08 Nights/ 09 Days
BHUTAN TOUR VIA BAGDOGRA
Day - 1
Arrive at
Istanbul Airport
Day - 2
ISTANBUL FULL DAY OLD CITY TOUR (Breakfast & Lunch / Walking Tour)
Day - 3
BOSPHORUS HALF DAY CRUISE -
AM (Breakfast)
Day - 4
PRINCES ISLANDS TOUR
(Breakfast & Lunch)
Day - 5
DEPART ISTANBUL
(Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrival at Bagdogra – Drive to Phuentsholing (170 kms / approx. 4-5 hours)
Pickup from Bagdogra Airport and drop at Phuentsholing immigration post. Post immigration, transfer to the hotel in Phuentsholing. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.
Day 02: Phuentsholing - Thimphu
After breakfast, transfer to Thimpu. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light. Visit Trashichhoedzong. Later in the day take an exploratory walk around Thimphu Craft Bazaar located a few minute walk from down town hotels. This market offers genuine Bhutanese arts & crafts thus contributing in promotion, protection and preservation of traditional arts. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Thimpu, city’s main attractions that includes. Royal Textile Museum the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men. National Library the history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Institute for Zorig Chusum commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Zangthopelri Lhakhang the present structure was built in 1960s and although lacking the charm of many of the older temples. Simply Bhutan Museum this privately owned museum depicts the ancient Bhutanese architecture which is being lost to modernization. Memorial Chorten the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. Buddha Point or Kuensel Phodrang located ata short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). Changangkha Lhakhang is one of the oldest monasteries in the Thimphu valley Trashichhoedzong fortress of the glorious religion. Overnight, dinner and unwind at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha (75 kms / approx. 3 hours)
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. After checking into hotel, proceed to visit 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. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. The Dzong is open for visitors during Punakha festival and in summer months when the monk body moves to Thimphu. Later in the day excursion to Chimi Lakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers. After motorable road one has to walk hrough paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1.1/2 hours walk, both ways. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha
Day 05: Punakha Sightseeing
After breakfast visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery: Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.vAfternoon hike up through fields of chilies, cabbages to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 06: Punakha – Paro (125 kms / approx. 4 hours
After breakfast, drive to Paro and transfer to the hotel. Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Ta Dzong visit shortly followed by a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 07: Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery. 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’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor. On the way back to town stop at Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. Along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. OR – Chele la driving excursion After breakfast at hotel, drive to Chele la (mountain pass), at an elevation 3,988 meters, considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in Bhutan. About an hour's drive along a thickly-forested road, is this botanical paradise located. The pass provides stunning views of the sacred mountain Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. It is also marked by hundreds of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. Here, visitors can see cascades of wild roses; purple and yellow primulas; and swathes of deep blue iris covering the forest floor. The top of the pass bloom with rhododendrons in a variety of colours-pale pink, deep pink, burnt orange, mauve, white and scarlet. Later in the day drive back to town. Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 08: Paro – Phuentsholing (150 kms / approx. 5 hours
After breakfast, transfer to Phuentsholing.
Day 09: Departure from Phuentsholing
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Bagdogra airport for return flight back home