Bhutan Backpacking Trip

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Hey backpacker,

The Bhutan Backpacking Tour! You are about to experience the best of Bhutan in the coming seven days. It is also alright when you are being a little nervous about leaving home, as being a new beginning normally is. But believe us, you will be well taken care of. Take a breath, have a couple of sips of water, and it can start. And make sure that you also leave some space in your backpack not only with souvenirs but also with memories.

A taxi will be used to collect you at Bagdogra Airport and take you to Phuentsholing, the second largest town of Bhutan which is the entry point of this beautiful kingdom in the Himalaya. Being in the very extreme south, Phuentsholing will offer your first glimpse of Bhutan beauty; green spaces, fresh mountain air, a peek of adventure.

On the way, you will encounter your travel companions soon to be friends, and begin sharing news and energy and travelling experiences.

Being an Indian citizen, you will not be required to have a Bhutan visa but a travel permit is essential. We will take you through all the immigration procedures and baggage clearance to ensure the process is very smooth and easy.

We will finish up any formalities and then drop in at our accommodation, get oriented and get a good night sleep in preparation for the adventures.

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Hello, adventurer!

A hearty breakfast followed by a drive out of town to Thimphu, the liveliest capital of Bhutan, which is one of the most scenic drives in the country. The road will be gifted to you with a visual feast, thick pine forests, falls tumbling down, river valleys and some cute little towns nestled on the sides of hills, that appear to have come to a standstill in time.

During the journey, we will also make a short stop at Chuzom Bridge where the rivers Thimphu and Paro flow beautifully in a well blended confluence. It seems to be the ideal photo setting: the still waters of the river rolling by and the portraits of the King and Queen of Bhutan stately reigning over. One scene that casually gets you to the understanding of how highly Bhutan values royalty and tradition.

When we drive into Thimphu, we absorb the distinctive atmosphere of the only capital in the world without a traffic light system; you can see how one lonely person performing the duties of the traffic officer does his work with perfect satisfaction of the duties by moving his hands in a graceful manner.

After the check-in to the hotel, you may rest or in case you have free time go outside to get to know the city with its calm streets, markets, and cafes.

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Hello there all the way in Thimphu!

Breakfast later we will check out and proceed towards our next destination which will be a deep dive into Bhutanese culture as we visit Simply Bhutan which is an interactive museum that really brings out the beauty of Bhutanese life with its architecture and its dress; the way they eat, the way the eat their architecture, the way they talk and all that so it is a lovely piece of Bhutan in itself. Have a go at the bow and arrow, chew some butter tea, and stroll around reproduced old houses that provide the sensation of rural Bhutanese life.

This is where our scenic drive will start towards serene Phobjika Valley, and it will not be a complete drive without a visit to the special place- Dochula Pass which is located at 3100 meters. Pull a cozy shawl around yourself, have a steaming hot beverage at the local cafe and be amazed at the 360 degrees views of the snow-capped Himalaya Mountains. It is a spectacle that doth still the soul.

We will also visit the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens, erected in memoriam of the Bhutanese troops who died in the course of action in Operation All Clear in 2003; we will see this before we leave the pass. The mountainous background with white stupas in contrast create a beautiful picture of courage and peace.

In the evening we will reach the mystic Phobjikha Valley with its un-spoilt sceneries, and the wintering place of the endangered Black-necked Cranes.

Relax, settle in, and be ready to enjoy one of the most peaceful highland valleys in Bhutan.

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Good morning to Phobjikha Valley!

We start our day by having a nice visit to the Gangtey Monastery which is a calm and spiritual temple sitting on top of a hill on which the rest of the valley can be seen. It is one of the most beautiful peaceful places of the Nyingma school of Buddhism that provides an access to the traditions of deep monastic culture of Bhutan.

And then we drove on to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, though not without some light-hearted tarrying first.

Along the way, one can have a short hike through the rice fields and quaint villages to get to the so-called Temple of Fertility, Chimi Lhakhang. The temple, which was constructed in memory of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, otherwise known as the Divine Madman who had unconventional teachings and sense of humour, this temple has been repurposed as the place of blessings to those couples in need of pregnancy. Be aware of the colourful symbols of phalluses, in this case, they represent luck and protection!

In the evenings, walk over the Punakha Suspension Bridge which is the longest bridge in Bhutan. It is a beautiful way to end your day as it is gently swaying with fluttering prayer flags and has spectacular views of the rivers Pho chhu and Mo chhu.

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Wake up in the Chilly air of Punakha!

Next, we drive to the beautiful countryside of Punakha to visit the most magnificent Punakha Dzong, which is also called Pungthang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang or The Palace of Great Happiness. Situated at a cross of the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers, this fortress not only happens to be a visual treat but also an administrative, as well as, a history nerve centre of Bhutan. The whitewashed walls, wooden carvings of ornate detail, and the expansive courtyards make the dzong one of the most beautiful architectural spots in Bhutan.

Spend time leisurely strolling through its sacred halls and know more about the stories and ceremonies, which have developed Bhutanese history inside these walls.

Once we have this enriching experience, we will proceed to visit Paro which is a lovely journey through the valleys and the hills Bhutan is so adored about. Once in Paro, we will put ourselves in a hotel.

The rest of the evening, you are free to enjoy and absorb the calm of Paro a small town with its calm streets, made-up structures and stunning views. A nice spot to do some souvenir shopping or maybe just drink some Bhutanese tea in one of the local cafes.

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Wake up early - it is the best part of your Bhutan tour.

Following the breakfast that nourishes well, we are going to drive to the origin location of one of the most legendary treks in the world, Tiger Nest Monastery (Taktsang Lhakhang). Lying on an unsteady 900-meter cliff, it is a sacred location with a breathtaking view of the beautiful Paro Valley which is believed to have been the place where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century.

You will contend in a whispering forest of pine, waving prayer flags, and chirping of birds in the mountains. The path will give you a workout on your legs and send your heart to heaven. Each airstep is a step to the land of spiritual awareness and eternal beauty.

When you finally arrive among the heights, allow the monastery's atmosphere and spectacular vistas from its locations to take your breath away. Take some time to do some meditation or you can just breathe in that fresh air in the mountains. You deserve it.

In the late afternoon, we will fly back to Paro after the descent. You will have the rest of the evening free to relax, have a coffee in one of the cafes, take a walk through town or re-live your amazing ascent.

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Breakfast is served, after which you have to produce finalist farewells to the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Our breathtaking journey back to Siliguri starts and we soon retrace our track to Phuentsholing where we will do the mandatory exit formalities. As we drive across the border and back into India once more you need to take some time to appreciate the calm and the culture and the untimely landscape that Bhutan has presented to you over the course of the week.

However, in the evening, we will reach Siliguri where you will be further taken to your hotel. The remaining time is free in the day- relax, have some rest, or go out of the hotel to take a breather in the local market where you could get souvenirs or some street foods.

Our next destination will not stop here because we have visited Bhutan but we also hope that the experience you have captured will not come to an end until the rest of your lives. Until that time we meet again, go and discover, go and roam.

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It is time to say goodbye after breakfast.

Have breakfast, check out the hotel and take a taxi to the Bagdogra Airport (on your own) as per your flight schedule. As you leave, take on to yourself the memorable moments, rich cultural nuance and silence power of the Himalayas that Bhutan gave to you so generously.

The Land of the Thunder Dragon is no longer on your back, but its peace and calm and knowledge are going to accompany you forever.

See you next time - go the distance, experience everything and never stop wondering.