Itinerary

Day 1 |  Reach Paro 
*Altitude: 2,250 meters
Planet Way Round representative will meet you at Phuentsholing the gateway of Bhutan. For those choosing to travel in Bhutan Registered Self drive vehicles your drive will start from here, you can reach Phuentsoling from Bagdogra Airport in a Cab ( 150 Kms ). People in their own Self Drive vehicles can also enter Bhutan from Phuentsholing after paring custom duty to enter Bhutan. Reach  Paro rest of the day is free for leisure.
Overnight at Paro

Day 2 | Hike to Taktsang (Tiger Nest) Monastery in Paro (900 meters above Paro Valley)
After driving for around 35 minutes, the Taktsang hike (also famously called as “Tiger Nest”) will begin early in the morning as it will be cool. You will begin the hike at the Taktsang base where a shopkeeper and horseman can be found. Your walk will be through a forest for almost one hour and 30 minutes, and soon, you will reach Takstang cafeteria. Sip some tea while enjoying a very spectacular view of Taktsang Monastery.

After visiting Taktsang Monastery, you will return to the cafeteria to have lunch and walk down to the base and drive towards Paro to visit Drukgyal Dzong, although it is now mostly in ruins and under construction.
Overnight stay at Paro.

Day 3 | Paro – Chelele La Pass – Thimphu (218 kilometers / 136 miles)
*Altitude: Chelele La Pass: 3,988 meters; Thimpu: 2,320 meters
Chelele La is located between Haa and Paro which is 50 kilometers away from Paro Valley. It is the highest motorable pass in Bhutan situated at 3,988 meters or 13,084 feet. From there, you can view some of the highest and unclimbed beautiful Himalayan mountain passes on a clear day.

On reaching the pass, you could see prayers flags fluttering wildly in the breeze and chilly wind. Some of the snow-capped mountains can be viewed from there during the summer too. After riding around 30 minutes, you will have lunch at Haa Valley. You will proceed towards Thimphu.
Overnight at Thimpu.

Day 4 | Thimphu – Punakha – Phobjika (142 kilometers / 89 miles)
*Altitude: 3000 meters
After breakfast we start our drive towards Phobjika. The road is 100 percent tarmac and double lane. Before reaching Punakha, you may visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong if you wish. We can also take a trip to the longest suspension bridge and enjoy the views if you want. After visit continue with drive to Phobjika valley

As you approach Phobjikha Valley through a forest of oak and rhododendron, it will be colder. The road will be mostly blacktopped but in some places, road widening is still on-going but soon, it will be a double lane with tarmac.

Upon reaching Phobjikha, we can visit Gangtey Goenpa, the Black-Necked Crane Information Center, and Phobjikha Valley. You will stay overnight at Phobjika in a Farmhouse or homestay.

Day 5 | Gangtey, Phobjikha
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you begin today’s tour with an excursion to Tangjey Lhakhang (3,050-meter distance, 10 to 12-kilometer duration, 4 to 5 hours). You set out on a day’s hike toward the southeast direction through a vegetation of dwarf bamboos that adorns the Phobjikha Valley. This valley is where the rare black-necked cranes reside during the winter season, beginning November until mid-March.

After an hour of an easy hike, you reach the small settlement of Kilkhorthang village. You take a short rest to enjoy the dramatic landscape of the valley before continuing towards Tangjey, passing through vegetable fields and orchards. Tangjey Lhakhang (temple) is dedicated to Lord Buddha and its local protective deity Yeshi Gempo. The original foundation of the temple dates back to 1517-1554. After an enjoyable visit to the temple, you head back to the hotel crossing a wooden bridge over a crystal clear river. Your day can be ended, if you wish, with a little celebration of locally distilled traditional drink.

Day 6 | Gangtey – Trongsa – Bhumthang (220 kilometers / 137 miles)
*Altitude: 2800 meters
After breakfast, you take a short nature walk in the vicinity of the hotel and then after, you drive to Bumthang, crossing Pele La pass (3,300 meters / 10,830 feet) via Trongsa. Pela La is marked by a large white chorten with prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point where the mountain forest trees are replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboos. You stop, en route, at Chendebji Chorten which is patterned on the Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at four cardinal points. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida from Tibet. The stupa’s purpose was to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot.

Also, en route to Bumthang, you visit Trongsa Dzong. The fort was built in 1648 and it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan at that time. Both the first and second kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient dzong. All four kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (‘governor’) prior to ascending the throne and the present crown prince now holds the post. The dzong is a massive structure with many floor levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it was built.

You will also visit Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone watchtower rising five stories. It was built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. After more than 350 years, it has been resurrected to become an impressive museum that represents a tasteful blend of tradition and modernity. The Ta Dzong is the only structure in the entire country that has been restored specifically to tribute the Wangchuck dynasty as Bhutan celebrates the centenary of the monarchy. Further 68-kilometer drive across the Yutong La pass (3,400 meters / 11,155 feet) will finally bring you to the wide open cultivated Bumthang Valley.

Day 7 | Bhumthang
*Altitude: 2,800 meters
After breakfast, you proceed on your tour of the Bumthang Valley. Bumthang is the general name given to the combination of four valleys (Chumey, Choekhor, Tang, and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters). There are many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Bumthang valleys. You will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang. It is a temple where the saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock.

You will then visit the Jambey Lhakhang (a 7th-century temple), Tamshing Lhakhang (a temple that holds some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan), and Jakar Dzong (an administrative center of the region). You then stroll in a village, visiting a little handicraft shop at the entrance to the town and perhaps stopping to take refreshments at a local restaurant. Later in the afternoon, if time permits, you visit Wangdicholing Palace (visitors allowed from outside only).

Day 8 | Bumthang to Tingtibi (169 kilometers )
*Altitude: 800 meters
You will travel to most extensive protected areas network in Bhutan. The northern two-thirds of the district, the gewogs of Chhoekhor and Tang, belong to Wangchuck Centennial Park, buffered by pockets of biological corridors. Southern Bumthang, the gewogs of Chhumig, Tang, and Ura, is part of another protected area, Thrumshingla National Park. Bumthang is known for its important population of black-necked cranes migrating in the winter.

You will have lunch at Trongsa Town and visit the zong. You will stay overnight at hotel in Tingtibi.

Day 9 | Tingtibi – Gelephu (90 kilometers )
*Altitude: 600 meters
After breakfast leisurely drive to Gelephu. Here, you will spend a relaxing night.

Day 10 | Gelephu – Phuentsholing (200 kilometers )
Our drive in Bhutan ends today, those with Indian self drive vehicles can drive off towards their onward destination when we enter Indian from Gelephu border. Those with Bhutan Self Drive vehicles will have to drive off to Phuentsholing to drop their vehicles. From here you can take a Cab to reach Bagdogra airport ( 150 Kms ).
This is the end of the tour.

Thing to do extra

*Hot stone bath at Paro after your Tiger Nest hike
*Clubbing
*River rafting
*Cycling
*Spa
*Disco

Good 4×4 SUV  – Toyota Parado / Hyundai Sante Fe

Image for representation only***

Food and Meal

All Major meals – Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner are included.

During this tour, you will be served all meals in a buffet. Rice forms the main body of most Bhutanese meals. It is accompanied by one or two side dishes consisting of meat or vegetables.

Vegetables that are commonly eaten include spinach, pumpkins, turnips, radishes, tomatoes, river weed, onions, and green beans. Grains such as rice, buckwheat, and barley are also cultivated in various regions of the country depending on the local climate.

For Indian Traveller – Pure Veg Food is also available

Type of stay

Accommodations is provided in a Mix of  Good 3* + Hotels / Guesthouses and Homestays for the duration of the tour.

Paro: Mandala Resort/Jedheychen Resort/Similar
Thimphu: Hotel Taraphendeyling/AModhara/Similar
Punakha: Hotel Vara/Pemakarpo  Or Gangtey: Hotel Gakiling
Trongsa: Yangkhil Resort/Similar
Bumthang: Valley view lodge/Hotel Ugyenling
Gelephu: Kuku Grand/Similar

Getting there

Skill level(s) required for this tour

Intermediate:
*can drive for 3-4 hours
*average driving experience in mountains.
*little assistance required
*comfortable with extreme curves and leans
*average experience with unsurfaced roads
*steep ascents and descents
*Option of taking driver for tour is also available.

Including the package cost

1. 09 nights accommodations
2. Daily Breakfast / Lunch & Dinner ( Except Lunch at Thimpu )
3. Care of a guide and good company
4. Planet Way Round Accompanying crew and backup team.
5. Bhutan Govt authorised accompanying Guide.
6. SDF for Bhutan entry ( Rs 1200 per pax per day for Indians )
7. Oxygen bottles and basic medication backup for AMS
8. Accompanying experienced local guide & P.W.R team. ( or as per selection )
9. Things to carry list

Not including the cost

1. Stay for extra days if any ( we can make bookings for you )
2. Flights to the destination.
3. Fuel for the vehicle for duration of tour.
4. Vehicle Transfer Cost If any
5. Self Drive vehicle for the tour.
6. Security deposit
7. Damage /fine/ Insurance
8. Extra food Like Starters /Lunch /Dinner all over Pay & Eat ( if Any outside the venue) .
9. Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals, starters (Alcoholic, Mineral, Soft Drinks, Aerated) etc.
10. Extra guide fee, entrance, Camera & Video fee ,Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone
11. Any activity apart from mentioned ones.
12. Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like damage accruing from land blocks, bad weather etc.
13. Any medical expenses incurred during the trip or travel insurance
14. Anything not mentioned in inclusions
15. GST EXTRA ON BILLING

GST extra on billing ( 5% )

Notes

• SDF – Sustainable Development Fee
• Valid identity proof for Indian Nationals is – Indian Passport / Indian Voter ID
• PIO card holders will not be considered to be Indian citizens.
• All other nationalities will have to pay SDF @ USD 200 per day