My Vacation of Bhutan Package Tour from Bagdogra Airport
We live once, and in that one lifetime, who does not want to travel around the globe? Well, I am one of many people who love travelling. Whenever I get holidays, I always plan for a trip outside the country, as if travelling is part of my job. For some, it may sound funny, but I always preplan before travelling. In our short lives, we would like to get out of our monotonous work and want to explore the world with our own two eyes. And this time it was a Bhutan package tour from Bagdogra Airport that I booked from Door to Happiness Holiday.
Day 1
So, on the very morning at 7 am, I was scheduled to catch my flight from Delhi to Bagdogra. As soon as the flight landed at Bagdogra Airport, I immediately felt a sense of excitement, and the weather was so pleasant. I was warmly greeted by the representatives of Door to Happiness Holiday. We quickly headed towards Phuentsholing to complete the immigration process. It only took about 30 minutes to clear immigration. Finally, my Bhutan tour guide, Miss Chen-cho, and the driver, Tashi, welcomed me at Phuentsholing. My guide was holding a name card that said, “Welcome to Bhutan, Mr. Sanju,” and in her other hand, she held a white scarf, a traditional Bhutanese gesture of respect. I was overjoyed to see both of them, who greeted me with such warmth and bright smiles. Words couldn’t express how happy I was at that moment.
After the warm welcome, my guide made sure everything was clear and provided all the necessary details about my Bhutan package tour from Bagdogra. We then set off for Haa, one of the 20 Dzongkhags (districts) in Bhutan. We decided to drive via the Chele La Pass, which is located at an impressive altitude of 3,499 meters above sea level. From Paro, it took us almost 2 hours to reach the top of Chele La Pass. Oh my god, it was freezing up there, but the view was absolutely breathtaking. From the summit, we had an incredible view of Mount Jomolhari, with its snow-capped peak standing proudly against the sky.
No wonder one can enjoy the beauty of the flowers up there, especially premola flowers and rhododendron flowers are common up there.
After a short break in Chelela, we have started a short journey to Haa valley, which took us almost one and half hour to reach Haa valley. Haa is located at an elevation of 2100m from sea level and well known for the fine example of rural life. I was pre-informed if you are here, Haa valley, we will visit the white temple and black temple. It was built in the seventh century and believed to be part of one hundred temples built by Tibetan Buddhist king Songsten Goenpo to subdue demon in Himalayan regions. Apart from site seeing, we enjoyed the mesmerizing scene of Haa valley. The speciality of Haa valley was (Haapi hoentey), which made out of buckwheat and different kinds of cereals. By 5 pm, we checked in to one of the resorts, Risum resort, and I was so pleased on my first day because everyone treated me so good.
Day 2
This is the second day of my exciting Bhutan tour package from Bagdogra Airport. Not to forget tomorrow early morning, we have to drive to Thimphu, which is approximately 106 km which took four and half-hour, which is the capital of Bhutan located at an elevation of 2350m from sea level. Here in Thimphu, we have so many places to visit (temples, monasteries and fortresses). Apart from that, we have many restaurants and bars to stop by if you want to explore.
Among many, one of the places we have visited was the Buddha point, which was built in 2006 and took almost eight years to complete the Buddha Dordenma. I have seen thousands of small stupas of Buddha inside the temple with beautiful paintings all around the walls, and at the centre, there was a statue of Buddha amazingly facing four directions. No wonder we can see the whole view of Thimphu city from there. The next sightseeing point was to visit a Takin preservation centre to see the national animal of Bhutan.
So along with the Takin, we have seen jungle cock, deer and Himalayan goll. They were all together in the mini zoo. The mini zoo is 45square km and took us almost 49 minutes to cover up the hike across the zoo.
At around 1:30 pm, we have stopped at Simply Bhutan to try Bhutanese traditional food. The food was so delicious, and at the same time, we have enjoyed the cultural show where they have shown us the living museum, and we even got the chance to play a short archery game.
In the afternoon, we have made a quick visit to the textile academy to see the textile of Bhutan. We have also made our visit to the memorial stupa. There we have seen the living religion in Bhutan, Buddhism. Many age groups of people were circumambulating the stupa in clockwise directions. I felt blessed and glad that I made my trip here to Bhutan.
Thimphu being the capital of Bhutan, there are so many things to explore; meanwhile, we have parked our car and stopped to have coffee at coffee culture. At around 5 pm, we went shopping within Thimphu city, and I bought a few souvenirs from the handicraft shops like paintings of eight lucky signs, purse, key chain etc. Before checking into the hotel in Thimphu, we made a quick visit to cloud nine to taste hamburger and ice cream. And then we break for a short walk down there in clock tower areas. After that, we went to archery ground to watch the archery match, the national game of Bhutan, we were glad to witness the game, and we are so lucky it was a weekend, and many people gather there to watch the match. Finally, we checked into the Hotel Thimphu City, one of the fine hotels in Thimphu. The day was a bit tiring, but somehow I have enjoyed a lot since they were companion to me (my guide and driver).
Day 3
At 5 am, we had two and half hour drive straight to tiger nest base camp. Upon reaching there, the actual hike started from the base camp from the Paro valley. We recharged ourselves with energy drinks and snacks, a water bottle and some sweets in our bags. I was so excited about this fun trek under pine trees. Along with us, there was more than hundreds of tourist who was hiking with us. This hike was the highlight of the Bhutan tour. It took us 45 minutes to reach Taktshang cafe, a stunning view of the Taktshang monastery from the Taktshang cafe. Despite the tiring hike, I was motivated to climb up till I reach the top. Up and down, it took us nearly 5 hours to complete the trek. After reaching base camp, our lunch was all prepared well, and it was a picnic lunch arranged by my guide.
On the way back to town, we stopped to see the Kichu temple. It was one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, which dates back to the 7th century. It was the mind-blowing visit to that temple which I still remember the peaceful feeling inside the temple. Kichu temple beautifully painted with different colours.
In the evening, we stopped at the mountain cafe to have tea and snacks. We preferred this cafe is suitable to visit because we will get everything that you want. Finally, at around 7 pm, we checked in Olathang hotel, one of the oldest hotels in Bhutan, which dates back to 1974. The hotel was in the best condition ever since, including facilities and the services are the best up there. I was so happy that I booked my last stay at this hotel. I was so tired and fall asleep as soon as I sleep.
Day 4
Early morning I had my flight back to Delhi from Paro at 6 am. Although the Bhutan trip was short, I was fond of Bhutan and its culture. I will surely visit again to Bhutan with more days to explore central and eastern Bhutan. I felt upset to leave Bhutan and my tour guide plus driver since they have been so good to me during my stay in Bhutan. Upon reaching the airport before we depart, we hug each other with the final words “ safe flight and see you next time”. With a heavy heart, I made my way to immigration to check my stuff. That is how my Bhutan package tour from Bagdogra finally ended.