Eastern Bhutan Tour

Inclusions

Hotel, transportation, guide, tea and snacks, visa fee, sightseeing, permits, entrance fee, mineral water (bottled) in car, government tax and 3 meals daily.

Accommodation

3-star hotel (Bhutanese type), there is possibility of upgradation.

Exclusions

Flight ticket, insurance, tips, drinks and beverages, laundry, cellphone, internet and other personal expenditure or bills.

Insurance

We highly recommend you to obtain separate coverage of insurance from your home country since your package does not include any insurance.

Day 01: Arrive Paro-Thimphu

You will be received by your tour guide. After the refreshment, visit to the National Museum housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.

Walk down to Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge.

Travel to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. The road runs down through the Paro valley, to Chuzom (Confluence) at the entrance to the valley, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu Tour and Sightseeing
The sightseeing includes visiting memorial chorten (stupa built to commemorate late 3^rd king of Bhutan), Bhddha point (largest buddha statue in the world), school of arts and craft (painting school), zoo (preserved area for the national animal of Bhutan, Takin).

In the evening, visit to Trashi Choedzong (fortress of glorious religion), it serves as the central administrative purpose and residence of central monk body. Overnight hotel in Thimhu.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Hike to Tango
After breakfast, drive to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. Tango is the center of higher studies for monks. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtaking. Drive back to Thimphu and evening free to relax /stroll around Thimphu town.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha
Driving on the scenic hillside, stop at Dochula Pass (3140 m), in the clear sky you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the upraised ground by Queen Mother of Bhutan.

After refreshment at Dochula Cafeteria, drive to Punakha (former capital of Bhutan 1637-1907). It has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture.

After lunch, you will visit the Divine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

Further drive to Wangdue, overnight at hotel in Wangdue.

Day 05: Wangdue – Trongsa – Bumthang
Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Stop over at Trongsa to visit Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan built in 1644 by the Zhabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece.

Drive to Bumthang, this is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here the great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders) have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.

Check into hotel and overnight in Bumthang.

Day 06: Bumthang Tour and Sightseeing
Sightseeing includes visit to the following:

Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet. In his effort to propagate Buddhism he had a plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and neighboring kingdoms.

Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, “Body imprint”). The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated and left his body imprint.

Tamshing Lhakhang. This temple is also known as Tamshing Lhendrup Chholing (Temple of the Good Message).

In the evening stroll around the beautiful landscape of the Bumthang Jakar valley. Dinner and overnight in Bumthang.

Day 07: Bumthang – Mongar
This tour continues eastwards, winding through more rugged terrain. The drive with spectacular views will take about 6 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motor road pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla Pass 12,465ft. Gradually drop down to Sengor. Watch cascading waterfalls along the way. The descent stops at 2,130ft on a bridge over the Kurichu. Climb again through pine forest, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. The Mongar Dzong, built not too long ago, yet maintains the architectural traditions of the old Dzongs.

Overnight in Mongar

Day 08: Mongar – Trashigang
The road from Mongar to Trashigang, the eastern most region begins through lush forests and ferns passing over the Kori La pass at 8,000ft. Follows the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Drametsi. This temple built on the steep hill, was founded by Nun Choden Zangmo in the 16th century. This is the place from where the famous Drametsi Nga Chham, mask dance with drums originated. Trashigang is the center of the biggest and most populated district in the nation. View the dzong, built strategically on a spur going out towards the Gamri Chu.

Overnight hotel in Trashigang.

Day 09: Day Excursion to Trashiyangtse
Excursion to Gom Kora and Tashiyangtse including the beautiful valley of Bumdeling, home for rare Black Necked Crane migrates from Tibetan Plateau escaping the cold. Further you can explore the livelihood of eastern Bhutan. Overnight hotel in Trashigang

Day 10: Trashigang – Mongar
This is the beginning of the return journey. After sightseeing Trashigang valley, travel back to Mongar. Overnight hotel in Mongar.

Day 11: Mongar – Bumthang
Travel back to Bumthang. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

Day 12: Bumthang – Gangtey – Wangdue
After early breakfast, drive to Gangtey. Visit Gangtey Gompa, which now houses one of the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes (Grus Nicorocolis), which migrats from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia during winter in this valley. Drive to Wangdue for overnight halt. Evening stroll around Wangdue town.

Day 13: Wangdue – Thimphu
After breakfast, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (temple) built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world.

Travel back to Thimphu, visiting Simtokha Dzong on route. This dzong, built in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan.

Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Day 14: Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast, travel to Paro. Visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo.

After lunch, drive up the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 18km from Paro town on the north side of the valley. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Evening at leisure to visit local shops. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 15: Taktsang hike
In the morning take a hike to visit Taktsang monastery also known as tiger nest. Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3100m clings on the cliff.  In 8^th century spiritual master known as Guru Rimpoche has flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang monastery now stands. Lunch at Taktsang café and overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 16: Paro – Departure
Departing from Paro international airport to your onwards destination. Head back to your destination with memories entangled by happiness.