Go on Bhutan Dooars holidays to experience the unique charm that the small Himalayan kingdom is known for. On reaching Thimphu via Phuentsholing, tour the city and visit some of its popular places of interest. Thereafter, drive to the Punakha/Wangdue area, and stop at Dochula on the way. Here, visit two amazing sites and even four if the optional ones are also toured. Thereafter, drive towards the region of Bumthang that consists of four scenic valleys. On the way, take a break at the serene town of Trongsa to see its two incredible sites. Visit outstanding attractions in Bumthang and learn in detail about the time-honoured religion of Buddhism.

Later, cross the Phobjikha Valley while on a road journey to the Punakha/Wangdue area. After resting here at night, travel to the town of Paro by road, and from here reach the valley of Haa. Stop at Chelela en route Haa to look at two of the most famous mountains in the country. Post exploring the thickly-cultivated valley, return to Paro. Reach the Indian town of Lataguri from the Paro town via Phuentsholing. With this Bhutan Dooars holiday package, you may avail an optional Jeep safari through Gorumara National Park to see wild rhinos and elephants that live in its dense grasslands. End the expedition by taking a train from New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or a flight from Bagdogra Airport.

ITINERARY:

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT NJP/IXB | NJP/IXB TO PHUENTSHOLING
Reach New Jalpaiguri Railway Station or Bagdogra Airport, and meet our representative at either site. Thereafter, cross the international border, and reach the town of Phuentsholing in Bhutan for an overnight stay.

DAY 02: PHUENTSHOLING TO THIMPHU (165 KM/4.5 HOURS APPROX.)
Gain the official permit to travel further into the country, and later drive to Thimphu. On reaching the Bhutanese capital, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 03: SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU
Make your Bhutan Dooars holidays memorable by touring the various attractions of the city. Relish breakfast at the hotel, and then visit Changlimithang Stadium, BBS Tower, Changangkha Lhakhang, Motithang Takin Preserve and Buddha Dordenma statue.

Changlimithang Stadium is a multi-purpose arena in the heart of Thimphu that hosts archery, football and many other sporting events. The top storey deck of the BBS Tower offers bewitching sights of the city and the surrounding valley. Look at a gigantic sculpture of Avalokitesvara with 11 heads and large Buddhist religious books at Changangkha Lhakhang. Also, click photos of the Buddha Dordenma statue, which is about 169 feet high. You may spend moments of repose inside its meditation hall.

In the afternoon, continue the tour with visits to the Handicrafts Emporium, National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong and local shops. Look at traditional handmade products at Handicrafts Emporium, which is administered by the national government. See the pictures of Buddhist deities and the third emperor of the country, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck at the National Memorial Chorten. Also, visit Tashichho Dzong where the offices of the government and the king are located. In the end, shop for more interesting handmade articles from local stores for your dear ones. Later, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 04: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE VIA DOCHULA PASS
Drive to the Punakha/Wangdue area after getting the essential permit (not issued on government holidays, Saturdays and Sundays). On the way, halt at Dochula, a mountain pass at an altitude of about 10170 feet, for tea. Do not forget to capture the bewitching views of high mountains from here. Thereafter, recommence the drive and further en route, you may explore the Mehsina village and Chimi Lhakhang. The lhakhang is located atop a hill, beneath which a demon is said to have been subdued by a learned monk.

Reach Punakha, and see idols of Padmasambhava, Avalokitesvara, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Goddess Tara and Lord Buddha inside the complex of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Walk through the courtyards of Punakha Dzong, and see the ornate buildings here. Post sightseeing, transfer to the hotel in the Punakha/Wangdue area to stay overnight.

DAY 05: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE – TRONGSA – BUMTHANG
In the morning, cross Pele La, which is a mountain pass about 11150 feet above sea level, on the way to Trongsa. On reaching here, visit Trongsa Dzong, which contains temples of various Buddhist deities, Tantrics and Arhats. The largest dzong in the kingdom, it is located atop a high cliff.

See Chendebji Chorten – a beautiful stupa, built in the traditional Nepalese style of architecture. The mountains, surrounding this religious site, are covered with dense jungles of pines. Post visiting these two places, continue the road journey towards the Bumthang region and on arrival here, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 06: SIGHTSEEING IN BUMTHANG
Begin the Bumthang leg of Bhutan Dooars holiday package sightseeing in the morning, and visit Jakar Dzong, Tamshing Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang.

See the exquisite art work that covers the wooden frames, pillars and panels inside the huge Jakar Dzong. Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Padmasambhava, Avalokitesvara, Amitayus, Amitabha, Tantrics and Goddess Tara are represented through paintings and idols at Tamshing Lhakhang and monastery. Jambay Lhakhang is a 7th century temple, constructed at the site where a Tibetan king is believed to have caged a demoness. Kurjey Lhakhang is a complex of richly-adorned Buddhist stupas and temples. Following this insightful trip, transfer to the hotel, and enjoy an overnight stay in Bumthang.

DAY 07: BUMTHANG TO PUNAKHA/WANGDUE VIA PHOBJIKHA VALLEY
Post breakfast, travel to Punakha/Wangdue by road, and cross the enchanting Phobjikha Valley en route. On arrival in the Punakha/Wangdue area, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 08: PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TO PARO
Leave Punakha/Wangdue in the morning, and drive towards Paro. On arrival here, proceed to the hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 09: PARO TO HAA VALLEY VIA CHELELA PASS | HAA VALLEY TO PARO
Make your Bhutan Dooars holidays even more exciting by driving to the picturesque Haa Valley early in the morning. Meander through dense growths of rhododendrons and blue pines for about 45 km before reaching the top of Chelela pass – situated at an altitude of about 13000 feet. See the snow-bound peaks of mounts Chomolhari and Drake from here, and then recommence the drive. Reach Haa after descending for about 22 km from Chelela and post exploring the valley, come back to Paro for an overnight stay.

DAY 10: PARO TO PHUENTSHOLING | PHUENTSHOLING TO DOOARS (LATAGURI)
After checking-out from the hotel in the morning, travel to the border town of Phuentsholing. Once here, leave the Himalayan kingdom, and drive to Lataguri, located in the state of West Bengal in India. On arrival in the Lataguri town, transfer to the hotel/resort for an overnight stay.

DAY 11: OPTIONAL JEEP SAFARI | DOOARS (LATAGURI) TO IXB/NJP
Lataguri is geographically positioned in a region, known as Dooars that comprise dense grasslands. These grasses are home to a large number of Indian elephants and the endangered one-horned rhinos. Avail an optional Jeep safari at nominal additional cost to give this Bhutan Dooars holiday package an adventurous dimension.

Post this safari in Gorumara National Park, which is close to the town, transfer to either Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station to return your home.