Eastern Tour

The fight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred jumolhari and jichu Drake in Bhutan  On arrival in Paro  Airport, you will be received by our guide and transfer to restaurant for lunch . After lunch, you will visit the Rinpung Dzong, the 15th century massive fortress which now serves as administrative and monastic center of the valley. From the Dzong, you can walk down to the road head crossing a traditional wooden bridge. After that you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred temple built in 7^th century . In the evening, you can stroll in Paro town.

Today, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which located at face of the cliff( 3100m) offering the best view of Paro valley. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro. Drive to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. Overnight in hotel

After breakafast, sightseeing in Thimphu includes King’s Memorial stupa  (which was built in  honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck), School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), Nunnery temple, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Buddha Point, and Motithang Takin Preserve. In the evening, visit the Tashi Chhoedzong, the seat of the national government, you can stroll through Thimphu city and absorb the life style of the people. Overnight in the hotel.

Today you can enjoy beautiful drive to Punakha. En route we will stop at Dochula pass (3150 meters) where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas.In the clear sky, we will see all the  Himalayan ranges including the highest peak of Bhutan Gangkar Puensum(7560m) above sea level. From the pass, drive downhill through the forest of rhododendron,fir,and hemlock. After lunch, you can take short walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang( temple of fertility). Continue drive to Punakha. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, former capital and the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. Overnight in hotel

Today we will drive to remote Gangtey with short stop in Wangdue to get a glimpse of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that dramatically sits on the ridge. We will continue our drive  through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass(3250m). The pass offers exotic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for some time and get the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Later in the afternoon, you can hike amazing Phobjikha valley and crane centre which has detail information. The Black Necked Cranes, which migrate from the Tibet to this valley in winter.

After breakfast, you will drive to Bumthang. The route is along a spectacular winding road, passing Pele La pass (3400m). Lunch will be served at Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. You will then proceed to Bumthang, which is often described as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. We will stop at Chummey Yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with different patterns. Overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, sightseeing in Bumthang includes  Jakar Dzong  located on a ridge built in 15^th century. Kurjey Lhakhang where body imprints of Guru Rinpoche in 8^th century remains preserved on the rock. Jambay Lhakhang which was built by Tibetan king Songtshen Gempo in 7^th century and then short hike to Tamshing Lhakhang built in 15^th century by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. In the afternoon, you can walk around in Bumthang town and interact with locals.

 After breakfast journey starts to eastern Bhutan. Eastern Bhutan is different from the west as it is less developed.   The route slowly descends into Ura Valley, a stunning village. We will continue our drive through the Thrumshingla National park, stop at Thrumshingla pass 3750m – the second highest driving point in Bhutan.  On clear weather, we can see amazing view of Gangkhar Phuensum (7540m) and other Himalayan peaks. We will descend to Sengkhor village and will have lunch here.  Then continue our drive and see Namling waterfall. We will arrive at Mongar. Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

Today we will drive to Lhuentse,(The ancestral home of the Wangchuk Dynasty)  following the upstream Kuri Chhu River. You will drive to Tangmachu village where stands a huge statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The golden 154-ft tall statue of Guru Rinpoche. Drive to Lhuentse Dzong located on the top of the mountain. Explore Khoma village to see the variety of textiles that are woven here. These silk hand woven textiles are very beautiful and fine detail in design. Any of the houses will be happy to have walked into their houses for a cup of locally made wine, “ Ara”. In the evening, you will drive back to Autsho for night halt.

After breakfast, we will drive back to Mongar and continue to Trashigang. From Mongar, the road ascends for a while to Kori La pass( 2400m) . As you descend from the pass you will cross a small town. Then continue your drive  till Dangme Chhu river bridge from where you ascend till Trashigang . Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

Today we will begin our day with a visit to Rangjung Monastery.  You will drive to beautiful valley of Radhi which is amidst fields of rice paddy and corn fields. We will encounter women weaving raw silk textiles called “Bura”. Today we may meet semi-nomadic from Merak and Sakten. They come from highlands and come to Radi town to barter and sell yak products. They have got their own unique culture and tradition. After lunch visit Tashigang Dzong. overnight in Tashigang.

Today we will drive to Trashi Yangtse which has tiny town well-known for making one of the best wooden bowls and containers in the country. We will stop at Gomphu Kora Temple, it is said where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left a body imprint on the black rock behind the Temple. Drive to visit the old Dzong of Tashi Yangtse. After lunch, you will  visit Chorten Kora which was built in 1740. In the evening stroll through shops and meet local people. Overnight in Tashi Yangtse.

After breakfast, drive to beautiful Bomdiling National Park. During the winter season ( late October – late March) we will come across the endangered Black Necked Cranes. Gangtey and Bomdeling are the two winter roosting grounds for the Cranes in Bhutan. After that, drive back to visit a painting school where 13 different arts and crafts are being trained. After lunch, drive to Trashigang. Overnight in Trashigang.

Morning we will drive to the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar. This is going to be stunning journey. We will stop at Khaling to see the Handloom Development Center. Climate is much warmer and we will also notice the change in vegetation. This town is one of the oldest towns in Bhutan. Overnight in Samdrup Jongkhar.

After early breakfast, you will drive for about 3 hours from Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati International Airport in India. Our representatives will bid you farewell.