Journey into the Sacred World of Gomkora

Our representative will receive you at Guwahati Airport and escort you to Samdrup Jongkhar. The drive takes you through tea gardens, clear rivers, quiet villages and small townships with their own local character. In the evening, you can take a walk around Samdrup Jongkhar town. Overnight at a hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Trashigang, the major commercial hub of eastern Bhutan. The drive takes you through varied tropical and broadleaf forests, villages and different vegetation zones. You will make stops at Narphung, Wamrong, Khaling and Kanglung to interact with the local people and observe daily life along the way. Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

Today, you will enjoy the Gomkora Festival with local people who come from different parts of eastern Bhutan. The festival also attracts the Dakpa tribe from neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh in India. One of the main attractions of the festival is the circumambulation of the temple. A local song says, “Go around today, for tomorrow may be too late,” encouraging devotees to make the pilgrimage during the festival. Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

After breakfast, you will proceed to Mongar, passing through several villages along the way. The road follows the Gamri River through cornfields and banana groves before gradually ascending to Yadi. You will stop here for a while for a cup of tea before continuing up to Kori La Pass (2,450 meters), a popular spot for birdwatchers. From the pass, you will descend towards Mongar. In the evening, you can take a walk around Mongar town. Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

Today, you will begin your journey to central Bhutan, which is different from eastern Bhutan in terms of development and lifestyle. The drive takes around six hours and includes crossing Thrumshing La Pass (3,750 meters). You will stop for a picnic lunch near the pass and can take a short walk along certain stretches of the road to relax your muscles while the vehicle follows behind. You will also pass through Ura Village, which has a medieval look with its cobblestone streets and traditional houses. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, you will explore Bumthang with visits to Jakar Dzong, Kurjey Lhakhang, Jambay Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. Kurjey Lhakhang is associated with Guru Rinpoche, who is believed to have introduced Tantric Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet. Jambay Lhakhang is traditionally believed to date back to the 7th century, while Tamshing Lhakhang was built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. In the afternoon, you can walk around Bumthang town and interact with the local people. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, you will drive to Punakha. En route, you will visit Trongsa Dzong, an important example of Bhutanese architecture. Lunch will be served at Chendebji, where you can see the Chendebji Chorten, built in Nepalese style with eyes painted at the four cardinal points. After the long drive, passing through two high mountain passes, you will arrive in Punakha. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will visit Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of the Je Khenpo and the Central Monastic Body. You will then drive to Lobesa and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple associated with the “Divine Madman” and popularly known as a fertility temple. After lunch, you will cross the suspension bridge and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten through rice terraces, farms and pine forests. From the top, you can enjoy views of the Punakha Valley. You will then walk back to the road point, where your vehicle will be waiting. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will drive to Thimphu, crossing Dochula Pass and, on a clear day, enjoying views of the Himalayan mountains. At Dochula, you can also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, known for its detailed paintings depicting the history and lineage of the Wangchuck dynasty. In the afternoon, you can take a stroll around Thimphu town. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Today, you will enjoy sightseeing in Thimphu with visits to the King’s Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck; the School of Arts and Crafts, also known as the Painting School; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine; Buddha Point; and the Motithang Takin Preserve. In the afternoon, you will visit Tashichho Dzong, known as the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion.” You will also visit a local archery ground, where you can watch local people playing Bhutan’s national sport. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will drive to Paro with a stop en route at Chhuzom (confluence), where you can see local farmers selling vegetables, apples and dried cheese by the roadside. After lunch, you will visit Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong, which dates back to the 17th century. From the dzong, you can walk down to the roadhead, crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be driven to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan. In the evening, you can take a stroll around Paro town. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Today, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous pilgrimage site, perched on a cliff at an altitude of 3,180 meters. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche, the 8th-century spiritual master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria halfway up the mountain. After lunch, you will continue to the monastery, explore the site and then hike back to Paro. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

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