Bhutan Tour Package from New Jalpaiguri – Dochu La Pass Visit

Thimphu Sightseeing

1. Breakfast at the Hotel

• Enjoy Breakfast: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel.

2. Morning Sightseeing

• Art & Craft School: Begin your exploration with a visit to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (also known as the Art & Craft School). Here, you can observe traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts being taught and practiced.
• National Library: Next, visit the National Library, which houses a vast collection of ancient Bhutanese manuscripts and texts. It offers insight into Bhutan’s rich literary heritage.
• Royal Goldsmith Workshop: Head to the Royal Goldsmith Workshop to see artisans at work creating exquisite jewelry and traditional crafts.
• Handicraft Centers: Explore various handicraft centers in Thimphu to see a range of Bhutanese crafts and perhaps purchase souvenirs.

3. Lunch

• Local Cuisine: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or at your hotel. Sample Bhutanese dishes to experience the local cuisine.

4. Afternoon Sightseeing

• Memorial Chorten: After lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten, a revered Tibetan-style stupa dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It’s a popular spot for locals to perform circumambulation and prayers.
• Drupthob Nunnery Temple: Proceed to the Drupthob Nunnery Temple, which provides a peaceful retreat and offers insight into the life of Buddhist nuns.

5. Return to Hotel

• Relax: After a day of sightseeing, return to your hotel and relax.

6. Overnight Stay at Thimphu

• Dinner: Enjoy dinner at your hotel or a nearby restaurant, savoring Bhutanese or international cuisine.
• Rest: Overnight stay at your hotel in Thimphu.

Highlights:

• Cultural Immersion: Experience Bhutanese arts, crafts, and religious sites.
• Local Interaction: Opportunity to interact with artisans and monks, gaining deeper cultural insights.

Thimphu to Punakha

1. Early Breakfast

• Start the Day: Enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel in Thimphu.

2. Check Out and Transfer to Wangduephodrang

• Departure: Check out from your hotel and start your journey to Wangduephodrang.

3. En-Route to Wangduephodrang

• Dochula Pass: Stop for tea and take in the views at Dochula Pass (3,088 meters). This pass offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayan range and is adorned with 108 chortens built in honor of Bhutanese soldiers.

4. Arrival in Wangduephodrang

• Mehsina Village: Visit Mehsina Village to get a glimpse of traditional Bhutanese rural life.

5. Wangduephodrang Sightseeing

• Chime Lhakhang: Visit Chime Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of the Divine Madman. This temple is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, who is known for his unconventional methods of teaching Buddhism.
• Chendebji Chorten: Explore Chendebji Chorten, a large stupa modeled after the Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is situated near the village of Chendebji and is an important religious site.
• Wangduephodrang Dzong: Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, a majestic fortress-monastery situated on a hill overlooking the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. The dzong is known for its impressive architecture and historical significance.
• Phobjikha Valley: If time permits, explore Phobjikha Valley, known for its scenic beauty and as a winter home for black-necked cranes.

6. Drive to Punakha

• Journey: Continue your drive to Punakha, which takes approximately 2-3 hours from Wangduephodrang.

7. Arrival in Punakha

• Punakha Dzong: Visit Punakha Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and historically significant dzongs. It is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers and was once the winter capital of Bhutan.

8. Check-in and Relax

• Hotel Check-in: Arrive at your hotel in Punakha, check in, and unwind.

9. Overnight Stay in Punakha

• Dinner: Enjoy dinner at your hotel or a nearby restaurant. Relax and prepare for the next day’s activities.

Highlights:

• Dochula Pass Views: Stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas and traditional chortens.
• Cultural Sites: Explore important religious and historical sites such as Chime Lhakhang, Chendebji Chorten, and Punakha Dzong.
• Scenic

Punakha to Paro

1. Breakfast at the Hotel

• Start the Day: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel in Punakha.

2. Check Out and Transfer to Paro

• Departure: Check out from your hotel and begin your journey to Paro. The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours, passing through scenic landscapes.

3. Arrival in Paro

• Check-in: Arrive in Paro and check into your hotel. Take some time to rest and freshen up.

4. Visit Drukgyal Dzong

• Historic Ruins: Head to Drukgyal Dzong, the historic fortress located about 16 kilometers from Paro. Although it’s now in ruins, it offers a glimpse into Bhutan’s past and spectacular views of the surrounding valley and the towering Jhomolhari mountain.
• Cultural Insight: Learn about the dzong’s history, its role in Bhutanese defense against invasions, and its significance in Bhutanese culture.

5. Explore Paro’s Main Street

• Shopping: Spend some time exploring Paro’s main street. The area is bustling with shops selling a variety of goods including:
  • Brassware: Traditional Bhutanese brass items and decorative pieces.
  • Silk and Cotton Scarves: Beautifully crafted scarves, both silk and cotton, that make for great souvenirs.
  • Local Crafts: Other handicrafts, textiles, and Bhutanese artifacts.

6. Return to Hotel and Relax

• Leisure Time: Return to your hotel in Paro after shopping. Relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

7. Overnight Stay in Paro

• Dinner: Have dinner at your hotel or at a local restaurant. Enjoy a meal featuring Bhutanese cuisine or other options.
• Rest: Overnight stay at your hotel in Paro.

Highlights:

• Drukgyal Dzong: Explore the historic ruins and take in stunning views.
• Local Shopping: Discover and purchase traditional Bhutanese crafts and souvenirs.