Bhutan and Phobjikha Valley from Bagdogra

Arrive at Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and meet your transport for the drive past the Dooars tea garden estates to the Bhutan border. Complete your immigration formalities upon entering Phuentsholing and settle into your hotel. In the evening, visit the central Zangto Pelri Temple to see its three-tiered architecture and manicured gardens. You can also explore local cafés such as Kizom Café or Mountain Café, or check out the nightlife at Samsara City Club. Dinner is included at your hotel, where you spend the night.

After breakfast, start your drive up into the mountains towards Thimphu. Break the journey with a photo stop beside the cascades of Wangkha Waterfall before entering the capital city. Check in to your hotel and rest. Later, head out to explore the impressive Tashi Chho Dzong in the evening as its lights turn on. Continue to Clock Tower Square to wander the surrounding shops, followed by an evening visiting local social spots such as Space 34, Avenue 28, or Gray Area. Dinner and overnight stay are in Thimphu.

Begin the day at the National Memorial Chorten before ascending Kuenselphodrang to view the colossal Buddha Dordenma overlooking the valley. Next, walk through the pine forest at Motithang Takin Preserve to view Bhutan's national animal, followed by interactive exhibits, archery, and butter tea tasting at Simply Bhutan Museum. After a local lunch break, drive towards Punakha. Pause at Dochula Pass to admire the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and eastern Himalayan views with a warm drink. Descend to Punakha, check in, and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Drive from Punakha on a day excursion to the broad glacial valley of Phobjikha. Explore the serene open marshland, visit Gangtey Monastery standing on the ridge above the valley, and watch for wintering black-necked cranes between November and March. Later, drive back towards Punakha to cross the long Punakha Suspension Bridge hung with fluttering prayer flags over the Po Chhu River. Return to your hotel in Punakha for a relaxed dinner and your overnight stay.

You can begin the morning with an optional rafting excursion along the Po Chhu or Mo Chhu rivers. Visit the historic Punakha Dzong, located at the river junction, to admire its intricate woodwork and grand whitewashed courtyards. Then embark on the drive to the Paro Valley, traveling past Babesa along the express highway. Upon arrival in Paro, check into your hotel. If time permits, visit the Ta Dzong housing the National Museum. Later, walk the cantilever bridge to Rinpung Dzong and conclude at the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang temple. Dinner and overnight stay in Paro.

Drive to Ramthangkha at the base of Taktsang Goemba and begin the 2 to 3 hour hike up to the Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched dramatically on a sheer granite cliff face. Rest at the midway cafeteria before making the final walking ascent to explore the sacred temple complex. After walking back down, you have the option to soothe your legs in a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath heated with fire-roasted river stones. Spend the evening relaxing at your hotel in Paro, with dinner included.

Explore Dungtshe Lhakhang, an unusual three-storey chorten-style temple renowned for its interior religious paintings. Stop at the Paro airport viewpoint to watch aircraft maneuver into the narrow valley runway. Then begin your 6-hour road journey descending from the high mountains back down to the border town of Phuentsholing. Check in to your hotel upon arrival, have dinner, and spend your final night in Bhutan.

Have breakfast before checking out of your hotel. Complete your exit formalities at the Bhutan-India border in Phuentsholing, and then continue your drive through the plains to Bagdogra Airport to board your scheduled flight home.