Bhutan Escape (7 Nights / 8 Days)

Tour Overview

• Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days
• Routing: 1N Phuntsholing $\rightarrow$ 2N Thimphu $\rightarrow$ 1N Punakha $\rightarrow$ 2N Paro $\rightarrow$ 1N Phuntsholing
• Key Highlights: Buddha Dordenma, Dochula Pass, Punakha Dzong, Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), and a traditional Bhutanese Farmhouse experience .

 Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra & Transfer to Phuentsholing

• Hotel: Hotel Lotus Villa or similar in Phuntsholing
• Meals: Lunch, Dinner
• Itinerary:
  • Arrive at Bagdogra Airport (IXB) . (Note: Please ensure you reach Bagdogra by 12:00 hrs) .
  • The group vehicle leaves from the airport parking point at 13:00 hrs .
  • Enjoy a scenic drive across the border to the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing .
  • Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner .

Day 2: Phuentsholing to Thimphu

• Hotel: Damisa Hotel or similar in Thimphu
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Distance/Time: Approx. 6 hours drive
• Itinerary:
  • After breakfast, embark on the winding mountain drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan .
  • Enjoy lunch en route .
  • Upon arrival, check in to your hotel .
  • Spend the evening at leisure, followed by dinner .

Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing

• Hotel: Damisa Hotel or similar in Thimphu
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Itinerary:
  • Start the day visiting the massive Buddha Dordenma, a 169-foot statue of Shakyamuni Buddha overlooking the Thimphu Valley .
  • Visit the King's Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the third King of Bhutan .
  • Head up to Sangaygang Viewpoint (BBS Tower Viewpoint) for panoramic, sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains .
  • Explore Trashichhoedzong, the impressive fortress-monastery that serves as the administrative and religious center of Bhutan .
  • Return to the hotel for dinner .

Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha

• Hotel: Dragons Nest or similar in Punakha
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Distance/Time: 75 Kms / Approx. 3 hours drive
• Itinerary:
  • After breakfast, drive toward Punakha .
  • Stop at the breathtaking Dochula Pass (3,100 m). Admire the 108 memorial chortens (Druk Wangyal Chortens) and panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas .
  • Continue to Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness), arguably Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers .
  • Check in to your hotel in Punakha and have dinner .

Day 5: Punakha to Paro & Historic Dzongs

• Hotel: Paro Eco Lodge or similar in Paro
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Distance/Time: 130 Kms / Approx. 4 hours drive
• Itinerary:
  • Check out from Punakha and drive to the scenic valley of Paro .
  • Visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a grand fortress-monastery overlooking the Paro Chhu River .
  • Explore the National Museum of Bhutan housed inside the historic Ta Dzong watchtower .
  • Enjoy a special Farmhouse Lunch with traditional activities including an archery demonstration and wearing local Bhutanese dress .
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Paro .

Day 6: Tiger's Nest Hike (Paro)

• Hotel: Paro Eco Lodge or similar in Paro
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Itinerary:
  • Enjoy an early breakfast before heading out for the famous hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) .
  • Perched on a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor, this sacred site is where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated .
  • Return to the valley floor and relax after the hike .
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Paro .

Day 7: Paro to Phuentsholing

• Hotel: Hotel Lotus Villa or similar in Phuntsholing
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Distance/Time: 180 Kms / Approx. 5 hours drive
• Itinerary:
  • After breakfast, say goodbye to the high mountains and begin the scenic descent back to the border town of Phuentsholing .
  • Check in to your hotel upon arrival .
  • Enjoy a final dinner in Bhutan .

Day 8: Phuentsholing to Bagdogra Airport

• Meals: Breakfast
• Distance/Time: 162 Kms / Approx. 4 hours drive
• Itinerary:
  • Enjoy breakfast at the hotel .
  • Check out and board your AC vehicle for the transfer back to Bagdogra Airport for your onward journey .
  • (Note: Please book your return flight for 15:00 hrs or later) .

 Accommodations Summary

Package Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

• Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis for 7 nights .
• Full Board Meals: 7 Breakfasts, 7 Veg Lunches, and 7 Dinners .
• One special Farmhouse Lunch in Paro (includes cooking demo, archery & darts) .
• Daily 1 Liter water bottle per person, plus evening snacks with tea/coffee .
• Momos & soft drinks near the Suspension Bridge .
• 01 Local Sim Card per family (recharge own & returnable basis) .
• Services of a Local English-Speaking Guide .
• Taxes: GST and TCS .
• Transfers:
  • India Sector: AC Toyota Innova/Tempo Traveller for Bagdogra to Phuentsholing .
  • Bhutan Sector: Non-AC Toyota Coaster/Hiace for all internal Bhutan transfers and sightseeing on a shared basis .

Exclusions

• Airfare / Train fare to and from Bagdogra .
• Bhutan SDF: Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is excluded .
• Entrance Fees: Monument and museum visiting entrance fees are not included .
• Travel Insurance .
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, tips, and beverages not mentioned)