Sikkim to Bhutan - 11 Days

Today you will enter the Land of Dragon. You have options to fly from several cities to Paro. You can fly from Bangkok, Delhi, or Kathmandu to Paro. The flight to Paro is beautiful as the aircraft comes closer to Paro, we get to see snowcapped Himalayan peaks and just after entering Paro Valley the view of Paro Dzong overlooking Paro River is great view. On our arrival at Paro, we are cordially welcomed by our representative in Bhutan who will escort you to your hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, today we are going on a hike. A five-hour hike to and fro to a cliff-hanging monastery is probably the biggest highlight of the Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan. Taktsang Monastery is also known as Tiger’s Nest because of the myth that states the visit of Guru Rinpoche on a Tiger back nestles on a cliff that hangs 90m above Paro. We hike up to the monastery, explore around and hike back down to Paro for the lunch.

Post lunch, we visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. The monument was originally a Watch Tower. However, since 1967, it is a National Museum holding a huge collection of arts, artifacts, thangkas, and postal stamps. The final destination of the entire Short Cultural Tour of Bhutan is Ripung Dzong which also has a long significant history in Bhutan. Overnight in a hotel at Paro. Originally built as Watch Tower in 1967 it is acting as the National Museum of the country and holds a fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings, and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.

After the sightseeing tour of Paro, we drive to Thimpu, which is 75 minutes scenic drive. Overnight in a hotel at Thimpu.

In Thimpu, we visit Trashichhoedzong, the beautiful medieval time fortress/monastery, which is now the Bhutanese government’s integral building holding many government offices and King’s throne. Trashichhoedzong is also the summer home of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot in Bhutan. The cultural tour of Thimpu continues to the National Library which holds a wide array of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Explore Arts and Crafts School to witness the fantastic ongoing workshops of Thanka Paintings and encounter the living traditions of Bhutan at Textile and Folk Heritage Museums before lunch.

Post lunch, the sightseeing tour of Thimpu, takes you to the Handicrafts Emporium followed by a visit to Stupa of Memorial Chorten (monument built in the memory of Father of Modern Bhutan- the third king of Bhutan). After a thorough exploration of the Bhutanese capital, we drive back to the hotel in Thimpu.

After breakfast, we drive to Punakha which is a 75 km drive across Dochu La Pass 3100m. On our arrival at Punakha, we drive into our hotel in the city. Then, we set out to explore the city. Visit 17th century strategically built Punakha Dzong which survived several fires and earthquakes. The Dzong at the confluence of the Pho and Chhu Rivers is now absolutely restored. Explore the Dzong which holds significant history in this part of Bhutan. After a thorough exploration of the city, we drive back to our hotel in Punakha.

Today after breakfast, we drive to Gangtey. Three and half hours of road journey to Gangtey is a wonderful way to catch a few glimpses of Bhutanese rural culture. On arriving at Gangtey we are transferred to our hotel. After some refreshments in the hotel, our sightseeing tour of Gnagtey begins. Gangtey is Bhutan’s most beautiful surprise. The wide arid valley after penetrating the lush vegetation is truly the rarest experience in Bhutan. Today we explore Gangtey Monastery. In close proximity to Gangtey Monastery, the fascinating village of Phobjhika lies. The wonderful village at the altitude of 2900m is a wonderful place to explore as we get to see a wide diversity of wildlife because the village borders Black Mountain National Park. At the end of the day, we drive back to our hotel in Gangtey for an overnight stay.

Today, Bhutan to Sikkim Tour with Access Nepal continues towards Trsonga. Trsonga is just 2 hour’s pleasant drive from Gangtey. On our arrival at Trsonga, first, we check in to our hotel in the city and set out to explore the highlights of Trsonga. Trsonga is another beautiful destination in Bhutan, which also has magnificent landscapes. The historical town Trsonga is the ancestral home to the Bhutanese Royal family. We will soak into the beautiful landscapes of Trsonga and explore most of the sites having historical significance in Trsonga before we transfer to our hotel for the overnight stay.

Today we have a bit longer hours to drive. So we start early and reach Bumthang by 11 am after 4 and half hours of road journey. On arriving Bumthang we will be transferred to our hotel and after a short while, the sightseeing tour of Bumthang begins. In Bumthang we will explore the famous Jakar Dzong, which was built is 1667 AD. We will also explore the sacred sites like Kurjey Lhakhang and Chakar Lhakhang in Bumthang before we drive back to our hotel for the overnight stay.

Today we will spend most of the time on the road. Though the drive is along the retracing road, we can still enjoy the scenic landscapes and the rural culture of Bhutan throughout the drive. After six hours of drive, we arrive at Wangduephodrang. The first thing we do on arriving at Wangduephodrang is that check into our hotel Then we set off to explore this tiny town on our own. Stroll around the streets of Wangduephodrang and walk back to your hotel for an overnight stay.

At Wangdiphodrang we visit the Dzong and the local market. The place also highlights bamboo products, slate, and stone carvings. We have our lunch at Wangdiphodrang and head towards Thimpu. Thimpu is 3 hour drive from Wangduephodrang. We are almost at the end of the Bhutan to Sikkim tour. At Thimpu, we can simply wander in the streets of the Bhutanese capital hunting for souvenirs. You will find plenty of things to do in Thimpu. At the end of the day, we walk back to our hotel for the overnight stay.

Today after breakfast, we begin the journey on the road that continues for the next five hours. After five hours of drive, we arrive at Phuentsholing, a city in Bhutan that borders to the Indian State of Sikkim. There are plenty of interests for a visitor in Phuentsholing. You can visit Amo Chuu, the Crocodile Breeding Center, Chukha Hydrothermal Project, the Bhutan gate at the border, or the Karbandi Monastery. We will work with the immigration formalities so that we do not have any hassles the next day while driving into India.

Today we drive into India. After driving 242km today, we arrive at India’s one of the most beautiful states, Sikkim. From here onwards the end of our services.