BHUTAN FROM EAST TO WEST

12 NIGHTS | FROM US$4,275* | DEPARTS: PARO, BHUTAN

This incredible 12 night journey takes you right across Bhutan on an incredible adventure off the beaten track in Bhutan. Magical Eastern Bhutan sees very few tourists yet offers so much to see. Visit ancient monasteries and traditional villages, see troups of long tailed langurs along the way, drive over high passes offering stunning views of the Eastern Himalayan mountains. Enjoy 3 nights in the beautiful Bumthang valley before heading to the stunning Phobjikha valley where black necked cranes migrate over winter. Finish your trip with a visit to Punakha Dzong, Thimphu and of course Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Time this tour to coincide with any of the incredible festivals in Easter Bhutan or the Bumthang Valley.

There is an optional side tour from Trashigang to Sakteng in Eastern Bhutan. Please ask us for details.

* Price based on twin-share accommodation. Single room supplement available for US$45 per night, subject to availability. Minimum group size: 1 (subject to surcharges)
Find out approximate trip price in your own currency here .

Best time of year for this tour: October to April.

Trip Inclusions

• Transport by private vehicle

• Domestic flights from Paro - Yonphula

• All meals, mineral water, tea and coffee

• 9 nights handpicked hotel accommodation

• All entrance fees at monasteries and museums

• Bhutan daily fee including visa, Bhutan government tourism royalties and local taxes

• English-speaking Bhutanese guide

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

Arrive in Paro, Bhutan: Your journey begins in the beautiful Paro Valley, where your guide will greet you at Paro International Airport. Explore the charming town centre and stroll across the picturesque wooden Nyamai Zam Bridge up to the formidable Rinpung dzong (fortress) of Paro and the national museum.
Driving time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

DAY 2

Trashigang:  Take the short early morning flight to Yonphula airport and transfer to your hotel set in the quiet countryside above the town of Trashigang. Visit Rangjung temple before enjoying a picnic lunch near Lungtemzampa bridge. Visit Trashigang town and dzong before returning to the hotel to relax.
Flight time: 35 mins
Driving time: 3 hours
Overnight: Trashigang
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 3

Trashiyangste: Drive to Trashiyangtse, one of Bhutan’s most delightful towns. Famed for the chorten kora which was constructed in 1740, it is patterned on the great stupa at Boudhnath in Nepal. Enjoy a walk at Rinchengang village and explore the artisan workshops around the town.
Driving time: 3 hours
Overnight: Trashiyangtse
Altitude: 2,800 m

DAY 4 

Mongar: Leaving Trashiyangtse after breakfast, visit Jur Dudyul Phurpaling Temple. Continue to Mongar, the district headquarters of Mongar Dzongka. Visit the Dzong and get into nature on the short eco trail hike. Explore the town and relax at the hotel.
Driving time:  4 hours
Overnight: Mongar
Altitude: 1,600 m

DAY 5 

Bumthang:  Drive through beautiful scenery to the high altitude village of Sengor (3,500m) where we stop for lunch. The road continues to the Kikala Pass (2,870m) offering breathtaking views. Continue to the stunning village of Ura where you explore on foot. Continue to Jakar in the beautiful Bumthang Valley, where we will be based for a few days.
Driving time:  6 hours
Overnight: Jakar, Bumthang
Altitude: 2,587 m

DAY 6 

Bumthang:  Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang and Tamzhing Lhakhang. Visit the cheese factory and micro-brewery adjacent to a guesthouse run by a Swiss-Bhutanese family. 
Driving time: 30 minutes
Overnight: Jakar, Bumthang
Altitude: 2587 m

DAY 7 

Bumthang: Attend one of Bumthang’s unique festivals or go on a day hike. After lunch visit the newly opened Wangduechhoeling Palace museum.
Driving time: 30 minutes-1.5 hours
Overnight: Jakar, Bumthang
Altitude: 2587 m

DAY 8

Phobjikha:  Drive to Phobjikha via the fascinating museum in the historic town of Trongsa. Visit the Royal Heritage Museum at the Tower of Trongsa. The stunning Phobjikha valley is home to black necked cranes in winter. Enjoy the nature walk from Gangtay village through pristine pine forests and open grassland where yaks graze.
Driving time:  4.5-5 hours
Overnight: Phobjikha
Altitude: 3,000 m

DAY 9

Punakha: Visit the grand Gangtay Monastery. Continue towards the fertile Punakha valley, visiting Chimi Lhakhang the Fertility Temple and the magnificent Punakha Dzong.
Driving time: 2 hours
Overnight: Punakha
Altitude: 1,310 m

DAY 10

Thimphu: Drive via the Dochu La Pass (3,140 m)  into Thimphu, the charming little capital of Bhutan. Sightseeing in Thimphu can include the Folk Heritage Museum displaying traditional Bhutanese life or a visit to see Bhutan’s unique national animal, the Takin.
Driving time: 2.5 hours
Overnight: Thimphu
Altitude: 2,320 m

DAY 11

Paro:  Visit the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts in Thimphu, the best place to see traditional arts being created or the colourful National Textile Museum before returning to Paro in the afternoon. Explore the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang temple, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. 
Driving time: 1.5 hr
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

day 12

Paro: Tiger's Nest excursion. An unforgettable hike to the Taktshang Gomba (Tiger’s Nest Monastery). A 3-4 hour hike up through blue pines, passing water-powered prayer wheels, leads you to this holy site. This ancient monastery clings miraculously to a sheer cliff above the valley floor. The views are magnificent over the Paro Valley.
Overnight: Paro
Altitude: 2,195 m

Day 13

Depart Paro

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