8N / 9D
Family
Enchanting Bhutan: 8N/9D Himalayan Odyssey
Phuntsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Punakha(2N) → Paro(2N)
4.8 (53 Reviews)
18 Agents for Punakha
$ 612
$ 674
9% off
/personDetailed Itinerary
- On arrival at Bagdogra Airport
- Transfer to Phuentsholing, the border gate between Bhutan and Jaigoan, West Bengal
- Meet and greet
- Day at leisure
- Overnight at Phuentsholing
- Morning: Complete all immigration formalities
- Transfer to the capital city Thimphu
- Scenic drive through mountains
- Check in at the hotel
- Relax at the hotel or take a walk to the main town Norzin Lam
- Overnight stay at Thimphu
- Prepare for surprises in Thimphu, the unique capital with no traffic lights.
- Experience traffic policemen with elaborate hand gestures.
- Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan.
- See the Buddha statue.
- Visit Takin Zoo to find the national animal of Bhutan.
- Drive downhill and stop at the junction for a glimpse of Trashichho Dzong.
- Proceed to the National Library.
- Explore the Folk Heritage Museum.
- Take a short walk to Handicraft Bazaar to view traditional arts.
- Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or walk to the main city from Clock Tower Square for shopping.
- Overnight stay in Thimphu.
- Morning leisure drive to Punakha valley
- Touching Dochula pass at 10,000 ft
- Stop at Hongtsho village
- Immigration check point to stamp in your permit
- Local stalls selling fresh juicy local apples
- Drive through the first mountain pass in western Bhutan
- Visit the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens at the top of the pass
- Offer prayers and take photos
- Clear weather allows views of the highest peaks, including Gangar Punsum
- Stop at Lamperi to visit the Royal Botanical Park for an hour
- Possible sightings of red pandas and various bird species
- Photo opportunities near the natural lake
- Proceed down towards Punakha through Thinleygang village
- Turn left at Lobesa to enter Punakha valley
- Visit the majestic Punakha Dzong at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers
- Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
- Last stop at the Suspension Bridge
- Overnight stay in Punakha
- Morning drive to beautiful Gangtey valley via Wangduephodrang Dzong strategically located on a ridge 4,430 ft that overlooks the highway that fork to the east and south of the country.
- This is an old town with Narrow Street with single storied shops and also the gateway to central and eastern Bhutan.
- The legend Mahakala, the protective deity of Bhutan appeared to tell Zhabdrung of prediction, saying ?at top of rocky spur where two rivers meet, at the place where a flock of raven will fly off in four directions, you will build the Dzong?.
- The Zhabdrung built the Dzong in 1638.
- Punakha/Wangdi valleys are also the winter home for many of the high altitude farmers who migrate with their cattle to the warm climate.
- The Gangtey valley is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan and is the winter home to the endangered black necked cranes (Grus Nigricllis) which migrate to this valley around mid-November from Tibet.
- These cranes have for centuries captured the human imagination with their intelligence, poise, sociality, beauty and freedom which have given rise to several myths, legends, folktales and songs.
- The birds fly back across the Himalayas to their summer home towards Tibet and China.
- The Gangtey village is small dominated by the yellow roofed Gangtey monastery.
- Late noon return to Punakha.
- O/n at Punakha.
- Morning drive to Paro via Semtokha entering the Babesa express highway.
- Stop at Chunzom check post to stretch your legs and walk through the bridge.
- Proceed towards Paro and check in at the hotel.
- Rest of the day at leisure.
- Overnight at Paro.
- Morning visit Paro Dzong
- Visit the National Museum housed in a round fortress called Ta Dzong
- Explore one of the best natural history museums in Asia with a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts
- Visit Paro Penlop Heritage Farmhouse
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, a monastery dating back to the 7th century and one of the oldest and most sacred
- Afternoon visit ruins of Drukgyel Dzong
- Drive till the base of Tigers Nest
- Evening at leisure
- Overnight at Paro
- Evening visit the town for shopping
- Overnight at Paro
- After breakfast transfer to Phuentsholing
- Check in the hotel
- Day at leisure
- Overnight at Phuentsholing
- Morning transfer to IXB/NJP
- Good memories of Bhutan
Stay & Meal Details
Phuntsholing
2 nights
Hotel Palm / Lotus Villa / Park Hotel
Breakfast Included
Thimphu
2 nights
Hotel White Tara / Hotel Kisa or similar
Breakfast Included
Punakha
2 nights
Damchen Resort / Meripuensum Resort / Punatsangchu Cottages
Breakfast Included
Paro
2 nights
Bhutan Mandala Resort / Gonju Boutique
Breakfast Included
9% off
Phuntsholing
2 nights
Hotel Gamega / Hotel Druk
Breakfast Included
Thimphu
2 nights
Tashi Yid-Wong Grand Hotel / Thimphu Central Hotel
Breakfast Included
Punakha
2 nights
Khuru Resort / Zhingkham Resort
Breakfast Included
Paro
2 nights
Tashi Namgay Resort & Spa / Tenziling Resort
Breakfast Included
6% off
Package Policies
- Accommodation in twin sharing
- Meals as per plan
- All airport transfers
- 1 English speaking guide
- Govt. SDF (sustainable development fee)
- Sightseeing & transportation within Bhutan
- All internal permits, internal taxes
- Complementary 1 liter mineral bottled water per day per person
- Air fare
- Personal travel insurance
- Entry fee to museums
- Laundry
- Tipping
- Personal shopping
- Telephone calls
- Anything not specified in the 'cost includes'
- You are willing to postpone your date of travel due to any reason, we may impose a rebooking fee.
- In case of missed payment on the scheduled date, we may impose an extra charge for the same.
- Delay up to 3 days or miss in making payment as per scheduled date may lead to cancellation of booking with zero refund. (You can inform us upfront in case of delay in schedule payment)
- Any unforeseen circumstances, we will try to provide our best but we cannot be held responsible for undeliverable due to this.
- AC will not work in hilly areas.
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Enchanting Bhutan: 8N/9D Himalayan Odyssey
Phuntsholing(2N) → Thimphu(2N) → Punakha(2N) → Paro(2N)
4.8 (53 Reviews)
18 Agents for Punakha
$ 612
$ 674
9% off
/person