Day 01 : Arrive Paro

The flight into Paro (2280m/7524ft) on Druk Air is spectacular. In the clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the verdant greens of Paro valley. The first gift from Bhutan is the cool, clean fresh air as we step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control we are met by our guide and then drive a short distance to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure with a walk through the main streets of Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 02 : Paro hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) - Thimphu

After breakfast drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari, can be seen on the a clear day from Drukgyal village. You can visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House of a local family for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive to Shari to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The horse ride up or hike to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the view point enjoy the stunning view of monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. After lunch at the café walk back to the road point. On our way back to the hotel we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century. Afternoon visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watch tower for the Paro Dzong. This Dzong, was converted into the National Museum in 1967. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Below the museum is the Rimpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong, is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. A short walk below the Dzong, takes you across a traditional cantileverd to one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). PM drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around one hour. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000.The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 03 : Thimphu sightseeing and hike to Tango Monastery

After breakfast drive at Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honor the dead. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see national animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery and then drive to the Tango monastery for a picnic lunch. The hike to monastery takes about forty five minutes. It is a 13th century structure and today is home to about 150 monks studying Buddhist Philosophy and meditation. Thimphu sightseeing continues with the folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanese farmhouse from the last century) and the National painting School. In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity to mix with local population). All the buildings in Bhutan conform to national building principals and are beautifully carved and decorated. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 04 : Thimphu - Punakha

Morning depart for Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through the forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and drive to your hotel for check in and lunch. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. If time permits take a hike to Khamsum Yueley Chorten (45 minutes one way) through the terraced rice fields and over looking the village to Kabina. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 05 : Punakha - Trongsa

Today we drive for a fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Trongsa is approximately six hours crossing Pelela Pass (3,300 m) and Yotongla Pass (3,400 m). “The Central Road”, across the Black Mountains, was completed thirty years ago, and it brought about great changes to the people in central Bhutan. We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramtically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3,300m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. If the weather is clear the Himalayan ranges can be seen, particularly the peak of Jhomulhari (7,314m) to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon. Arrive Trongsa and check in at a hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 06 : Trongsa - Bumthang

After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and then drive to Bumthang which is about three hours from Trongsa. One will cross Yutong La Pass (3,400m). further 13 kms ahead, the road enters into a wide, open, cultivated valley known as Chumey valley. On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge. After lunch, hike to Thangbi valley across the suspensions bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century, dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 07: Bumthang Sightseeing

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. In the morning we visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). Hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa), on the way back visit Jakar Dzong, (seat of the district administration). Evening stroll in Chamkhar Town. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 08: Tang Ugyencholing Excursion

Today’s early morning we take an excursion drive to Tang valley following the feeder road the Community school of upper Tang valley. You will pass through many villages scattered and people at work. From the school we hike about an hour to Ugyen Choling. Ugyen Choling monastery is located on the hill over looking valley. It’s about an hour walk from the school. Brief historical accounts of Ugyen Choling begin with a visit of the great Tibetan master of Buddhism, Longchen Rabjam (1308 – 63). He is the most celebrated writer and philosopher of Nyingmapa School of Tibetan Buddhism and is regarded as the synthesizer of the doctrine and methods of Dzongchen “school of great perfection”. Ugyen Choling was never so much a seat of political power but played a vital role as a religious center. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 09 : Bumthang - Mongar

After breakfast, drive to Ura village and visit Ura Lhakhang and then continue drive to Monger through Thrumshingla Pass (3,750mts highest pass on this pass east-west highway). The drive is through the dense forest of rhododendrons and mixed forests. Picnic will be served En-route. You will begin your journey to eastern Bhutan, which is different from western and central Bhutan in term of development and lifestyle. The steepness of the region lends itself to some spectacular views, with rushing waterfalls and sheer drops. The drive on this is an exhilarating eight hours from Thrumshing La once again you will see the spectacular views of the Himalayan range on the clear day. The drive continues to Mongar and you can wander around Mongar town. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 10 : Mongar - Khoma -Mongar

Today we drive toward Lhuntse , another isolated district in Bhutan. It takes two and half hours drive from Mongar to Sumpa Zam (suspension bridge). An hour’s brisk walk from the bridge will bring us onto the main road of Lhuentse and further to the Khoma village, the best known weaving village in the country. The region is famed for its weavers and special textiles with intricate designs in the country and basket made from the bamboos. After spending an hour or two visiting the home of the weavers as there are no factories for weaving but only at the homes of the villagers, we drive back to Mongar. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 11 : Mongar - Trashigang

This journey takes 96 kms and takes three hours until Korila pass (2,450 m; 8,000 feet)which is marked by a pretty Chorten and stone wall and the journey is through a leafy forest filled with ferns. Your drive will cross over the old Chazam (iron bridge), Tashigang Dzong comes into view at the top of a spur overlooking the river. After Thimphu, Trashigang is the biggest urban centre in mountainous Bhutan. The altitude is 1,150 m (3,775 feet). Visit the Trashigang Dzong overhanging the Gamri River. Unlike most other Dzongs it has only one courtyard and serves as the administrative seat for the district and also drukpa Monastic Community occupies part of the Dzong. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 12 : Trashigang - Day excursion to Trashi Yantse

Today you will visit Trashi Yangtse, which is about 52 km and 2 hours drive. The people are known for making wooden bowls and containers, which are said to be best in Bhutan. Just below the town is the Chorten Kora. Along the way to Trashi Yangtse you wll stop at Gom Kora temple, behind which is a large black rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated in the cave in the rock and that you can see the impressionof his thumb, his hat, and his body on the rock. After lunch, explore in the town of Trashi Yangtse. Chorten kora is one of the attractions of this valley in Eastern Bhutan. It is a great Chorten built in 1740 and modeled on the style of the Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal. Its annual Tsechu (religious festival) attracts enormous crowds. Drive back to Trashigang. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 13 : Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar

The Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar road was completed in 1965, distance is 180 kms which is 6-7 hours drive. Along the way we pass Sherabtse College in Kanglung, which is founded in 1978 and is a degree granting institute affiliated to the University of Delhi. En route visit Khaling Blind School and weaving handicrafts. Further drive will take you to Deothang. The road then descends fairly rapidly to the plains through the dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

 

Day 14 : Depart from samdrup Jongkhar

After breakfast your representative will help you with the exit formalities and bid you farewell.

 

Note: This itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. We have designed this itinerary including the best cultural and natural aspects of this country. We can further customize the itinerary to suit your specific interest and needs to our valued customers.