Thunder Dragon & Land Of Bhutan

You will be taken to the hotel in Phuentsholing upon arrival at Bagdogra airport / New Jalpaiguri train station. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Phuentsholing hotel.

Today, go to Thimpu over the highlands; this journey is almost surreal in its splendour. The route connects the northern Indian tea estates to Thimphu through Chukka via countless curves, hairpin bends, and risky sections cut into the mountain rock. Make your way to the hotel. Spend some time on the clock tower square later in the evening. Overnight in a Thimpu hotel. (B)

Today, continue to a sightseeing trip of Tashichho Dzong, the National Library, and the Handicraft Center to display traditional arts, as well as Tashichho Dzong and Takin Zoo. Later, the National Memorial Chorten was built, which included a stupa dedicated to Bhutan's third monarch and a Buddha statue. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Thimpu hotel. (B)

Today, travel to the Punakha valley's lowlands, passing across Dochula pass at 10,000 ft and stopping in Hongtsho hamlet. Make your way to the hotel. Afternoon see the beautiful Punakha Dzong, strategically located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong serves as the region's religious and administrative capital. Later in the day, visit the Punakha Dzong and the Punakha Suspension Bridge. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Punakha hotel. (B)

Today, go to the magnificent Gangtey valley through Wangdiphodrang Dzong, which is strategically placed on a 4,430-foot mountain that overlooks the country's highways to the east and south. This is an older town with narrow streets lined with single-story stores that serves as a gateway to central and eastern Bhutan. The Gangtey valley is one of Bhutan's most stunning open valleys and is home to the endangered black necked cranes (Grus Nigricllis), who migrate to this valley from Tibet around mid November. For millennia, these cranes have captivated human imaginations with their intellect, poise, sociality, beauty, and independence, inspiring numerous stories, legends, folktales, and songs. The birds fly back across the Himalayas into Tibet and China, where they spend the summer. Gangtey hamlet is a tiny settlement overshadowed by the Gangtey monastery with its yellow roof. Overnight in a Punakha hotel. (B)

This morning, travel to Paro, stopping at Lamperi along route. Pay a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. Afternoon, see the remnants of Drukgyel Dzong and travel to the Tigers Nest base. Overnight in a Paro hotel. (B)

Today, after breakfast, take a tour of Paro, seeing the Paro Dzong and National Museum. Later, travel to the base of the world-famous "Tigers Nest" or "Paro Taktsang," one of Bhutan's most prominent spiritual heritage sites, which actually hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro valley at an elevation of 900m above the valley floor. Guru Rimpoche, who came in the eighth century, is affiliated with the shrine. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Paro hotel. (B)

Today Continue to Phuentsholing and pay a visit to Kharbandi Gompa. The remainder of the day is free. Overnight in a Phuentsholing hotel. (B)

This morning, you will be taken to Bagdogra airport / New Jalpaiguri railway station in order to catch a flight or train return to your home or next destination. (B)