Thimphu - Paro - Phuentsholing
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights
Destinations: Thimphu (2 Nights) – Paro (2 Nights) – Phuentsholing (2 Nights)
Tour Code: LB704
Tour Brief: Arrival and Departure through Phuentsholing border with one night stay there both ways. 2 nights at Paro with local sightseeing and 2 nights at Thimphu with local tours.
Travel Itinerary
DAY 1- Arrival and Transfer to Phuentsholing
After arrival at NJP / Bagdogra / Hasimara, meet & greet by our representative. Board awaiting vehicle and get transferred to Phuentsholing.
Phuentsholing is the border town of Bhutan and the main entry point to the landlocked country. It is also the financial and commercial capital of Bhutan. You can enter Phuentsholing without any permit but need to get a Bhutan permit/visa before proceeding further.
Check into the Hotel, evening at leisure (optional – visit to the local market), overnight at Phuentsholing.\
DAY 2 – Transfer to Thimphu
Today we will get our entry permit from the Bhutan government and then proceed towards Thimphu. Please note that all instructions given by our travel advisors regarding permit documentation must be followed by you. Bhutan authorities may refuse entry permits to regional tourists if they are not satisfied with the documents. Foreigners may get an advance visa and do not have to go through the permit process here. We will assist you in obtaining the permit.
Once you receive the permit, you can have lunch at Phuentsholing and proceed towards Thimphu. The total distance from Phuentsholing to Thimphu is about 165 km and can be covered in about 5 hours.
Reach Thimphu in the evening. Thimphu is the capital & largest city of Bhutan. After checking in to your hotel take some rest. Free evening. Overnight at Thimphu (Altitude 2334 meters).
DAY 3 – Thimphu Full-Day Sightseeing
After breakfast start from the hotel for local sightseeing. Today we will visit the following places.
Tashichho Dzong – is the Buddhist Monastery and fortress. This is a historical structure & one of the most beautiful landmarks in Thimphu. It is the present secretariat and the King’s office, as it serves as the finance & home affairs ministers’ office too. This is a favorite place for photographers.
Folk Heritage Museum – This is a 3 storied museum that showcases Bhutanese culture & their standard of living, rural household artifacts, equipment, objects & tools. Except for government holidays, the museum is open every day.
National Textile Museum – Located in the main town, you can see the evolution of the textile industry in Bhutan and there is on-premise weaving by womenfolk.
National Handicraft Emporium – is run by the Bhutan government. It is like a museum cum selling counter for local artifacts. Next to the emporium, there are stalls managed by local Bhutanese people where local artifacts are sold.
Motithang Takin Preserve – Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is a unique goat-antelope that can only be found in Bhutan and its immediate surrounding area. The Takin Reserve is situated in the Motithang area of Thimphu.
BBS Tower – This is a viewpoint above the town offering a panoramic view of the Thimphu Valley. BBS (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) or Sangaygang as it is locally called runs the radio &television network of the entire country.
National Memorial Chorten – This is a memorial stupa, also known as the Thimphu stupa. This is considered a holy place by the locals. The Chorten is located in the main city itself.
Buddha Point, KuenselPhodrang – This is the largest Sitting Buddha statue in the World. It was built as recently as 2015. The place is just 10 minutes drive from the heart of Thimphu town.
Then back to the Hotel. After completing dinner take a sweet sleep with good memories. Overnight Stay in Thimphu.
DAY 4 – Thimphu to Paro Transfer
After breakfast start for Paro. Paro is a beautiful valley which is the location of the only airport in Bhutan. It is located at an altitude of about 2200 meters. The beautiful Paro Chu River flows through the valley.
Check into the hotel at Paro. After lunch, you can go for a tour of the main market area (optional) for souvenir shopping. Overnight at Paro.
DAY 5 – Paro full-day Sightseeing
Today we will visit all the sights of interest in and around Paro.
Drugyel Dzong– The dzong was built during the 17th century and has been destroyed several times in history. Today it is partly destroyed but still manages to hold a lot of charm for the visitors. The dzong is located about 14 km from Paro town.
Taktsang Monastery – The iconic monastery perched precariously on a mountain, this is the most popular picture representing Taksang. After the vehicle ride, one has to trek for two to three hours (one way) to reach the monastery. There is also an additional charge for regional tourists to visit the Monastery. You may decide to trek half the way and see the monastery from the café viewpoint area. If you decide to trek the whole way, you may miss out on your remaining sightseeing options of the day.
On your way back stop over at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.
Ta Dzong is the National Museum of Bhutan, situated here. This museum consists of Bhutanese arts; masterpieces of bronze statues & paintings.
Next, you drive to Rinpung Dzong where the great annual Tsechu festival is held on the eleventh to fifteenth day of the second month of the traditional Bhutanese lunar calendar. It is both a monastery & also houses the district Govt. offices.
Return to the Hotel in the evening. Overnight at Paro.
DAY 6 – Drive back to Phuentsholing.
Today we will drive back to Phuentsholing, the border town. From Paro to Phuentsholing is a distance of about 160 km and can be covered in about 4.5 hours. On the way, you can stop over at the Chukha hydel project, and visit the local monastery at Phuentsholing. Reach Phuentsholing and check into the hotel. Overnight at Phuentsholing.