Pick Up & Drop - Bagdogra Airport / NJP Railway Station
Itinerary for Package Tour
Day- 01
Arrival New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Bagdogra Airport (IXB) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (Junction) / Siliguri and Transfer to Phuentsholling - On arrival at Phuentsholing you will be guided by our representative for checking in Hotel – Phuentsholling is frontier town Bhutan - The town of is the gateway for travelers entering Bhutan by road - Indian side of the border is Jaigaon - A thriving commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains of West Bengal & southern Bhutan - a town at the foot hill of Himalayan range - fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese culture and mingling of people is found here – If time permits one can visit Zangtho Pelri in city centre – a small temple represents the heaven of Guru Rinpoche - Later explore Phuentsholing town and market - Overnight at Phuentsholling hotel
Day- 02
Permit to be obtained and Transfer to Thimpu – After breakfast start with the pass formalities (biometric nowadays), embark on an interesting journey to Thimphu – at an altude of 2320 meter and 6-6.5 hours journey - The capital town of Bhutan - perhaps the only capital city without traffic light - enroute visit Kharbandi Gompa founded in 1967 by Royal Grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Choedron - Statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche along with paintings portraying scenes from the life of Lord Buddha is seen here - The monastery garden provides great views of the Phuentsholing town and surrounding plains of West Bengal – under stimulating economic activities between India & Bhutan Thimpu highway was built in 1961- Drive along and stop at Gedu University for some snaps resume your journey through Chimakothi and Chuzom - the confluence of Paro & Thimphu rivers – check into Thimpu the hotel – Thimphu is the centre of religion and commerce of Government - Mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions makes the city unique. Situated in western Bhutan, with the population of around 1,05,000 – Evening acclimatization an exploratory roam around Thimphu city centre – Night stay at Thimpu hotel
Day- 03
Sightseeing of Thimpu (half day) - After breakfast drive to visit the stupa Memorial Chorten, also known as Thimphu Chorten built in 1974 in the honour the third King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (1928-1972) - popularly known as Father of modern Bhutan - Afterwards visit to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) which is renouned for the Buddha Statue of 169 feet (51.5 meter) made of bronze and gilded in gold – the largest statue in Bhutan – Great overview of Thimpu Valley can be seen from this point - Then visit the temple built in 12th century by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo - Changangkha Lhakhang located on a ridge above central Thimphu – Traditionally newborns are brought here to get auspicious names and blessing from Tamdrin - the protector deity - Later drive to upper Motithang to visit Takin Preserve - The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan looks like a cross between a cow and a goat and found only in Bhutan and nearby areas - After lunch sightseeing of Thimphu valley which includes visit of the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts - the Institute for Zorig Chusum, the Painting School where students undergo a 6 year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts - Textile Museum, enriched with rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through its exhibits and documentation of Bhutanese rural life – Further visit of Trashichhoe dzong, the fortress of the glorious religion - built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and later reconstructed in 1962 by the third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk - situated beside Thimphu river and one of the most impressive buildings in Bhutan - houses Secretariat building of His Majesty, the King and holds various government offices - Evening transfer to Paro & night stay at Paro hotel.
Day- 04
Paro local sightseeing – After breakfast half day excursion to Taktshang Monastery - perched on the side of a cliff 900 meter above the Paro valley floor (around 5 hours round trip by walk) - It is one of the most famous of monasteries of Bhutan – The monastery is named as Tiger nest on the believe that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated for year long - This site has been visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and recognized as a most sacred place - now all Bhutanese visit the holy place at least once in their lifetime - Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong - exclusive wall paintings along the lining of wooden galleries & inner courtyard illustrates Buddhist lore of four friends such as the old man of long life, the wheel of life, life of Milarepa and other cosmic Mandala – night stay at Paro
OR
Sightseeing of Chelela Pass - After breakfast drive for excursion to Chelela pass, the highest motorable passes in Bhutan at elevation of 3988 meters - About an hour’s drive through a botanical paradise and thickly forest surrounded road - View of sacred mountain Jumolhari and Jichu Drake marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind is a mesmerizing scene from the pass - enroute visit Dzongdrakha temple - cliff-side temple on the western side of Paro valley- often called as mini Taktsang – The complex is made up by four shrines dedicated to sheringma (Goddess of Longevity), Drolma (Tara), Guru Rinpoche and the Maitreya, Buddha of the Future – Its said that Guru Rinpoche during his visit to Bhutan Nepal landed at Drakarpo and Dzongdrakha before reaching to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) in north Valley - Later in the afternoon drive to a ruined fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, where Tibetan invaders were resisted by Bhutanese warriors centuries ago. In the early 1954, the Drukgyel Dzong is only ruins today after a massive fire in 1954 - The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari can be seen from the approach road of the Dzong - On the way return may visit the Kyichu Lhakhang of 7th century built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo is one of the 108 temples in the region - Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day- 05
Transfer from Thimphu to New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (Junction) / Siliguri - After breakfast, drive to Phuentsholing - 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 Gomba, the monastery built in 1967 - It houses the large and attractive statues of Sakyamuni, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche – Phuentsholing comes under Chhukha district and the region is boosted by both hydropower projects - Arrive Phuentsholing by late afternoon and drive further 04 - 05 hours through Dooars i.e. the foothills of Himalaya to reach New Jalpaiguri Railway Station (NJP) / Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus (Junction) / Siliguri (this is worth mentioning the full drive will be approx 11 hours and tiresome & strainous)