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Brilliant Bhutan - 2024

Phuentsholing, Bhutan

Tour Type: Adventure, Family, Religious, Hill Station, Heritage, Culture
Durations 9 D | 8 N
Starting City Phuentsholing

Overview

Phuntsholing, also spelled as Phuentsholing, is a border town in southern Bhutan and is the administrative seat of Chukha District. The town occupies parts of both Phuentsholing Gewog and Sampheling Gewog.

Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, occupies a valley in the country’s western interior. In addition to being the government seat, the city is known for its Buddhist sites. The massive Tashichho Dzong is a fortified monastery and government palace with gold-leaf roofs. The Memorial Chorten, a whitewashed structure with a gold spire, is a revered Buddhist shrine dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Punakha is a town in the Himalayas of Bhutan. It's known for the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century fortress at the juncture of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers. The fortress hosts the Punakha Tshechu, a religious festival featuring masked dances and music. In the surrounding Punakha Valley, temples include the fertility-focused Chimi Lhakhang and the hilltop Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which has river and mountain views

Paro is a valley town in Bhutan, west of the capital, Thimphu. It is the site of the country’s only international airport and is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. North of town, the Taktsang Palphug (Tiger’s Nest) monastery clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Northwest of here are the remains of a defensive fortress, Drukgyel Dzong, dating from the 17th century.

 

Itinerary

We have carefully planned out each day to give you the best possible experience. From exploring historic landmarks to tasting delicious local cuisine, each day is packed with adventure and excitement. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most fascinating destinations in the world.

: NJP Railway Station/IXB Airport to Phuentsholing - Pick up

Approx Distance: 157 Km • Est. Travel Time: 5 hours

Meet & Greet on arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport and transfer to Phuentsholing (961 ft.) - The Gateway of Bhutan by Road from India. It is a thriving commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian Plains. On arrival, check in at the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to relax at the hotel or walk around the Phuentsholing town. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.

Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Phuentsholing to Thimphu - Transfer

Approx Distance: 150 Km • Est. Travel Time: 5 hours

After breakfast, complete the immigration formalities and transfer to Thimphu (7,710 ft.) the capital city of Bhutan. On the way, stop at places to view scenery and for Photography. On arrival, check in at the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to relax at the hotel or take a leisure walk around the Thimphu City. Overnight stay at Thimphu.

Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Thimphu - Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit the Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Dordenma). Located at a short drive from Thimphu City Centre, Kuenselphodrang offers a good overview of the Thimphu valley. The largest statue of Buddha in the country sits here, which houses over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues. Then visit the National Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the Third King of Bhutan and visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Afternoon visit Sangaygang View Point. The Lookout point offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire Thimphu. On the way back, visit the Takin Preserve Centre. Takin is the National animal of Bhutan. Then visit the Changangkha Lhakhang. This is a popular Buddhist temple and is especially visited by parents to receive blessings for their newborn. Its interiors are full of murals that depict different stories. In the evening, visit the Tashichho Dzong, first built in 1216 A.D. by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa. The Dzong is the seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Overnight stay at Thimphu.

Sight Seeing :
Changangkha lhakhang / Folk Heritage Museum Thimphu / Memorial Chorten, Chhoten Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan / Motithang Takin Preserve / Simtokha Dzong / Tashichho Dzong
Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Thimphu to Punakha/Wangdue - Transfer and Sightseeing

Approx Distance: 78 Km • Est. Travel Time: 3 hours

After breakfast drive to Punakha/Wangdue (4298 ft.), on the way Stop at Dochu-La-Pass (10334 ft.) to view the higher Himalayas. The pass is approximately 25 kms away from Thimphu and is the highest point between the Thimphu and Punakha/Wangdue Valley. Another attraction is the 108 chorten/stupas (Druk Wangyel Chortens) built close to each other surrounded by numerous colourful prayer flags. On arrival at Punakha, check in at the hotel. Afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years, until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. After that take a short and easy hike to visit the Chhimi Lhakhang - The Temple, also known as “The Temple of Fertility” was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, “The Devine Mad Man”. Evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Punakha/Wangdue - Gangtey/Phobjikha Excursion or Punakha Sightseeing

Approx Distance: 78 Km • Est. Travel Time: 3 hours

After breakfast, start for full day excursion trip to Gangtey Valley (9,842 ft.). On the way you shall come across different flora and fauna, monuments, villages and people. Stop at places for sightseeing and photography. While in Gangtey visit the Gangtey Goemba the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan, which was established in the 17th century. Then explore the Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas and the winter roosting place for the endangered Blacknecked Cranes, which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north. You may choose to hike around the Valley. After visiting the valley, drive back to Punakha. Overnight stay at Punakha / Wangdue.

OR

Alternatively, instead of going to Gangtey / Phobjikha, you also have an option of spending the day in Punakha Valley itself. After breakfast hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten which is about 45 Mins easy hike to the top of the hill. It offers a breathtaking view of the Punakha Valley. After that visit Punakha Suspension Bridge which is one of the longest in Bhutan. Later visit The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa village, Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys. Rest of the day free for leisure. Overnight stay in Punakha / Wangdue.

Sight Seeing :
Gangtey (Phunaka Bhutan)
Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Punakha/Wangdue to Paro - Transfer and Sightseeing

Approx Distance: 125 Km • Est. Travel Time: 5 hours

After breakfast, drive to Paro (7,483 ft.). On the way, stop at Lamperi to visit Royal Botanical Park. This park is a treat for nature lovers, as the 36 species of exotic rhododendron and approximately 220 types of charming birds will make your day unforgettable. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha, etc. Then visit the Rinpung Dzong - Meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". The dzong now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro. Rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Paro.

Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Paro - Taktshang Monastery Excursion

Approx Distance: 40 Km • Est. Travel Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

After breakfast, drive to the base of the abode of gods and monks, the Taktshang Monastery. The monastery is a 2 -3 hours hike uphill from here. One feels truly blessed, reaching the monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built surrounding Guru Rinpoche’s Meditation cave in 1684 which clings to the edge of a sheer Rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress, which gives its name “Taktshang” meaning Tiger’s nest. Afternoon (If time permits), visit the Drukgyel Dzong. Built in 1647, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Overnight stay at Paro.

Sight Seeing :
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Paro to Phuentsholing - Transfer

Approx Distance: 145 Km • Est. Travel Time: 5 hours

After breakfast, check out from hotel and transfer to Phuentsholing. On arrival, check in at the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to relax at the hotel or walk around the Phuentsholing town. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.

Hotel:
Any 3 Star Hotel
Room category :
standard
Meals at hotel :
MAP
Phuentsholing to NJP Railway Station/IXB Airport - Drop

Approx Distance: 170 Km • Est. Travel Time: 5 hours

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport for your onward journey

Inclusions

  • Hotel Nights accommodation on twin sharing basis as per itinerary

  • Meals as per hotel plan

  • All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary in an air-conditioned vehicle on sharing basis

  • Road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes

 

Exclusions

  • In case client wishes to prepone /postpone his or her travel dates, we request you to kindly reach us 15 days prior to journey date via e-mail/SMS..

  • The customers can prepone /postpone their tour once without any additional charges (if intimated before 15 days of travel date in written). However postponing & preponing second time will attract additional charges.

  • Also note that few service providers (Hoteliers, Transporter etc.) may apply postpone/prepone charges even after meeting above requirement. In such cases postpone/prepone charges will deducted from the advance amount deposited.

  • In all prepone or postpone scenarios, the services and the costing will be subject to availability of Hotel/Volvo and season/off season time.

  • We do not accept any changes in plan within 15 days of travel date. However in rare cases like adverse climatic conditions or strikes, package can be postponed which will be intimated to you beforehand.

  • The validity to utilize your Advance payment in prepone/postpone scenarios is 1 Year from the date of advance payment.

  • The advance payment and the invoice Number allotted to you, are transferable i.e. you can pass on your booking to any of your friends/ relatives. (Please Note: In order to transfer your booking you must meet the above terms and conditions first).

If you Cancel your Holiday

  • 30 days or more before date of departure : 25% of total cost

  • 29 - 20 days before date of departure : 50% of total cost

  • 19 days or less before date of departure : 100% of total cost

 

Price
From
USD 711
Per Person Twin Sharing

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