A week in the Land of the Thunder Dragon — entering Bhutan overland from Bagdogra via the border town of Phuntsholing and travelling up through Thimphu, Punakha and Paro. Monasteries and dzongs, forest hikes, farmhouse meals, river rafting, mountain biking and the legendary climb to the Tiger’s Nest, all guided from border gate to departure.
Pick-up by an Indian car from Bagdogra airport and drive to Phuntsholing on the Bhutan border. Keep your passports and other documents ready for entry-permit clearance.
Our guide and car will be waiting at the border gate to receive you and help you through immigration, then drop you at your hotel in Phuntsholing. You can stroll around the town. Overnight in Phuntsholing.
After breakfast, drive from Phuntsholing to Thimphu, climbing from the warmer south up to the foothills of the Himalayas.
When you are ready, visit the huge Buddha Dordenma statue, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley. Its huge three-storey throne holds several chapels, and the statue itself is filled with 125,000 smaller Buddha statues.
Then hike from Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park to Changangkha Temple — about an hour through blue pine and rhododendron forest, with fantastic views of the valley. Take a late-afternoon stroll around town, soaking in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops, bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.
You can also try on the national costume of gho and kira (supplement applies) and visit Tashichho Dzong, built in 1641, which once housed the National Assembly and is now home to government offices and the throne room and offices of the King. Photographs are possible in front of the fortress. Overnight in Thimphu.
In the morning, visit the School of Traditional Arts to watch students at work and get an introduction to the 13 traditional arts, including painting, embroidery, woodcarving, mask-making and statue-making. You can also visit the Takin Reserve, showcasing Bhutan’s unique national animal, the takin, and the weekly market.
Then drive to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochu La pass (3,050 m), where we stop for a hot drink and spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya. You will notice the change in climate and vegetation as we descend to low-lying Punakha at 1,250 m.
Take a pleasant hour-long walk across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (the Temple of Fertility), built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Visit a farmhouse for lunch or tea to taste red rice and local cuisine, see farmers at work in the paddy fields and vegetable plots, and even try your hand at farming.
In the afternoon, hike an hour or so up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, high on the hill across the valley. The 30 m tall temple is dedicated to the fifth King, and the top offers a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding villages. Later, try river rafting on the Pho Chhu (challenging) or the Mo Chhu (easy). Overnight in Punakha.
Today we return to Paro. In the afternoon, we arrange a mountain-biking excursion to Chele La pass. Discuss with your guide how far and how high you want to climb, and we will design the route accordingly.
A tough climb on a switchback road leads up to Chele La (3,822 m / 12,540 ft), the gateway to the recently opened Haa Valley, with views of Mount Jomolhari to the north and down the Haa valley. The town of Haa, at 2,670 m, is still very small, with only one or two basic restaurants and local lodges, so the area remains remote — a great opportunity to see a beautiful rural scene.
You can ride back down the same road or return by car to your hotel. Overnight in Paro.
Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, the sacred Taktshang Monastery, which clings to the rock face 900 m above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding a tigress and meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s holiest sites and draws pilgrims from Bhutan and neighbouring Buddhist countries.
Have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria, which offers a spectacular view of the monastery (a horse ride up to the viewpoint is available with a supplement).
In the late afternoon, visit a local farmhouse and try a restorative hot-stone bath to relax after the hike. If you prefer your creature comforts, take tea or dinner with the family and return to your hotel. Overnight in Paro.
After breakfast, drive back to Phuntsholing. On the way from Paro, view the confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers with three different styles of stupas. Drive on through Chapcha, glimpse the famous Chukha Dam and the magnificent waterfall before Gedu town. Overnight in Phuntsholing.
Early in the morning, your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off on your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).