Duniya Dekho Spiritual Bhutan Expedition

Your Bhutanese holiday begins at Bagdogra Airport, where you’re greeted by your tour manager before driving together to Phuentsholing, the lively gateway into Bhutan. After easily completing permit formalities, check into your hotel and shake off the jet lag.

Phuentsholing, perched on the border opposite Jaigaon, combines both Indian and Bhutanese influences. Its thriving economy and colourful markets make for a lively introduction to the country.

As evening falls, join fellow travellers for dinner, sharing first impressions before retiring for a restful night.

Begin your day with a hearty breakfast alongside your travel companions before setting off on a scenic drive to Bhutan’s capital. The journey winds through dense forests, waterfalls, and alpine landscapes, with photo stops to stretch, sip tea, and feel the views.

En route, pause at Chuzom, the confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers, marked by chortens and portraits of Bhutan’s King and Queen. By late afternoon, arrive in Thimphu, a city with no traffic lights.

After check-in, explore the capital at leisure and as dusk falls, gather for dinner with the group and settle into your hotel, ready for the days ahead.

The day begins with a generous breakfast with Bhutanese flavours to energise the group. Together, set out to explore the cultural heart of Bhutan.

Marvel at the towering Buddha Dordenma, stroll through the immersive Simply Bhutan living museum, and visit the tranquil Zilukha Nunnery for sweeping views of Tashichho Dzong. Later, wander the lively Kaja Throm riverside market, filled with farm produce, art, and local snacks.

As evening falls, return to your hotel for dinner shared in warm company. The conversations flow as easily as the mountain breeze, before everyone retires for a peaceful night's sleep.

Fuel up with breakfast before setting off on one of Bhutan’s most scenic drives. The route climbs through lush pine forests to Dochula Pass, where 108 chortens stand against a backdrop of snowcapped Himalayan peaks. Pause here to breathe in the crisp mountain air and capture its sweeping views.

Descending into warmer valleys, reach Punakha and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, a fortress of happiness where the Phochu and Mochu rivers meet. Cross the Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of Bhutan’s longest, for a glimpse into village life across the river.

As the day winds down, gather with your fellow travellers for dinner and reflection on this day of contrasts, from mountain passes to riverside serenity.

After breakfast, retrace the scenic drive via Dochula Pass, with another chance to admire the Himalayan panorama. Stop at Lamperi Botanical Park, home to rhododendrons, rare wildlife, and bird species, before continuing to Paro.

On arrival, enjoy a viewpoint over the country’s only international airport, framed by the surrounding peaks. Visit the Ta Dzong, now Bhutan’s National Museum, before stepping into the grand Paro Dzong, a fortress of jewels and a masterpiece of Bhutanese design.

The day ends with free time to explore Paro’s lively town, browsing handicraft shops and tasting local snacks, before regrouping for dinner and rest.

Wake up to breakfast in Paro, fueling for the day’s highlight; the hike to Taktsang Monastery, or the iconic Tiger’s Nest. Clinging impossibly to a cliff face 900 metres above the valley, this sacred site is both physically demanding and spiritually uplifting.

The trek rewards with magnificent views and the quietness of Bhutan’s most revered temple. Take your time; whether you climb to the top or pause at viewpoints, the experience is unforgettable.

Return to Paro by evening for dinner with the group. Shared stories of the day’s triumphs carry into the night, before resting in the comfort of your hotel.

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before driving back towards Phuentsholing. Along the way, scenic stops for tea, photos, and mountain views offer a gentle farewell to Bhutan’s landscapes.

If time permits, visit Kharbandi Gompa, a monastery built by the Royal Grandmother, with sweeping views across Phuentsholing town and the Toorsa River valley. Arrive in Phuentsholing by evening, where the group gathers for a final dinner together.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Bhutan as you’ll be driven back to Bagdogra Airport. With prayer flags waving in the breeze and mountains fading into memory, the journey closes, but the soul of Bhutan is something that never really goes away.

Great journeys never end, they aspire to inspire the next. Until next time… Expertly yours.