10 Days Bhutan Exclusive – Central to East Highlights

Connect early morning flight to Paro via India. You will experience breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. Upon arrival at Paro International Airport meet and transfer to hotel and check in.

Introduction to enchanting kingdom begins on a flight over the Himalayas into the lush green valley of Paro – truly one of the world’s most spectacular sights. You will view the world’s highest, most majestic peaks and enjoy the view of the approaching valley with its primeval alpine forest, monasteries, temples and farmhouse nestled in splendid mountain isolation.

You will be received by a Divine representative and transfer to your resort for check in followed by city tour.

Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong
This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful covered wooden bridge and guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.

Tsangchoekor Monastery
Drive 45 minutes unpaved road to Tsangachoekor monastery, located at an elevation of 3,200 over-looking the Paro valley. Monastery was the seat of the CholayNgawang, mind incarnation of Zhabdrung Rinpoche. Tsangchokhor is monastic collage and it houses about 150 monks headed by Khenpo Phuntso the principal of monastery.

Early morning after breakfast transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bumthang. Enjoy breath-taking views of Bhutan’s highest peaks Gangkhar Punsum and several other panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges in Bhutan as far as bordering the Tibet region. On arrival you will be received by a Divine representative and transfer to your hotel for check in and refreshment.

Bumthang (2600m)
Bumthang (2600m) has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Bumthang in their local dialects means valley of vessels the shape of valley looks like vessels. Bumthang valley is one of the most spiritual and historical places in Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche’s main patron saint of Bhutan first visited Chokor valley and introduced Buddhism in Bhutan. There are four valleys in the district: Chume in the south west, Chokhor in the north – west is where Jaker Dzong is located and main administrative place of Bumthang. Tang in the north east and Ura in the south east. The main crops they grow is buckwheat and barely. Bumthang is famous for its buck wheat noodles called “Puta” and buck wheat pancake “Khulee”.

After breakfast drive to Tang Valley for an enjoyable excursion, which is the most remote valley in Bumthang. While is the Tang, you will visit 16th century Ugyenchholing Palace or the country manor, which is now turned into a museum. The well-captioned exhibits offer insights into lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family.

You will also explore nearby villages. On the way back to town, you will see MebarTsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discoverer PemaLingpa.

Today continue Eastwards passing the Ura village and climb over Thrumshing-La Pass.

The road then plunges dramatically down into rich semitropical rain forest. This is the Lingmethang road, perhaps Asia’s premier birding road. From Thrumshing La to Lingmethang the road drops an astonishing 2100 meters from 3750 m to 650 m in only a few hours, passing from coniferous forest through semi-tropical forest to orange groves. From Lingmethang the road descends to the Kurizampa Bridge over the Kurichu River on which lower downstream is the Kurichu Hydro Electric Project, the biggest in Eastern Bhutan.

From Kurizampa bridge the road will climb upto Mongar town (1600m). Mongar is the district headquarters but hardly more than a transit town. It is also the first town built on a slope instead of the usual valley. This is characteristic in eastern Bhutan where there are few valleys. The true homeland of the Eastern People the Sharchogpas, begins from Mongar. If you are not too tired, you can visit Mongar Dzong. It was built in the 19th century, restored in 1953 and again in 1990 after being gutted by a fire. The administrative seat and the monk body reside in the Dzong. Visit Mongar township in the evening.

After breakfast transfer to Trashigang in the morning. The drive will follow the East –West Highway passing over Kori-la Pass (2400m) and the village of Yadi (1480m) down the zig zag road to Sherichu (600m). Stop at Zalaphangma Centenary Cafeteria for cup of tea.

Trashigang is a far East of Bhutan, on the bank of Gamri Chu (river), lies Trashigang, the country’s largest district. Trashigang, once the centre of a busy trade with Tibet, is today the junction of east west highway with road connecting to Samdrup Jongkhar and then to the Indian state of Assam. This town is also used as the market place for the semi nomadic people from Merak and Sakten whose costume are unique in Bhutan.

Evening Drive to Trashigang through Chazam, the bridge over the Dangme Chu River which is one of the biggest rivers in Eastern Bhutan. From the bridge the road will climb 10 Km to reach Trashigang town.

After lunch check in hotel and rest of the day at leisure.

Today we take an excursion to Trashiyangtse. Drive to the Trashiyangtse district to visit several famous sites: Chorten Kora , Gom Kora Zorig Chusum and the School of 13 Traditional Crafts and Doksum village where most women sit weaving outside their houses. En-route visit the Gomkora Temple and the big rock where Guru Rinpoche meditated to overcome the dreadful evils.

Morning: Trashigang Dzong which Dzong precariously hugs a huge long spur, jutting out over the Gamri Chu river and commands a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside. Built in 1659 A.D. it is practically impregnable, protected on three sides by the river and ravines and from behind by the mountains. Today it serves as the administrative seat of the district and houses a Drukpa monastic community.

Drive 5 hours to Mongar via Dramitse to visit famous Dramitse monastery built in 15th century one of the biggest monastery in east headed by Sungtruel Rinpoche one of the mind incarnation of Terton Pemalingpa. The famous Drmatse Dance was originated from this particular Place.

Drive to Mongar crossing Kori-La Pass. Beyond the pass, driving through corn fields and patches of banana trees, you come to the village of Sherichu where they make Lemon Grass Oil.

After Yadi Village, visit Nagtsang Monastery. On arrival in Mongar, check into hotel. Evening stroll through Mongar town.

After breakfast drive back to Bumthang. Lunch will be on the way.

The journey takes you through Sengor Village to mist-covered Thumshing-La Pass, which at 13,500 feet is the highest pass in eastern region Bhutan. En-route, you can stop numerous times to for picnic lunch, tea breaks and side visit to farm houses.

You will reach Ura Valley late afternoon. There are two temples in Ura– the Gyden Lhakhang, Lama’s private temple and the main village temple on a hill overlooking the village.

After breakfast transfer to airport and connect short flight to Paro. Upon arrival at Paro airport drive to Thimphu. This scenic drive takes about 2 hours. Upon arrival check in hotel have lunch.

After lunch visit Stupa Hill. This is one of the biggest Buddhist Stupa in Bhutan. From this hill top, you can see the panoramic view of Thimpu City. After that visit the mini zoo where you can also see Takin the national animal of Bhutan.

Late afternoon visit Thimpu Dzong – the main Secretariat Building. This massive structure houses part of the Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Thimpu is capital city of current Bhutan. Late afternoon some free time to visit around the Thimpu city.

After breakfast drive to Paro on the way visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. After that drive to Paro (2 hrs) and check in resort.

Taktsang Monastery (Round trip hike: 4 hrs)
The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro Valley and river. It is believed during the second half of the 8th century Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.

Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong
This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful covered wooden bridge and guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.

After that short walking around Paro town with some shopping.

After breakfast, transfer to airport for departure.