The flavor of eastern bhutan
This Bhutan Cultural Tour takes you to the far eastern region of Bhutan. Discover ancient villages frozen in time with spectacular views and authentic Bhutanese architecture; fresh rivers flowing through and mountains gorges as we pass through various vegetation from subtropical to temperate. The best part of this trip is stopping by the Las (Pass, highest mountain point) and inhaling the fresh air on the highest points with magnificent views. In total we will be crossing six Las.
It will be an adventurous tour with winding roads and forests. When you reach the further eastern part of Bhutan, you will see the road fall in a long series of bends, through dark pine forests, wild green pastures, and a variety of fruit orchards, some gushing waterfalls all surrounded by the stunning blend of wildflowers and constantly changing vegetation. The journey brings you to the warmer, subtropical climate of the lower elevations of eastern Bhutan. While traveling through the six districts you can see the changes in the socio-cultural life of the Bhutanese people. You will also visit important historical and cultural places of interest in this Bhutan Cultural Tour.
Duration: 14 Nights/ 15 Days
Location: Thimphu-Paro-Punakha-Gangtey-Trongsa-Bumthang-Lhuentse-Merak-Trashiyangtse-Trashigang
Day 1: Arrive At Paro Airport
- Observe the magnificent view of the great Himalayan peaks as you draw near Bhutan. After your visa formalities you will be received by your private guide at the airport and drive you to Paro town for lunch.
- Begin your journey by taking an enchanting hike to ancient Zuri Dzong. Enjoy the awe inspiring view of the verdant Paro valley enclosed by soaring mountains. There are great opportunities to click pictures of the valley adorned with Paro Dzong and watch tower.
- Time permitting visit Paro Ta Dzong- the national Museum of Bhutan and explore the courtyard of the Paro Dzong.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 2: Hike To The Renowned Tiger’s Nest (4-6 Hours Hike)
- Get your energy up at breakfast today to hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest monastery. Explore through the pristine pine and rhododendron forest draped with lichens until being rewarded to the overwhelming sight of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery hanging by sheer edge of the cliff 900 meters above Paro valley.
- After the fulfilling hike, relax your muscles in traditional hot stone bath and try your skills in a game of local archery.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 3: Paro – Thimphu (55kms/Drive: 1.5 Hours)
- Absorb the mysterious view of the Himalayan mountains unfurl as you drive from Paro to Thimphu.
- Stop at Tachog Lhakhang, a temple across the popular iron chain bridge build over the meandering Paro River. Devour yourself to the invigorating medieval ambience of the cool-sweeping breeze and bright colored prayer flags.
- On arriving the capital, Thimphu, visit the enormous statue of Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang offering spectacular view of the Thimphu city.
- Later visit the exquisite Tashichoe Dzong. Witness the flag lowering ceremony before entering the Dzong and set out into the open courtyard and the grand Kuenrey of Tashichoe Dzong.
- Visit Authentic Bhutanese craft Bazaar where you can buy Bhutanese souvenirs.
Overnight at hotel in Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu To The Golden Punakha Valley (83kms/Drive: 3 Hours)
- Start your journey to the golden Punakha valley. On the way, stop at Dochu La at 3,100 meters adorned with 108 stupas and colorful prayer flags. On a clear day the Himalayan peaks towards the north east will reveal in all its glory.
- Upon arriving Sopsokha village in Punakha, hike through the traditional Bhutanese houses surrounded by verdant terraced fields leading to the temple of the Divine Mad Monk or Chimi Lhakhang on a hill. Uncover the myths and legends of the place and learn the virtue of the crazy wisdom of the Mad Monk.
- Try out a delicious Bhutanese cuisine with appetizing Ema Datshi at Ap Kinley’s traditional Bhutanese house in Sopsokha village before heading to catch the magnificent Punakha Dzong at the confluence of Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River). The intricate carvings and sculptor compliments the massive structure of the Dzong. The whole set up is a treat to the eye.
- If you are in for adventure and thrill you can ride the glacial torrents of Punakha River. Stretching over 10 kilometers the river maneuvers through scenically beautiful environment offering ample of opportunity to spot birds popularly from October to April month. As you flow to the lower part of the valley you have 360 degree view of the valley, which is spectacular. It will take about one and half hour.
Overnight at hotel in Punakha
Day 5: Punakha- Glacial Phobjikha Valley (80kms/Drive: 3 Hours)
- Drive through the forest of Oak and Rhododendron before you reach the splendid Phobjikha valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of Bhutan. Receive blessing at Gangtey monastery and venture into the pine forest of Gangtey Nature Trail hike, the most beautiful and shortest of the existing trails in Bhutan. The hike starts from Mani Dangrim (stone wall like Chorten) to the north of Gangtey Monastery and ends at Khewa Lhakhang. It is an easy hike that takes about one and a half hour through the pine and small bamboo plants before opening to the wide view of beautiful Phobjikha valley. It is one of the best hiking places for nature lovers.
- If you are traveling between the months of October to February, you will have the opportunity to see the majestic, endangered black-necked crane. If interested you can also visit the crane information center of RSPN (Royal Society for Protection of Nature) where they have informative displays of the rare bird and valley. You can use their powerful scope to spot and observe these majestic birds.
- Rest of the day; soak in the tranquil serenity of Phobjikha valley.
Overnight at hotel in Phobjikha
Day 6: Phobjikha – Bumthang (180kms/Drive: 6 Hours)
- Take a scenic drive to the central part of Bhutan and watch the dramatic landscape unfold its splendor. Pass Pele La at 3,300 meters, traditionally considered border between Western and Central Bhutan before taking a brief stop at the Chendebji Chorten.
- On arriving Trongsa capture the aesthetic massive structure of the Trongsa Dzong, often seen between floating clouds. Explore the multiple courtyards of the Dzong and later have lunch at the Tower of Trongsa before reaching Bumthang valley.
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang
Day 7: Discover Fascinating Bumthang Valley
- Discover the fascinating spiritual valley, home to some of the ancient temples and monasteries of the kingdom. The valley is also known for its production of honey, cheese, apple and woolen materials called yathra.
- Start your day by visiting the auspicious Kurje Lhakhang named after the body imprint left by Guru Rinpoche on a rock and learn about the exciting legends and myths connected to the place. Following the tarmac road to the south takes you to the ancient Jambay Lhakhang dating back to the 7th century.
- Uncover the stories and mysteries linked with the construction at Tamzhing Lhakhang before setting out into the wild explore the Tang Mebar Tsho.
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang
Day 8: Bumthang- Mongar (193kms/ Drive: 8 Hours)
- After a hearty breakfast, journey eastward via Ura village before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass of the kingdom, Thrumshing La (3,750 meters). From the pass, the road gradually descends to the alpine valley of Sengor, with wonderful views of waterfalls and the hills of the eastern Bhutan along the way. Sengor is also very popular for birding. Observe the vegetation change from alpine to subtropical with loss of height, bamboos and ferns overhang the road as we drop down to the valley floor. The descend stops at 700 meters at Kuri Chhu (River). Ascend again through the pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to reach Mongar town.
- Visit Mongar Dzong, which was rebuilt in 1953, still maintaining its architectural traditions of the old Dzong.
Overnight at hotel in Mongar
Day 9: Day Excursion To Lhuntshe (77kms/ Drive: 3.5 Hours)
- Today we will do a day excursion to Lhuntshe, one of the most rural and isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with the stark cliffs and gorges, beautiful conifer and pine forests and remote villages.
- The Kurtoe region of Lhuntshe is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal family and this region is famous for its weavers, in dim light of their homes, makes superb dresses call Kishu Thara. You can watch the women of Khoma weave silk into the intricate designs of Kishuthara. Khoma is also one of the few locations where you can observe silk being dyed using the traditional method. The ancient process uses various types of plants, leaves, tree bark and flowers to produce colorful and long lasting dyes.
- Several houses have set up attractive displays showcasing textile products for sale.
- There are also several households where you can see a home life style for a true taste of Bhutanese hospitality and authentic rural lifestyle.
- Visit Lhuntshe Dzong build in the 17th century.
- If you are interested to see or experience rural monastic stay, you can spend a night at Do-Zhong monastery and witness the sound of the bell summoning the young monks and participate in the assembly of monks performing their daily prayer. Discuss about Buddhism with the abbot of the monastery or have a meal with the monks.
Overnight at hotel in Mongar or monastic stay at Do-Zhong Lhuntshe
Day 10: Mongar- Tashigang (90 Kms/ Drive: 3 Hours)
- After breakfast, drive to Tashigang through Kori La at 2,450 meters, marked by pretty Chorten and Mani wall. We descend rapidly down through Yadi village and further drop towards the road finally crosses a bridge of Sheri Chhu (600 meters). A turn on the left leads up to Drametse monastery (2,400 meters), which is 12 kilometers from Sheri Chhu. The temple is situated on the flat top of a hill, founded by Ani Choten Zangmo towards the end of 16th century and is one of the most monasteries of the eastern Bhutan. The famous Drametse Nga Cham/mask dance (the drum dance on the peak of no enemies) originated here, which was classified by UNESCO masterpiece of oral and intangible world heritage.
- Have hot packed picnic lunch and drive back to the main road to continue your journey to Tashigang.
Overnight at hotel in Tashigang
Day 11: Tashigang – Tashiyangtshe (53kms/Drive: 2 Hours)
- Today we will do a day excursion to Tashiyangtshe. On the way, visit temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial plateau, overlooking the river (24kms) from Tashigang. Gom Kora is famous place where Guru Rinpoche is said to have subdued a demon, trapping it in a rock.
- We will continue our journey to Doksum village, where you can see women busily weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and chain-link Swing Bridge dating back to the 15th century. The road turns into the hills here, running up the side of winding river valley to Tashiyangtshe.
- This area is famous for its wooden containers and bowls, which make expensive, attractive and useful souvenirs of a visit to this remote region.
- Visit the dazzling white stupa of Chorten Kora on the riverbank before visiting the School of traditional Art. Return to Tashigang in the evening.
Overnight at hotel in Tashigang
Day 12: Tashigang- Radhi (21kms/Drive: 1 Hour) / Radhi- Merak (40kms/Drive: 3 Hours)
- Drive to Rangjung (1,200 meters) and explore Radhi village, yet another place very famous for traditional hand weaving. Radhi is a well known community in the east for the production of bura (raw silk) textiles. The head towards the village of Merak which is 40 kms drive through the dirt road from Radhi.
Overnight at home stay in Merak
Day 13: Explore Merak Village
- After breakfast, today the whole day will be devoted to visit in and around the Merak village. It involves visit to the local home, interaction with people and delving deeper into their social, cultural and religious structure of this unique community. Merak is a large village with about 60 or so households, located at an elevation of 3480m.
- Late afternoon return back to Tashigang
Overnight at hotel in Tashigang
Day 14: Tashigang – Paro
- Take a domestic flight from Tashigang to Paro.
- Explore the valley of Paro- or take a stroll in the typical Bhutanese architecture of Paro town.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 15: Departure
Our team will drop you to the airport and bid you farewell.
HIGHLIGHTS
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Discover the wonders of Western Bhutan – Explore the valleys of Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, and Phobjikha.
Hike to the stunning Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched on a mountain cliff, 900 meters off the Paro valley.
Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the snow-laden Himalayas from Dochu La (Pass). A wonderful sight at 3,100 meters with a concentration of 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens”
Devour yourself to the invigorating medieval ambiance of Tachog Lhakhang.
Take a short hike to the enchanting Zuri Dzong.
Feast your eyes on the intricate patterns and architecture of magnificent Punakha Dzong.
Hike through the gentle and enchanting Gangtey nature Trail .
Try your skills at the hands-on local game of archery.
Journey to Central Bhutan and explore the natural majesty of Bumthang and Trongsa.
Capture the fascinating landscapes of Bumthang Valley, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Also known as the “Switzerland of the East”.
Treat your lungs with breaths of fresh air every day.
Visit the ancient Jambay and Tamzhing Lhakhang and unveil the mystical legends related to the construction of the Lhakhangs.
Venture into the wild and rugged Eastern Bhutan- Explore scenic and remote valleys of Tashigang, Tashiyangtshe, and Mongar.
Partake in the art of traditional weaving of Bura
Explore the offbeat destinations and iconic sites of Tashiyangtshe Dzong and Chorten Kora, which are less frequented by tourists.
Experience the lesser-traveled areas of Bhutan.
Detour to Drametse Gompa, amongst the most important monasteries in eastern Bhutan. The famous Drametse Nga Chham (Drums of Drametse), mask dance with drums originated from this important monastery. This dance is a ubiquitous feature of many festivals and also included to the UNESCO list of oral and intangible heritage
PACKAGE COST FROM
$ 3960
PACKAGE INCLUSION
Sustainable Development Fee to the Government of Bhutan which goes towards the development of schools. hospitals. etc.,
Bhutan Visa
Accommodations in 3- star properties. (Can be upgraded to 4 & 5-star with additional Premium)
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Certified English Speaking Bhutanese Guide.
All ground transportation
All internal taxes and charges including Entry Fees
Mineral Water while traveling
Complimentary from company:
Traditional Hot Stone Bath
PACKAGE EXCLUSION
Airfare (can be arranged with us)
Travel Insurance
Any Expenses of Personal Nature