Grand tour of Bhutan

Writers Building Kolkata Day 01 Arrive Kolkata
Our executive will receive you at the Kolkata airport and escort you to the hotel for hassle free check in. He will discuss about the sightseeing and other travel information. Overnight stay

Tram in Kolkata Day 02 Kolkata/Paro (by flight)
Today we board the flight to Paro from Kolkata.Our executive will receive you at Paro airport & transfer to hotel.Later visit Ta Dzong (remains closed on government holidays) once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan's National Museum in 1968. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.Visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Overnight stay

Day 03 Paro (Tiger’s nest hike)
Morning after breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike) : It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Visit Kyichu Lakhang : It is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century (the other is Jambey Lhakahng in Bumthang). Overnight stay

Day 04 Paro -Thimphu (02 Hrs drive)
Today morning drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Later visit National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. You can also visit weekend market which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people and perhaps buy souvenirs. Late afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body. Overnight stay

Day 05 Thimphu -Sightseeing
After leisurely breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Thimphu. Start with the visit of National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion. Walk a little further down to visit Painting School this school teaches the techniques of traditional thangkha paintings. On a visit, one can see students at work producing intricate design on cloth.Visit textile and Folk Heritage Museum: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.You can also visit weekend market which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening.Late afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body. Overnight stay

Day 06 Thimphu- Punakha (Surface 03 Hrs drive)
After early breakfast, drive to Punakha enroute stop to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. After lunch visit to Punakha Dzong, Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Overnight stay

Day 07 Punakha-Gangtey (Phobjikha) (03 Hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Gangtey. The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, and extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valley’s are tightly enclosed. Rest of the day at leisure to stroll the village. Overnight stay

Day 08 Gangtey (Phobjikha) –Trongsa ( 04 ½ Hrs drive)
Today morning explore beautiful Phobjikha valley. This place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate.While the cranes reside in the winter valley from late October till March months After lunch, drive to Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large white chorten prayer flags.Stop en route at Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes panted at four cardinal points.Overnight stay

Day 09 Trongsa- Bumthang (03 Hrs drive)
After breakfast visit Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone structure rising five storeys, was built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, a task entrusted to him by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.Later drive to Bumthang, 68 km from Trongsa, a journey of about 3 hours over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley. Afternoon visit Jambay Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 7th century by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. Then visit Kurje Lhakhang.Overnight stay

Day 10 Bumthang -Sightseeing
Bumhang is mini Switzerland of Bhutan. The wide and scenic valley draws a large number of tourists each year. Here we visit Jakar Dzong.Evening stroll in the village, visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town, and perhaps take refreshments at a local restaurant Overnight stay

Day 11 Bumthang -Mongar (07 Hrs drive)
Today start for long drive with spectacular views to Mongar. The journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain.Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass - 4000m. Gradually drop down to Sengor, watching cascading water falls on the way. The descent stops at 700m on a bridge over the Kurichu. Ascent again through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Here visit Mongar Dzong; built albeit quite recently, the dzong still maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight stay.

Day 12 Mongar - Trashigang (03 Hrs drive)
Today morning we passing through Kori la pass (2,450m), the place marked by a pretty chorten and a stone wall. The first part of journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns. Later road descends rapidly through corn fields and banana groves arriving the famous zigzags of Yadi, which is a recent settlement.rashigang is the centre of the biggest and most populated district in the country. Visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri River. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the dzong is occupied by the Drukpa monastic community. Overnight stay

Day 13 Trashigang (excursion to Trashiyangtse)
24 km from Trashigang, visit the temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial plateau, overlooking the river. Gom Kora is a famous place where Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon. Further ahead reach to Doksum village where you can see women busy in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and a chain bridge dating of the 15th century. Visit to Trashiyangtse Dzong, situated at the alt. of 1,850 m. In former times Trashiyangtse was important centre because it lies on one of the caraven routes leading from western and central Bhutan.The dzong is new and near by are the Art school and the famous chortenKora. Evening return to Trashigang. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Trashigang. Overnight stay

Day 14 Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar (06 Hrs drive)
Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar road completed in 1965 and the journey takes about 6 hours. Along the way, pass by Sherubtse College, the only college in country founded in 1978. Also visit the Zangtho Pelri temple built in 1978 by the late Minister of Home Affairs. It represents Guru Rinpoche's paradise. Driving ahead, reach to Khaling to visit the Blind School and Weaving Centre. Deothang, 80 kms from Khaling is the centre of Technical training college and road maintenance head quarters for the east. From here the road descends fairly rapidly to the plain through a dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns. Overnight stay

Day 15 Samdrup Jongkhar-Guwhati/Kolkata (03 Hrs drive & flight)
After breakfast transfer to Indian city Guwahati which is capital of Assam to board the flight to Kolkata.On arrival met and transfer to hotel Overnight stay

Day 16 Leave Kolkata
Today in time transfer to Kolkata airport to board the return flight to home