Bhutan West East Tour Itinerary Details

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 Bhutan Travel Connection and escort you to the Hotel. Later, you will be taken to visit Bhutan National Museum, fascinating place housed watchtower in a round fortress called Ta Dzong above the huge Paro Dzong. This will be followed by visit to Rinpung Dzong – regional administrative and religious centre, visit Kyichu temple which was believe to be build in 7 th century. In the evening free time to stroll around the township of Paro. Overnight at hotel Paro.

Day 02 (Paro -Thimphu): Two hours hike to Taktsang Monastery (Popularly known as Tiger’s Nest). And drive to Drukgyal Dzong (the victory fortress) which is now in ruins. It is about 16 Kms always from Paro town. On a clear day one can get a breath-taking view of Mt. Jhomolhari while you drive to Drukgyal Dzong. Late evening drive from Paro to Thimphu (Modern Capital of Bhutan), it is about 2 hours drive with an estimated population about 70,000 people. Check into hotel and dinner at the hotel Overnight Thimphu.

Day 03 (Thimphu – Sightseeing): Sightseeing in Thimphu includes - visit to the National Library, Painting School, Folk Heritage Museum, Tashichho Dzong, memorial Chorten, Nunnery school, Paper factory (hand made paper), In the afternoon, visit the Handicraft Emporium, Motithang zoo - to see the National animal of Bhutan, if time permits Indigenous hospital. Evening free time for shopping and relaxing. Overnight at hotel Thimphu.

Day 04 (Thimphu – Trongsa): The drive to Trongsa will be long but enchating one. It will take about more than seven hours across the Dochula Pass (3050m) and Pelela Pass 3300m. On a clear day one can get a good view of the Himalayan ranges from Dochula Pass. Drive through Wangdue town. Picnic lunch at Chendebji Chorten. Overnight hotel at Trongsa.

Day 05 (Trongsa – Bumthang): In the morning, visit the Trongsa Dzong and also visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower). Drive through Trongsa town to the broad & beautiful valley of Bumthang. Stop over at Chume Valley, where local women weave the famous "Bumthang Yathra", pure woolen textile. It is woven in the traditional technique with beautiful colored motifs & patterns. Overnight lodge at Bumthang.

Day 06 (Bumthang- Sightseeing): 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 7th 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 cheese factory. Evening free time to stroll around the valley and overnight lodge Bumthang.

Day 07 (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 Mongar.

Day 08 (Mongar – Trashigang): Trashigang is 92 kilometers from Mongar, a four hours drive. Tashigang dzong is built high on the cliff above the confluence of two rivers En-route visit Dramitse monastery (which means the peaks where there is no enemy). There are about 60 gomchens (married Nyingma monk) here. The monastery was founded by the great granddaughter of Pema Lingpa, Ani Chhoten Zangmo in 1511. It is also one of biggest and the most important Nyingmapa Monastery in Eastern Bhutan. From there you will have great views of valley and you can see the college at Kanglung. Dramitse Ngachham was originated from here and now it is very famous sacred dance in Bhutan. Lunch will be served at Dramtise (picnic lunch). After lunch continue drive to Trashigang for overnight at hotel Trashigang.

Day 09 (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. 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 the cave in rock and that you can see the impression of his thumb, his hat, and his body on the rock. Visit Dzong and explore in the town of Tashi Yangtse.

Chorten Kora is one of the attractions of this valley in Eastern Bhutan. It is a great Chorten built in 1740 and modeled on the style of the Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal. Its annual tsechu (religious festival) attracts enormous crowds. Drive back to Trashigang and overnight at the hotel Trashigang.

Day 10 (Tashigang – Mongar): This is the beginning of the return journey and drive will take four hours 92 km and visit Mongar Dzong. Evening free time to stroll around Mongar town and relaxing dinner at the hotel. Overnight hotel at Mongar.

Day 11 (Mongr – Bumthang): Drive from Mongar to Bumthang will take more than 7 hours through Thrumshingla Pass (3750mts highest pass on this east –west highway) Picnic lunch will be served En-route. From Thrumshing La once again you will see the spectacular views of the Himalayan range on the clear day. Drive continues to Bumthang and overnight at lodge Bumthang.

Day 12 (Bumthang – Punakha): Drive to Punakha via Trongsa and En-Route visit Phobjikha valley, Phobjikha is part of conservation area with in Black Mountain National Park. It is the winter home of migratory Black Necked Crane. Gangtey is the name of the Monastery that sits on top of a conical hill in the middle of the valley. It is also one of the oldest and largest monasteries in western parts of Bhutan. Due to conservation effort, there is no electricity in the valley and lunch will be serving on the way. Again continue drive to Punakha. Overnight at hotel Punakha.

Day 13 (Punakha – Paro): In the morning Visit Punakha Dzong builds in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel and also winter residence of the monk body for 6 months. It is one of the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan and also ancient capital of Bhutan. If time permits, visit Chimmi Lhakhang (short walk of about half an hour through paddy fields to get to Chimmi Lhakhang -Monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, Divine Mad man). After lunch drive to Paro for 4 ½ hours via Thimphu and continue drive to Paro. Overnight hotel Paro.

Day 14 (Day Excursion to Haa): Drive to Haa valley via Chelela Pass at an altitude of approx. 3900m/1300ft. (Highest pass in Bhutan) where one can see beautiful mountain ranges and rhododendron flowers in bloom. Explore in the Haa valley and lunch will be serving En-route. Drive back to Paro for overnight at hotel paro.

Day 15 (Paro – Departure): Early morning drive to the Paro Airport. Your Bhutan Travel Connection representative will see you off at the airport.