Backpacking to Bhutan – Happiest Country

Bhutan holds many surprises for open-minded travelers. This is a country where buying cigarettes is illegal, rice is red, and chillies are not just seasoning but a main ingredient of dishes. It is a deeply Buddhist land where school kids wear the Gho and Khira (traditional male and female garment, respectively).
Pristine nature, virgin forest, spectacular mountain and valleys, fascinating trekking trails, stately museums, sublime monasteries, formidable dzongs, exciting archery competition, pulsating markets, intricate textile handicrafts – all this in a hospitable and peaceful country.
It is a place where almost everyone is happy, satisfied and warm to travelers. Welcome to Bhutan – Land of Thunder Dragon.

Fees: Rs.29,000 (Ex-Bagdogra)
Non-refundable advance: Rs.14,000
Remaining amount (Rs.15,000) to be paid in cash during trip
Expected Flight Expense from Mumbai to Bagdogra and back: Rs.14000 (flight cost info may be outdated by the time you read this itinerary)

Highlights:
– Excursion to Tiger’s nest, Punakha Dzong and other famous monuments
– Famous mountain passes like Chelela and Dochula
– Ride through the heart throbbing valleys of Western Bhutan
– Wander in the remote villages
– Stimulate a new traveler inside you seeking for new landscapes and get transformed into a storyteller

Brief Itinerary
25th Sept, Sunday
14:00 – Reach Bagdogra airport before 2pm and have Introduction. Later take jeep to P/ling. Some local snacks on the way.

26th Sept, Monday
Complete the immigration formalities before moving ahead. We will reach Paro in the evening. We are free to roam around the city. Get acquainted with places of Bhutan as the thrilling trip has just begun. Try some local restaurant food.

27th Sept, Tuesday
Visit the National Museum etc. The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro and remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot. After Lunch, travel to Chelela pass. If the weather is clear then you can get excellent views from Chelela pass.

28th Sept, Wednesday
Visit the most famous place of Bhutan – Tiger’s nest. Tiger’s nest hangs on a precipitous cliff at 3,120 m elevation and about 900 m above the valley. The temple at the highest level has a frieze of Buddha. Each building has a balcony, which provides lovely views of the scenic Paro valley.

29th Sept, Thursday
Visit Buddha Dordenma and nature trail at Thimphu. Finish remaining immigration formalities in the Thimphu office and then visit the textile museum. Lunch at some new restaurant and then visit Thimphu Dzong.

30th Sept, Friday
Travel to Punakha via Dochu La at 3050 meters. We will stop here to enjoy the Panoramic view of Eastern Himalayas. View the architecture of Druk Wangyal Lhakhang with 108 Stupas at Dochula. Later, visit Punakha Dzong and Suspension bridge. Overnight at Punakha

1st Oct, Saturday
Visit famous places of Punakha like Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple). Travel back to P/ling in the evening.

2nd Oct, Sunday
Travel from P/ling to Bagdogra and then flight from Bagdogra in afternoon (after 1pm)

Fees: Rs.29,000 (Ex-Bagdogra)
Non-refundable advance: Rs.14,000
Remaining amount (Rs.15,000) to be paid during trip in cash

Includes:
– Virtually all expenses from Bagdogra
– Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea and refreshments
– Accommodation expenses
– Travel expenses from Bagdogra onwards for the whole trip
– Entry charges at various monasteries, Dzongs and other places
– Travel guidance in Bhutan

Excludes:
– Basic fee does not include travel fare till Bagdogra
– Any exotic or expensive food, alcoholic drinks etc.
– Any personal expenditure.

Contact:
Mr. Krishna Kuya – 9820285295
Email – kuya.krishna@gmail.com

Send your money to following account
Name – Krishna Kuya
Bank – HDFC, Thane
Account no – 5010 0036 3637 05
Account type – Savings
IFSC code – HDFC0001085

For payment through UPI/BHIM – kuya@hdfcbank

For payment through Paytm or Google Pay: 9820285295

Things to be carried
Compulsory:
– Passport and 3 photocopies of passport; 3 passport size photographs
– Windproof jackets and other warm clothes like thermals, winter caps etc.
– Sport shoes. Extra pair of sleeper or sandal
– Umbrella. (It can drizzle)
– At least two personal reusable water bottles all the time during trip
– Carry one small bag to carry necessary things while roaming in the daytime. It should ideally fit inside your main luggage

Recommended but not compulsory:
– Sunscreen, sunglasses, cap etc.
– Healthy food like Energy bars, dry fruits, Til-gud etc.

Note on traveling:
You can also take a train to New Jalpaiguri (NJP) instead of taking a flight to Bagdogra.

Bhutanopedia:
1. Indians don’t require Visa. But they need a travel permit.
2. The most famous dish is “Ema datse”, a combination of fresh green chillies stewed with cheese and served with red rice
3. Bhutanese drink Tibetan style tea with salt and butter known as “Sud-ja”
4. The Indian rupee is a legal tender in Bhutan. Currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum (Nu) which is equivalent to rupee.
5. Giant penises are painted beside entrances to many houses, which is a symbol of protection from evil.
6. Languages spoken are Dzongkha, Hindi, Nepali, Bengali and English
7. Time – 30mins ahead of Indian Standard Time
8. Important numbers: Country code – 975, Ambulance – 112, Police – 110
9. If you are calling someone whose name you do not know. you may use ‘ama’ for women, ‘aapa’ for men, ‘bumo’ for girls and ‘alou’ for boys.
10. While visiting monastery or Dzong, dress modestly and do not expose your arms or legs
11. The sale of tobacco products and smoking in public place is outlawed in Bhutan.

https://www.facebook.com/events/407418128086848/