EASTERN BHUTAN TOUR - Exit from India,Guwahati
(13 NIGHTS/14 DAYS PACKAGE)

 

Trip Length: 14 Days/ 13 Nights
Cost: 1 person US $3140, 2 persons US $3010 each, 3 more US $2620 each.
Cost includes: Government royalty, Bhutan visa fee, all meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), Evening Tea and snacks, Accommodations on twin sharing, Transport in comfortable vehicle, Entrance fees in museums and monuments, Service of a licenced english speaking guide and sightseeings as per the itinerary.
Cost does not include: Druk Air fare, Beverages and other personal bills.

 

Trip Facts
This itinerary gives you the opportunity to explore eleven of the twenty districts in Bhutan namely Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Lhuntse, Mongar, Trashigang, Trashi-Yangtse and Samdrupjongkhar.  Your adventure begins once you board the Drukair flight to Paro. You will experience breathtaking views of the Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. You will start your journey from Paro valley in western Bhutan and travel to Trashigang in the extreme east and exit via Guwahati(Assam, India). You will experience diverse culture and tradition as you drive on fromthe west to the east. Lhuntse district is well know in Bhutan for its skills in intricate textile weaving.

Eastern Bhutan Tour - Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 (Arrive – Paro)

During the journey by Druk Air (Bhutan’s National Airline), one will experience spectacular view of Mt. Everest (of Nepal) and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the revered Mt. Chomolhari and Mt Jichu Drake of Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Boonserm Tours & Travels and escort you to the Hotel. Later, visit Ta Dzong, built in 17th century as a watch tower for Paro Dzong. This Dzong was later converted into the National Museum in 1967, and is filled with antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour. Also visit the Rinpung Dzong(fortress), built in 17th century to defend valley against Tibetan invaders. It is now used as an administrative centre and home of monastic community. Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest monastery of the Kingdom is another place of interest. In the evening free time to stroll around the main street of Paro. Overnight at hotel Paro.

 

Day 02 (Paro)

 

Drive north of the valley and embark on a hike to Taktsang Monastery (Popularly known as Tiger’s Nest), clinging to a black rock face, 900 meters above the valley floor, nestles Taktshang Lhakhang, one of the holiest and the most beautiful site of Bhutan.  Taktshang, the tiger's lair, acquires its name from the legend of its foundation, when in the 8th Century Guru Rinpoche, widely revered as the second Buddha, arrived from Tibet flying across the mountains on the back of a tigress. He meditated at the site for three months, from where he used the religious cycle of the Kagye to subjugate the Eight Categories of Evil Spirits, and thus converted the region to Buddhism.
The hike to the Monastery is a gradual climb through the quiet approach path winds through lush meadow, oak and rhododendron forest, past quaint hamlets, fluttering prayer flags and rotating prayer wheels. The hike takes you about 4-5 hours from the car park. Later in the afternoon, drive to Drukgyal Dzong (the victory fortress) which is now in ruins. It is about 16 Kms away from Paro town. On a clear day one can get a breath-taking view of Mt. Jhomolhari while you drive to the Drukgyal Dzong. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

 

Day 03 (Paro – Thimphu)

 

Early morning we head out through idyllic countryside of terraced rice fields interspersed with rhododendron and pine forests as we make a 1.3-hour drive to Thimphu, the tiny capital at 7,600 feet. En route, we see our first examples of Bhutan’s remarkable traditional architecture, one of the country’s unique cultural treasures. Even the most remote village farmhouses are hand-crafted using the same ancient methods used to create Bhutan’s religious fortress-dzongs.

Full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the King's Memorial Stupa built in 1974, Changangkha Lhakhang, Jungshi Paper factory where they make traditional Bhutanese paper, the National Library that houses the worlds largest book, ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, Painting School famous for traditional thangkha paintings, visit the Folk heritage Museum founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. The museum is one of a kind that portrays the lifestyle of a genteel family in the Thimphu valley in the olden days. Visit the Choki Handicrafts shop where Bhutanese textiles and other handicrafts are displayed and can be purchased. The shop is closely linked to Choki Traditional Art School – many of the goods are produced in the school itself and all proceeds go towards the upkeep of the school and the provision of tuition for the students. Later, visit the Tashichho Dzong. The ‘Fortress of the glorious religion’ houses the throne room of His Majesty the king, the main secretariat building and the central monk body. Its courtyard is open to visitors during the off-office hours.  Overnight at Hotel.

 

Day 04 (Thimphu)

 

Drive 13 KM north of Thimphu to Dodena. A one-hour hike this morning brings us up to Tango Monastery, a monastic school and retreat built in the 15th century. The monastery is the residence of the Druk Desi Gyaltsen Tenzin Rabgye, a lama who is a reincarnation of the 16th century monk who founded Tango (tango means horse’s head; the monastery is named for a rock formation on the mountain it is built on). Tango’s inner courtyard is beautifully painted in bright colors, with lovely views stretching across the Thimphu Valley. We descend and head by road to the Begana for a one-hour hike on a fairly level trail through beautiful riverside village of  Kabesa. Enroute we stop to visit the Choki Traditional Art School (CTAS), the only charitable art school in the Kingdom which gives opportunity to the economically disadvantaged students from different parts of Bhutan. Students of Choki Traditional Art School graduate with traditional arts and crafts skills which they can put to use to earn good living back in their home village. A presentation by the principal will be organized followed by lunch at the school.  After lunch there will be a campus tour and visit to the classrooms where the guest can interact with the students. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 05 (Thimphu – Punakha)

 

Head out of town on a spectacular 3 Hrs drive to Punakha crossing the  Dochu La Pass at 3100mtrs from where you can see the 108 beautiful chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. From this pass, on a clear day, you can have a superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan. After a hot cup of tea at a café atop the pass and time to savor the mountain views, we continue our drive to the Punakha Valley. Enroute a half-hour walk through mustard fields brings us to Chimi Lhakhang (lhakhang means temple), a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a chorten on the site in the 14th century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags, sits atop a picturesque hill and has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples.  In the afternoon, we visit the Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers – Pho Chu and Mo Chu(the Male and Female rivers). The Punakha Dzong is an architectural wonder and it has played a prominent role in the civil and religious life of the Kingdom. The Dzong had been destroyed four times by fire, earthquake and flood. The Dzong has been now fully restored to its original splendor. The official name of Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang translates as "the palace of great happiness." Overnight at Hotel.

 

Day 06 (Punakha – Trongsa)

Early morning drive to Trongsa. Enroute stop at Wangdiphodrang and visit the beautiful Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638, a beautiful example of Bhutanese architecture. Drive onward crossing Pelela pass (3300m), traditionally this pass is considered as the boundry between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a great monk named Shida, it is in Nepalese style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Arrive Tongsa and check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel Trongsa.

 

Day 07 (Trongsa – Bumthang)

 

After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang namgyel in 1646 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours from Tongsa. One will cross Yutong La pass (3400 m). 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.

 

Day 08 (Bumthang)

 

Bumthang valley is one of the most hallowed valleys in the Kingdom and countless legends surround the area. This is the place where Guru Rimpoche first visited in 8th century. The present Royal family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, Pemalingpa, which was from this valley. Sight seeing includes visit to Kurje Lhakhang (where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock), Jampel lhakhang which was built in 7th century, then Jakar dzong (the fortress of white bird) built in 17th century by Tenzin Rabgay (the fourth Desi or the temporal ruler), Tamshing lhakhang built in 1501 by terton Pema Lingpa (the religious treasures discoverer). Then visit kunchosum lhakhang and “Meebertsho” (the flaming lake) in fact it is a gorge where the river runs through but the legend has it that Pema Lingpa discovered religious text from this lake. Other good places to visit are the woodcraft workshop and the cheese factory. Evening free time for walk and relaxing and dinner at the lodge. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

 

Day 09 (Bumthang – Mongar)

 

After breakfast, drive to Ura village and visit Ura Lhakhang and then continue drive to Mongar through Thrumshingla Pass (3750mts highest pass on this east –west highway). Picnic lunch 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 8 hours from Thrumshing La once again you will see the spectacular views of the Himalayan range on the clear day. Drive continues to Mongar and you can wander around Mongar town. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 10 (Mongar – Lhuntse)

 

Day excursion to Lhuntse is 76 km about 3 hours and road was inaugurated in 1980.The Lhuntse road winds around the hill to chali then the few houses of palangphu. The district is famous for the skill of its weavers. It is also the ancestral home of the royal family, Jigme Namgyel, the father of the first king of Bhutan was born in the Dungkhar village in Lhuntse. Lhuntse Dzong is overlooking the Kuri Chuu valley and sits high on a rocky out crops. Visit Lhuntse Dzong and lunch will be provided en-route. Drive back to Mongar and evening sit down to a relaxing dinner. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 11 (Mongar – Trashigang)

Trashigang is 92 kilometers from Mongar, a 3/4 hours drive. Tashigang dzong is built high on the cliff above the confluence of two rivers. Check into Rangjung guesthouse. After lunch visit Radhi village. Radhi is famous for raw silk, which is known as “bura”. You can also witness women weaving raw silk. Overnight at the guesthouse in Rangjung.

 

Day 12 (Day excursion to Trashi Yangtse)

 

53 Kilometers from Trashigang is the beautiful valley of Trashiyangtse. Today you will visit Trashi Yangtse, which is a small, pretty, quite town. 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, one of the main attractions in this valley. It is a great stupa built in 1740 and modeled on the style of the Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal. Its annual tsechu (religious festival) attracts enormous crowds. Along the way to Tashi Yangtse you will stop at the Gom Kora temple, behind which is a large black rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated in a cave and we can see the impression of his thumb, his hat, and his body print on the rock. Visit the Dzong and explore the Tashi Yangtse town. Drive back to Trashigang and overnight at hotel in Trashigang.

 

Day 13 (Trashigang–Samdrupjongkhar)

 

It is 180km it takes about 6/7 hours drive from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar on winding road, passing through several villages and En-route visit hand loom ( weaving centre) in Khaling and also blind school. The road drops gradually from the temperate forested hills, through rain forest like region to the base of the foothill. Lunch will be served along the way. Samdrup Jongkhar being the border town of Indian state of Assam and people has Indian character, even though it tries to maintain Bhutanese appearance. Arrive Samdrup Jongkhar and overnight at hotel Samdrup Jongkhar.

 

Day 14 (Samdrup Jongkhar- Guwahati)

 

Leave Bhutan for Guwahati (Assam, India) to catch your flight. Drive will take about 3 hours and it is about 110 kms.