Round Glide Into Happiness emblem with a white dragon, a Bhutanese dzong, trekkers, and a raft on a rainbow riverGlide Into Happiness
Crossing the long prayer-flag iron suspension bridge over the Pho Chhu river in warm Punakha valley
Regional / Indian Market7 Days / 6 NightsComfortable family pace · private SUV door-to-door

Overland from Phuentsholing: Paro, Thimphu & Punakha

Dedicated seven-day private SUV route for Indian passport holders with Bagdogra pickup & Regional SDF included

Best season
October to June (ideal for Diwali, winter breaks, and April-May school holidays)
Group style
Private family or group departure (2 to 12 Indian nationals)
Entry point
Phuentsholing Border Gate (from Bagdogra / NJP)
Route
Bagdogra / Phuentsholing · Gedu · Thimphu · Dochula · Punakha · Paro · Phuentsholing / Bagdogra

Why We Pace This Route This Way

Indian families often lose half a day standing in border queues at Phuentsholing or changing vehicles at the gate when booking through Siliguri middlemen. We process your Bhutan Entry Permit online before you land at Bagdogra, meet your flight with a clean private vehicle, and pair you with a calm Bhutanese hill driver who knows every bend above Gedu and Chukha. All Regional SDF fees (INR 1,200 per night), certified guide costs, and clean 3-star hotels are stated plainly with zero surprise border charges.

Who This Journey Fits Best

Indian families, couples, and friend groups arriving via Bagdogra Airport, NJP station, or Phuentsholing

Day-by-Day Itinerary (7 Days)

  1. Day 1Phuentsholing300 m4 hours plains drive through Dooars tea gardens

    Bagdogra / NJP pickup to Phuentsholing pedestrian terminal & overnight border rest

    Meet your transfer at Bagdogra Airport or NJP railway station, drive past green tea estates to border town Phuentsholing, visit Karbandi Goemba sunset viewpoint, and rest overnight before climbing hills fresh in the morning.

    Meals: DinnerField highlight: Tea garden drive and zero midnight mountain driving
  2. Day 2Thimphu2,320 m4 hours 45 mins hill drive

    Pre-cleared Entry Permit stamp & scenic Chukha cloud highway to Thimphu

    Step smoothly through Phuentsholing immigration terminal with pre-arranged permits, climb cool mist forests past Gedu and Chuzom confluence, and explore Thimphu clocktower square by evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Smooth pre-cleared border entry and waterfall stops
  3. Day 3Punakha1,250 m3 hours drive

    Thimphu sightseeing & Dochula Pass drive to warm Punakha

    Visit Buddha Dordenma, Simply Bhutan archery and cultural studio, and cross 108 chortens at Dochula Pass to Punakha.

    Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Buddha Dordenma and Dochula Pass chortens
  4. Day 4Paro2,250 m3 hours 30 mins drive

    Punakha Dzong, suspension bridge & riverside drive to Paro

    Explore Punakha Dzong river confluence, walk across the long suspension bridge, and head west to our home valley of Paro.

    Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Punakha river confluence & suspension bridge
  5. Day 5Paro3,120 m4.5 to 5 hours hike (ponies optional to halfway point)

    Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger Nest) & Paro town evening stroll

    Early start up to Tiger Nest Monastery with your guide setting a steady family-friendly pace, plus quiet afternoon shopping on Paro main street.

    Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Tiger Nest Monastery climb
  6. Day 6Phuentsholing300 m4 hours 30 mins drive

    Kyichu Lhakhang, Airport Viewpoint & return to Phuentsholing

    Morning blessing at seventh-century Kyichu Lhakhang and National Museum before descending smoothly back to Phuentsholing.

    Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Kyichu Lhakhang blessing
  7. Day 7Departure130 m4 hours drive

    Drop-off at Bagdogra Airport or NJP station

    Morning drive across the Dooars plain timed comfortably for your afternoon flight or train.

    Meals: BreakfastField highlight: Punctual airport drop-off

Included in Your Package

  • Regional Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indian passport holders of INR 7,200 per person (INR 1,200 per night for 6 nights; no USD $40 international visa required)
  • Pre-cleared Bhutan Entry Permit and inter-district route permits arranged prior to arrival
  • Clean Department of Tourism accredited 3-star twin-sharing hotels in Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro
  • Daily breakfast and dinner at hotels or local Bhutanese restaurants
  • Full-time licensed English and Hindi speaking Bhutanese guide throughout the trip
  • Dedicated private SUV or tempo vehicle with Bhutanese hill driver for all sightseeing and border transfers
  • Monument and monastery admission tickets across Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha

Not Included / Optional

  • Airfare or train tickets to Bagdogra, NJP, or Paro Airport
  • Midday lunches and personal café stops so families can eat flexibly on the road
  • Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended), beverages, and tips
  • International passport surcharge if any guest in the group holds a non-Indian passport (standard USD $100/night SDF + USD $40 visa applies to foreign nationals)

Travel & Mountain Evacuation Insurance Note

Travel insurance strongly recommended: cover mountain medical care, altitude evacuation, and Paro weather flight delays. Read the travel insurance note

Valleys Visited on This Route

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