It is not a typical tourist destination to explore in a vehicle. Step out, and a beautiful world awaits you.
BHPian sachinayak recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
Bhutan has been on our must-visit places for a very long time, so this summer we decided to knock it off our bucket list.
April is generally a good time to visit Bhutan, with not much rain (and even if it does rain, it’s usually in the evenings). The temperatures generally hover around 10-15°C, a big relief from the Bangalore heat, while not being too cold either. A long weekend helped us plan an itinerary without rushing things. Almost everyone follows a similar template.
An earlier trip report by a fellow BHPian was super useful in planning. Thanks to Arun Josie for his wonderful post.
Trip itinerary:
- Day 1: Fly to Bagdogra. Cab to Phuentsholing (4-5 hour drive)
- Day 2: Phuentsholing to Thimphu (with some local sightseeing enroute and also in Thimphu)
- Day 3: Local sightseeing in Thimphu
- Day 4: Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley via Dochula Pass
- Day 5: Local sightseeing in Phobjikha Valley
- Day 6: Phobjikha Valley to Punakha (with some local sightseeing enroute and also in Punakha)
- Day 7: Punakha to Paro (with some local sightseeing enroute and also in Paro)
- Day 8: Trek to Tiger Nest Monastery. Local sightseeing in Paro, if time permits.
- Day 9: Return drive to Phuentsholing, cross over into India and then drive to Siliguri
- Day 10: Early morning flight from Bagdogra to Bangalore
Folks who are on a tighter schedule generally skip Phobjikha Valley, but we were in no rush. Bhutan, anyway, is a destination to enjoy at leisure. We tried noting some salient points each day and sharing those with some pics. All pics taken and processed on my phone. Processed for sharing on social media, thus sadly overprocessed. That said, no pics can capture the true beauty of this place. Best experienced first-hand.
In my last post, I will provide all the information that one would need as a tourist.
Day 1 – Drive to Jaigaon / Phuentsoling
- We had an early morning flight to Bagdogra. It was our first experience of flying Akasa Airlines and it was quite pleasant. Without any extra charge, we had sequential seats allocated. Check-in experience at Bangalore airport too, was quick, in stark contrast to the long lines at the Indigo counter. Overall, a positive experience.
- The drive from Bagdogra to Jaigaon was uneventful; the roads are good. The countryside was beautiful.
- The last 3-4 kms, however, were messy with all the truck traffic waiting to cross the border into Bhutan.
- Met our guide here, who helped us cross the border immigration. Please carry your Passport or Voter ID. Uninformed folks carry their Aadhar cards, which are not accepted here and have to turn back.
- Phuentsoling was nice, clean & organized. Locals only cross on zebra crossings, vehicles stop for pedestrians, Liquor shops are everywhere. Vibe was great.
- We checked into our hotel – Evergreen 1999. Basic but functional place, with decent food. Nothing outstanding, but no complaints either.
- Got our SIM Cards, paid the SDF (at 8:00pm) so that we have an early start the next day.
- Post 6pm, it was raining on-and-off, so we did not explore much.
The Pedestrian Terminalwhere you cross over from India to Bhutan
The locals absolutely revere the King
Very visually appealing, even a junction
Day 2 – Phuentsholing to Thimphu
- As on most trips, my wife and I, being early risers, had a nice morning walk in and around Phuentsholing.
- The weather was clear, just a bit of chill in the air. The town was still waking up.
- Post breakfast at the hotel, around 9am we started on our journey towards Thimphu.
- Enroute, we stopped at Milerapa Lhakhang (twin temples), first of the many temples/monasteries that we would visit on this trip.
- Later stopped enroute at the 8 stupas at Gedu.
- We had tea/lunch enroute, reaching Thimphu around 4pm. All through, the roads were good, and everyone drove at a leisurely 50kmph (the official speed limit).
- In Thimphu, we stopped to watch a local archery game (the national sport of Bhutan). The shooting range was 150m long, much longer than we expected. Was a nice experience. Unlike anything we had seen before.
- We then visited the local farmers market – very neat, clean and well organized. Based on our guide’s recommendation, we bought some local spices.
- Our hotel for the next two days in Thimphu would be the Phuentso Khangsar (highly recommended).
- A nice evening walk followed by a wonderful dinner at the hotel ended our day 2.
One of the temples at Milkhanga very short drive from Phuentsholing town.
The other temple in this complex.
Unlike most other temples/monasteries, photography was allowed inside. This shows the past, present and future Buddha.
The intricate mandala artwork on the ceiling.
The stupa (one of 8) at Timber.
An archery game in Thimphu.
The beautiful Farmers Market at Thimphu, you get a lot of local produce here. Kept so clean and organized.
View of Idip on our evening walk
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