Day 1
Day 1: Bagdogra to Phuentsholing (~165 km, 4.5-5 h)
<p>•
<strong>7:30 am:</strong> Leave Bagdogra Airport and stop in
Siliguri (~15 km) for cash, fuel and supplies.</p>
<p>•
<strong>9:00 am:</strong> Drive Siliguri to Jaigaon (~150 km, 4
h) through Dooars tea country, with a tea or lunch break on the way.</p>
<p>•
<strong>1:30 pm:</strong> Enter through Bhutan Gate (Jaigaon to
Phuentsholing is ~1 km).</p>
<p>•
<strong>2:00-3:30 pm:</strong> Entry Permit at the Immigration
Office. If you drive or ride, also get the Route Permit (RSTA).</p>
<p>•
<strong>4:00 pm:</strong> Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, a temple
modelled on Guru Rinpoche's heavenly abode (45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>5:00 pm:</strong> Kharbandi Gompa (~3 km, 15 min), a
monastery with views over the plains (1 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Evening:</strong> Phuentsholing Main Market for textiles,
cheese and handicrafts.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Bikers:</strong> Fuel up at Siliguri or Hasimara.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Stay:</strong> Phuentsholing (e.g. Hotel Lhaki, Hotel
Zangto Pelri).</p>
Meals: MAP
Day 2
Phuentsholing to Thimphu (~175 km, 6-6.5 h)
<p>•
<strong>7:00 am:</strong> Leave Phuentsholing.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Phuentsholing to Gedu (~65 km, 2.5 h):</strong> Steep
hairpins climbing to about 2,000 m. Have breakfast and chai at Gedu.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Gedu to Chhuzom (~75 km, 2.5 h):</strong> Chhuzom is
where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet, marked by three chortens in Bhutanese,
Nepali and Tibetan styles (20 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Chhuzom to Simtokha Dzong (~25 km, 45 min):</strong>
Bhutan's oldest dzong, built in 1629 (30 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Simtokha to Thimphu (~6 km, 15 min).</strong></p>
<p>•
<strong>Evening:</strong> Clock Tower Square and a walk along
Norzin Lam.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Bikers:</strong> The Phuentsholing to Gedu twisties are
the best riding on the route. Watch for landslide patches, and don't ride after
dark.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Stay:</strong> Thimphu (e.g. Hotel Druk, Hotel Phuntsho
Pelri).</p>
Meals: MAP
Day 3
Thimphu sightseeing (~30 km local)
<p>•
<strong>8:30 am:</strong> Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang (~5
km, 15 min). It is a 51 m gilded Buddha overlooking the valley (1-1.5 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>10:30 am:</strong> Changangkha Lhakhang (~7 km, 20 min),
a 12th-century temple (45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>11:30 am:</strong> Motithang Takin Preserve (~3 km
further) to see the takin, Bhutan's national animal (45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>12:30 pm:</strong> Lunch in town.</p>
<p>•
<strong>2:00 pm:</strong> Folk Heritage Museum (1 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>3:00 pm:</strong> National Textile Museum and Royal
Textile Academy (1 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>4:00 pm:</strong> School of Zorig Chusum, where students
learn the 13 traditional arts (45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>4:45 pm:</strong> National Memorial Chorten (~3 km, 10
min), busy with devotees circling (45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>5:30 pm:</strong> Tashichho Dzong, best at dusk (1 h).
Entry timings are restricted.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Optional:</strong> Postal Museum, National Library,
Pangri Zampa, BBS Tower viewpoint.</p><p>•
<strong>Markets:</strong> Centenary Farmers' Market (Fri-Sun,
best on Saturday); Handicrafts Emporium and Craft Bazaar; Simply Bhutan studio.</p><p>
</p><p>•
<strong>Stay:</strong> Thimphu (same hotel).</p>
Meals: MAP
Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (~77 km, about 3 h plus stops)
<p>•
<strong>8:00 am:</strong> Leave Thimphu.</p>
<p>•
<strong>9:00 am:</strong> Dochula Pass (~23 km, 50 min, 3,100 m). It
has 108 chortens, Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and a cafe (45 min-1 h). This is the
top bikers' photo stop.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Dochula to Lobesa (~50 km, 1.5 h):</strong> A long
descent into a sub-tropical valley.</p>
<p>•
<strong>12:30 pm:</strong> Chimi Lhakhang (~10 km from Lobesa,
plus a 20 min walk through rice fields). It is the fertility temple of the
Divine Madman, Drukpa Kunley (1.5 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>2:30 pm:</strong> Punakha Dzong (~15 km, 30 min), on the
Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu confluence (1.5 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>4:00 pm:</strong> Punakha Suspension Bridge, about 160 m
long (30-45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Optional:</strong> Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a 45
min hike each way through paddy fields.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Markets:</strong> Small shops in Punakha town and Lobesa.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Stay:</strong> Punakha (e.g. Meri Puensum Resort, Hotel
Lobesa).</p>
Meals: MAP
Day 5
Punakha to Paro (~125 km, 4.5 h)
<p>•
<strong>8:00 am:</strong> Leave Punakha and cross Dochula again
(~28 km, 1 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Dochula to Thimphu (~23 km, 50 min):</strong> Lunch stop.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Thimphu to Paro via Chhuzom (~55 km, 1.5 h):</strong>
Fast, scenic highway along the river.</p>
<p>•
<strong>3:30 pm:</strong> Rinpung Dzong and the Nyamai Zampa
wooden bridge (1-1.5 h).</p>
<p>•
<strong>4:45 pm:</strong> Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan
(1-1.5 h). Check its current opening status first.</p>
<p>•
<strong>5:30 pm:</strong> Kyichu Lhakhang (~3 km, 10 min), a
7th-century temple (45 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Evening:</strong> Stroll down Paro's main street.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Optional:</strong> Drukgyel Dzong ruins (14 km, 30 min
each way).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Markets:</strong> Paro Weekend Market (Sat-Sun) and the
handicraft shops on the main street.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Bikers:</strong> The Chhuzom to Paro stretch is fast and
scenic. Paro Airport viewpoint is a good stop.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Stay:</strong> Paro (e.g. Olathang Hotel, Hotel Sonam
Trophel).</p>
Meals: MAP
Day 6
Paro, Tiger's Nest and Chele La
<p>•
<strong>7:00 am:</strong> Drive to the Taktsang trailhead (~10
km, 25 min).</p>
<p>•
<strong>7:30 am-1:30 pm:</strong> Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's
Nest), the cliffside monastery where Guru Rinpoche meditated. It is ~10 km
round trip (5-6 h), climbing from ~2,600 m to 3,120 m, with a cafeteria
viewpoint halfway.</p>
<p>•
<strong>2:30 pm (only if you have the energy):</strong> Chele La
Pass (~36 km, 1.5 h each way). At 3,988 m it is the highest motorable pass in
Bhutan, with views of Mt Jomolhari and Jichu Drake in clear weather (1 h at the
top).</p>
<p>•
<strong>Optional:</strong> Kila Gompa, a 30-45 min walk to a
hillside nunnery near the pass.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Bikers:</strong> Chele La is the big bucket-list climb,
with hairpins and thin air. Carry warm clothes. Haa Valley (~70 km from Paro)
is a quiet option if you want a variation.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Evening:</strong> Paro Dzong in the evening light, then
dinner.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Stay:</strong> Paro (same hotel).</p>
Meals: MAP
Day 7
Paro to Phuentsholing to Bagdogra (~325 km, 10-11 h)
<p>•
<strong>5:30-6:00 am:</strong> Leave Paro.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Paro to Chhuzom (~25 km, 40 min).</strong></p>
<p>•
<strong>Chhuzom to Phuentsholing (~145 km, 5 h):</strong> The Day
2 road in reverse, with a breakfast stop at Gedu. Use engine braking on the
descent and watch for trucks.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Phuentsholing to Bagdogra (~165 km, 4.5 h):</strong> Exit
formalities take 20-30 min, with lunch near the border.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Last shopping:</strong> Cheese, tea and handicrafts at
Phuentsholing market.</p>
<p>•
<strong>Arrival:</strong> Bagdogra by evening. Book a flight
after 8 pm, or add a night in Siliguri.</p>
Meals: MAP
