Itinerary

• 1

  Arrival Bagdora/Siliguri

  Transfer to Phuentsholing

  Take a flight to Bagdogra Airport (IXB) which lands at 10-10:30 am on 26th Dec.  We will start our road trip to Bhutan together till Phuentsholing.

  It is a border town in southern Bhutan and is the administrative seat of Chukha District. Phuentsholing adjoins the Indian town of Jaigoan, and cross-border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy. The India-Bhutan border at Phuentsholing clearly separates two very different peoples and cultures. Jaigoan across the border is larger, bustling and loud, similar to many other West Bengal Centre’s of commerce, albeit with many Bhutanese shoppers. Phuentsholing is uniquely more urban than other Bhutanese towns as it is the Bhutan financial, industrial and trading capital. It has been affected a little by the neighboring culture, but is distinctly far quieter and more orderly than its neighboring As the majority of goods traded go into Bhutan through Phuentsholing, the town is the gateway to Bhutan for trade with India.

  Overnight Stay Hotel Druk at Phuentsholing.

• 2

  Drive to Paro

  145 km/ approx. 4-5hours drive

  Today we will drive to Paro which takes around 04 hours. Later visit Paro Dzong

  Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known dzongs in Bhutan. One of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, it is also known as the Ringpung Dzong, which means ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’. It is the administrative seat of the district of Paro. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. It was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet.

   

  Unlike most of the other dzongs in Bhutan, it survived the massive 1897 earthquake mostly unscathed, though it was almost burnt to the ground by a fire in 1907. All-important relics were lost to the fire and nothing could be salvaged except for the Thongdrol, a 20×20 meter-wide Thangka. The Thangka is displayed annually during a ceremony called Paro Tshechu. The Dzong was however rebuilt the following year.

   

  Overnight at Paro Grand Hotel / Metta Resort

• 3

  Taktsang Hike

  Tiger Nest Hike

  Hike Duration: Approx. 4-5 hours (round trip)

  After early Breakfast, Hike to Taktsang Monastery

   

  Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000m altitude north of Paro, the beautiful Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’, is the most famous and an unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then meditated in a cave here for three months and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen caves in which Guru Padmasambhava meditated.

   

  Taktsang Monastery is a pilgrimage site for both tourists and locals. The journey up to the monastery is filled with spiritual bliss. Keeping this spirituality aside, the journey up to Taktsang Monastery is also a hiker’s delight. An hour hike up to a small wooden teahouse called Cafeteria provides a close view of the monastery. A further and a rather challenging hike of an hour and a half will lead you to the glorious Taktsang Monastery.

   

  Overnight at Paro Grand Hotel/ Metta Resort

• 4

  Drive to Punakha

  115 km/ approx. 4 hours drive

  After breakfast, we will drive to Punakha. On the way we will visit Do Chula Pass. Upon reaching Punakha we will visit Chimi Lhakhang.

   

  Dochula pass, located 60 km away , on the way to Punakha from Paro offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of Himalaya mountain range, especially on clear winter days. The 108 chortens that adorn the beauty of this place were built by Queen Mother to commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed when fighting the Indian rebels in 2003. The pass is also popular spiritual place for both locals and tourists because of an important temple that is located on the crest of Dochula pass.

  Besides the spirituality of the place many Bhutanese families visit the pass during holidays and weekends to simply enjoy the scenery of the place with their pack lunch and hot tea. For tourists, the place is an ideal location to capture beautiful pictures of Himalaya mountain range provided the weather permits.

  Chimi Lhakhang: Chimi Lhakhang located near Lobesa, Punakha stands on a round hillock and is flanked by hundreds of prayer flags. Built in 1499, this monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley or ‘the Divine Madman’. An accomplished master of Mahamudra Buddhist Tradition, he is also known as the ‘Mad Saint’ for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre and strong sexual overtones and inclinations.

   

  Drukpa Kinley is also a cultural icon in Bhutan around whom countless yarns, fictions, stories and legends have been spun. In founding the site it is said that Lama Kinley subdued a demon of Dochula with his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom” and trapped it in a rock at the location close to where the chorten now stands. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops at four corners of the eves. The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of phallus that Kinley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus is decorated with a silver handle and is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage, particularly women seeking blessings to beget children. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a 10 inch (25 cm) wooden phallus (erect penis). Traditionally symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.

   

  Overnight at Four Boutique Hotel in Punakha

• 5

  Drive to Thimpu

  75 km/ approx. 3 hour drive

  Drive to Thimphu (approx. 03-04 hr.), the capital town of Bhutan. Upon reaching Thimphu visit,

  Memorial Chorten: The Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery is a popular landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. It was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The architecture of the chorten has been designed to present it as ‘one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu’.

  The whitewashed chorten is decorated with richly carved annexes facing the cardinal directions, and features elaborate mandalas, statues and a shrine dedicated to the popular third king. There are numerous religious paintings and complex tantric statues housed inside reflecting both peaceful and wrathful aspects of Buddhist deities. This chorten is unlike other chortens as it does not enshrine the mortal remains of the King. Only the King’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns a hall in the ground floor. The King when he was alive wanted to build ‘a chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha’.

   

  Tashichho Dzong: Located on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, on the western bank of the Wangchu Tashichho Dzong is Bhutan’s most stately and arguably the most impressive building. It has traditionally been the seat of the Druk desi or ‘Dharma Raja’, the head of Bhutan’s civil government, an office which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907, and summer capital of the country. It houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and is the summer residence of the venerated monastic community. The current dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, when he moved the capital to Thimphu from Punakha.

  The Fortress of the glorious religion houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, the main secretariat building and the central monk body. Its courtyard is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tshechu and when the monk moves to its winter residence in Punakha.

  Note: Tashichho Dzong is open during weekdays after office hours (5pm onwards) and from 9am to 5pm on weekends.

  Overnight Stay in Hotel Osel at Thimphu

• 6

  New Year Celebration in Thimpu

  Local Sightseeing and market visit

  After Breakfast, Visit the Buddha Dordenma (Big Buddha Statue), Takin Sanctuary and Painting school. National Library of Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum,

  The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuensel phodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world.

  This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue; 100,000 statues of which are 8-inches-tall and 25,000 statues of which are 12 inches tall. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

  Takin Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve located in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The sanctuary is home to the takin, a unique and rare mammal that is also the national animal of Bhutan. The takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is a large ungulate that is native to the eastern Himalayas and surrounding areas. It is known for its distinctive appearance, with a stocky body, short legs, and a large head.

  The takin has a fascinating history and cultural significance in Bhutan. According to local legend, the animal was created by a revered Tibetan saint named Drukpa Kunley, who was known as the “Divine Madman.” The saint is said to have combined the body of a goat and the head of a cow to create the takin, thus demonstrating his supernatural powers. This intriguing myth has contributed to the takin’s unique status in Bhutanese culture and its selection as the national animal.

  Takin Sanctuary was established to protect and conserve this rare species and its habitat. The sanctuary provides a natural environment for the takin to thrive and allows visitors to observe these fascinating creatures in their native setting. It’s also an opportunity for researchers and conservationists to study and understand the behavior, ecology, and conservation needs of the takin.

  The sanctuary itself is a picturesque area with forested landscapes and is located at a higher elevation, which matches the takin’s natural habitat preferences. Visitors can enjoy watching these unique animals roam freely, and the sanctuary often draws tourists and locals alike.

  Painting School (School for 13 arts):The “School of 13 Arts” you’re referring to is likely the “Zorig Chusum” or “Zorig Chusum Institute,” also known as the “Institute of 13 Arts and Crafts.” It is an educational institution in Bhutan that focuses on preserving and teaching traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts. The term “Zorig Chusum” translates to “thirteen arts and crafts” in Dzongkha, the official language of Bhutan.

  Bhutan places a strong emphasis on preserving its cultural heritage, and traditional arts and crafts are an integral part of its identity. The Zorig Chusum Institute was established to ensure the continuation of these traditional artistic skills, which have been passed down through generations.

  National library of Bhutan (NLB): The National Library of Bhutan was first established in 1967 under the patronage of HM Queen Ashi Phuntsho Choden (1911–2003), with a small collection of precious texts. The library was initially housed within the central tower (utse) of Tashichodzong. Later, due to its growing collection, it had to move to a building in the Changangkha area of Thimphu.

  To provide a permanent home for the sacred religious books and manuscripts in the growing collection, construction of the present four-storeyed eight-cornered traditional building, which looks like the central tower temple of a Bhutanese Dzong, in the Kawajangtsa area of Thimphu was initiated. The cost of the construction of this building was borne entirely by the Royal Government of Bhutan without any foreign aid. It was inaugurated on November 23, 1984.

  The National Archives is responsible for collecting and preserving important past, present and future documents on Bhutan for future generations. The library also holds a representative collection of English and western language books mainly related to the Himalayas, Bhutan and Buddhism.

  The Folk heritage museum: A three storied traditional building houses the Folk Heritage Museum. The earthen and timber building was renovated and restored few years ago to appear as it was century ago. Established in 2001 in Thimphu, the museum provides glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese material culture and way of life. The artifacts, which are kept inside the house, remind the visitors about how the rural Bhutanese live today. This 19th century traditional house provides you a glimpse of the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households. One can come across typical household objects, tools and equipment.

  We will celebrate New Years in Bhutanese Style .

  Overnight Stay in Hotel Osel at Thimphu

• 7

  Drive to Phuentsholing

  Approximately 4Hours

  After breakfast, drive towards Phuentsholing en-route stop at Paro town for shopping.

  Overnight Stay Hotel Druk at Phuentsholing.

• 8

  Departure

  Bid Adieu

  Exit towards Indian bordering town Jaigoan and Drop till Bagdogra Airport(IXB). Dont forget to take your pictures before you give us a hug. (Airdrop/Telegram/Whatsapp)