Adventure. Culture. Nature
"Bhutan is a fascinating and rewarding destination."
- Lonely Planet
Alpine Bhutan Travel
Post Box 1382
Thimphu Bhutan
tel. +975 1761 2210
fax. +975 2 334911
alpinebhutan@yahoo.com
Bhutan by Road
There
is only one airport in Bhutan, and most tourists with limited time on
their hand would fly in and out of Bhutan. However, for those of you with
time on hand and some adventure on their mind can drive into Bhutan from
neighbouring Indian towns. It has its own charm...driving through the
endless tea gardens on the Indian side to the subtropical forests of
Bhutan. Observe the plains of the Ganges rising suddenly into the
Himalayan foothill, as the winding road climbs into the misty mountains
and another world.
"...scarcely touched by modern times."
If you reach states of West Bengal and Sikkim in India, it is easy to come
to Bhutan by road through the Bhutanese border town of Phuentsholing. You
can fly to Bagdora airport in West Bengal from New Delhi as well as
Kolkata, and from there it is only three hours drive to the border town.
The Indian hill stations of Darjeeling(West Bengal) and Gangtok(Sikkim)
are only 5 hours away by road from Phuentsholing.
The best part about this tour package is you can combine it with a tour of Sikkim.
Bhutan by Road Tour Itinerary
Day
1:
Arrival at Phuentsholing
Town nicknamed the gateway to Bhutan from
India.
You can fly into Bagdora Airport from New Delhi or Kolkata. Or you can
come to Bhutan by road from Indian hill stations of Darjeeling, Gangtok
and Kalimpong. After checking in at the hotel, you can take a stroll
through the town as well as visit the adjacent Indian town across the
Phuentsholing Bhutan Gate.
Night halt: Phuentsholing town
Day
2:
Phuentsholing to Thimphu
On the way visit Kharbandi Gonpa (monastery). Lunch along the
highway at Bunakha Restaurant.
Night halt: Thimphu.
Day
3:
Sightseeing in Thimphu
Thimphu valley sightseeing for full day which includes: Memorial Chorten (Stupa),
Bhutan Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library, School of
Fine Arts, Institute of Traditional Medicine, Tashicho-dzong (the seat of
the Royal Government), Zilukha Nunnery, Traditional Handmade Paper Factory
and Handicrafts Emporium.
Night halt: Thimphu.
Day
4:
Thimphu to Paro Valley
Morning drive to Paro (2 hrs). En-route visits Semtokha Dzong (oldest
dzong in Bhutan). Visit 8th century Kichu Monastery. After lunch drive to
Ta-Dzong (National Museum), Rinpung Dzong and Paro's local market.
Night halt: Paro
Day
5:
Paro Valley
After breakfast drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong (the Fortress where
Drukpas won over joint Tibetan-Mongol Invasions in 1700s). Along the way,
one can view the sacred Mount Jhomolhari (7,314m) – The abode of the
Goddess Jhomo. Drive back to Satsam Chorten and then hike up to view the
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) built on the face of a 1000 m rock
cliff. End the day by visiting typical farmhouse to experience the
daily life of Bhutanese people.
Night Halt: Paro.
Day
6:
Depart from Bhutan
Transfer to Paro Airport for your departure flight from Bhutan.
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