ExclusiveJourneyYour journey to the land of happiness
Prayer flags fluttering above a Bumthang temple

Bagdogra to Bagdogra

10 Days Bagdogra + Bumthang

  • 10 Days / 9 Nights
  • Bagdogra · Phuentsholing · Thimphu · Punakha · Bumthang

A ten-day journey deep into central Bhutan and the Bumthang valleys, from and back to Bagdogra.

Day-by-day itinerary

Every journey is private and can be adjusted to your pace, interests and travel dates.

Day1Arrival at Bagdogra Airport and drive to Phuentsholing Bhutan

Our representative from Exclusive Bhutan Journey will welcome you at Bagdogra airport and drive to Bhutan border Town Phuentsholing.

Overnight at Phuentsholing

Day2Drive to Thimphu from Phuentsholing

After breakfast process permit and drive to Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan.

  • Chuzom Bridge, where one can get to see three type of stupas in one place and beautiful location to take pictures.
  • Milarapa Lhakhang visit

On reaching Thimphu, check in the Hotel.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day3Explore Thimphu

After breakfast Explore and visit Thimphu city.

  • Memorial Chorten, it was built in 1974 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of her son, Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
  • Buddha Statue, facing Thimphu valley down below is the worlds’ largest and tallest Buddha statue standing at the height of 169 feet (52m). From here one can have a 360-degree view of Thimphu city.
  • View Tashichho Dzong, just near bank of the Wangchu River, Tashicho Dzong was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and enlarged in 1694 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay. Today, the dzong is the seat of the central government, His Majesty the King’s office, and the summer residence of the Central Monastic Body.
  • Simply Bhutan, get to see Bhutan Culture and traditional.
  • Craft Bazaar
  • Leisure time at Main town

Overnight at Thimphu

Day4Thimphu - Punakha

After breakfast drive towards Punakha via Dochula pass.

  • Dochula Pass, an hour's drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 chortens.
  • Punakha Dzong, the dzong is situated on a stretch of a land where two rivers – Phochu and Mochu – meet. The dzong was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in and the first monarch, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned there and it served as the capital of the country until 1955.
  • Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), famously known for its fertility shrine, where couples unable to concieve come here for blessing.
  • Suspension Bridge
  • River Rafting, In Punakha very smooth river one can enjoy rafting (Optional).

Overnight at Punakha

Day5Drive from Punakha to Bumthang valley
  • After early breakfast, you will be driven to Trongsa via Pele pass which is at an altitude of 3150 meters. It would provide you with a wonderful opportunity for taking photographs of the Himalayan landscape. You will halt in Trongsa and visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong followed by the Ta Dzong (museum). It was originally a temple built bu Nagi Wangchuk in 1543 but then was reconstructed as a Dzong by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1647. It is an epitome of Bhutanese architecture.
  • You will be then driven to Bumthang, which is one of the most beautiful valleys of the country and carries much historical and cultural significance. You can visit Yatha weaving center, an initiative of national women association of Bhutan where women of the region sell textiles and Yatha specialty.

Overnight hotel at Bumthang.

Day6Explore Bumthang Sightseeing

After breakfast sightseeing includes visit to the following:

  • Jambay Lhakhang: it is one of the 108 monasteries built by Songtsen Goempo of Tibet so that Buddhism can flourish. It was mainly built to subdue the evil spirits of the Himalayan region.
  • Kujey Lhakhang: It was built Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body print.
  • Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the Good Message) – It was built by the first Terton (Treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple consists of his portrait on the walls.
  • Jakar Dzong: Dzong was built on the spur of the hill where a big white settled. This was considered as a good omen. It was built in 1667. It is now used for administrative purposes and is the summer residence of Trongsa monks.
  • Burning Lake visit

Overnight at Hotel Bumthang

Day7Drive from Bumthang to Phojikha Valley
  • After breakfast drive towards Phojikha valley which is located east of Punakha is a beautiful and most scenic glacial valley of Bhutan. Also Visit Pelela Pass. This valley serves as roosting spot for Black necked crane, one of the rarest and endangered species of bird which migrates during winter months (November, December, January, February) from Tibetan plateaus and northern region of India.

Once reach Beautiful Phojikha valleys go around for short trail walk around Gangtey monastery.

Overnight at Phobjikha Valley

Day8Drive from Phojikha Valley to Paro
  • Ta Dzong (national museum), the dzong was built in the mid-17th century as a watchtower overlooking Paro Dzong and the circular dzong houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
  • Paro Rinpung Dzong, at the bank of Pachu River, Paro Dzong, formally known as Rinchen Pung Dzong was built in 1644 under the command of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It is one of the most beautiful and historically important dzongs in the country.
  • Airport viewpoint

Leisure Time at Paro Town

Overnight at Paro

Day9Paro Taktsang monastery hike

After breakfast drive towards Taktsang base from where the hike begins. Horse riding facilities are available till view point.

  • Taktsang monastery, the monastery is located 900 m above Paro valley on the face of a rocky cliff. Taktshang is perhaps the most famous monastery in the country. The monastery was named Taktshang after Guru Rinpoche flew there from Kurtoe Singay Dzong (Eastern Bhutan) riding on a tigress to subdue a demon.

After Lunch drive to Phuentsholing from Paro. Do shopping and leisure time inside the Town.

Overnight at Phuentsholing

Day10Drive to Bagdogra Airport from Phuentsholing for departure

After breakfast, your guide and driver will see you off at Bagdogra airport for your onward destinations.

Good to know

  • Private tours: your own guide, driver and vehicle throughout.
  • The Bhutan visa fee of USD $40 and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) apply to international visitors; the details are included in your written quote.
  • Payment terms and the cancellation policy are set out on our payment terms page.

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