Grand Bhutan Tour (8 Days)

07:00 AM – Depart Guwahati

Bhutan tourist visa processing at border (arrive before 2 PM)

01:00 PM – Arrive Phuentsholing, check-in

02:30 PM – Zangto Pelri Lhakhang temple

04:00 PM – Phuentsholing market walk

Overnight: Phuentsholing

08:00 AM – Drive to Thimphu (180 km, ~5 hrs)

01:00 PM – Arrive, check-in & lunch

02:30 PM – Buddha Dordenma (169ft golden Buddha)

04:00 PM – Tashichho Dzong — government seat & monastery

05:30 PM – Clock Tower Square evening stroll

Overnight: Thimphu

09:00 AM – Memorial Chorten (1974 stupa, morning prayers)

10:30 AM – National Folk Heritage Museum

12:00 PM – Lunch at Thimphu restaurant (try Ema Datshi, cheese chili stew)

01:30 PM – National Library of Bhutan — ancient Tibetan scriptures

02:30 PM – Textile Museum — traditional Bhutanese weaving

04:00 PM – Buddha Dordenma hike for panoramic Thimphu valley view

Overnight: Thimphu

09:00 AM – Drive to Dochula Pass (3,100m) — 108 chortens & Himalayan panorama

10:30 AM – Punakha Dzong — 17th-century fortress at river confluence, beautiful flower gardens

12:30 PM – Chimi Lhakhang — fertility temple, 45-min rice-field walk

02:00 PM – Lunch

03:00 PM – Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten — 45-min valley hike, lush riverside views

Overnight: Punakha

09:00 AM – Drive to Gangtey (50 km, ~2.5 hrs)

11:00 AM – Gangtey Monastery — 17th-century Nyingmapa monastery, oldest in Phobjikha Valley

12:30 PM – Black-necked Crane Information Centre — cranes winter here Oct–March

01:30 PM – Lunch at Gangtey

03:00 PM – Nature walk through Phobjikha Valley — crane habitat, open grassland

Overnight: Gangtey

09:00 AM – Drive to Bumthang (3–4 hrs)

12:00 PM – Jakar Dzong — "Castle of the White Bird", 16th-century fortress

01:00 PM – Lunch

02:30 PM – Kurje Lhakhang — ancient monastery with Guru Rinpoche footprint

04:00 PM – Jambay Lhakhang — one of Bhutan's oldest temples (7th century)

Overnight: Bumthang

09:00 AM – Tamshing Lhakhang — oldest Nyingma temple in Bumthang (16th century)

10:00 AM – Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake) — sacred lake where Pema Lingpa dove to retrieve hidden treasures

12:00 PM – Bumthang cheese factory & local craft market (Bumthang known for red rice, cheese & buckwheat)

01:00 PM – Lunch, drive to Paro (5–6 hrs via Thimphu)

Evening — Arrive Paro, check-in

Overnight: Paro

07:30 AM – Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang) hike — 4–5 hrs return trek to cliff-hanging monastery

12:30 PM – Descent & lunch

02:30 PM – Kyichu Lhakhang — 7th century temple

04:00 PM – Depart Paro for Phuentsholing/Guwahati

Overnight en route or departure from Paro Airport