Bhutan — Year-End Holiday

26 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 · 6 nights / 7 days · Bagdogra › Phuentsholing › Thimphu › Punakha day trip › Paro › Siliguri › Bagdogra

Seat-in-CoachAll Meals IncludedSDF Included

IDM-BHU-1226

An IDMC group at a dzong in Bhutan on an earlier departure — Guests on an earlier Bhutan departure. In late December the hillsides are drier and browner.

At a Glance

Dates: 26 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027
Duration: 6N / 7D
Starts and Ends: Bagdogra Airport (IXB)
Group Basis: Seat-in-coach, fixed group
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Highest Point: Dochula, 3,100 m

Day by Day

Road distances and driving times are approximate and depend on conditions on the day.

01Sat 26 Dec

Bagdogra to Phuentsholing

165 km · 4–5 hrs

Met by our representative at Bagdogra Airport, then the drive through the tea gardens of the Dooars to Phuentsholing, the border town. Evening free.

Meals: lunch, dinner · Overnight: Phuentsholing

02Sun 27 Dec

Phuentsholing to Thimphu

150 km · 5–6 hrs

Immigration and permit formalities completed at the border, then the climb to Thimphu at 2,320 m, with a stop at Kharbandi Gompa.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Thimphu

03Mon 28 Dec

Punakha Excursion via Dochula Long Day

About 200 km round trip · 7–8 hrs

Over the Dochula pass at 3,100 m with its 108 chortens, down to Punakha for Punakha Dzong, then back to Thimphu. Himalayan views from the pass are possible only on clear days.

Winter note. Snow can close Dochula in late December. If the pass is closed the guide changes the day's plan locally and the force majeure terms apply.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Thimphu

04Tue 29 Dec

Thimphu Sightseeing, Drive to Paro

55 km · 1.5–2 hrs

Buddha Dordenma, Tashichho Dzong from outside, the Takin Preserve and the Simply Bhutan museum, then the afternoon drive to Paro.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Paro

05Wed 30 Dec

Paro Sightseeing

5–6 hrs

Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong (the National Museum), Kyichu Lhakhang, the Paro airport viewpoint and Drukgyel Dzong, with a stop at the Taktsang viewpoint, weather permitting. Free time in Paro town.

Tiger's Nest. The viewpoint stop is included. The hike up to the monastery is not included and does not fit this itinerary — it can only be arranged as a separate extension before or after the tour.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Paro

06Thu 31 Dec

Paro to Siliguri Longest Day

320 km · 9–10 hrs

Early start down to Phuentsholing, exit formalities at the border, then on to Siliguri.

New Year's Eve. The group leaves Bhutan on 31 December and spends New Year's Eve at the hotel in Siliguri, India. No dinner, celebration or entertainment is included.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner · Overnight: Siliguri

07Fri 1 Jan

Siliguri to Bagdogra

15 km · 30–40 mins

Breakfast, then the transfer to Bagdogra Airport. Tour ends.

Meals: breakfast

Hotels

Place	Proposed Hotel	Nights
Phuentsholing	Meto Pema Hotel	1
Thimphu	Hotel Changangkha	2
Paro	Shomo Chuki Resort	2
Siliguri	Himalayan Gateway	1
Total		6 nights

Proposed hotels, subject to availability at confirmation. Any substitution is communicated before departure and is of equivalent or higher category.

Standard rooms on the sharing basis booked. Comfortable, well-run hotels, not luxury. Higher categories in Thimphu and Paro can be quoted on request.

What Is Covered

Included

Accommodation for 6 nights on the sharing basis booked
Breakfast, lunch and dinner as per the itinerary
Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee
Bhutan entry permit assistance and processing
Licensed Bhutanese guide
Transfers and sightseeing by seat-in-coach
Monument and museum entry tickets as per itinerary
Hotel taxes
Bottled water during sightseeing
Economy airfare on the flight-inclusive package only

Not Included

GST and TCS
Airfare on the land package
Travel insurance
Personal expenses: laundry, drinks, phone, tips, porterage
Camera fees at monuments, where charged
Taktsang hike and river rafting
Any New Year's Eve dinner or event
Costs arising from delays, roadblocks or weather
Anything not listed as included

Prices

Per person in Indian Rupees. GST at 5% of the total package value and TCS at the prevailing statutory rate are extra on both packages.

From ₹49,999 per person, twin sharing, land package. Other room types, child rates and flight-inclusive rates are shared with registered partners.

Hold 48 Hours

Booking Terms

Payment

50% of the package value at confirmation, plus GST and TCS
Balance 50% by 26 November 2026
Bookings after 26 November 2026: 100% at confirmation
Air tickets are issued only after payment is received. Fares are not held.

If the balance is not paid on time the booking may be released and cancellation charges apply.

Cancellation: Land Arrangements

On or before 11 Nov 2026 — full refund of the land cost
12 to 26 Nov 2026 — 50% of the land cost retained
27 Nov to 11 Dec 2026 — 75% of the land cost retained
From 12 Dec 2026 — no refund

No refund for no-shows or for leaving the tour early. Cancellations must be in writing.

Group Departure Condition

This departure needs a minimum number of confirmed guests to operate. If the minimum is not met we will offer an alternative date, a revised smaller-group price, or a full refund — advised by 26 November 2026 .

Cancellation: Flights

After ticketing the airline's rules apply, whatever the land cancellation date
Group and promotional fares are usually non-refundable and non-changeable once issued
Any airline refund is passed on after airline and processing charges

Permits and Documents

Passport valid six months from travel, or original Voter ID. Photocopies and digital copies are not accepted.
Under 18: valid passport, or original birth certificate in English, travelling with a parent or legal guardian
Two passport-size photographs per person
Clear scans of all documents by 5 December 2026

Permits are issued at the sole discretion of the Royal Government of Bhutan. A refusal or delay does not qualify for a refund outside the cancellation terms. If documents are late and the permit is not issued, full cancellation charges apply.

Bhutan SDF by Age

Under 6 years — exempt
6 to below 12 years — 50% of the applicable adult SDF
12 years and above — adult SDF

Price revision: prices may change if the SDF, government levies, fuel surcharge or airfares change before full payment.

Flights

Flight-inclusive package only.

Timings	Planned to reach Bagdogra in time for the Day 1 drive and to leave after breakfast on Day 7. Exact times confirmed at ticketing.
Routing	Non-stop or one-stop, depending on the departure city and availability.
Class	Economy, subject to availability at booking.
Baggage	Usually 15 kg check-in and 7 kg cabin on these fares. The booked airline's allowance applies. Excess is paid directly to the airline.
Seats, check-in	Seat selection and web check-in may not be available on group fares. Seats may be allotted at the airport.
Onboard meals	Not included.

Airline schedule changes after ticketing are outside our control. Any resulting cost is payable by the passenger.

Practical Notes

Is It Suitable for Seniors?

Yes, for those comfortable with long road journeys. Day 3 at 7–8 hours and Day 6 at 9–10 hours are long drives on mountain roads. Dzongs and temples have steep steps and uneven stone surfaces. No trekking is involved.

How Cold Will It Be?

Sunny but cold by day, below freezing at dawn and at night. Colder at Dochula, where snow is possible. Heavy woollens or a down jacket, thermals, gloves and a woollen cap are needed.

Food

Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals throughout.

Money and Phones

Indian Rupees are widely accepted; small notes are useful. Indian SIMs work only with international roaming. Local SIMs are sold in Phuentsholing.

Please Note

Force majeure. If the trip is changed or cut short by weather, landslides, road closures, border restrictions or other causes beyond our control, we provide a comparable alternative where possible. Any extra cost is payable by the passenger. Travel insurance is strongly recommended and is not included.