Bhutan Backpacking Trip

Details

Distance: 160 km
Driving Time: 04 hrs

Hey backpacker, 

Welcome to the Bhutan Backpacking Tour. Embrace yourself; you will experience the best of Bhutan in seven days. You know, when you leave your home, you might feel a bit uneasy because of a foreign feeling; don't let it stop you. Just sip some water and get going. Since you are coming with us, we will fill all gaps that might occur otherwise. Leave space in your backpack for incredible upcoming memories. 

On the first day, we will pick you up at Bagdogra and transfer to Phuentsholing, the second largest town in Bhutan, on the southern border of Bhutan. We think of this town as the gateway to travel to heaven because every traveller stops here to enter this beautiful country. The clean air, greenery and mountain tops are the first glimpses of your travel destination. You will also get acquainted with your fellow travellers on the way. 

Know that Indians don’t need any Visa to explore Bhutan; it’s just a travel permit that is required. We begin by completing all immigration formalities and baggage checks. 

Later we will check into the stay and spend our night here. 

Details

Post breakfast, we will set off on our journey to Thimphu in the morning. We will drive to Kharbandi Gumpa/Milarepa Lhakhang. Kharbandi Gumpa, also known as Rinchending Gompa, is approximately 5 km from Phuentsholing town. It is a Buddhist monastery built under the supervision of the late Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden. 

Milarepa Lhakhang is an iconic nine-storey monastery built to stand as an identity of Bhutanese culture. Milarepa is considered one of the early founders of Drukpa Kagyu, so the Lhakhang (temple) was constructed as a symbol of Drukpa Kagyu and Buddhism.

Later, we will journey through magnificent mountains and peaceful countryside views to reach Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, via Gedu, located at about 9000 ft above the sea.

En route, we will also get to see Chukha Dam. Taking a break in this imposing journey is necessary, so we will stop for a photo session at Wankha Waterfalls. 

As we arrive at Thimphu, you will check in to the hotel, freshen up after all that travel and prepare for an evening walk.

As evening comes, we stroll through Thimphu’s Main Street and the market area. Walking around the city, you’ll notice that it comprises a mix of modern and ancient traditions, making it unique. We’ll stay the night at Thimphu, eagerly anticipating tomorrow’s adventure.

Details

After breakfast, we will continue driving to Punakha through the Dochula Pass. Dochula Pass is at an altitude of 3,080 m. Look out the window and witness perfect panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Dochula Pass holds 108 memorial chortens or stupas. 

We will then head to what is considered to be the most beautiful Dzongs amongst Bhutan’s 21 Dzongs – Punakha Dzong. Dzongs are castles or monasteries in Bhutan. In earlier days, these were used for defensive purposes. 

The Punakha Dzong is strategically located at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu Rivers and is one of the most majestic structures in Bhutan. In springtime, the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees that encompass the dzong make it a place of true scenic beauty. We will also get a view of the Suspension Bridge and Chimmi Monastery. 

Later, we will head back to Thimpu for an overnight stay.

Details

Distance: 65 km
Driving Time: 02 hr  

Hung up from the views of the Himalayas and beautiful Bhutan? Get up, treat yourself with refreshing Bhutan green tea and get ready. 

Post breakfast, we will go for a local sightseeing tour of Thimphu, including a visit to the SAARC Building (We will get a view of this only from outside.), National Library, Handicraft Emporium, Simply Bhutan, National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point, Tashichodzong, Takin Zoo, Folk Heritage Museum, Zorig Chusum School of 13 Traditional Arts And Crafts, Buddhist Art Gallery & Clock Tower Square.

Tashichhodzong is a Buddhist monastery and fortress built in the 13th century. It rests on the banks of river Wangchu. It is presently the seat of Bhutanese government officials since 1952.

Visit to see Bhutan's national animal, also labelled as vulnerable by IUCN: Takin. The peculiar looks of Takin attract tourists to it; it has the head of a goat and the body of a cow. 

After taking a dose on sustainability and conservation efforts, it is now time to pump up your knowledge about Bhutan's culture. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life.

We will also g see the 13 traditional art forms taught at Zorig Chusum School, which means "Thirteen Crafts." The thirteen Bhutan art forms are Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Paper-making, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, Bamboo and cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, Black smithy.

Classic Clock Tower Square of Thimpu creates ripples in your mind as the place vibrates with buzz and pomp. 

Throughout, we will keep in close distance with the Wangchu River – a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, and pass the valley floor through the suburbs and villages of Thimphu to arrive at the river confluence of Thimpu and Paro Rivers: Chuzom. “Chhu” means river, and “zom” means to join, and the Bhutanese consider it as the confluence of the mother and father rivers. The sight of clear blue waters combining with three different styles of stupas or shrines overlooking the river is a satisfying finish to the day.

We will reach Paro in the evening and spend the rest of the night here.

Details

Option 1 – Local sightseeing at Paro and night stay in Paro

We will set out for a local sightseeing tour in Paro in the morning. 

Start with a refreshing drive to Nya Mey Zam Bridge, RinPung Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang, International Airport (Bird’s Eye View), Tiger Nest View, National Museum, Paro River, Iron Bridge (Tamchu), Dunste Lhakhang Temple, Druk Cheoding, Paro Kaja-Throm, Paro Chhu, Druk Cheoding, Chorten Lhakhang, Jangsarbu Lhakhang, Namgay Artisanal Brewery.

Apart from being home to the sole international airport in Bhutan, Paro Airport, Paro is a historic town with about 155 temples and monasteries. Rinpung Dzong, a fortress monastery, overlooks the valley and houses a collection of sacred masks and costumes. 

The national museum, Ta Dzong, is also set in Paro. Hence, Paro preserves the rich cultural traditions of the country.

Reach an elusive monastery called Tachog Lhakhang after crossing a timeless old iron bridge (Iron Bridge, Tamchu) to reach it.

The Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest, perched majestically on a cliff which is 2,950 m above sea level, defies all engineering logic. It is one of thirteen Tiger's Nest caves in historical Tibet where Padmasambhava practised and taught Vajrayana.

We will also visit one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, Kyichu Lhakhang, and interact with the locals at a farmhouse. The evening will be spent exploring the outskirts of the town of Paro together.

Namgay Artisanal Brewery is an important pitstop for beer lovers who can taste different kinds of beers at nominal prices. 

Later, we will go to our stay and rest with an overnight stay in Paro.

                                                               OR

Option 2 – Paro to Tiger Nest Trekking and back to Paro for a night stay. 

Trek Distance: 11kms
Driving Time: 01 hr

After breakfast, visit Tiger's Nest: a soul-satisfying trek up to a rustic monastery perched on the edge of a cliff.

The vehicle will drop you at the parking area & you have to trek on your own to and from Tiger Nest for around 6 Hours. For those who do not want to trek but still want to reach the top are advised to take a pony ride (self-sponsored).

The trail to Tiger's Nest Monastery is a wide trail. It is uphill mostly, but the inclination gently rises. On the way, you will see waving colourful flags and scenery. Midway, stop to fill yourself with the monastery view and snap photos. The trail is relatively flat after the first half, which gives you the necessary breather. 

After we are done at the top, we will descend the same way. Later, we will go to our stay and rest with an overnight stay in Paro.

Details

Distance: 180 km
Driving Time: 06 hrs

On this day, we will take it slow. There is sufficient time for a nostalgic ride back to Phuentsholing. It is a long 6-hour ride. 

As soon as we reach Phuentsholing, we will rest for the day with a night stay.

Details

Distance: 160 km
Driving Time: 04 hr

Wake up, get ready, and grab some breakfast before we make our way back home. We will go back the same way as we came. In the final leg of the journey, we will take you from Phuentsholing to Bagdogra, where we will drop you off to end the Bhutan backpacking tour.

Here, at Plan the Unplanned, we focus on two aspects of travel: exploring nature and making meaningful connections. You will start as strangers but leave with dewy eyes by the end. We would love to see you again—Check out our other itineraries and ring us soon. It would be a pleasure to see you again. Till then, take care and love life.