Day 1Phuentsholing300 m4 hours plains drive
Bagdogra to the border town
Pickup at the airport or station, the tea garden road to the border, and an overnight rest before the climb.
Meals: DinnerField highlight: Dooars tea gardens on the way
Regional / Indian Market7 Days / 6 NightsEasy, with long periods standing at the festival and an optional Taktsang climb
Tshechu and Pilgrimage from Kolkata
Seven days built around Thimphu Tshechu for Indian families travelling with elders
- Best season
- September to October, matching the Thimphu Tshechu dates
- Group style
- Private departure for 2 to 12 guests
- Entry point
- Phuentsholing border gate or Bagdogra Airport
- Route
- Phuentsholing · Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
Why We Pace This Route This Way
Families arriving from Kolkata usually travel with parents, so this route keeps three nights in Thimphu for the festival and places the hotel within walking distance of the ground. The blessing at Buddha Dordenma is arranged in advance, Taktsang is optional, and the Punakha night breaks the return drive rather than adding a new destination.
Who This Journey Fits Best
Indian families with elders who want the tshechu and the main temples in one week
Day-by-Day Itinerary (7 Days)
- Day 2Thimphu2,320 m4 hours 45 mins drive
Permits and up to Thimphu
Pre-cleared permit formalities, then the hill road past Gedu to Thimphu. Evening walk around the clock tower square.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Clock tower square in the evening - Day 3Thimphu2,320 m15 mins drive
First tshechu morning
Walk to the tshechu ground early and stay through the morning dances with your guide explaining each one. Afternoon rest for the elders.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Masked dancers at Thimphu Tshechu - Day 4Thimphu2,320 m20 mins drive
Tshechu and Buddha Dordenma blessing
A second festival morning, then a monk led blessing at Buddha Dordenma in the afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Family blessing below Buddha Dordenma - Day 5Punakha1,250 m3 hours drive
Over Dochula to Punakha
Chortens on Dochula in the morning and Punakha Dzong in the afternoon. A short riverside walk before dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Punakha Dzong at the river confluence - Day 6Paro2,250 m3 hours 45 mins drive
Back to Paro with Kyichu Lhakhang
Return over the pass and visit Kyichu Lhakhang in the late afternoon. Taktsang can be swapped in for anyone who wants the climb.
Meals: Breakfast, DinnerField highlight: Butter lamps at Kyichu Lhakhang - Day 7Phuentsholing300 m5 hours 30 mins drive
Return to the border
Drive back to Phuentsholing for exit formalities and onwards to Bagdogra or Siliguri.
Meals: Breakfast, LunchField highlight: Descent to the plains
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 all inter-district route permits arranged before arrival
- All 6 nights in four star hotels or heritage properties with breakfast and dinner included
- Full-time licensed Bhutanese guide speaking English and Hindi from arrival to departure
- Private air conditioned SUV or Innova with a hill-experienced driver for the whole journey
- All monument and monastery entry fees, bottled water in the vehicle and one farmhouse lunch
Not Included / Optional
- Airfare or train tickets to Bagdogra, NJP, or Paro Airport
- Midday lunches and personal cafe 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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