07 DAYS BHUTAN OVERLAND TOUR

After completing these immigration formalities at Phuentsholing, we’re all set to tour Bhutan.

Post breakfast, we leave the hotel and head for Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. It’s a 6-hour road trip with worthwhile halts at some of the must-visit tourist places in Bhutan.

First in line is the incredible Kharbandi Gompa monastery. It’s a famous Bhutan pilgrimage site built under royal patronage. As we explore this beautiful structure, we’ll find the statue of Guru Rinpoche (an ancient mystic) and lovely paintings depicting Lord Buddha’s life. From the monastery garden, enjoy fantastic views of Phuentsholing and the Indian plains.

On our journey upwards via several little towns, we’ll take the next halt at Gedu town, home to a premier college offering full-time modern business education, which is indeed worth visiting.

We continue our drive uphill with a photo stop at the Taktichu Pass (2000 metres) at its huge, scenic waterfall.  From this point, we can notice a transition in the forest scene - tropical vegetation giving way to coniferous trees. Halfway along our densely forested drive comes our next stop. It’s the vast hydroelectric complex of Chukha District.

Now we enjoy a scenic drive beside the Paro River and then break our journey at Chuzom, the confluence of Rivers Paro and Thimphu. Let’s walk on the Chuzom bridge and take in mesmerising sights of the countryside. Another major attraction at Chuzom is three chortens situated side by side, representing a different architecture - Nepali, Tibetan, and Bhutanese.

We resume our journey along the Thimphu River, taking in the beautiful countryside en route. We get the first glimpse of Thimphu city as the Simtokha Dzong appears. Our team has selected one of the best hotels in Bhutan for your overnight stay in Thimphu.

We hope you had a good night’s sleep in beautiful Bhutan! Enjoy the hotel’s satiating breakfast before we begin our Thimphu tour today.

First on the list is Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the founder of modern Bhutan. This tall, four-storeyed structure contains statues and symbols of several Tantric deities, undoubtedly ranking among the must-visit tourist places in Bhutan. Experience the fantastic sight of locals circumambulating the Chorten, holding prayer beads and murmuring the divine prayers.

What better way to begin your day in wonderful Bhutan than visiting such a pious landmark?

Now we take you to the National Library. This 20th-century building houses major historical evidence in the form of documents and photos. Also, you’ll find the world’s biggest published book here that weighs 68 kg and is 2 metres in height.

Next stop is Buddha Dordenma, made in line with increasing the Bhutan happiness index. This sitting statue of Buddha measures 169 feet in height and is filled with 1,25,000 shorter Buddha statues. One of the world’s most giant Buddha statues, Buddha Dordenma, with its peaceful and assuring appearance, draws innumerable tourists towards it. Also, this spot offers spectacular views of the Thimphu Valley.

After seeking the umpteen blessings of the Buddha, we drive towards Thimphu for lunch. By the way, did you see any traffic lights in your Bhutan Travel so far? This is the only nation worldwide that controls vehicular traffic without them. In Thimphu, you’ll see a traffic policeman waving and signalling to the main traffic. Well-dressed and wearing white gloves, the traffic policeman’s graceful mannerisms are sure to fascinate you. This unique traffic control system of amazing Bhutan might as well qualify for some sightseeing!

A visit to the post office Museum to see the Bhutanes

This morning we start our journey towards Paro. The confluence of rivers is always fascinating. So is Chuzom, the meeting point of Rivers Thimphu and Paro. We’ll halt for a while and enjoy a walk on Chuzom’s bridge. Also, noteworthy here are 3 different-styled chortens - Tibetan, Nepali, and Bhutanese. Take as many pictures as you want before we continue our travel.

At a short distance from Chuzom, you can spot the Thamchok Lhakhang, a private temple dedicated to the ancient saint Thangthong Gyelpo. He is famous for having built countless iron chain bridges to ease Himalayan travels and pilgrimages. The access to the temple is through an iron suspension bridge built by Thangthong Gyelpo, which is purely a photographer’s delight.

Finally, after reaching Paro we will take you to the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower-converted- museum, also known as the country’s National Museum. Indulge in Bhutan’s rich culture as you see lovely exhibits of paintings, bronzes, 3-D stamps, silken stamps, textiles, and jewellery.  Look out for the famed triangular stamp illustrating the ape-like yeti. Walk the galleries showcasing stuffed animals of amazing Bhutan.

Now let’s go below the Museum. An architectural marvel and, indeed, a photographer’s delight is awaiting you. That’s Paro Dzong, a 17th-century, impressive fortress with a complex of preserved buildings. Also known as Rinpung Dzong, this square fortress is Paro’s administrative centre and houses temples, courtyards, and offices with intricate Bhutanese motif works.

Next, we’ll take you to Paro town. You can explore it at your leisure. But something is interesting on the way back from the dzong to our waiting vehicle. Take the experience of crossing the traditional cantilever bridge with a shingle roof and a couple of watch houses on each end.

In

Today, it’s all about Paro! Post breakfast, we take a short drive on a blacktop road of green Bhutan to the end of Paro Valley. This is where the 17th-Century Drukgyel Dzong stands.  A symbol of victory over the Tibetan aggression, Drukgyel Dzong served as an excellent barrier for several years against further attacks. Today, we can see only the ruins of this fortress because it had caught fire and suffered heavy damage in 1951. However, the well-protected ancient ruins make an impressive sight, qualifying as Bhutan’s most stunning archaeological spot!

We take you to the end of the blacktop road and then along a narrow path to Lingshi, a remote Bhutanese village that yak herders call home. Today, if Weather God is on your side, you’ll be able to get a clear view of the snow-clad, towering (23,996 feet) Mt. Jomolhari. This spectacular mountain, also regarded as the holiest peak in beautiful Bhutan, provides a perfect backdrop to the Drugyel ruins and Lingshi.

Coming up is one of the best parts of your Bhutan Tour! From Lingshi, we retrace about 6 kilometres to take in breathtaking views of Taktsang Lhakhang, more popularly called “The Tiger’s Nest”. This iconic monastery is so-called owing to the myth that the medieval Buddhist saint Padmasambhava visited it, riding a flying tiger. The legend also says that he meditated in a cave that is now the Nest’s lower storey. The monastery houses a wrathful emanation of Padmasambhava on top of a tiger.

You can reach this sacred place only through an uphill hike as it’s perched on a precipitous rock face. It’s a 5-hour trek through scenic pine forests, with the eluding view of the Nest beckoning you the whole time.

So, are you game? We’ll take you uphill through the well-marked trail till we reach our lunch point after about 3 hours. Enjoy unique views of the monastery from here. If you&r

We take leave of beautiful Paro and retrace in the direction of Phuentsholing town. On our leisurely drive by the Paro River after crossing Chuzom and then towards Chukha, let’s take in all the beautiful sights for one last time before descending towards our destination. After checking in to our hotel at the border town, we have the remaining time at leisure.

Post breakfast, we bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Happiness and set off on our journey home. After entering the Indian border at Jaigaon, we pass the scenic Bengal Countryside to arrive at Bagdogra Airport. We take the air journey with beautiful memories of our Bhutan travel.

**End of The Tour**

Goodbye to Bhutan with beautiful memories of Kingdom of Happiness