Trek 1 : PARO, THIMPHU & PUNAKHA TOUR

Duration : 7 Days 6 Nights
Months : March to May and Sept to November

DAY 01 - PHUNTSHOLING

Arrival at Bagdogra Airport or NJP Railway station and proceed to the border town of Phuntsholing. As soon as you enter Bhutan, the distinctive flavor of the country hits you. The Bhutanese prefer to call their country 'Druk - Yul' which means "The Land of the Dragon". Bhutan is renowned for its undiluted culture and unspoiled natural wonders. Bhutan's past is still its present. Over night stay at hotel in Phuntsholing.

 DAY 02 - PHUNTSHOLING - PARO

After finishing all border formalities in Phuntsholing, a scenic drive takes you to the charming valley of Paro. You will be struck by the silence and peace of Paro's valley. The town of Paro is small with most of the inhabitants living in the beautiful valley that surrounds the town. The valley floor is at its widest in the area nearest to the airport, the town and Paro Dzong. A destination all of its own, Paro is home to the national museum and watchtower to one of the oldest and most celebrated dzongs in all Bhutan. After checking in at your hotel, you can take a short trip to the market in the evening.

DAY 03 - PARO SIGHTSEEING

Your full day will be spent seeing the dzongs and monasteries of Paro. Over night stay at you hotel.

DAY 04 PARO - THIMPHU

Morning drive to Thimphu and stop at Chuzom for a scenic view where Paro chu [river] joins Thimphu chu. Enroute visit Simtokha dzong, six kms from the city limits and is the kingdom's oldest fortress which is now used as the Dzongka language school of Bhutan. On arrival, check in at you hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Thimphu also visiting the Handicrafts Emporium and School of Painting.

DAY 05 THIMPHU - PUNAKHA -WANGDI PHODRANG - THIMPHU

A full day excursion to Punakha. The first stop after leaving Thimphu on the journey East is Dochula Pass at 10,500 feet. Only 45 minutes from Thimphu, it offers visitors their first glimpse of the Himalayan range. The best time to reach Dochula is dawn when the clouds are thin and the early morning sun casts breath-taking light on the distant mountains framed in shades of red from the brilliant flowers. The road to Punakha branches off left and curls its way down the valley. The town of Punakha does not hold many attractions apart from the glorious dzong which dominates the valley floor. Before Thimphu was made capital of Bhutan, Punakha held the title as Winter capital because of its more temperate climate. Thimphu's monk body and the Je Khenpo (leader of Bhutan's religious order) still come to Punakha to pass the winter.

Punakha Dzong was strategically built at the confluence of the Phochu (male) and Mochu(female) rivers by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. It has been destroyed by four fires and an earthquake in 1897 and has frequently been devastated by flood water coming from the great northern glaciers. The Dzong has now been fully restored to its original splendor.

A 45-minute drive from Punakha is Wangdi Phodrang or Wangdi, as it's more familiarly known. The last town in the west before arriving at the Central region of Bhutan, Wangdi is a typical small Bhutanese town. A bustling market with well-stocked shops and pretty view over its own valley and Dzong. Wangdi is a good place to stretch your legs and wander around the shops.

Back to Hotel in Thimphu for overnight stay.

DAY 06 - THIMPHU - PHUNTSHOLING

It is time to say goodbye to the beautiful country of Bhutan. A long trip takes you back to Phuntsholing for a well-earned rest.

DAY 07 - PHUNTSHOLING

Continue your journey in the Darjeeling/Sikkim region or catch a flight/train for departure.

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