Bhutan Backpacking Trip - Summer Special

Day 01: 17 May,  Friday - NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport – Phuentsholing (Distance: 170 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mts.)

Meet & Greet on arrival at NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport and transfer to Phuentsholing – The Gateway of Bhutan by Road from India. It is a thriving commercial center on the northern edge of the Indian Plains. On arrival check in at the

hotel. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing. (Lunch at Teesta River Channel or Jaigaon)

Day 02: 18th May, Saturday - Phuentsholing – Paro (Distance: 176 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2280 mts.)

After breakfast complete the immigration formalities and transfer to Paro the beautiful valley of Bhutan. (Lunch at Chukkha Dam the biggest Hydroeclectricity of Bhutan that supply the electrycity to India and Mumbai too.On arrival check in

at the hotel.Evening leisure walk around Paro town.Overnight stay at Paro.

Day 03: 19th May, Sunday - Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast visit famous Taktsang Monastery - called “Tiger's Nest” (2hrs hike from the base camp) & Kychu Monastery. (Lunch at Paro town) Overnight stay will be at Paro.

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Day 03: 19th May, Sunday - Excursion to Haa Valley & Chele-La-Pass (Distance: 35 kms. One way / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Chele-La-Pass:Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Chele-La-Pass: 3810 mts.)

After breakfast excursion trip to Haa valley via Chele-La-Pass (13,088 ft.) – the highest motorable road in Bhutan. Enjoy the scenic beauty & memorable landscapes from Chele La-Pass. Back to Paro. (Lunch at Paro town) Rest of the day

leisure walk and shopping. Overnight stay at Paro.

Day 04: 20th May, Monday - Paro Sightseeing Punakha/Wangdue

After breakfast start full day sightseeing covering Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities, Rinpung Dzong - the administrative seat of the district of Paro. Afternoon visit Drukgyel Dzong - The

Dzong was destroyed by fire in 1951 and is now preserved as heritage site. (lunch at Paro town) After sightseeing transfer to Punakha/Wangdue.Overnight stay at Punakha/wangdue

Day 05: 21st May, Tuesday - Punakha/Wangdue Sightseeing-Thimphu (Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 3 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu:2350 mts.)

After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The Dzong was named Druk

Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck convened the first National Assembly here in 1952. After that take a short excursion trip to

visit the Chhimi Lhakhang - The Temple, also known as “The Temple of Fertility” was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, “The Devine Mad Man”. (Lunch at Punakha/Wangdue town). On the way stop at Dochu- La-Pass (3150 mts.) to view

higher Himalaya.Overnight stay will be at Thimphu.

Day 06: 22nd May, Wednesday - Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast visit Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Statue) a place for refreshing with a huge statue of Buddha on the top of the Kuensel Phodrang and Simply Bhutan museum, National Memorial Chorten (Monument) & Folk Heritage

Museum. Afternoon visit Sangaygang View Point, Changangkha Monastery, Takin Preserve Centre, The Takin national animal of Bhutan can be seen here. Tashichho

Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion). Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion). (Lunch at Thimphu City) Overnight stay at Thimphu.

Day 07: 23rd May, Thursday - Excursion to Tango & Cherry moastery (Distance: 25 kms. One way / Driving Time: 1 hr)

After breakfast visit Tango & Cherry Monastry. Cheri monastery lies enwrapped in myth and mystery on the northern end of Thimph valley. Indulging yourselves into the gift of nature by taking a hike (Both monasteries 1and half hrs hike) to

these two monasteries. Chery monastery, the moment you get your feet on the floor roaring River (River means Chu) Dodena welcomes you. While hiking may encounter various species of flora and fauna.It was built in 1620. Tango means

‘Horse head”.The great monk lham Phajo manifested into the form of (Mandala) horse headed diety started meditating in this place.(Lunch at Thimphu City). Evening transfer to Seminar venue.

Day 08: 24th May, Friday - After breakfast Seminar Duty

Day 09: 25th May, Saturday- After breakfast Seminar Duty

Day 10: 26th May, Sunday - Paro – Phuentsholing/Jaigaon (Distance: 186 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of Phuentsholing: 293 mts.)

After breakfast check out from hotel and attend last seminar session. After seminar transfer to Phuentsholing. On arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at Phuentsholing.

Day 11: 27th May, Monday - Jaigaon/Phuentsholing – NJP Rly Station / IXB Airport (Distance: 170 kms. / Driving Time: 5 hrs. / Altitude of NJP/IXB: 89 mts.)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and take the departure transfer to NJP Railway Station / IXB Airport for your onward journey.

Things to Carry

• Valid Identity Proof (Passport / VoterID Card), along with 5 Photocopies for each document.
• If you do not have either of Passport or Voter ID Card, please carry Aadhaar Card along with another supporting document such as PAN Card / Driving License / Ration Card. In this case please inform the lead in advance.
• 5 Passport Size Color Photographs
• Water Bottles
• A lightweight Haversack or Backpack, and a smaller Day Sack
• Good pair of trekking shoes, and a pair of flip-flops
• Woolen Gloves, woolen socks, Monkey Cap/Balaclava, Neck Scarf
• Thermal Inners
• Jackets
• Waterproof gloves and windcheater/poncho
• Personal clothing (Dressing Moderately is mandatory to visit Monasteries and Dzongs)
• Cap, sunglasses, scarf
• Camera, Binoculars (Optional)
• Toiletries – Sunscreen, Moisturizer, Light towel, Lip balm, Wet wipes, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Hand Sanitizer
• Extra Polythene Bags (To segregate used/ unused garments, wet/ dry clothing)
• Any medicines that you consume normally, post consulting a doctor
• Mosquito repellent
• Snacks & Biscuits to munch on (As some journeys are 6-7 hours long)
• Enerzyl Powder or Glucon D powder

Disclaimers:

• Any customization in arrival and departures may lead to additional cost.
• Customization would not be adjusted with any inclusions such as missed sightseeing, stay, meals etc.
• Due to delay by participants if any destination gets missed same will not be covered.
• If any of the points remains closed without prior intimation, we will try to cover it up with another destination if feasible.

IMPORTANT:

• Please note that Bhutan is culturally very rich and have intentionally preserved their cultures by maintaining distances from western cultures. So please respect their culture and please refrain from commenting on bullying about Bhutanese and their culture.
• Bhutan still follows Monarchical System. Thus, please respect The King and The Queen and please refrain from commenting anything about the same. Please use “His Highness” or “Her Highness” if you need to refer The King and/or The Queen or anyone from Royal Family in public.
• Bhutanese on a regular basis chew “Doma” which is dried Areca Nut. The smell can be an issue for some days though until you get accustomed!!
• Bhutanese are very religious and follow Buddhism. Please refrain from touching holy items without permission and maintain discipline within Monasteries and Dzongs. Dzongs are also the administrative office of respective districts (Dzongkhags) and this is where the Royal Family is supposed to live. So please maintain extra caution while visiting Dzongs in particular.
• You must be dressed moderately while visiting Monasteries and Dzongs. You’ll not be allowed to enter in revealing dresses and thus please refrain from wearing such dresses.
• Participants must carry cash in order to survive and buy anything in Bhutan. Except high end luxury hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, plastic money such as credit card and debit card are not accepted throughout Bhutan.
• Most Indian Debit Cards are not authorized to use in Bhutan even if International Transaction is enabled. So please carry cash from your home town.
• Avoid wearing precious Jewelry, as Trikon won’t be responsible for any losses for the same.
• Please make sure you report at the start location as per the itinerary. No refunds would be entertained by Trikon. Consult your Trikon buddy in advance in case of any changes.

Consuming liquor or any kind of Alcoholic substance is prohibited. Carrying any kind of substance that’s illegal is not allowed. Smoking is strictly not allowed. Anybody found smoking or consuming alcoholic drinks will be expelled from the event without refund.

Fitness & Health – Though trekking is a fun-filled activity, it demands good amount of physical fitness. If you are under medication, please carry your medicines. During the trek, leaders will have over the counter medication for temporary treatment, so do give a heads up to them if you need any medical assistance.