Bhutan Travel Itinerary - Entry Permit & Travel Document body { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; background-color: #000000; color: #ffffff; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0; padding: 40px 20px; } .container { max-width: 1000px; margin: 0 auto; } header { text-align: center; margin-bottom: 40px; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong { color: #ffffff; } h1 { font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 5px; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; } .document-meta { font-size: 1rem; margin-bottom: 30px; } .itinerary-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 20px; } .day-box { background-color: #000000; border: 2px solid #000000; outline: 1px solid #333333; padding: 20px; page-break-inside: avoid; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .day-header h2 { margin: 0; font-size: 1.4rem; } .day-header .location { font-size: 1rem; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic; } .activity-list { list-style-type: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .activity-list li { margin-bottom: 12px; padding-left: 15px; position: relative; } .activity-list li::before { content: "-"; position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0; } .highlight { font-weight: bold; } footer { margin-top: 40px; padding-top: 20px; border-top: 1px solid #000000; } .tips-section { margin-bottom: 20px; } .tips-section h3 { font-size: 1.2rem; margin-bottom: 10px; text-transform: uppercase; } .tips-list { list-style-type: square; padding-left: 20px; font-size: 0.95rem; } .tips-list li { margin-bottom: 8px; } .official-note { text-align: center; font-size: 0.9rem; font-style: italic; margin-top: 30px; } @media print { body { background-color: #ffffff !important; color: #000000 !important; padding: 0; } h1, h2, h3, p, span, li, strong, .location { color: #000000 !important; } .day-box { background-color: #ffffff !important; border: 2px solid #000000 !important; outline: none !important; margin-bottom: 20px; box-shadow: none !important; } .day-header { border-bottom: 1px solid #000000 !important; } footer { border-top: 1px solid #000000 !important; } @page { margin: 2cm; } } Travel Itinerary Destination: Kingdom of Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha Valley) Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights Purpose of Travel: Tourism, Heritage Exploration, and Cultural Exchange Day 1 - Paro to Thimphu: Arrival and the Capital City Arrival & Transfer: Depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) and arrive at Paro International Airport (PBH) via Drukair or Bhutan Airlines, enjoying spectacular aerial views of the Himalayas. Meet your official guide and transfer to Thimphu (approx. 1.5 hours). Memorial Chorten: Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a prominent landmark monument in the heart of the city where locals gather for daily prayer and circumambulation. Buddha Dordenma: Drive up to Buddha Point to witness one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world, offering sweeping, panoramic views over the Thimphu valley. City Stroll: Walk through Norzin Lam, the city's main arterial street, to browse local handicrafts and observe Thimphu's unique, traffic-light-free intersections managed by police conductors. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Thimphu. Day 2 - Thimphu: Culture and Tradition National Library: Begin the day at the National Library of Bhutan, housing an extensive collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the world's largest published book. Institute for Zorig Chusum: Visit the painting school where young students undergo rigorous training in the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, including wood carving and thangka painting. Simply Bhutan Museum: Experience a living museum dedicated to preserving traditional Bhutanese village life, featuring demonstrations of traditional dress, archery, and local cuisine. Tashichho Dzong & Wildlife: Tour the magnificent Tashichho Dzong, a fortress-monastery housing the throne room of the King, followed by a visit to the Motithang Takin Preserve to see Bhutan's unique national animal. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Thimphu. Day 3 - Thimphu to Punakha: Mountain Passes and Valleys Dochula Pass: Embark on a scenic drive toward Punakha, stopping at the breathtaking Dochula Pass (3,100m). Admire the 108 memorial chortens and, weather permitting, clear views of the high Himalayan peaks. Chimi Lhakhang: Take a gentle walk through terraced rice fields to visit the famous "Temple of Fertility," dedicated to the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kunley. Punakha Dzong: Explore the spectacular Punakha Dzong, widely considered the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, strategically situated at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers. Suspension Bridge: Walk across the iconic Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest in the country, beautifully adorned with fluttering prayer flags. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Punakha. Day 4 - Punakha to Phobjikha: The Valley of Cranes Drive to Phobjikha: Travel east (approx. 3 hours) into the stunning, bowl-shaped glacial valley of Phobjikha, located on the periphery of the Black Mountains National Park. Gangtey Monastery: Visit the historically significant Gangtey Goemba, a sprawling 17th-century monastery and an important seat of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Crane Information Centre: Explore the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre to learn about the conservation of these rare, majestic birds that migrate to the valley from Tibet every winter. Nature Hike & Hot Stone Bath: Take a peaceful nature hike along the valley floor through pine forests and alpine villages. End the day with a deeply relaxing, traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Phobjikha. Day 5 - Phobjikha to Paro: Returning West Scenic Return Drive: Begin the picturesque, winding return journey westward to the Paro Valley (approx. 5 hours), stopping for photographic opportunities of the dramatic landscape. Ta Dzong Museum: Visit the circular Ta Dzong, originally built as an ancient watchtower, which now serves as the National Museum of Bhutan housing incredible thangkas and historic artifacts. Rinpung Dzong: Explore the imposing Rinpung Dzong, a classic example of Bhutanese architecture that functions as the administrative and religious center of the Paro district. Nyamai Zam & Town Walk: Cross the traditional wooden cantilever bridge (Nyamai Zam) over the Paro River. Spend the evening browsing Paro Town for souvenirs like hand-woven textiles and local tea. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Paro. Day 6 - Paro: The Tiger’s Nest Hike Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest): Embark on Bhutan's most iconic pilgrimage—a rigorous but deeply rewarding hike up to Taktsang Monastery, miraculously clinging to a sheer cliffside 900 meters above the Paro valley floor. Cafeteria Viewpoint: Rest at the halfway cafeteria point to enjoy local tea while taking in a spectacular, unobstructed view of the monastery above. Kyichu Lhakhang: Upon descending, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest, most beautiful, and sacred temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century. Farewell Dinner: Celebrate the journey's end with a traditional Bhutanese farewell dinner featuring Ema Datshi (the spicy national dish of chilies and cheese) and red rice. Accommodation: Overnight stay in Paro. Day 7 - Paro: Final Sights and Departure Drukgyel Dzong: Take a morning drive to the upper end of the valley to visit the evocative ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress that once successfully defended the region against Tibetan invasions. Farmhouse Photography: Take a final, unhurried stroll through the scenic Paro valley to capture photographs of the distinctive, beautifully painted traditional farmhouse architecture. Last-Minute Souvenirs: Pick up any final mementos, such as famous Bhutanese philatelic stamps, herbal incense, or handmade Daphne paper. Airport Transfer & Departure: Transfer to Paro International Airport (PBH) for your return flight to Dhaka (DAC), concluding your Himalayan journey. Essential Travel Notes & Entry Guidelines Entry Permit & SDF (Sustainable Development Fee): Bangladeshi citizens do not require a standard prior visa, but must obtain an Entry Permit and pay the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). It is highly recommended to process this Entry Permit online via the Department of Immigration portal or through a registered Bhutanese tour operator prior to arrival to avoid long queues at the airport. Mandatory Guides: The "High Value, Low Impact" tourism policy remains strictly enforced. All tourists are legally required to be accompanied by a licensed Bhutanese guide when visiting Dzongs, temples, and historical monuments. Independent, unguided travel inside these sites is prohibited. Flight Logistics: Paro International Airport operates strictly under visual flight rules (daylight only). Flights in and out of Paro are heavily dependent on clear weather conditions in the mountainous terrain, so maintaining a flexible mindset regarding flight timings is advised. Dress Code & Etiquette: Bhutan is deeply traditional. Modest attire is strictly enforced when entering Dzongs and Lhakhangs (monasteries). Visitors must wear long trousers or long skirts, and shirts with collars or long sleeves. Hats and shoes must be removed before entering temples, and always walk clockwise around religious structures (chortens and mani walls). Currency: The Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN) is pegged to the Indian Rupee (INR) at par. Both currencies are freely accepted nationwide, though Indian Rupee notes of 500 denomination or higher may sometimes face restrictions. It is advisable to carry cash, as ATM networks are limited outside of Thimphu and Paro. Tobacco & Environment: Bhutan is a carbon-negative nation with stringent environmental laws. The sale of tobacco is highly regulated, and smoking in public spaces is strictly prohibited. Heavy duties apply if you bring cigarettes into the country for personal use. This document is prepared for entry permit application, immigration clearance, and comprehensive travel planning. All schedules are subject to local mountain weather conditions and transit timetables.