Go on an exciting eight-day long Bhutan and Dooars adventure holiday for a memorable experience. Bhutan has a fascinating history, which saw its transformation from a land of warring clans to a country with a modern government. Explore this interesting aspect along with the religious and cultural developments of the kingdom while sightseeing in Thimphu after reaching here from Phuentsholing. From Thimphu, travel to Punakha – the former national capital – to see its prominent attractions. On the way to Punakha/Wangdue, stop at Dochula to see the snow-clad Himalayas in all their glory.

This Bhutan Dooars adventure package also includes visiting a number of famous places of interest in Paro. Make the expedition exciting by indulging in hiking from Ta Dzong to Rinpung Dzong. On this short trip, take lots of photos of amazing views you get to see. Later, reach the Indian town of Lataguri, located in the state of West Bengal. Enjoy an overnight stay in the hotel/resort here, and in the morning you may go on a Jeep safari to Gorumara National Park. See the different moods of the endangered one-horned rhinos and the massive Asian elephants while here. Begin the return journey from either New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport.

ITINERARY:

DAY 01: ARRIVAL IN NJP/IXB TO PHUENTSHOLING (3-3.5 HOURS APPROX.)
Upon arriving at New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport, begin this Bhutan and Dooars adventure trip by driving to Phuentsholing. On reaching the town of Phuentsholing in Bhutan, transfer to the hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening. Following this tiresome day, enjoy an overnight stay in your hotel room.

DAY 02: PHUENTSHOLING TO THIMPHU (164 KM/4.5 HOURS)
Obtain a permit to travel deeper into the country, and thereafter drive to Thimphu. On arrival in the city, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 03: SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU
Get the real essence of this Bhutan Dooars adventure package with a sightseeing tour of the Bhutanese capital. Post a filling breakfast at the hotel, visit the Buddha Dordenma, Motithang Takin Preserve, BBS Tower, Changlimithang Stadium and Changangkha Lhakhang.
Buddha Dordenma is a huge copper statue of Lord Buddha that has a gilded frame, and the pedestal on which it rests serves as a 4-storied meditation chamber.

The pine jungles and grasslands of Motithang Takin Preserve are home to many a rare and endangered wildlife. Insightful religious books and a huge idol of Avalokitesvara – the Bodhisattva of compassion – are the main highlights of Changangkha Lhakhang. The top storey of the BBS Tower will treat you with 360 degree views of the Thimphu city and its serene surroundings.

Soccer and archery events are organised at Changlimithang Stadium. In the afternoon, explore National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, Handicrafts Emporium and local shops in the area. National Memorial Chorten is a stupa, built in the memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third Bhutanese king. It contains exquisite royal cloth paintings, called thangkas, of numerous deities and photos of the monarch. Government offices, including that of the king, and thrones are housed inside the gigantic Tashichho Dzong. At the Handicrafts Emporium and other local shops, you can purchase traditional handmade articles. Reach the hotel after sightseeing for an overnight stay in the city.

DAY 04: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE VIA DOCHULA PASS
After receiving the necessary legal permit, embark on a road trip to Punakha/Wangdue.
En route, stop at the approximately 10170-feet high summit of Dochula pass to have refreshment and to admire the snow-covered Himalayas. Further on the journey to Punakha/Wangdue, you may explore the village of Mehsina and Chimi Lhakhang. Constructed at the site where a saint is said to have subdued a demon, Chimi Lhakhang has numerous religious articles worth seeing.

Upon reaching Punakha/Wangdue, travel to Punakha Dzong that stands on the confluence of two rivers. The interiors of the assembly hall and temples of the dzong are richly decorated with beautiful wall paintings and wood carvings. Also see the numerous sculptures in the temple of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Thereafter, transfer to the hotel in Punakha/Wangdue for a comfortable overnight stay.

DAY 05: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TO PARO (115 KM/3.5 HOURS APPROX.)
Check-out from the hotel in the morning, and then travel to the city of Paro by road. On arrival here, transfer to the hotel and stay overnight.

DAY 06: SIGHTSEEING IN PARO
Post breakfast restart the Bhutan and Dooars adventure, by exploring the city. Get an insight into the over 6000 years of historical, religious, cultural and social development of the city while exploring the galleries of the National Museum of Bhutan, housed inside Ta Dzong. Thereafter, embark on a short and exciting trek to Rinpung Dzong to see its assembly hall, stupas and temples.

Also visit Drukgyel Dzong that was used for the defence of the region by the local armies. See what remains of its masonry walls, central tower and other structures. Later in the day, pay homage at Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist shrines in the country. In the evening, return to the hotel and take rest.

DAY 07: PARO TO PHUENTSHOLING | PHUENTSHOLING TO DOOARS (LATAGURI)
Check-out from the hotel in the morning, and then drive to the town of Phuentsholing. Once here, cross the international border and reach Lataguri in the Indian state of West Bengal. On arrival in Lataguri, transfer to the resort/hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 08: OPTIONAL JEEP SAFARI | LATAGURI TO IXB/NJP
The area around the town contains thick grasslands and the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, known as Dooars. This region is known for being rich in wildlife and harbouring good numbers of rhinos and elephants. Add an optional Jeep safari in Gorumara National Park at your own cost to this Bhutan Dooars adventure package. Post this amazing wildlife spotting, transfer to either Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to come back home.