itinerary 4 | Bhutan Eco Lodges

Experience the traditional way of life at Mongar, Tashigang, Trashiyangtse and Lhuntse

Details-

Day 01 : Arrive Samdrup Jongkhar from Guwahati, Assam (India) (110 Km, approx 3 hours drive)

On arrival at frontier town of Samdrup Jongkhar, received by our representative and after completion of immigration formalities check into the hotel.
Evening an exploratory walk around the heart of the town.
Overnight at the hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar. (Altitude 300m)

Day 02 : Samdrup Jongkhar / Trashigang (180km, approx 6 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Trashigang, the largest town of Bhutan, located in eastern part of the country.
En route visit Blind School & Weaving centre at Khaling.
Afternoon visit Trashigang Dzong, the fortress serving administrative seat for the district as well as home of monk body.
Later explore the town and its market.
Overnight at the hotel in Trashigang. (Altitude 1,150m)

Day 03 : Trashigang – Trashiyangtse – Trashigang (110 km approx 5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel and then embark on a full day excursion to Trashiyangtse.
En route visit Gom Kora, one of the famous places where Guru Rinpoche meditated in order to subdue a demon which dwelt in a huge black rock.
On arrival in Trashiyangtse, visit Chorten Kora, resembling Boudhanath in Nepal.
Also visit Trashiyangtse Dzong, or the ‘Fortress of Auspicious Fortune’.
Overnight at the hotel in Trashigang.

Day 04 : Trashigang – Mongar (96 km, approx 3 hour drive)

After breakfast, drive to Mongar.
Post lunch, visit Mongar Dzong, one of the newest fortresses built in the 1930s.
Later excursion to Yakang Lhakhang, a temple of great cultural significance and a repository of a wide range of spiritual treasures.
Evening explore Mongar town and market.
Overnight at the hotel in Mongar. (Altitude 1,620m)

Day 05 : Mongar – Lhuntse – Mongar (154 km, approx 6 hour drive)

Day 06 : Mongar – Bumthang (196 km, approx 7 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang across Thrumshingla (4,000m) the highest motorable pass in Bhutan.
Further ahead pass through and visit beautiful Ura village and its temple.
Then drive further, visiting Membartsho, the sacred lake.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang. (Altitude 2,600m)

Day 07 : Bumthang

Full day explore mesmerizing Bumthang, the valley that has an individuality to charm its visitors and separate it from the other regions.
Visit the ancient temples of Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Tangbi Goemba.
Also visit Jakar Dzong, the fortress which is now used as an administrative centre of Bumthang valley.
Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 08 : Bumthang / Trongsa (68km, approx 3 hour drive)

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Trongsa across Yutongla pass (3,400m), the town perched on steep slopes above a river gorge.
Afternoon visit majestic Trongsa Dzong which used to be the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan.
Also visit Ta Dzong, a classy museum, that represents a tasteful blend of tradition and modernity.
Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa. (Altitude 2,310m)

Day 09 : Trongsa / Gangtey (85 km, approx 3 hour drive)

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey via Pelela pass (3,300m).
En route visit Chendbji Chorten, the stupa patterned on Swayambhunath in Kathmandu.
Drive further to Gangtey, one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan.
Afternoon explore Phobjikha valley, which is winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Also visit Black Necked Crane Information centre.
Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey. (Altitude 3,000m)

Day 10 : Gangtey / Punakha (85 km, approx 3 hours drive)

Morning visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.
Then drive to Punakha. Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, until 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and it is still winter seat of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot.
Later visit magnificent Punakha Dzong.
Then a short walking excursion to Chimi Lhakhang also known as ‘Fertility Temple’.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha. (Altitude 1,300m)

Day 11 : Punakha / Thimphu (75km, approx 3 hours drive)

After breakfast, walking excursion to regal Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Post lunch, drive to Bhutan’s modern capital town of Thimphu en route taking a short stop at Dochula pass (3,080m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan and also the site of picturesque Druk Wangyal Chortens.
On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel.
Evening take an exploratory walk around Thimphu city centre.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. (Altitude 2,320m)

Day 12 : Thimphu

After breakfast, visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio encapsulating rich cultural heritage of Bhutanese people.
Then visit Textile Museum for deep insight into one of Bhutan’s most distinctive art form.
National Library, holding vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts is next in sightseeing schedule. This is followed by visit of Institute of Zorig Chusum or Arts & Crafts School.
Post lunch, visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the beautiful temple situated on a hillock also providing fascinating view of Thimphu valley.
Then drive to Kuenselphodrang, to see the largest statue of Buddha in the country.
Afternoon visit to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s Third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan.
Conclude the day with visit of Trashichhoedzong, beautiful medieval fortress / monastery.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 13 : Thimphu / Paro (55 km, approx 1.1/2 hour drive)

Morning after breakfast drive to Paro. Five miles from Thimphu, en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the country, built in 1627 which now houses the School of Buddhist studies.
Today’s sightseeing in Paro includes visits to Ta Dzong (National museum) ; holding fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, Rinpung Dzong ; the fortress which has a long and interesting history, Kyichu Lhakhang ; one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the country.
Evening explore Paro city centre and local market.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280m)

Day 14 : Paro

After breakfast, excursion to famed Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx 5 hours round trip walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries perched on 900m above Paro valley floor. Legends say that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery hence it is called Tiger’s Nest’.
Later in the afternoon visit a traditional farm house to experience Bhutanese rural lifestyle, culture & traditions.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 15 : Depart Paro

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination. Our representative will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.