Embark on a magical winter self-drive road trip to Bhutan with Planet Way Round. Navigate snow-draped Himalayan highways, explore ancient monasteries, and soak in the serene beauty of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. From the dramatic Dochula Pass to the iconic Tiger’s Nest, experience Bhutan’s untouched charm at your own pace — all behind the wheel of a 4×4. This is winter adventure redefined.
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- Self drive Road Trip through the beautiful kingdom of Bhutan
- Participating vehicles All SUV
- Midway Picnic Lunches
- Distance covered – 1600 Kms approximately
- Highest Altitude reached – 3752 Meters / Thrumshing La Pass
- Trekking to Tigers Nest Monastery
- Visit to Dzongs & Monasteries during the trip.
- Licenced TCB guide for the duration of the trip.
- All Meals – Breakfast – Lunch & Dinner for duration of tour
Day 1 | Arrival in Phuentsholing ( 153 Kms from Siliguri )
*Paro: 293 meters
Reach Phuentsholing border, our team will meet you here, we cross the border after all formalities ( you have to get vehicle entry permit here ).
Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.
Day 2 | Phuentsholing – Paro (185 kms )
*Paro: 2200 meters
After breakfast we get our vehicle permits issued and continue with the drive to Paro. Day free on arrival for leisure.
Overnight stay at Paro.
Day 3 | Hike to Taktsang (Tiger Nest) Monastery in Paro (900 meters above Paro Valley)
*Paro: 2200 meters
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 drive towards Paro to visit Drukgyal Dzong, although it is now mostly in ruins and under construction.
Day 4 | Paro – Thimphu ( 49 kilometers )
*Thimpu: 2,320 meters
After breakfast drive to Thimpu the capital city of Bhutan. In Thimpu visit the giant statue of Buddha Dordenma statue and the Takin Park ( Motithang Takin Preserve )
Overnight at Thimpu
Day 5 | 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 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 6 | Phobjikha
*Altitude: 3000 meters
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 7 | Phobjika – 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 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. 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 8 | 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.
Later in the afternoon, if time permits, you visit Wangdicholing Palace (visitors allowed from outside only)
Day 9 | Bumthang to Mongar. (193 km)
Crossing the winding road to the high Thumshing la pass ( 3752 meters ) , this drive will offer breathtaking views of Gangkar Phuensum, Bhutan’s highest unconquered mountain. The views of the Himalayas here will take your breath away! You will ride through national parks at Ura and Thrumshing la on inner forest roads that are serene, green and downright amazing! You will also cross the Sertang la pass ( 3,573 meters ). This is a day you will get to enjoy the ride to the fullest with views that change with every second.
Overnight at Mongar
Day 10 | Mungar to Trashigang (92 km)
After Breakfast drive to Trashigang, the drive takes us across the Chazam or the iron bridge and the Kori-la pass ( 2450 meters ). We will be staying at Trashigang and will enjoy local delicacies.
Overnight at Trashigang.
Day 11 | Trashigang to Samdrup jongkhar (176 Km). /Guwahati. ( 273 kms )
After breakfast drive to Samdrup Jongkhar the border crossing between Bhutan & Indian. This six hour drive is just amazing. There’s a reason why everyone calls this road the “Heavenly route”. This curvy road passes through the breathtakingly amazing Himalayan mountain road from Kharula to Menlong Brak via Yongphu La moving towards Narphunggang. On Reaching Samdrup Jongkhar our tour ends on entering Indian. You can either drive towards Gauhati ( 97 Kms ) for overnight stay or start the journey back on same date.
Tour end
*Hot stone bath at Paro after your Tiger Nest hike
*Clubbing
*Cycling
*Spa
*Disco
Self Drive Vehicles available – Toyota Parado / Land Cruiser / Hyundai Sante Fe – Old Vehicles / 15 / 20 Years Old / All Manual Transmission
Image for representation only***
Meals – Breakfast & Dinner are included.
During this tour, you will be served Breakfast & Dinner at the place of stay. 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
Accommodations is provided in a Mix of 4* & Good 3* Hotels / Boutique Stays.
STARTS AND END POINT OF TOUR
We start and ends in Phuentsholing.
For those arriving by flight you can reach either Bagdogra and then drive to Phuentsholing in a local cab or fly directly into Paro.
For those taking self drive vehicle for the tour, you have to reach Phuentsholing for start of the trip. ( Self drive vehicle will be provided from Day 2 till we reach Phuentsholing at the end of the tour.
END POINT OF THE TRIP
The tour officially ends at Samdrup jongkhar when we enter Indian. For those travelling back by flight can book their flights from Gauhati Airport which is 97 Kms from the border.
Skill level(s) required for this tour
Intermediate:
*can drive for 4 – 5 hours daily
*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.
Includes
1.Accommodation for 10 nights stay in Bhutan
2.Daily Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner for duration for tour. Except Dinner in 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.Basic Travel insurance for the trip.
8.Oxygen bottles and basic medication backup for AMS
9.Accompanying experienced local guide & P.W.R team. ( or as per selection )
10.Things to carry list
11.4×4 Self drive vehicles in Bhutan ( as per package selection )
Excludes
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- Stay for extra days if any ( we can make bookings for you )
- Flights to the destination.
- Extra food Like Starters / drinks etc
- Any damage/fine/ cost.
- Toll Tax if any.
- Fuel for vehicle.
- Custom duty for Vehicles entering Bhutan from India. ( Rs 4500 per day )
- Any kind of personal expenses or optional tours, extra meals, starters (Alcoholic, Mineral, Soft Drinks, Aerated) guide fee, Camera & Video fee ,Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone etc.
- Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like damage accruing from land blocks, bad weather etc.
- Any medical expenses incurred during the trip or travel insurance
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
- Insurance for or against accidents, loss of life, theft etc.
- *** Refundable Security Deposit for Self Drive vehicles (Cautions fee): US $600/-
- GST extra ( 5% ) on billing
| PAX |
COST |
| Applicable cost with Own SUV – 4*& 3* |
Rs 145900 Per pax with stay in double share basis |
| Self Drive Vehicle available |
Cost on request |
| Applicable cost with Own SUV – 5* |
On Request |
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Single Room Supplement
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Rs 89500 |
| SDF for Non Indians |
USD 100 Extra per day ( payable above package cost ) |
GST extra on billing ( 5% ) + TCS as per slab
Notes
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- 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 100 per day
