[Part-3] Punakha

After bike ride to Chelela Pass it was relaxing day, just side seeing and most importantly its was new year evening. Plan was all set and we were camping near Punakha.

Plan for the day was just side seeing around Thimpu and reach Punakha.

Punakha is around 85 Kms from Thimpu. Finishing our breakfast headed towards Punakha, our first stop for the day was near National Memorial Hall at Thimpu.  

Next stop was near Dochula Pass, The most well-known pass in Bhutan and it’s located about 30 km away from the Thimpu.  

Dochula Pass: The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 stupas gracing the mountain pass. 

Bhutanese families enjoy visiting the pass during holidays and weekends to picnic and simply enjoy the scenery. It is common to see families and groups of friends seated amongst the stupas, enjoying a packed lunch and hot tea. For tourists this is ideal location to capture beautiful pictures of Himalayan mountain range during clear, warm days.

Our next stop was at Chimi Lhakhang monastery.

Chimi Lhakhang: is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (also known as the Divine Madman) and is popular among childless Bhutanese couples as a temple to seek blessings. One should walk for almost 20 to 30 minutes to reach the monastery. The walk take us through flat paddy fields and gentle slope. 

And finally we reached our camping spot Punakha around 5.00 PM.

Punakha: Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until the 1960's, and still retains the serene atmosphere of a place with a regal past. The dzong is the main attraction, but there are also other sites of interest in and around this pleasant little town. Along with Paro and Jakar, Punakha completes the triangle of most popular tourist destinations.

Punakha valley has a pleasant climate with warm winters and hot summers. It is located at an average elevation of 1200 meters above sea level. Owing to the favorable climatic conditions, rice grows very well in this region and is the main cash crop cultivated here.

Punakha Dzong: The Punakha Dzong, often referred to as the 'Palace of Happiness', is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. This spectacular emblem of Bhutanese religious architecture sits right at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers and is perhaps the obvious key to unlocking Punakha’s secrets. It opens for the visitors from 9.00AM to 5.00PM on all working days (closed on general holidays). No entry fee required to enter the Dzong. 

 

Punakha Suspension Bridge: It's just behind the Dzong; there is a small temple at the other end. The view from the bridge is mind blowing! The mountains on all the sides and the river below is breathtaking  and it's a good experience to walk to the other end.

Finally last but not least our energetic and fabulous group :)

After spending wonderful time at Punakha, it was time to say good bye to this place and head towards our next destination Tiger Nest. 

[Part-2] Phuentsholing – Paro – Thimpu

Trip to Bhutan trip was bit special and excited one due to couple of reasons. Mainly it was long trip (for 8 days) with totally unknown team (group of 25 members) and first international trip with my brother Kiran. My previous treks with team were limited to only 2 days and max of 15 member’s team.  Finally day arrived 27^th December and we were informed to gather at Bangalore International Airport, everyone gathered @ Airport at the mentioned time.  

Some casual gestures exchanged between the group members and we are all excited to check-in and start our journey. And how can we forget to take a pic before starting the journey! 

This is our group

When we are all set to enter the airport and we got one announcement from our trip leader, we have one good news and one bad news what you want to hear first :P

As usual we opted to hear good news and good news was we have enough time for our breakfast :D so we got to know about the bad news, it was delayed flight! Initially we thought it may get delay for couple of hours but for our bad luck it got delayed for one complete day.

Lot of discussion happened and did lot of bargain with Spice Jet airways staff and finally came to conclusion that we will fly to Delhi and next day first flight from Delhi to Bagdogra... (In fact can write a separate blog about discussion at airport :D).

Usually Adventures trip will be like this, everything won’t go as per plan but to be frank we were not expecting any change in plan due to flight delay. Finally we reached Bagdogra @4.00 PM and all set to start our journey to Phuentsholing. By the time we came out of Airport our vehicle was waiting for us (in fact he waited for almost a day). 

Phuentsholing: Plan was to reach Bhutan by road from Bagdogra. From India Phuentsholing is the entry point and need to get a permit to Paro and Timphu (for Indians we need only permit not Visa). Phuentsholing is around 165 Kms from Bagdogra Airport and easily it will take 6 to 7 hours to reach considering the narrow roads and including the breaks (but according to Google maps its 4 hours journey).

Finally reached Phuentsholing around 11.30 PM. 

There is nothing much to do in this place apart from getting your permit work done. The council will open at 9.00 Am and some time it will take more than 4 hours to get the permits. For our luck we got it within 2 hours and we were all set to enter Bhutan. Our next journey was from Phuentsholing to Paro which was around 160 Kms.

Paro: The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants. Paro is one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot and is worth an hour or two's stroll at the end of a day of sightseeing. But, most of the shops will close by 8.00 PM and even Restaurants. 

Plan for next day was to drive for Thimpu and get permit to Haa Valley and ride to Haa Valley. In Phuentsholing we get permit only to enter Paro and Thimpu to all other places we need to get permit at Thimpu.

Thimpu: Thimphu is the capital of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and with a population of around 80,000 is the nation's largest city.

The city didn't really develop until the king declared Thimphu the new capital in 1961. Vehicles first appeared on the streets a year later, and slowly the city began to adapt to its role as the nation's capital. Currently the town is undergoing massive development.

New tree-lined streets are being laid and the clock tower area in the centre of the city has been transformed into a park-cum-open air theatre where live cultural performances take place.

In 2008, the national stadium was completed together with a new river-side park. One great thing about Thimpu is, this is the only place (capital city) which does not have traffic lights.

Reached Thimpu on time and we were all set to start our ride to Haa Valley, due to some issues we didn’t get permit to Haa valley on time.  By the time we got permit clock was already crossed 12.00PM. 

Already bikes were arranged for us by our trip organizers, but only half of the team was up to the bike ride. Remaining people stayed back in Thimpu for side seeing.

Haa Valley is around 115 Kms from Thimpu and need 3 to 4 hours to reach. Due to time constraints we could reach Haa Valley and planned to visit Chelela Pass and come back. Finishing our Lunch we are all set to start our ride around 2.00PM. 

Every corner of the Bhutan is scenic place.

By the time we reached Chelela pass already we were freezing and it was becoming too difficult to ride. 

Finally we completed our ride and back to Thimpu safely around 8.00 PM.

Most memorable ride and it’s one of the best rides of my life too :) 

[Part-1] Bhutan Planning

Trip to Bhutan was organised by Bangalore Adventures Team. When I saw that mail asking for registration, without any second thought registered for trip to Bhutan. Initially trip was planned for group of 10 people but we ended up with group of 25 members.  

Bhutan trip was bit special this time, special because the time we visited. Even though it was end of the season we planned, but we planned it to celebrate New Year in the HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN ASIA J  

Trip was not limited only for celebration, it included Bike ride to Highest Motor able road in Bhutan (Cha Valley), side seeing around Paro and Thimpu, and trekking to Tiger Nest and camping at Punakha.

Our Adventures trip was planned as below:

Day 1 : Phuentsholing

Day 2 : Paro

Day 3 : Trek To Tiger's Nest

Day 4 : Thimpu

Day 5 : Punakha

Day 6 : Phuentsholing

Day 7 : Back to Namma Bengaluru.

About Bhutan: Bhutan is no ordinary place, it is the last great Himalayan kingdom shrouded in mystery and magic. Besides the stunning natural scenery, the enduring image of the country for most visitors is the strong sense of culture and tradition that binds the kingdom and clearly distinguishes it from its larger neighbours. Bhutan is the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation in the world, and the profound teachings of this tradition remain well preserved and exert a strong influence in all aspects of life. Due to its pristine environment and harmonious society, the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan has been called "The Last Shangrila."  

Bhutan fun Facts:

• Origin of the name Bhutan may be derived from the Sanskrit Bhotanta which means “the end of Tibet,”
• Bhutan is the Happiest country in Asia.
• The capital of Bhutan is Thimpu. It is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In fact when traffic lights were installed the people objected and the city reverted back to the use of white-gloved traffic police.
• Bhutan has the world’s highest unclimbed peak, Gangkhar Puensum, a mountain so sacred by the Bhutanese that the government has banned mountaineering on any peak above 19,685 feet.
• Healthcare and education is free in Bhutan for both residents and visitors.

Tourism & Entry Permit:

Tourism to Bhutan is not that simple. Unlike other countries you just can’t buy tickets, get your visa done, pack your bags and land up there. There are few more steps involved to get into Bhutan. Tourism to Bhutan is not open like other countries. Tourism in Bhutan is strictly controlled by the government and it is a government regulation that you must use a license Bhutanese Tour Operator to book your travel to Bhutan. The tourism sector is controlled by Tourism Council of Bhutan referred as TCB. TCB has set a minimum daily package. It’s $200 per person per night for off season (January, February, June, July, August & December) and $250 per person per night for high season (March, April, May, September, October & November).

Visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives are exempted from this rules mentioned above. Indians coming to Bhutan by road are required to obtain an 'Entry Permit' on the basis of valid Travel Document from the Immigration Office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal. In case, you are not carrying a valid travel document, you should approach the Indian Consulate Office in Phuentsholing and apply for the "Identification Slip" with proper proof of Indian nationality. Similarly, Indians coming by air must process any one of the above mentioned Travel Document and get the Entry Permit at the Paro International Airport. The 'entry permit' allows an Indian tourist to visit Thimpu and Paro only. However, any tourist going beyond Thimpu and Paro need to acquire a 'special area permit' from the RGoB Immigration Office at Thimpu on any working days (Monday to Friday). Phuentsholing Immigration Office will be closed on Saturday & Sunday and Govt. Holidays.

Best time to visit Bhutan is Monsoon season J

Will be sharing all our trip experience in coming days J