Bhutan Overland Tour

Once your flight reaches Bagdogra Airport/NJP Station in Siliguri,West Bengal, our eagerly waiting team will escort you easily to the waiting vehicle. We now set off for the border town of Phuentsholing, our entry point to wonderful Bhutan.

During this 4-hour road journey, after passing slowly through the dense traffic of Siliguri city, we’ll experience the beautiful drive on the exemplary Coronation Bridge. This arched cantilever bridge in the Darjeeling district built during the British rule spans over the Teesta River. It connects West Bengal with the foothills of Bhutan amid the rugged Himalayas and over the superfluous Teesta.

After crossing the iconic bridge, we enter into open country and proceed on a comfortable, straight drive through and through till Phuentsholing. En route, we’ll pass the many tea gardens, scenic hamlets, and national parks of the Dooars floodplains region. This nature’s paradise provides easy access to hill stations of Bengal and Bhutan.

As soon as we enter the Kingdom of Happiness in Phuentsholing, we can see the Bhutanese Himalayas from afar, beckoning us warmly for a delightful Bhutan experience. We arrive at our hotel in the Bhutanese town and spend the remaining day at leisure.

After completing these immigration formalities at Phuentsholing, we’re all set to tour Bhutan.

Post breakfast, we leave the hotel and head for Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital. It’s a 6-hour road trip with worthwhile halts at some of the must-visit tourist places in Bhutan.

First in line is the incredible Kharbandi Gompa monastery. It’s a famous Bhutan pilgrimage site built under royal patronage. As we explore this beautiful structure, we’ll find the statue of Guru Rinpoche (an ancient mystic) and lovely paintings depicting Lord Buddha’s life. From the monastery garden, enjoy fantastic views of Phuentsholing and the Indian plains.

On our journey upwards via several little towns, we’ll take the next halt at Gedu town, home to a premier college offering full-time modern business education, which is indeed worth visiting.

We continue our drive uphill with a photo stop at the Taktichu Pass (2000 metres) at its huge, scenic waterfall.  From this point, we can notice a transition in the forest scene – tropical vegetation giving way to coniferous trees. Halfway along our densely forested drive comes our next stop. It’s the vast hydroelectric complex of Chukha District.

Now we enjoy a scenic drive beside the Paro River and then break our journey at Chuzom, the confluence of Rivers Paro and Thimphu. Let’s walk on the Chuzom bridge and take in mesmerising sights of the countryside. Another major attraction at Chuzom is three chortens situated side by side, representing a different architecture – Nepali, Tibetan, and Bhutanese.

We resume our journey along the Thimphu River, taking in the beautiful countryside en route. We get the first glimpse of Thimphu city as the Simtokha Dzong appears. Our team has selected one of the best hotels in Bhutan for your overnight stay in Thimphu.

We hope you had a good night’s sleep in beautiful Bhutan! Enjoy the hotel’s satiating breakfast before we begin our Thimphu tour today.

First on the list is Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the founder of modern Bhutan. This tall, four-storeyed structure contains statues and symbols of several Tantric deities, undoubtedly ranking among the must-visit tourist places in Bhutan. Experience the fantastic sight of locals circumambulating the Chorten, holding prayer beads and murmuring the divine prayers.

What better way to begin your day in wonderful Bhutan than visiting such a pious landmark?

Now we take you to the National Library. This 20th-century building houses major historical evidence in the form of documents and photos. Also, you’ll find the world’s biggest published book here that weighs 68 kg and is 2 metres in height.

Next stop is Buddha Dordenma, made in line with increasing the Bhutan happiness index. This sitting statue of Buddha measures 169 feet in height and is filled with 1,25,000 shorter Buddha statues. One of the world’s most giant Buddha statues, Buddha Dordenma, with its peaceful and assuring appearance, draws innumerable tourists towards it. Also, this spot offers spectacular views of the Thimphu Valley.

After seeking the umpteen blessings of the Buddha, we drive towards Thimphu for lunch. By the way, did you see any traffic lights in your Bhutan Travel so far? This is the only nation worldwide that controls vehicular traffic without them. In Thimphu, you’ll see a traffic policeman waving and signalling to the main traffic. Well-dressed and wearing white gloves, the traffic policeman’s graceful mannerisms are sure to fascinate you. This unique traffic control system of amazing Bhutan might as well qualify for some sightseeing!

A visit to the post office to see the Bhutanese stamps is a must. A philatelist or not, you’re going to fall in love with them! You’ll find postage stamps with several themes, including traditional crafts, wildlife, Bhutanese scenes, and dzong architecture.

How about sending stamped postcards to friends and family in today’s ultra-digital world? Sending one to yourself at your home address sounds equally interesting, right? Without a doubt, the postage stamps make a unique souvenir of magical Bhutan.

After going gaga over the stamps, we now get ready to  witness students taking vocational training on Bhutanese arts and crafts at the Institute of ZorigChusum. Enjoy taking photographs of students learning to paint religious pictures on canvas, carve masks and statues from wood, and embroider clothes and footwear. What’s more, you can even buy one of such artworks at a fair price!

How about getting close to the forefathers of magical Bhutan? You’ll be stepping into one of Thimphu’s oldest houses, almost 150 years old. This ancient, three-storied Bhutanese home, now converted into the Folk Heritage Museum, offers a one-of-a-kind Bhutan experience. You can’t but admire the impressive array of traditional household ware used by the Bhutanese ancestors and the setup of typical kitchen gardens. Equally remarkable are the displays of the old watermill and hot-stone bath.

Souvenir shopping is surely at the back of your mind. At the Handicraft Market of Thimphu, shop for souvenirs to your heart’s content. Buy beautifully embroidered attires, scroll paintings, and precious jewellery at reasonable prices from one or more of the 100 government appointed shops here.

Late afternoon, we take you to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive structure located just on the outskirts of Thimphu. One of Bhutan’s most iconic monuments, the Tashichho Dzong houses His Majesty’s throne room and several government offices. This massive fortress is also the summer residence of the central monastic body.

What a fulfilling day it’s been! We still have plenty in store for you to celebrate Bhutan. But it’s time to break at the hotel for a delicious dinner and a restful sleep before that.

After two fun-filled days in Thimphu, we descend towards Paro town (1400m), our entry point into amazing Bhutan. Paro lies in the thick, flourishing Paro Valley, in the backdrop of pristine mountain ranges. The hour-long drive to the breathtaking Paro Valley is a unique Bhutan travel experience, along crystal clear rivers and magnificent monuments.

On this fascinating journey, we’ll spend some time at Chuzom. As you already know from our trip on day 1 (Paro – Thimphu), Rivers Thimphu and Paro meet at Chuzom. You’ll enjoy walking on the Chuzom bridge. Also, at this fascinating spot, you’ll find three stunning chortens of Tibetan, Nepali, and Bhutanese styles. We’re going to have a tough job interrupting your photography and reminding you to get inside the waiting vehicle!

As we resume our journey in the direction of Paro,  just a short while from Chuzom, you can spot the eye-catching Thamchok Lhakhang. It’s a private temple under the ownership of a renowned iron chain bridge builder’s scion. You can see the great man’s creation even here – a fantastic chain bridge that leads to the temple.

Watch out…we’re suddenly approaching a wide opening through the mountains. Yes, we’re descending in the picturesque Paro Valley of magical Bhutan. You’ll see the pristine Paro River winding through it, lush green landscapes dotted with paddy fields and multicoloured flowers, and fruit orchards patterning the valley. Isn’t it now easy to understand why describing the beauty of Paro is beyond words?

We check into the hotel, freshen up, and gather for lunch before we begin our sightseeing trip. First on the list here is the National Museum. This hill-perched museum preserves the rich Bhutanese culture in the form of countless collections. Fine arts, bronze sculptures, jewellery, stuffed animals, stamps, and the list goes on. Another plus point of your museum visit is the spectacular view of Paro Valley from its viewpoint.

Now let’s go downhill to explore the majestic Paro (Rinpung) Dzong. This 17th century, square-shaped citadel with a central tower and motifed buildings is indeed an exemplary piece of Bhutan architecture.  Paro Dzong is the administrative centre of the town. It houses courtyards, administrative offices, and a monastic area.

Next, we’ll take you to Paro town. You can explore it at your leisure. But something is interesting on the way back from the dzong to our waiting vehicle. Take the experience of crossing the traditional cantilever bridge with a shingle roof and a couple of watch houses on each end.

In Paro town, enjoy local cuisine like steamy momos. Else, visit one of the finest restaurants that serve sophisticated Bhutanese foods, such as Ema Datshi (Bhutan’s national dish). Shop for souvenirs at the Paro Craft Market.

Finally, we return to the hotel for a delicious dinner and a peaceful sleep.

Today, it’s all about Paro! Post breakfast, we take a short drive on a blacktop road of green Bhutan to the end of Paro Valley. This is where the 17th-Century Drukgyel Dzong stands.  A symbol of victory over the Tibetan aggression, Drukgyel Dzong served as an excellent barrier for several years against further attacks. Today, we can see only the ruins of this fortress because it had caught fire and suffered heavy damage in 1951. However, the well-protected ancient ruins make an impressive sight, qualifying as Bhutan’s most stunning archaeological spot!

We take you to the end of the blacktop road and then along a narrow path to Lingshi, a remote Bhutanese village that yak herders call home. Today, if Weather God is on your side, you’ll be able to get a clear view of the snow-clad, towering (23,996 feet) Mt. Jomolhari. This spectacular mountain, also regarded as the holiest peak in beautiful Bhutan, provides a perfect backdrop to the Drugyel ruins and Lingshi.

Coming up is one of the best parts of your Bhutan Tour! From Lingshi, we retrace about 6 kilometres to take in breathtaking views of Taktsang Lhakhang, more popularly called “The Tiger’s Nest”.This iconic monastery is so-called owing to the myth that the medieval Buddhist saint Padmasambhava visited it, riding a flying tiger. The legend also says that he meditated in a cave that is now the Nest’s lower storey. The monastery houses a wrathful emanation of Padmasambhava on top of a tiger.

You can reach this sacred place only through an uphill hike as it’s perched on a precipitous rock face. It’s a 5-hour trek through scenic pine forests, with the eluding view of the Nest beckoning you the whole time.

So, are you game? We’ll take you uphill through the well-marked trail till we reach our lunch point after about 3 hours. Enjoy unique views of the monastery from here. If you’re hell-bent on visiting the monastery, we’ll take you further uphill for another couple of hours.

Did you have a relaxing Bhutan Tour on your mind? No worries. Just opt out of the trek. We’ll take you to some other fascinating places of unforgettable Bhutan.

Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the 7th-century temple built to stop a giant demoness from intercepting the propagation of Buddhism here. It’s one of Bhutan’s exceptionally great places of worship. The sights of fruit trees and monks spinning the prayer wheels in the temple arcades are sure to fascinate you.

Next we’ll drive around 40 kilometres through the Paro Valley to the surreal Chelela Pass. With an altitude of 13,000 feet, this natural beauty is the highest travelable road of unforgettable Bhutan. Experience an adventurous journey to Chelela, entirely through lush, dense forests.

In clear weather, Chelela Pass offers stunning views of Mt. Jomolhari and the Paro Valley. Between May and July, you’ll see countless alpine flowers, particularly the blue poppy, which is the national flower of beautiful Bhutan.

Chelela, with its numerous ancient trails and untouched forests, is undoubtedly a hiker’s paradise.

Explore the picturesque landscape and capture priceless memories in your camera before we descend to Paro for lunch. At the hotel, a professional troupe is waiting eagerly to entertain you. Celebrate Bhutan as the group presents an hour-long cultural performance on the lawns.

Next in line is a Bhutanese home visit. When at Thimphu, you got a peep into the forefathers’ lives, right? Now, in Paro, an existent Bhutanese family will welcome you right at their home. We’ll take you to Heritage Farmhouse, where you can interact with the locals over a warm cuppa. An unforgettable firsthand experience of Bhutanese people as you sip on the steaming Himalayan tea!

You can relax your muscles and rejuvenate your soul in a traditional hot stone bath here. While preparing a Bhutanese hot stone bath, the locals collect specific river stones and heat them up in an open fire till they get a blood-red colour. After filling cold water inside the conventional wooden tub, the natives dip these red hot stones in the water until it warms up. While adding herbs to the warm water, each Bhutanese family has their own secret recipe, followed across generations.

After an unrushed, healing bath, we return to the hotel. Enjoy the last dinner together before we all part ways tomorrow.

We take leave of beautiful Paro and retrace in the direction of Phuentsholing town. On our leisurely drive by the Paro River after crossing Chuzom and then towards Chukha, let’s take in all the beautiful sights for one last time before descending towards our destination. After checking in to our hotel at the border town, we have the remaining time at leisure.

Post breakfast, we bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Happiness and set off on our journey home. After entering the Indian border at Jaigaon, we pass the scenic Bengal Countryside to arrive at Bagdogra Airport/NJP Station. We take the air journey with beautiful memories of our Bhutan travel.