Thimphu, Punakha & Paro
ABOUT THIS TOUR
This eight-day Bhutan circuit starts from NJP or Bagdogra and enters the kingdom by road at Phuentsholing. It climbs through Thimphu, the capital, where the Buddha statue, National Memorial Chorten and a craft-and-farmers’ market fill a full sightseeing day. A drive over Dochu La Pass leads to Punakha Dzong, built in 1637, and a short walk to the fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang. The route ends in Paro with its dzongs and museums, and a final day with a choice between the Tiger’s Nest monastery and a quieter Paro valley plan, before the road back to Phuentsholing and the plains.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tashichho Dzong at Thimphu and the Buddha statue at Kuensel Phodrang
- National Memorial Chorten, Wangditse Lhakhang hike and Thimphu’s markets
- Dochu La Pass, with Himalayan views on clear days
- Punakha Dzong (built 1637), Chimi Lhakhang hike and the suspension bridge
- Paro: Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong
- Day 6 choice: Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) or Sangchen Chokor Monastery with a traditional-dress experience
- Meet-and-greet at NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport
ITINERARY
You are met and greeted on arrival at NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport, then driven about 170 km (around 5 hours) to Phuentsholing, a busy commercial town on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Check in at the hotel and stay overnight.
After breakfast, complete the immigration formalities and drive about 176 km (around 6 hours) to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Check in at the hotel, and in the evening see Tashichho Dzong from outside. Overnight in Thimphu.
After breakfast, see the Buddha statue at Kuensel Phodrang, the Hindu temple and the National Memorial Chorten from outside. Take a short hike of about 40 minutes to Wangditse Lhakhang and visit Simply Bhutan ⚑. In the afternoon, visit a nunnery, the BBS Tower, the National Library and the Centenary Farmers’ Market, where handicrafts and local products are sold, with the Craft Bazaar close by for shopping. Overnight in Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive about 77 km (around 3 hours) to Punakha/Wangdue ⚑, stopping at Dochu La Pass, where the Himalayan ranges show on clear days. In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and named Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness), which remains the winter residence of the monastic body. Take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility, and stop at the suspension bridge on the way back. Evening free. Overnight in Punakha.
After breakfast, drive to Paro (distance and time not given in the source ⚑). On the way, stop by the river side and at the airport viewpoint, then visit Ta Dzong, home of the National Museum with its collection of art, relics and religious thangkas, and Rinpung Dzong, “fortress of the heap of jewels”. Visit the Museum of Lights ⚑, which shows the country’s journey from before electricity to today. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Paro.
Option A: After breakfast, visit Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest, and, if time permits, Drukgyel Dzong. Option B: Drive to Sangchen Chokor Monastery for Paro valley views and the temple ⚑, return to Paro, and in the evening try Bhutanese traditional dress and shop in town. Overnight in Paro.
After breakfast, check out and drive about 141 km (around 5 hours ⚑) to Phuentsholing. Check in at the hotel and stay overnight.
INCLUDES
INCLUDES
- 7 nights’ hotel stay as per itinerary (hotels not named ⚑)
- Meet-and-greet at NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport
- Road transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary (vehicle type not stated ⚑)
- Breakfast (mentioned Days 2 to 8 only) ⚑
EXCLUDES
- Flights and train fares, unless explicitly stated as included
- Optional enhancements such as room or flight upgrades, and local camera or video fees
- Additional sightseeing, activities and experiences outside the itinerary
- Early check-in and late check-out, unless specified
- Excess baggage charges
- Tips for services and experiences
- 5% GST and 2% TCS
Activities
- Tashichho Dzong (outer view) in Thimphu
- Kuensel Phodrang Buddha statue
- Hindu temple and National Memorial Chorten (outer view)
- Wangditse Lhakhang short hike (about 40 minutes)
- Simply Bhutan
- Nunnery, BBS Tower and National Library visits
- Centenary Farmers’ Market and Craft Bazaar
- Dochu La Pass stop (Himalayan views on clear days)
- Punakha Dzong
- Chimi Lhakhang short hike and suspension bridge
- River-side and airport viewpoint stops near Paro
- Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong
- Museum of Lights
- Option A: Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) and Drukgyel Dzong if time permits
- Option B: Sangchen Chokor Monastery, Bhutanese traditional dress and shopping in Paro town
Frequently Asked Questions
At NJP Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport (IXB), with a meet-and-greet on arrival and a drop at the same points on Day 8.
By road from Phuentsholing. Immigration formalities are completed on the morning of Day 2.
About 170 km (5 hours) on Day 1, 176 km (6 hours) on Day 2, 77 km (3 hours) on Day 4 and 170 km (5 hours) on Day 8. Days 5 and 7 are also long road days.
Dochu La Pass (3,150 m according to our itinerary notes) is the highest pass, and Thimphu is at about 2,248 m.
Day 6 offers two options. Option A is Taktsang Monastery plus Drukgyel Dzong if time permits, and option B is Sangchen Chokor Monastery with a traditional-dress experience and shopping.
Yes. A short walk of about 40 minutes to Wangditse Lhakhang on Day 3, a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang on Day 4, and Taktsang on Day 6 if you choose option A.
Payment & Cancellation Policy + Important Notes
PAYMENT
- excluding 5% GST and 2% TCS
- [GAP: advance amount and balance due date not in source. SGS to supply]
CANCELLATION
- [GAP: no cancellation policy in source. SGS to supply]
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Airline seats and hotel rooms are subject to availability at the time of confirmation
- Flights and train fares are not included unless explicitly stated
- Immigration formalities are completed at Phuentsholing on Day 2
- [GAP: Bhutan entry documents, permits and fees not in source. SGS to supply]
- Day 6 offers two options; the choice is made before or during the tour ⚑
- Sightseeing outside the itinerary is charged extra
- Early check-in and late check-out are not included unless specified
- Optional upgrades and local camera or video fees are extra
- Excess baggage charges and tips are not included
- 5% GST and 2% TCS are charged extra