Day 1: Arrive at Bagdogra Airport (IXB)
Today you will gather at Bagdogra’s hotel and late evening discuss tour program. Have an overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 2: Bagdora - Phuentsoling, 170 kilometers / 106 miles
After breakfast, drive to Phuentsoling. On arrival, you will check-in at the hotel. After the check-in formality, you will go to the immigration office for the visa. Have a dinner and stay overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Phuentsoling - Thimphu, 171 kilometers / 106 miles
You will start your day by riding up towards Thimphu city. It will be a descend climb towards the capital city with moderate experience of the roads in Bhutan. Spend an overnight in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu - Phobjikha via Punakha, 131 kilometers / 81 miles
- Duration: 5-hour ride
- Altitude: 2,750 meters above sea level
Depart for Punakha in the morning and leave Thimphu through a road that climbs steeply through the forest of pine come across Dochula pass (3,150 meters). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountain ranges, especially in clear winter days. The beauty of the place is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyel Chortens, a total of 108 stupas.
On the way, visit Royal Botanical Park where you will able to see species of Rhododendron, Primula, Orchidaceae, and many more. In the afternoon, continue your journey to Phobjikha valley and visit Gangtey Monastery and the Black Necked Crane Observation Center. Phobjikha valley is the most beautiful valley in this country and in December, the valley is occupied with endangering cranes. Spend an overnight in Phobjikha.
Day 5: Phobjikha - Bumthang via Trongsa, 160 kilometers / 99 miles
- Duration: seven to eight hours of ride
- Altitude: 2,600 meters
After the sunrise, you’ll take the same winding road for 15 kilometers than division towards Pele La pass (3,390 meters above sea level) and continue towards Trongsa. In Trongsa, visit a museum which situated strategically above the Trongsa Dzong, the Ta Dzong served as the watchtower for centuries. It was built by Choeje Minjur Tempa in 1652.The museum is equipped with state of the art technology and includes a media room where visitors can watch a documentary program on the history of the monarchy. The Ta Dzong was renovated and converted as a museum at a cost of 97 million with funds from the Austrian government. The museum is dedicated to the coronation and centenary celebrations.
Have a lunch at the Museum Café. On the afternoon, ascend towards Yotongla Pass (3425 meters above sea level) and then descend to Bumthang valley. On the way, you will ride across the Yathra Center. Hand-woven wool strips with patterns specific to the Bumthang region are called Yathra. You will make a short visit there to collect gifts for the loved ones. Spend an overnight in Bumthang.
Day 6: Bumthang
Visit Jambay Lhakhang which is one of 108 monasteries built by King Songtsen Goenpo in the 8th century to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. Have a visit to Swiss farm and taste cheese, apple brandy, and locally brewed wine and beer. Spend an overnight in Bumthang.
Day 7: Bumthang - Punakha, 220 kilometers / 137 miles
- Duration: 6-hour ride
- Altitude: 1,200 meters
Ride back from Bumthang towards Punakha. Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan and is a beautiful warm valley. In the evening, rest and relax in Punakha valley and spend an overnight in Punakha.
Day 8: Punakha sightseeing and White River rafting
Have white river rafting on this day. The Mo Chhu (female Rive) is much easier than the Pho Chhu (Male River), with plenty of class I and II. This is currently the most popular rafting place in Bhutan since it is not too difficult and a beautiful half-day raft trip starts from Yebisa, the river meanders through an open valley. About seven kilometers down, there is Strainers Paradise. Visit Punakha Dzong which is the most beautiful and famous Dzong in a country was built in 1,637 by Zhabdrung. The site is located in between two rivers of Pho (Male) Chhu and Mo (Female) Chhu. Spend an overnight in Punakha.
Day 9: Punakha - Thimphu, 72 kilometers / 45 miles
- Duration: 4-hour ride
- Altitude: 2,280 meters
Have a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of fertility): This temple was built in 1499 by Lam
Drukpa Kuenley’s cousin. It’s about 25-minute hike across red rice fields. Wooden phalluses are often found hanging in the four corners of the house and phalluses painted on walls of the house. It has interesting reasons, which your guide will explain. Stroll around and relax in Thimphu.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 10: Thimphu - Paro, 50 kilometers / 31 miles
On the way to Paro, visit Tamchog Dzong’s iron bridge and, a sightseeing at Paro, and stay overnight in Paro.
Day 11: Paro (hike to Taktsang monastery)
After breakfast, you’ll track ride till the base of hike route. You will be hiking for almost five hours to and from Taktshang Monastery from the mountain base. Tiger’s nest which is Bhutan’s most recognizable culture icon perched 800 meters up a seemingly sheer cliff. It is believed in the 8th century the great tantric master guru Rimpoche (2nd Buddha) flew on the back of a tigress to the site where the monastery now stands. Spend an overnight in Paro.
Day 12: Paro - Phuentsoling - Gorumara, 275 kilometers / 171 miles
Ride back down towards Phuntsholing on the national highway. Enjoy the medium bends down towards a warmer weather. At Phuentsoling, you will say goodbye to Bhutan team and drive to Gorumara national park an have an overnight at Gorumara.
Day 13: Gorumara Bagdogra and Departure
Today is to say goodbye to your cruise and drop at Bagdogra airport.
