the kingdom above the clouds

Overview:

Bhutan, known locally as Druk – Yul, is the world's last Shangri – la, Breathtaking views, colourful dances, rich cultural heritage, imposing fortresses and ancient monasteries perched in improbable locations are the enduring images that seemingly come to life as you travel through this wonderland.


Destination Covered: Phuentsholing - Thimphu - Punakha - Wangduephodrang - Paro

Best Time to Travel: September to March

Tour Highlights:
  • Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang
  • Guru Rimpoche
  • Kharbandi Gompa
  • Simtokha Dzong
  • Trashichhoedzong
  • National Memorial Chorten
  • Jigme Dorji Wangchuk
  • Mani Wall
  • Prayer Flags
  • Punakha Dzong

Day 01 Arrive Phuentsholing On arriving in Phuentsholing you will be welcomed by our representative who will then transfer you to the hotel. Check into the hotel.
Phuentsholing is the border town on the Indo-Bhutanese border. It is the gateway to the south and is a thriving hub of commercial activity on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Located on the foothills of Himalayas it is a fascinating blend of Indian and Bhutanese culture presenting a perfect example of mingling of people.
If the time permits visit ZangthoPelri Lhakhang is a small temple situated in the centre of Phuentsholing town represents the heaven of Guru Rimpoche. Later have a walk around town's market area.
Proceed to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02 Phuentsholing - Thimpu In the morning travel to the Kharbandi Gompa. This beautiful monastery stands amid a garden of tropical plants and flowers. The monastery is famed for its priced possession of paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden you can enjoy an enchanting view of Phuentsholing and plains of West Bangal and their tea gardens beyond.
From Phuentsholing embark on journey by road to Thimphu (180 kms). This entire stretch presents a very enchanting view with numerous scenic spots en route. On the way stop for lunch at Bunakha cafeteria.

Just five miles, before Thimphu, you will be visiting Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now lodges the School for religious and cultural studies. On your arrival in Thimpu you will be checking into the hotel.

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan.It is perhaps the most unusual city in the world. This lively town is home to Bhutans royal family, the civil servants, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. Many of the internationally funded development projects are headquartered here. Proceed for an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03 Thimpu In the morning travel to Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery. It is a huge complex which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. From here you proceed to the National Library which houses a rare collection of Buddhist literature, with some works dating back several hundred years. Spend some time visiting the nearby Institute for ZorigChusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where students take a six year training course in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

In the afternoon after having lunch, visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally perceived by Bhutans third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (the father of modern Bhutan) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. The building was completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. Take a tour of the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and privately owned crafts shops, which offer a wide range of handcrafted products, including the splendid thangkha paintings and exquisitely woven textiles for which Bhutan is famous. You will also be taken on a visit the folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, a fascinating testimony of Bhutan's living traditions. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Thimpu - Punakha In the morning drive Dochu-la pass (75 kms) to Punakha. Stop over at Dochu-la pass for a while to view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If luck is on your side you may find the skies clear giving you a mesmerizing view of the following peaks (left to right):Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkarpuensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Upon arrival you will be checking into your hotel.
Later in the day visit Punakha Dzong.It was built in 1637 strategically at the meeting point of Pho Chhu and MoChhu rivers by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. Punakha Dzong has a great significance in Bhutans history. It was damaged in the past by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake but was fully restored by the present King. From here you proceed to Wangduephodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.
Relax overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 Punakha - Wangduephodrang - Paro Punakha used to be the capital of Bhutan until 1955, when the seat of government moved to Thimphu. Initially it was situated on the riverbank and covered by the towering walls of Punakha Dzong. The township was shifted to a safer site a few kilometers down the valley, due to extensive flooding in the early 1990s. Simultaneously, extensive repairing and restoration work was undertaken on Punakha Dzong itself. After this it is now a breathtaking and glorious site as you have its first glimpse from the road. Although many of the historic documents housed in Punakha Dzong have been lost to four catastrophic fires and an earthquake in past times but it still houses many sacred historic artifacts and also the embalmed body of ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal.
In the afternoon take a journey to Paro (150 kms) via Wangduephodrang, the last town on the highway before entering Central Bhutan. Located on a ridge overlooking a river junction, the robustWangduephodrangDzong is the town's most noticeable feature. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a very important role in unifying the western, central and southern regions of the country. Take a walk through the local market. From here you proceed to Paro, visiting SimtokhaDzongen route. This dzong, built in 1627 is one of the oldest in Bhutan. Institute for Language and Culture Studies is now run from this dzong. On your arrival in Paro you will be checkingin at the hotel.
Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Paro The enchanting valley of Paro treasures a rich wealth of attractions. Start your morning with a visit to Ta Dzong.It was once a watchtower, built to defend RinpungDzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. Ta Dzong was converted into National Museum and was inaugurated in the year 1968.
Stroll down the path to visit RinpungDzong. It was built in 1646 by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. ThisDzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. In the afternoon after having lunch, travelin the valley to view the ruins of DrukgyelDzong. It was from this place that the Bhutanese were successful in repelling several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang which is one of the oldest and most revered shrines of the Kingdom.
Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 Paro - Onward Destination In the morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to catch flight to your destination.
send an enquiry