BHUTAN WOMEN GROUP TOUR- 6th April to 11th April 2024

Bhutan- Land of Thunder Dragon

Bhutan is a tiny but a very peaceful kingdom hidden among the lofty mountains of the himalaya. The tiny himalayan kingdom is surrounded by mighty neighbours like: Tibet and China in the north, Nepal in the west and India in the east and south. Bhutan’s forest and nature are home to very rare 200 species of mammals, 778 species of birds and 5600 species of medicinal plants.

Bhutan is also known as Menjong; the land of medicinal plants. The people of Bhutan are very peaceful, religious and they live in great harmony with the nature. Several mountains, rivers and trees are considered as holy so, the people respect and love their environment. Approximately 700,000 people live in Bhutan. Bhutan is home to chains of mountains ranging upto 7500 meters but most of the people live in the fertile valleys. The people eat mostly rice with vegetable and drink butter tea. Chilly is added to every dish so the food they eat is very spicy.

Happiness is a place

It is no surprise that the main goal in life for Bhutanese people is happiness. Even the mandate of mandate of modern Bhutanese state is Gross National Happiness. In translation this means that economic development, goal for much of humanity, is only a means to the real goal of happiness. Bhutan’s Brand tagline ‘happiness is a place’ simply assure that happiness can be found in simple things and these simple things can be found anywhere and in anything.

An abode of gods

Bhutan is the last bastion of Mahayana Buddhism, a spiritual practice that is known to be one of the most profound schools of teaching in the Buddhist world. The sacred monasteries that sit precariously on sheer cliffs, the fluttering prayers flags that line the high ridges, the red robed monks who chant through the day and night give this kingdom an aura that comes from another time. Bhutan is half an hour ahead of IST (Indian Standard Time).

ITINERARY

Day 01: Bagdora Airport (India) to Phuentsholing; Bhutan (170 kms/4.5 hours), Stay: Phuentsholing

On arrival at Bagdogra (IXB) airport at 11 am, meet & greet by our representative. Transfer from Bagdogra to Phuentsholing at Bhutan border. Complete your Visa permit process and  check into your hotel & overnight stay.

Stay: Alem Resort, Phuentsholing/similar

Meals: Dinner

Additional cost per head:

• INR 6,000 for pick up from airport apart from the scheduled pick up time.
• INR 400 approx for Lunch

Day 02: Paro – Tiger Nest Hiking, Stay: Paro

After breakfast, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called “Tiger’s Nest”. The excursion to monastery’s view point takes about 5 hours for round trip. Overnight stay at Paro.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Additional cost per head:

• INR 1500 Taktsang Monastery Tiger Nest trek entry
• INR 700 for lunch (at café during trek)
• INR 200 stick rental for trekking

Day: 03 Paro Sightseeing and proceed to Thimphu, Stay: Thimphu

Morning after breakfast, check-out and visit Ta Dzong or Paro Dzong, bird eye view of Paro International Airport. After lunch proceed to Thimphu, stop near Shaba River, Chu Zom– Two River meeting point. On arrival at Thimphu, check-in hotel Evening you can enjoy Night Club, Karokae night. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Additional cost per head:

• INR 400 approx for Lunch
• INR 1000 Paro Dzong/Ta Dzong Museum

Day: 4 Thimphu sightseeing and Punakha, Stay: Punakha

After breakfast, check-out and visit Buddha point– World’s largest sitting Buddha, Simply Bhutan Museum, view of Tashichhodzong, the ‘fortress of the glorious dharma’. It is the centre of government and religion, site of King’s throne room, National assembly hall, and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1961 in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Also visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuously circumbulated by His Majesty’s subjects, spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras.  After lunch proceed to Punakha- (Approx 75km/ 3 Hours from Thimphu). Punakha is the old capital of Bhutan and now its district of Punakha Dzongkhag. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan till 1955. En-route visit Dochu la pass. The pass is a popular among the tourists because of its 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan range. The place is worth going in clear winter days with magnificent view of snow-capped mountains and mountain pass. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Additional cost per head:

• INR 400 approx for Lunch
• INR 500 for King’s Memorial Chorten
• INR 1000 for Simply Bhutan museum

Day: 05 Punakha sightseeing and proceed to Thimphu, Stay: Thimphu

After breakfast, check-out and visit Punakha Dzong. The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang, is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures and visit longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. Visit Thimphu Post office (if time permits) for personalized postal stamps. Check-in hotel in the evening and overnight stay at Thimphu.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Additional cost per head:

• INR 400 approx for Lunch
• INR 500 for personalized postal stamps at Thimphu Post office
• INR 1000 Punakha Dzong

Day: 6 Thimphu to Phuntsholing/Bagdora for departure

After breakfast, check out and proceed from Thimphu to Phuentsholing to Siliguri (NJP)/ Bagdogra (IXB) for your return journey with happy memories to cherish.

Meals: Breakfast

Additional cost per head:

• INR 6,000 for airport drop apart from the scheduled dropping time.
• INR 100 for guide tip (mandatory)
• INR 100 for driver tip (mandatory)