West to East Bhutan Tour – Bhutan Tour

Begin your Bhutan tour by flying into Paro. On a clear day, catch glimpses of major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu before arriving in Paro airport.

Later today, visit Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, which includes impressive displays of ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts. Then walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), built in 1646 and situated at a commanding height overlooking Paro valley. If time permits, witness the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo.

Set off on an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery.

You’ll also visit Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, drive from Paro to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan and an exciting blend of tradition and modernity. You’ll explore Thimpu—a truly unique capital—on a full-day sightseeing tour. Discover the National Memorial Chorten, the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museum and Tashichho Dzong, an imposing fortress and monastery which houses the throne room of the King.

Drive up through 10,000 feet, surrounded by Himalayan peaks, and stop at Dochu-la Pass to admire the chortens, mani walls and prayer flags. Then, visit the Semtokha Dzong, “the place of profound tantric teaching,” before arriving at your hotel. In the afternoon, hike to the nearby Chimi Lakhang, a temple dedicated to the “Divine Madman,” a 16th-century eccentric monk.

Travel through terraced farmland, deep river valleys and precariously perched farmhouses to the Bumthang Valley. On the way, visit the Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home to Bhutan’s monarch. Continuing on to Bumthang, you’ll stop in the Chhume Valley, where you’ll have a chance to browse the traditional textiles and perhaps see the famous Yatra weavers create their intricate handiwork. Arrive in Bumthang and check into your hotel.

Your tour of Bhutan continues as you visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom (Bhutan’s “patron saint,” Guru Rinpoche meditated here). This temple, erected in the 7th century, is one of the oldest in Bhutan. After lunch, we will visit the 16th century Tamshing Lhakhang—which contains intriguing Buddhist wall paintings—and Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird,” before taking a stroll through Bumthang’s market area.

The journey continues eastwards, winding through more rugged terrain to the highest point through which cars can drive: Thrumsing-la pass (13,125 feet). From here, the road gradually descends to the valley of Sengor, with wonderful views of cascading waterfalls and the hills of eastern Bhutan along the way. Arriving in Mongar, you will visit Mongar Dzong, built in the 1930s in the same way as all previous dzongs: without plans or the use of nails.

Make your way through a spectacular landscape with cliffs and coniferous forests as you travel towards Khoma. The village can be reached on foot, and is famous for its weavers who make fine quality of fabrics called Kushuthara. You will be able to watch them at work weaving these very intricate and beautiful textiles, before enjoying a picnic packed lunch and returning to Mongar.

Pass through a leafy forest filled with ferns and up through a mountain pass, then descend rapidly through corn fields and banana groves to reach Yadi, a fairly recent and now fast-growing settlement. We make our way to Drametse,the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan, before traveling to Trashigang, which clings to a steep hillside above the Gamri River. After lunch, we will visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of a rocky outcrop far above the river gorge.

Visit the temple of Gom Kora, where Guru Rinpoche is said to have trapped a demon in a rock. We continue on down the road to Doksum village, where you can see women busily weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric, as you make your way to Trashiyangtse.

You will visit Trashiyangtse Dzong and, if time permits, the dazzling white stupa of Chorten Kora and the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students are trained in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.

Drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. You will pass by Deothang, which is remembered in history as the site of a famous 19th century battle fought during the Duar Wars, in which the forces of Jigme Namgyal defeated the British. The road then descends rapidly to the plains through dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns. You will spend the night in Samdrup Jongkhar.

Your Bhutan tour comes to a close. After breakfast, drive to Guwahati and fly to Delhi, where you’ll catch your flight home.