cantilever bridge called Nemi Zam. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 05: In Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tigers’ Nest’ (3120m)
After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Afterwards, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 06: Paro to Phuentsholing (250m)
Early morning, depart to Phuentsholing from Paro which is a 6 hours drive and cross the border back to India. (Breakfast only included)
Cost Details:
Includes the following service during Bhutan tour:
• Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
• 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium).
• Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
• Route Permit
• Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
• All land transportation by private vehicle
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Drinking water
• All internal taxes and charges
• Monuments entrance fees where applicable
• A sustainable development fee of $100 per person per night. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
Excludes in the package cost:
• Airfare & Travel Insurance
• Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
• Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Note:
On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on a usage basis.
Phuentsholing is connected with India & can be reached by overland drive from Siliguri, West Bengal, India.
Our entire Bhutan tours are private journeys and tailor made programs suited for any independent travelers according to their chosen traveling dates. Should you wish, the tour can be easily customized as per your interest and activities you wish to get involve in or spend more time in your places of interest. Contact us to customize this tour as per your requirements. This tour can be undertaken round the year.
(Pick-up/Drop can be arranged in/out of Bagdogra for entering into Bhutan as Bagdogra/Phuentsholing/Bhutan or vice-varsa for this tour)
