Journey Beyond the Familiar

During the journey to Bhutan, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong. It was built in the 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions. You will then visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally believed to have been built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

In the morning, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, situated at an altitude of 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After lunch, you will explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. You will then drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, which is about 54 km from Paro and takes around 45 minutes. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will set out with your guide to explore Thimphu. You will visit Simply Bhutan to learn about everyday life and traditions, followed by the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts are taught. You will continue to the Traditional Handmade Paper Factory to see how traditional Bhutanese paper is made. Later, you can take a walk through town and browse some of the local artisan shops. You will also visit the Memorial Chorten, where local residents gather for their daily kora, or circumambulation. In the late afternoon, you will visit Tashichho Dzong, an important landmark in Thimphu and the seat of Bhutan’s government and central monastic administration. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast this morning, you will enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochula Pass (3,100 meters). On a clear day, you can enjoy views of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, you will drive downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will continue through rice fields and along the banks of the Punakha River before arriving in Punakha. On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metsina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple. After lunch, you will visit Punakha Dzong, which is situated between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will drive to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The chorten stands on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha Valley. It was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. It took nine years to build, and holy scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted during its construction. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. The temple was built for the well-being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. From the parking area, it is about a 45-minute uphill walk through the rice fields, while the return walk downhill takes around 30 minutes. You can enjoy good views of the Punakha Valley from the top of the temple. After lunch, you will drive to Phobjikha, which is famous as a winter roosting place for the endangered black-necked cranes. Overnight at a hotel in Phobjikha.

Today, you will drive to Trongsa. Before starting your journey, you will visit the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre. You will then visit Gangtey Goenpa, one of the largest Nyingma monasteries in Bhutan. Gyalse Pema Thinley built a small temple here in 1613, which was later expanded into a larger goenpa by the second reincarnation, Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. You will then hike the Gangtey Nature Trail, one of the shortest nature trails in Bhutan. The trail starts from the mani stone wall to the north of Gangtey Goenpa and ends at Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and passes through pine forests and areas with small bamboo plants. You can enjoy views of the Phobjikha Valley along the way. During the winter months, you may also see endangered black-necked cranes in the valley. On arrival in Trongsa, you will visit Trongsa Dzong. Overnight at a hotel in Trongsa.

After an early breakfast, you will start your drive to Bumthang. On the way, you will cross Yotongla Pass (3,425 meters) before entering the Bumthang region. Along the way, you will stop at a Yathra textile weaving factory, where you can see the traditional Yathra textiles of Bumthang, known for their unique patterns. You can also watch some of the weavers working at their looms. After lunch, you will visit Kurjey Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have left his body imprint inside a cave. You will also visit Jambay Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. In the evening, you can stroll freely around Bumthang town. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, you will make an excursion to Tang Valley, the most remote valley in Bumthang. While in Tang, you will visit the 16th-century Ugyen Chholing Palace, which was once a country manor and is now a museum. The well-captioned exhibits offer insights into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. You will also visit Tang Rinpoche Lhakhang and explore the nearby villages. On the way back to town, you will stop at Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures are believed to have been discovered in the 15th century by the famous treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, you will begin your journey to eastern Bhutan. You will pass through Ura Village, which has a medieval look with its cobblestone streets and traditional houses. Eastern Bhutan is different from western and central Bhutan in terms of development and lifestyle. The drive takes around six hours, including the journey across Thrumshing La Pass (3,750 meters). You will stop for a while to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery around the pass. After crossing Thrumshing La, you will enter eastern Bhutan. Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

After breakfast, you will drive to Lhuntse, a remote district of Bhutan famous for its intricate and colorful textiles. Formerly known as Kurtoe, the region is considered the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family. The landscape features steep cliffs, gorges and dense coniferous forests. You will explore Khoma Village, where local women weave traditional textiles by hand. You can see them working on their looms and learn about the traditional weaving of the region. Later in the evening, you will drive back to Autsho. Overnight at a hotel in Autsho.

After breakfast, you will proceed to Trashigang, passing through Kori La Pass (2,450 meters) and several villages along the way. In the afternoon, you will visit Trashigang Dzong. In the evening, you can stroll around Trashigang town. Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

Today, you will drive to Rangjung and visit Rangjung Monastery. You will then drive a few miles further to explore Radhi and Phongmey villages, which are renowned for Bura gho and kira, traditional textiles made from raw silk. You can have a picnic lunch at a farmhouse. You may also meet Brokpas, nomadic people from Merak and Sakteng, who sometimes come to the area to barter yak butter, cheese and dried meat for other food commodities. Later in the evening, you will drive back to Trashigang. Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

After breakfast, you will begin your drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. This will be a scenic journey passing through villages and varied tropical broadleaf forests. You will make stops at Kanglung, Khaling and Narphung to interact with the local people. In the evening, you can stroll around Samdrup Jongkhar town. Overnight at a hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.

After breakfast, you will drive to Guwahati Airport for your departure. Our representative will bid you farewell at the airport.