Bhutan grand circuit
Bagdogra → Phuentsholing → Thimphu → Punakha → Paro → Bagdogra
About this trip
Day-by-day plan
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Day1
Bagdogra to Phuentsholing
Pick-up at Bagdogra or NJP and a four-hour run east to the Bhutan gate at Phuentsholing. Check in on the Bhutan side, hand over the documents for the permit and spend the evening at the Zangtopelri temple and the town market.
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Day2
Permit formalities, drive to Thimphu
Immigration opens at 9am; the permit is processed with all guests present. Once it is stamped, the road climbs out of the foothills through Gedu and Chukha to the capital. Evening walk at Clock Tower square.
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Day3
Thimphu sightseeing
Buddha Dordenma looking down over the valley, the Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, the National Library, the folk heritage museum, the takin preserve and the handicrafts market. A gentle day at 2,320 m, which helps with the altitude.
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Day4
Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula
Over the Dochula pass with its 108 chortens and, on a clear morning, the eastern Himalaya laid out behind them. Down into the warm Punakha valley for the Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho and Mo rivers, and the suspension bridge.
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Day5
Punakha to Paro
Chimi Lhakhang on the walk through the fields in the morning, then the drive west to Paro. Afternoon at Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong with Jomolhari behind it.
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Day6
Tiger’s Nest hike
The day everyone plans the trip around. Taktsang clings to a cliff 900 m above the valley floor; the climb takes two to three hours each way with a cafeteria at the halfway point. Ponies can be arranged to the first viewpoint. Evening free in Paro town.
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Day7
Paro to Phuentsholing and drop at Bagdogra
An early start back down to the border, exit formalities at Phuentsholing and the drive to Bagdogra or NJP. This is a long day, so we keep departures after 6pm wherever possible.
What is included
Inclusions
- Private vehicle for the entire trip with an experienced hill driver
- Hotel stay on twin/double sharing basis
- Breakfast and dinner at the hotels (MAP plan)
- All permits arranged and paid for wherever applicable
- Fuel, toll, parking, state entry taxes and driver allowance
- Airport / railway station pick-up and drop
- 24x7 on-trip support from our Siliguri desk
Exclusions
- Air fare and train fare
- Lunch, snacks and any personal expenses
- Monument entry tickets, camera fees and safari charges
- Anything caused by roadblocks, landslides or weather (extra night halts, detours)
- Tips, laundry, telephone bills and room service
- Anything not written in the inclusions list
Terms & conditions
- Booking is confirmed only after an advance of 30% is received; the balance is payable on arrival.
- Rates are for the number of passengers quoted. Adding a guest may change the vehicle and the rate.
- Hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking; a similar category hotel is provided if the named one is full.
- Protected-area permits need a valid photo ID for every guest (voter ID, passport or driving licence; Aadhaar alone is not accepted in Sikkim).
- Children below 5 years travel free without a bed. Children 5 to 11 years are charged 60% with an extra bed.
- Sightseeing beyond the itinerary is charged extra on a per-day basis.
- North Sikkim, Nathu La and the Silk Route depend on daily road and permit conditions; if a road is closed we suggest the nearest alternative and no refund is applicable.
- Cancellation: 15 days or more before travel 20% is retained, 7 to 14 days 50%, less than 7 days 100%.