A 8 Day Tour of Bhutan at INR 37,500/-.

An 8-day tour of Bhutan at just INR 37,500/-. 

A sudden change in weather, no pollution, unique culture and behaviour of people. !.

It is sure and hard to believe that just across our Indian border lies a land so magical, and so ethereal that it feels like you’ve entered a fairyland.

Yes, you got me right, I’m really going to try and take you with me on my magical journey through Bhutan – the Happiest Country in the world. I went on a 7-day trip with my friend to the last Shangri La on the eastern edge of the Himalayas and all I can say is that everything you imagine about this country – it’s better!

So the best time to visit Bhutan is between March-May (spring season) and October-Feb (autumn). I, however, decided to be more adventurous and went during the monsoon season in the month of July. Though it was rainy season. But still, what a fabulous decision it was. Bhutan looked green all around, a virtual green paradise with waterfalls, flora fauna at every turn and flowing rivers for your company. Freshness in the air absolutely motivates you. The mountainous country though not overdeveloped is still prone to landslides during the rain can disrupt your itinerary. Here’s my 7-day itinerary to Bhutan.

Day 1 To the Land of Happiness

Fly from Bengaluru To Bagdogra
Drive to Phuentsholing
Clear Immigration
Drive to Thimphu

Our first day was dedicated completely to travelling into the Capital city of Bhutan. We flew in from Bengaluru to Bagdogra (Cost: Approx Rs 7300/-  onward, per head). We had arranged an authorised guide and tour operator for all arrangements. Our car driver was waiting for us with a placard at the airport.

To know about Bhutan’s tourist policy, click here. Our entire Blissful Bhutan tour with guide and transport for 7 days, which included a car for the entire duration right from pick up and drop from Bagdogra airport, guide, driver and permit.

From Bagdogra airport, we drove for about 4 hours to the border of Bhutan. The drive is absolutely enjoyable, with good roads, forest cover and a journey through the flowing river. We entered into Bhutan through Phuentsholing and believe me when I say that the moment you enter into Bhutan, you just feel it. There is a drastic change in the architecture, the cleanliness of the roads, pathways and just add on is the beauty of the colourful border gate that separates the border.

We approached the tourist help centre, cleared immigration, paid Sustainability Development Fee   ( SDF ) of Rs 1200/- per / person per day payable to the government in Indian Rupees, and was hassle free, moved out to meet the Bhutanese guide and driver outside, and headed towards the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. The roads in the country are fabulous and serpentine roads maintained by BRO ( Border Roads organisation ) since its mountainous terrain. Curiosity mounted and our journey largely went in clicking pictures of landscape and local folk with our guide, Rinzin Wangchuk who could speak Hindi and English quite fluently. We reached  Thimphu at about 4 pm. We stayed at this beautiful boutique hotel, called the Dragon Boutique, a new hotel close clock tower. The rooms were spacious, clean, full of wooden furniture with a restaurant attached.

Day 2 Thimphu Sightseeing

We started our day bright and early with an early morning hike to Druk Wangditse Gompa. After an uphill hike high passing through farmlands and reserve forest, we reached the hilltop. The bird's eye view of Thimphu city and the hills around is alluring. We could sight. colourful birds and butterflies on the trail.

After a hearty buffet breakfast at our hotel itself, we left to Bhutan Memorial Chorten. The gorgeous white monument was built in memory of Third Druk Gyalpo and is dedicated to World Peace. A lot of old people pass their time there and spend their time chanting. Here one has to pay Rs 500/- as an entry fee to visit the chorten.

A 10-minute drive from the Chorten is Buddha Dordenma, which is a gigantic 177 ft Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Bhutan. The view from the top is absolutely stunning and overlooks all of Thimpu.

We stopped for lunch right after this and went to our very first Dzong (Buddhist temple). The moment you enter a Dzong, there is an instant sense of calm and peace that comes about and the colours are absolutely fantastic. We spent about an hour at the Dzong and decided to head back to the city square.

The best thing about Bhutan is that as you walk around and watch the locals, everyone seems happy interacting with each other. A lot of people just come to sit and stare at the horizon. It’s so refreshing to watch.

We took a stroll on the busy, no-traffic signal road. It was amazing, I did not hear to horn sound though there were many vehicles passing by us. We visited the local restaurant to try some local food.

Day 3 Tour of Phobjika

Dochula Pass

On day 3, we decided to leave Thimphu and made our way to our next location Pobjika. en route, we stopped at Dochula Pass – which is an absolutely stunning location, created in honour of 108 Bhutanese soldiers who died in a 2003 military operation. Each of these martyrs has its own “Druk Wangyal Chortens”. It’s a lovely place to walk around. Note: There are  2 cafes at Dochula Pass for you and is a stopover. You can stroll around in the garden.

Visit Pobjika

From here the drive took around the 3 hours on the winding road. It was around 7 pm we reached the resort located in the valley. The place was cold and the stay was really cosy. We had dinner and the campfire was arranged for us. We stay awake till 11 pm looking at the star-studded sky.

Morning at 5:30 am I woke to the chirping sound of warblers and hoope which visited our cottage overlooking the valley. The U-shaped valley was greenish all around with mist passing through the slopes. The sound of bells and horse grazing leisurely in the valley reminded me of a Bollywood movie setting.I walked through the slopes, the sound of rivulet and whole nothing less of heaven!

Gangtey Heritage Trail

After a sumptuous breakfast, we were on the trail to Heritage Trail to Gangtey Monastery. We were accompanied by guide and naturalist Tashi Tobgay. The whole trail was in a riot, of colours. The yellow Stinking willies - Commonly known as Ragworth all around, are a visual treat to the eyes, Fox glove purple, rose hip and white smiled at us from the bushes, Albesia mimosa, wagtails, Yellow-breasted green finch in the fields.

Beautiful stone houses, with artistic doors and windows, drew our attention. The view of the monastery and distant hills through cypress trees looked awesome !. We were stopped at every turn by fluttering butterflies, white cabbage, Chocolate Tiger and Blue Tiger. The path ended after an uphill hike on the grassland, finally reaching the main doorway leading to Gangtey monastery facing pobjika valley. The bird's eye view of the valley and the trail looked beautiful.

We visited the Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre. The whole valley is bustling with activity after the arrival of cranes (Grus nigricollis)  from late October to March-April, they migrate to the alpine wetlands of Bhutan and roost until spring. The black-necked crane is considered a sacred bird in Bhutan and is revered as a symbol of longevity. Hence a festival too is celebrated during November every year in the name of the bird, in Pobjika Valley. A short documentary at the centre is worth watching and one can pick mementos from here which are nominal. You can even see a pair of cranes here carefully taken care at the centre.

We visited Temple dedicated to Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as the Phallus temple in Punaka.

This beautiful Buddhist monastery is said to have been built back in the 14th century by Drukpa king Ngawang Choegyel and is counted amongst the most important things to visit in Punakha. We stayed in Punakha Overnight.

Entry Fee - INR 300/- Crane Visitor Centre

Entry Fee - INR 500/- Chimi Lhakhang Temple ( Click here for details )

Day 4  Tour of  Punaka

The whole place looked like the countryside with green hills, and the Punakha River flowing through the valley. The stepped farming and method of cultivation reminded me of the western ghats. The prayer flags and wheels all around gave us a feeling of devotion. 

Punakha Dzong

We crossed the bridge over the river  MO Chhu and gained entry into Punakha Dzong or fortress. It was built back in 1637 and has served as an enduring symbol of a united Bhutan since. Dzongs are distinctive forts that have served as administrative centres in Bhutanese districts for centuries.

The Punakha Dzong is the largest dzong in Bhutan and one of the most regal places to visit in Punakha. The beautiful complex is the epitome of architecture in Bhutan, and its beautifully decorated rooms and prayer halls are a treat for visitors that come here.

If you are an adventurous type then you can go for a white water rafting trip on the Pho Chhu River flowing next to the Dzong. Plan it beforehand, with your tour guide.

We left Punakha with beautiful memories and reached Paro by evening and checked into Penchu Boutique Hotel in the evening. 

Timings:  9 am to 4 pm
Entry fee: No charges

Day 5 Tour of Paro

After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, we started our journey to Chele La Pass (Chele Pass, la means pass in Dzongkha) 3988 highest motorable road. As trekking freaks, we had pre-planned to trek from the pass to Kila Gompa, located at a lower altitude of 3500 m. An 1.5 hours of descent through the cypress, pine forest teeming with birdlife is the best way to experience the wild side of Bhutan. Accompanied by Naturalist and Guide Tashi was even more interesting. I literally felt, our decision to visit this place was apt and timely. 

Click for detailed blog Chele La Pass to Kila Gompa Hike 

After the hike, we made a quick visit to Haa Valley, just to get a glimpse of the place. Though there are lot many places, offbeat treks around the valley. We just took a stroll in the valley and drew back to Paro in the evening.

Though it was a bit cloudy, we made a decision to try some local delicacies at the Mountain Cafe on the main road in Paro. The Hoentey, Khulee Kewadatsi and Khulee Spinach Datsi made of buckwheat tasted good and the cost was nominal too.

Day 6 Tour of Paro

The Takshang Gompa popularly known as Tigers Nest is a place that is mentioned in all travel brochures and looked enticing. We decided to go early with a packed breakfast and drew to the base of the hillock. We were told that its 11 km hike up and down on a well-marked trail.

The trek is absolutely free of cost. Also, you can take a rest or try something to munch at the cafeteria halfway up the hill. The view from here is beautiful. Apart from this, the Tiger Nest entry ( Into the Temple ) fee costs around 500 Ngultrum i.e. INR 500 that you would have to pay. During the winter you see Rhodendron flowers in bloom and hear the chirping sound of birds. There are resting points and shelters for visitors.

Don’t forget to capture some memories from your trek, especially with the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery in the background a the viewpoint. The best pictures come when there’s some sunlight. So, if possible, try to click pictures during the midday.

The downhill walk will hardly take a 1-hour slow walk. Don't forget to include Tigers Nest for the last day of the tour, followed by a hot stone bath experience, to get refreshed as we planned.

We had requested our guide to arrange a traditional hot stone bath at a farmhouse, a 200-year-old house in the countryside. The arrangements were amazing, with a  welcome drink Suja and homemade beer Aara after the bath with roasted rice. Sitting inside the bathtub with herbs was totally a memorable experience. I would recommend everyone to try and experience it personally!

Check a detailed blog on Tiger Nest Hike click here.

Day 7 Back to Jaigoan

It was the final day of our trip so made a few purchases of local peach wine available in the market and reached the border town in the evening. South Bhutan receives more rain compared to Central Bhutan. However, it did not hamper our travel plans.

After finishing the formalities we were out from the Kingdom of Bhutan, and our tour of visiting the last Shangri La Had come to an end at least. We bid goodbye to the guides who hosted us for a week.

Day 8

We changed the vehicle to a Hatchback and travelled toward Bagdogra Airport to catch the flight the next day.

Few things to know before planning a trip to Bhutan

Sustainable Development Fees (SDF)

For you information

Above is a blog of a recent trip to Bhutan 07Nights and 08 Days 

There are a lot of agencies, and tour operators selling standard packages of the Bhutan Tour. If you are keen on joining the tour or want to be customised as per your budget. You can definitely contact us, Bhutan is more than an experience rather than a sightseeing trip.

Enjoy the food, experience the Stone bath, Local drink, Culture, Festivity, Nature, Adventure and Scenic beauty.

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We are happy to assist you.

All the photos above are of Summiters Adventures