Wonders of Bhutan

(Distance: 170 km. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mt.)
On arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport, you will be transferred to Phuentsholing, the border town of Southern Bhutan and a thriving commercial center. On arrival in Phuentsholing, you would be greeted by your Bhutanese Guide. You can spend time taking the photographs of the huge ornate gate that welcomes you to Bhutan. Later check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing.

(Distance: 176 km. / Driving Time: 6 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mt.)
After breakfast complete the immigration formalities and get transferred to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan. On the way stop at Kharbandi Goemba, a monastery was founded by the Royal Grand Mother, Ashi Phuntsho Choden in the year 1967. The Monastery lies at an altitude of 400 m. It contains paintings on the life of Buddha, statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche. A fascinating view of Phuentsholing town and surrounding plains can be seen from the Monastery garden. Later continue your drive to Thimphu. On the way, you shall see and experience how the plains become small foothills and then the big Himalayan Slopes. On arrival check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.

(Distance: 77 km. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mt.)
After breakfast, visit Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering magnificent view of Thimphu Town; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
circumambulated by people offering prayers and Folk Heritage Museum, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle and artifacts from the rural households. Later you will be driven to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to get the permit stamped which is to be returned in your return journey. Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mt. From here on a clear sunny day, you get a magnificent view of the Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass include 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Continue your drive to Punakha / Wangdue. On arrival in Punakha check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

(Distance: 140 km. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mt.)
After breakfast, you would visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs of Bhutan located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Chimi Lhakhang also Known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, “Devine Mad Man”. It is a short hike of around 30 – 45 minutes. Later you would be driven to Paro. On the way, stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to return the permit which was stamped earlier. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo also Known as the Iron bridge builder. On arrival in Paro, check in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you would visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, also Known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646; Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum; Nemi Zam Bridge, also Known as Nya Mey Zam Bridge is a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting the Paro town to the Dzong and Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of Bhutan. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

(Distance: 200 km. / Driving Time: 7 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mt.)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. Later you would be driven to Phuentsholing. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Phuentsholing.

(Distance: 170 km. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of NJP/IXB: 89 mt.)
After breakfast check out from the hotel. Later you would be transferred to NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport for your onward journey. Tashi Delek!