Road Trip To Bhutan
A road trip to Bhutan is an unabating urge to narrate the story of this small landlocked kingdom with breathtaking landscapes. Bhutan is truly a vibrant and mesmerizing country to visit. It’s nature, cultural diversity and heritage attract visitors from all over the world. It has also got the title of “The Land of Happiness in the World”.
Bhutan is draped in a charm of Buddha making it a must-visit destination for the spiritual seekers. The most affordable Bhutan road trip has made it the first choice for many visitors who want to experience the serenity with adventure as well.
Bhutan is not an ordinary destination. It is shrouded in mystery and magic with monasteries, art, and mountains. Bhutan road trip is unique in the style of vacation which focuses on rejuvenation with a minimalistic lifestyle. Everything from food to culture and festivals are unique making it a prime destination for travelers in India.
How to reach Bhutan from Delhi, India
- By Air
Flying to Bhutan is very quite easy from India. Paro is the only international airport to enter Bhutan by air. There are two direct airlines namely Bhutan Airlines and Drukair that operate flights from Delhi, Gaya, Bagdogra, Mumbai, Kolkata and Guwahati to Paro International Airport.
- By Road
The most common way to enter Bhutan from Delhi (India) is by road. There are three borders between Bhutan and India that are open for tourists: Jaigaon – Phuentsholing border, Bongaigaon – Gelephu border and the Darangamela – Samdrup Jongkhar border. You can enter Bhutan from any of these borders but I suggest choosing Jaigaon – Phuentsholing border is the most preferred way to enter Bhutan by road from India.
- By Train
One of the cheapest ways to reach Bhutan from India is by train. There is no direct train route in Bhutan. Tourists have to reach the defined station and then take a cab or local transport to reach Bhutan. The best options from India are New Alipurduar, Siliguri, New Jalpaiguri Station, and Hasimara. New Alipur Railway Station is 60 km away from Jaigaon. Cab services are also available from New Alipur to Jaigaon. The trains going towards Guwahati stop at this railway station. Tourists can use cab/bus services from here to reach Bhutan.
Why plan for the Bhutan road trip?
- To explore the numerous monasteries and enjoy cultural festivals.
- To have a trekking vacation in Bhutan on the famous treks such as Thanza, Jhomolhari, Laya-Gasa trek, SoiYaksa valley, etc.
- If you are fond of Mountaineering, Rafting and Mountain Biking than Bhutan is an ideal holiday destination for you.
- With 600 bird species present in Bhutan, it is an ideal place to experience the Bird Watching.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan a Bhutan itinerary from Delhi, India and witness the amazing beauty of the land which is rich in natural biodiversity and colorful culture and traditions. The pristine environment with historical and educational significance is the perfect place for your holiday destination.
Best Bhutan Road Trip Itinerary from Delhi, India
By Road – Travelling from Delhi to Bhutan is a journey of over 1600 kilometers of continuous driving. If you really want to explore Bhutan and make this trip a memorable one then always travel Bhutan by road. You need approximately 9 to 10 days to explore Bhutan. Read the best Bhutan itinerary to make your road trip fantastic.
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Day-1: Delhi to Siliguri
Siliguri is the city of West Bengal and it is the third-largest city after Kolkata. It sits in the foothills of Himalayas, surrounded by Tea Gardens. Basically Siliguri is famous for three T’s Tea, Transport, Tourism, and Timber. It is located 35 km away from Darjeeling on the banks of the Mahananda river. The best and the quickest way to reach Siliguri from New Delhi and it takes approx. 3 hrs.
Places to visit in Siliguri
Siliguri is the main commercial city of North Bengal and its importance comes from its strategic location near International & State Borders.
- Hong Kong Market
- Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kali Mandir
- North Bengal Science Center
- Coronation Bridge
- Savin Kingdom
- Salugara Monastery
- Sed Gyued Monastery
- Umrao Singh Boat Club, Sukna
- Dudhia
- Chilapata Forest
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Day-2: Siliguri To Phuentsholing (156 Kms)
Phuntsholing, also spelled as Phuentsholing, is a border town in southern Bhutan and is the administrative seat of Chukha District. The total straight line distance between Phuentsholing and Siliguri is 94 km and the miles based distance is 58 miles.
Places to visit in Phuentsholing
- Bhutan Gate
- Torsa River Side
- Zangto Pelri Lhakhang
- Amo Chhu Crocodile Breeding Centre
- ZiniGO – Sustainable Luxury Experiences
- Bhutan Wild Parks Tours and Treks
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Day-3: Phuentsholing To Paro (160 Kms)
Paro is a valley town in Bhutan, west of the capital, Thimphu. It is the site of the country’s only international airport and is also known for the many sacred sites in the area. Paro is a place full of temples and monasteries with immense religious importance.
Some famous pilgrimage sites in Paro are:
- Taktsang Palphug Monastery
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery
- Rinpung Dzong
- Kyichu Lhakhang
Adventure activities to do in Paro
- Trekking At Samtengang
- Paro Ta Dzong Biking Trail
- Rafting in Paro Chhu River
- Kayaking in Paro Chhu
Top Attraction Sites In Paro
- Paro Taktsang
- Chele La Pass
- National Museum
- Paro River
- Rinpung Dzong
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Day-4: Paro – Rest Day
Best Place for a stay in Paro
- Le Meridien Paro, Riverfront is one of the best choices for your stay. This 5-star resort offers a full-service spa and 2 restaurants.
- Other good choices are Zhiwa Ling Heritage and Golden Roots Resorts & Spa.
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Day-5: Paro To Thimpu (65 Kms)
Thimphu is the capital and nation’s largest city of Bhutan. Thimphu is situated in the western central part of Bhutan. The ancient capital city of Punakha was replaced as capital by Thimphu in 1955, and in 1961 Thimphu was declared as the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan by the 3rd Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Top Attractions to Visit in Thimphu
- Dochula Pass
- Buddha Dordenma
- Bhutan Post Office (Headquarters)
- Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong)
- Thimphu Chorten ( Memorial Chorten)
- Simtokha Dzong
Best Outdoor Activities in Thimphu
- Jhomolhari
- Royal Botanical Garden
- Coronation Park
- Motithang Takin Preserve
- Jigme Dorji National Park
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Day-6: Thimpu To Punakha (86 Kms)
Punakha is a town in the Himalayas of Bhutan, also known for the Punakha Dzong.
Punakha is famous for its amazing 17th-century fortress, its unique techniques for growing rice as well as its beautiful architecture. Punakha is situated at the juncture of two beautiful rivers the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers which makes this place look even more majestic.Places to Visit in Punakha
- Punakha Dzong
- Punakha Suspension Bridge
- Mo Chhu (River)
- Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang
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Day-7: Punakha – Phobjikha Valley Punakha (160kms)
The distance between Punakha to Phuentsholing is 225 km and the road distance is 295 km. It takes approximately 7hrs 30 minutes to get from Punakha to Phuentsholing.
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Day-8: Punakha – Phuentsholing (220 Kms)
The travel distance between Phuentsholing to Siliguri is 156 km by road. It takes approximately 4 hrs to get from Phuentsholing to Siliguri.
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Day-9: Phuentsholing – Siliguri (156kms)
Traveling from Siliguri to Delhi is a journey of over 1400 km of continuous driving. It takes approximately 24 hrs to get from Siliguri to Delhi. The aerial distance from Siliguri to Delhi is 1100 km. There are direct flights from Siliguri to Delhi. Around 25 flights are flying daily from Siliguri to Delhi. Out of which 11 are direct flights and 14 are connecting flights on this route.
What are must-visit places for a road trip to Bhutan?
Bhutan is considered to be one of the best gateways for adventure lovers and has been a mountaineer’s paradise for years. The hospitality and spicy cuisine of this country will amaze you.
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Taktsang Monastery
It is one of the most sacred places in Bhutan and is ideal for a short trek. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this place on the back of a tigress and hence the name Tiger’s Nest. This monastery overlooks the Paro valley and river.
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Paro
Paro is a marvelous valley and is a historic town with many sacred sites. Rinpung Dzong in Paro is one of the most popular destinations and attracts many visitors.
Phuentsholing – This is a small town with a clean environment and it is the perfect place for nature lovers. Amo Chuu, the Crocodile Breeding Center and the Karbandi monastery are the major tourist attractions places. -
Bumthang Valley
We can call it as a historic valley because this place is full of ancient and precious Buddhist sites. The main town of the Buddhist valley is Jakar and is filled with apple trees and numerous temples.
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Phobjikha and Gangtey Valley
Both of these places are must-visit places in Bhutan and are glacial valleys with a stream flowing through their open grasslands. It is also home to the endangered black-necked crane.
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Punakha
This is one of the most breathtaking destinations of Bhutan and speaks a lot about Bhutanese culture. Places to visit in this area are- Punakha Dzong, Chhimi Lhakhang, and Limbhukha.
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Thimphu
This charming capital city of Bhutan which attracts thousands of tourists every year. This is the only city in the world with no traffic lights. The must-visit places of Thimpu are- National Memorial Chorten, Motithang Takin Preserve, and Tashichho Dzong.
A road trip to Bhutan is more like traveling back in time. The country is such a peaceful one that it will leave you with memories of a lifetime.
We offer the perfect Bhutan bike tour package that will help in making your trip a memorable one.
Get more details about the Bhutan road trip by connecting us. We will guide you in all assets of our Bhutan road trip. So what are you waiting for? Call now and book your Bhutan tour with us.