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Western Bhutan
Duration :- 6 Nights / 7 Days
Places to See : - Bagdogra - Phuntsholing - Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdiphodrang
- Paro
Day 1: Bagdogra/Phuntsholing, 156 km
Meeting
and assistance at Bagdogra airport or Siliguri and drive to Phuntsholing.
Pass through the lunch green tea gardens enroute.
Arrive Phuntsholing, the gateway of Bhutan, situated directly at the base of
Himalayan and the commercial centre of Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Phuntsholing - Thimphu, 172 km/6 hours
After breakfast, proceed to Thimphu. Visit Kharbandi Gompa, 5 km out of Phuntsholing,
this beautiful monastery was built by Royal Grandmother.
Road further climbs steeply and winds in innumerable bends, upwards to an altitude
of approx. 2000M providing beautiful view of the Brahmaputra plains and the
Toorsa river. After 2 hours drive through light mountain jungle, the road descends
and scenery and vegetation changes. Enroute you pass Chukha Hydel project and
the small town of Chimakothi. Lunch will be served enroute.
The highest point on this route is at 2800 M and then steeply descends along
the Wang Chu till the Chuzom river confluence.
Shortly before entering Thimphu city, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress
of the Kingdom built by Shab Drung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627 which is now the
School for Buddhist studies.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Thimphu
Full day sight-seeing of Thimphu valley, visiting Taschihhodzong; the seat of
the Government, Memorial Chorten, the Stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's
third King and Handicrafts Emporium displaying rich traditional crafts of the
Kingdom, National Library which has fascinating collection of ancient Buddhist
manuscripts and texts, the Painting School: famous for traditional thankhas
paintings and traditional Medicine Institute where centuries old healing arts
still practiced.
Day 4: Thimphu - Punakha, 57 km/3 hours
Morning
proceed to Punakha across Dochula pass (3050 M) which provides a superb view
of the highest peaks of Bhutan, such as Gangkar, Puensum, table Mountain, Masakhang
etc. On arrival check-in at the hotel.
A low lying sub tropical valley, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until
1955 and still it is the home of Chief Abbot in winter months. Punakha Fortress
was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang, Namgyal in 17th century who played prominent
role in civil and religious life of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire
and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now fully restored in its original
splendor and is situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers.
Day 5: Punakha - Wangdiphodrang - Paro, 120
km
After breakfast drive to Wangdiphodrang, 17 km to visit Dzong which is pierced
on a spur at the confluence of the Sunkosh and Tangmachu rivers. The dzong was
built in 1638.. The position of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers
the south and east-west. Wangdi district is famous for its bamboo work, slate
and stone carving.
After lunch, proceed to Paro and on arrival, check-in at the hotel for dinner
and overnight.
Day 6: Paro
After breakfast, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese
warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari,
"mountain of goddess" looms directly over the dzong. Along the way,
see the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan
King Songtsen Gampo.
After lunch visit Ta Dzong, originally built as watch tower, now houses National
Museum of the Kingdom. It boasts antique thankhas, textile, weapons and armory,
household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Then
walk down the train to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning 'fortress of the heap of
jewels" which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries
lining the courtyard of the Rinpung Dzong are fine wall paintings.
Day 7: Paro - Dep.
Transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.
Golden Triangle
