Day 1 : Siliguri
You are welcomed at Siliguri airport by the representative of our local agency or by your French-speaking guide to welcome you to India. They will assist you with the transfer to the hotel we have booked for you for the night.
Day 2 : Siliguri / Phuentsholing (150 km / 3h45)
After breakfast, depart for Phuentsholing.On the way, we will see a small bazaar dominated by Bhutia and Gorkha on the outskirts of Siliguri. After the canton, we will cross thick forests to reach Bhutan and finally Phuentsholing.
The border town on the Indian side is called Jaigaon, while the border town on the Bhutanese side is called Phuentsholing. Phuentsholing is the entry point for travelers. The town mainly functions as a place where Bhutanese and Indians do business. The architecture is modern, and there is no dzong (famous monastery) of particular interest for tourists.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : Phuentsholing / Paro (140 km / 3h45)
After breakfast, immigration formalities, and departure for Paro. On the way, visit the magnificent Gedu University and Rinchending Monastery. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 : Paro / Tiger’s nest / Paro (25 km / 1h)
After breakfast, hike to Bhutan's most famous monastery, Taktshang, or the Tiger's Nest, perched on a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th century, flew into a cave at Taktshang on a tigress and spent three months there.
On the way, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century. After this, head to Drukgyel Dzong, 14 kilometers from Paro town, also known as the Fortress of Victory Drukgyel Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644. Return to Paro.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Paro / Haa / Thimphu (180 km / 5h30)
After breakfast, depart for Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan via Chele La Pass and Haa.Crossing the fertile plains of Paro and enjoying superb views of the rich terraced rice farms.Travel along the Paro River and then the Thimphu River. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Formalities for obtaining visas and road permits. Later, free evening to explore the city with its many cafes, bars, and souvenir shops.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : Thimphu
After breakfast, depart for a guided tour of Thimphu, located at an altitude of 2300m with fascinating views.
Visit the National Library, established in 1967, which houses many old Dzongkha and Tibetan texts, the School of Painting, National Institute for Zorig Chusum (the 13 traditional arts and crafts such as painting, wood sculpture, embroidery, and statue making), the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in memory of Bhutan's third king (Tashichhodzong), seat of Bhutan's government, throne room, His Majesty's secretariat, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Finance).
Afternoon at the Zoo: The Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu is a natural reserve for Bhutan's domestic animals. Originally a mini-zoo, it was turned into a reserve when the animals left the surrounding forest.
You can visit the Thimphu vegetable market where farmers from neighboring regions gather to sell their produce.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 : Thimphu / Punakha (75 km / 2h)
After breakfast, depart for Punakha. On the way, stop at Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3,050m to enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayan mountain ranges and a magnificent view of Gasa Dzong. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, at the confluence of the Mo Chu (river of women) and Pho Chu (river of men). Today, the dzong serves as the administrative center of Punakha Dzongkhag (district) and the central monastic body.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 : Punakha / Gangtey (75 km / 2h15)
After breakfast, depart for central Bhutan through tropical vegetation to Nobding. Crossing steep mountains with switchbacks and hairpin curves, passing by Pele La Pass located at an altitude of 2900m.
Then, arrive at Gangtey Gompa by passing through Tashi La Pass. Next, head to the Phobjikha Valley through meadows, the yak valley, and several villages. It is an open valley, where Gangtey Gompa is perfectly situated on a hill overlooking the valley via Chendeji Chorten, built in the Nepalese style in the 15th century.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 : Gangtey / Bumthang (155 km / 4h15)
After breakfast, depart for Bumthang, which has a unique charm that distinguishes it from other regions.
Arrive in the beautiful Chumey Valley, comprising four small valleys: Tang, Ura, Choekhor, and Chumey.The deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is surrounded by religious legends.
Bumthang is also the traditional home of the great Buddhist master Pema Lingpa, whose descendants are from the current dynasty. Next, visit Jakar Dzong, located on a ridge above the town of Jakar in the Chamkhar Valley of Bumthang. It is built on the site of an earlier temple established by the hierarch Ralung Yongdzin Nganchuk (1517-1554) when he came to Bhutan.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Bumthang / Mongar (200 km / 6h)
After breakfast, depart for Mongar.
The journey from Bumthang to Mongar is one of the most beautiful in the Himalayas, crossing passes at 3,780 meters high. Gushing waterfalls, steep cliffs with even steeper drops, blazing flowers, and constantly changing vegetation combine to make this journey as varied as it is beautiful. Mongar marks the beginning of eastern Bhutan.
The second largest city in the subtropical east, Mongar, like Trashigang further east, is located on the side of a hill and contrasts with other towns in western Bhutan. It was built on the valley floor.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Mongar / Trashigang (80 / 2h15)
After breakfast, you depart for Trashigang.The beginning of the journey is through a forest filled with ferns, then you quickly descend the road through wheat fields and banana groves until you reach the famous Yadi zigzag.
After that, you follow the Gamri River to the turnoff for Dametsi: this temple perched atop a steep hill was founded by Choeden Zangmo. It is the most important monastery in eastern Bhutan.
The natural reserve is located in the northwest part of Bhutan and covers an area of 1,545 x 420 km². It has one of the richest temperate fir forests of the eastern Himalayas and provides a protected habitat for tigers and leopards. The reserve also hosts many other animals such as the muntjac (deer), Himalayan black bears, red pandas, and hundreds of black-necked cranes.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Trashigang / Samdrup Jongkhar (175 km / 5h15)
After breakfast, you depart for Samdrup Jongkhar. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Although the Samdrup Jongkhar region is not a popular destination, the town's proximity to Indian cities makes it an important place.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Samdrup Jongkhar / Guwahati (100 km / 2h30)
After breakfast, you go for a refreshing walk through dense forest, passes, and admire the natural beauty.
Then, you depart for Guwahati.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Guwahati / Delhi (by plane) / Return flight
Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for your return flight.