If you have never been to the land of the thunder dragon, this one-week Bhutan tour is just the perfect starting point. This 7-day Bhutan tour takes you through some of the most unique and breathtakingly beautiful places to see in Bhutan.
Nestled close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which is also Buddhist, Bhutan offers you an experience that is very different from what a one-week Arunachal Pradesh tour would offer.
One week Bhutan Tour Itinerary
Let’s have a quick look to see what this 7 day Bhutan tour has to offer.
- Day 1: Arrive at Bagdogra/NJP and Transfer to Phuentsholing
- Day 2: Phuentsholing-Thimphu(180km, approx. 6 hours drive)
- Day 3: Explore Thimpu
- Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha & Wangdue (75km, approx 3 hours drive)
- Day 5: Punakha-Phobjikha Valley day Excursion (Approx 3 hrs drive)
- Day 6: Punakha & Wangdue – Paro (125km, approx 4.1/2 hours drive)
- Day 7: Paro and Trek To The Tiger’s Nest Monastery or Day excursion to Chele La
- Day 8: Paro-Phuentsholing-Bagdogra Depart
Day 1: Arrive at Bagdogra/NJP and Transfer to Phuentsholing
Met our representative after you land at Bagdogra/ arrive at NJP Railway Station. After the meet & greet, you will start your drive to the border town of Phuentsholing in Bhutan, for your immigration formalities. Phuentsholing is the gateway for travelers entering Bhutan by road. It is a bustling and thriving commercial center on the northern edge of the Indian plains and the Himalayan foothills.
From food to dressing to language, Phutensholing is a fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese life, a perfect example of the mingling of people and their cultures.
If you have enough time left in the evening, we can visit Zangtho Pelri, Situated in the city center. It is a small temple representing the heaven of Guru Rinpoche. You can also choose to explore the town’s market.
Day 2: Phuentsholing To Thimphu(180km, approx. 6 hours drive)
Today we start our journey to Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan, after breakfast. En route to Thimpu, we will stop by and visit the Kharbandi Gompa, a beautiful monastery founded in 1967 by Royal Grandmother, Ashi Phuntsho Choedron. By the time you arrive in Thimpu after driving through some of the most gorgeous parts of Bhutan, it will be evening. Check into the hotel and relax for the day.
However, if there’s still time, your guide will be happy to take you on an exploratory walk around Thimphu city center.
Day 3: Explore Thimpu
The whole day today will be dedicated to exploring the places to visit in Thimpu. We start our Thimpu tour after breakfast. Over the course of the day, we will visit the following attractions:
- Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). It holds one of the largest Buddha statue in the country at 169 feet (51.5m), made of bronze and gilded in gold.
- Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten.
- Simply Bhutan Museum where you can have a glimpse of the day-to-day Bhutanese lifestyle.
- Takin Preserve – The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat.
You can also try your hands at Bhutan’s national sport, Archery, taste traditional Butter Tea-“SUJA”, sip locally brewed hooch-“Ara” or even have a sumptuous Traditional Bhutanese Lunch.
Once done with your lunch, we again resume our Thimpu tour by visiting the following:
- The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School)
- Zilukha Nunnery
- Centenary Farmer’s Market
- Sangaygang View Point
- Folk Heritage Museum
We wrap up Thimpu sightseeing with a visit to the Trashi chhoed zong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Evening at leisure in Thimphu city center.
Day 4: Thimphu – Punakha & Wangdue (75km, approx 3 hours drive)
Today after breakfast, we will start our day by visiting one of Bhutan’s most popular places to visit, Dhochu La. At around 10,100 feet, the views from Dhochu la are beyond words. Also, the place itself, with 108 memorial chortens and the colorful prayer flags fluttering in the cold wind, is quite a blissful experience that is hard to put into words. Learn more about the place and its significance from your guide who will be explaining all that you see there.
In the evening, we head out to visit the Punakha Dzong or ‘Palace of Great Happiness or Bliss’ followed by exploring the Punakha city center. After exploring the city center, we go on a short excursion to Chimi Lhakhang also called the Fertility temple. From there, we head to the popular suspension bridge. The views from here too, just like from most of Bhutan, are gorgeous.
Last but not least, if you are someone who loves adventure, you can also choose to go for white water river rafting, time and weather permitting.
Day 5: Punakha-Phobjikha Valley day Excursion (Approx 3 hrs drive)
Set out after breakfast, traversing dramatic landscapes of terraced farmland, deep river valleys, and perched farmhouses. Gangtey Valley, among Bhutan’s most pristine, unfolds unexpectedly: a wide, treeless expanse after dense forest, offering a rare sense of vastness in this tightly enclosed land.
A short hike from Gangtey Monastery along the picturesque Gangtey Natural Trail (1.5 hours) leads through pine forests and bamboo groves, revealing breathtaking views of the Phobjikha Valley. Explore Phobjikha Valley, a haven for endangered Black Necked Cranes during winter, nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas.
Day 6: Punakha & Wangdue – Paro (125km, approx 4.1/2 hours drive)
Today, we will retrace our route via Dhochu La, on our way back to Paro. However, today we will first visit Bhutan’s oldest fort, the Simtokha Dzong. Then, later in the day, we will pay a visit to Ta Dzong, originally a watchtower and now home to the National Museum. And finally, we will follow the trail to Rinpung Dzong as your guide explains to you, the long and captivating history of the place.
Day 7: Paro and Trek To The Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Today is one of the most exciting days of this 7-day Bhutan trip. After breakfast, today we will start our trek to the Tiger’s Nest monastery, also known as the Taktshang Gompa.
This approximately 5-hour round trip walk through rugged terrain promises to be a splendid half-day excursion, offering not only physical exertion but also spiritual rejuvenation amidst the breathtaking Himalayan landscape.
Along the path, immerse yourself in the sacred ambiance of the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, an ancient temple steeped in history and adorned with intricate Buddhist artistry.
For a truly immersive experience, we highly recommend indulging in a Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath, a therapeutic practice deeply rooted in Bhutanese tradition, offering relaxation and rejuvenation for body and soul.
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Day 7: Day excursion to Chele la
As an alternative to the trek to Tiger’s Nest monastery, you can also go on a day excursion to Chelela (pass). We will start post breakfast from our hotel and start our driving excursion to Chelela Pass.
At an elevation of 3,988 meters, it is considered one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour’s drive along a thickly forested road, this pass is a botanical paradise. Chele la (pass) provides some stunning views of the sacred mountains of Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
Overall, a day full of gorgeous and breathtakingly beautiful scenery, throughout.
By early evening, back to the hotel.
Day 8: Paro-Phuentsholing-Bagdogra Depart
On the last day of your trip, start for Bagdogra after breakfast, retracing the route. Driving through gorgeous vistas of Bhutan, you are sure to re-live the past week spent in this wonderland called Bhutan, as you reach Phutensholing.
Here, our representative will help you with the exit formalities after which, you bid your goodbyes and drive to Bagdogra.
The Inclusions and Exclusions for this One Week Bhutan Trip are as follows:
- Accommodation on a double/twin-sharing basis
- Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- SDF
- Pick and drop- Bagdogra Airport
- 01 TCB Certified English-Speaking Tour Guide
- All Sightseeing and internal transfers in the vehicle mentioned above with experienced Certified
Driver - All Permits and Local Taxes
- Expenses for Driver and Guide, toll taxes, fuel charges, Parking Fees, etc.
- Bottled water throughout the tour
- 01 Local Bhutanese SIM Card for Communication
- All lunches
- Travel Insurance (Recommended)
- Entrance fees to monuments/attractions
- Flight Tickets
- Tips & Gratuity
- Anything that is not mentioned in the ‘Inclusions‘ section
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