Detailed Program
During the journey, the traveler will experience from the left side of the plane a spectacular view of Mt. Everest, and other famous Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Jumolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, your Bhutanese friend from Truly Bhutan and Lunch at the Hotel will receive you. Discuss the tour Program with the Tour Host. Afternoon sightseeing.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Morning visit Drukgyel Dzong (a ruined fortress), 16 kilometers away from Paro town. Although it has been in ruin this Dzong has great historical importance for the people of Bhutan. It was a place where the Bhutanese finally defeated the Tibetan invasion and drove them back. On a clear day, one can view the sacred Mt. Jumolhari (Mountain of Goddess). Its altitude is 7,329m. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple). Which was built in 659 AD by the King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet as one of the 108 such monasteries he built in various places to spread Buddhism.
It is located between Paro Town and Drukgyel Dzong. It is one of the holiest places in the country, as it marks the advent of Buddhism in the country. After Lunch visit National Museum, which used to be a watchtower for Paro Rimpung Dzong (Fortress). It was converted into Museum in 1968. Visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, the Dzong was built in 1646 AD, and walk down to town one the way you can see the traditional wood bridge of ancient style. Visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and sightseeing trip to Paro town.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest “. The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padmasambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 Hr.
Overnight: Hotel in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Visit Simtokha Dzong on the way. This is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King, and the Throne Room. It also houses the Central Monastic Body and the living quarters of Chief Abbot and the senior monks.
Afternoon: Visit the Memorial Chorten (a great stupa) built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972. Visit the mini Zoo where the national animals were kept and drive to Sangaygang where you can have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley. Visit nunnery in Zulikha. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive through the instructions of painting and curving. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved.
Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Drive to Trongsa (200km) the journey takes about 6 hours through Dochula Pass (3150m). On the way stop for a photo stop at Dochula Pass which is 26km away from Thimphu valley, and for Tea and snacks and to enjoy the most spectacular view of eastern Himalayan snow capped Mountains and also the great view of Gasa Dzong at a distance (If weather is clear) and descends to subtropical area Wangdue Phodrang and again it ascends to the Pelela Pass which is 3340m where you can see a wonderful view of Himalayan Mountains and this Pass separates the west from the other regions of the country. Lunch in Chendebji.
Overnight: Hotel in Trongsa.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Visit the Trongsa Dzong, one of the largest Dzongs in the country, the ancestral home of our Royal family. Chogyel Minjur Tempa, the Third Desi, built it in 1648. The Dzong now is the office of the district Administration and central monastic body. Visit also the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) and stroll through the small Trongsa town.
Lunch in Trongsa. Afternoon. Drive to Bumthang Valley across the Yutola Pass. The journey takes about 3 hrs and is one of the most scenically beautiful journeys to Bhutan; enjoy the hospitality of the Bhutanese family in a farmhouse or guesthouse in Bumthang.
Overnight Bumthang.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Visit the village and explore the beautiful valley of Bumthang. Drive through the picturesque valley of Bumthang and visit Jambay Lhakhang Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, and Kenchosum Lhakhang.
Afternoon, Visit Jakar Dzong, built by Minjur Tempa, the 3rd Desi in 1646 AD (Desi means temporary ruler appointed by the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal) and drive to Member (Tsho) the burning.
Overnight Bumthang.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
After breakfast, drive to Mongar. Packed Lunch will be served on the way. You can pass through the Bumthang En route and explore Ura valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of Bhutan. There you can see the typical Bhutanese farmhouses.
Overnight: Hotel in Mongar.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
After breakfast visits Mongar dzong and proceeds to Trashiyangtse. On the way, you will further drive down to the lowlands of the Drametse and Ozorong regions. These regions are subtropical areas like Lingmethang.
Drive further across Chazam (literally means; Iron Bridge) and continue to drive to Trashiyangtse a small village with a garden aspect and a lovely place from where to launch a couple of hours stroll into the surrounding countryside. The Dzong was built in the later 1990s when the new district was created. A very interesting art school is worth the visit. Also, Trashiyangtse is famous for its wooden containers and bowls. On arrival, check-in at a Hotel in Trashiyangtse.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Places and attractions:
After Breakfast visit Chorten Kora, this is similar to Chendebji chorten in Trongsa. Every year, this place hosts two religious festivals,s and people from Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India also come for the festival. The chorten is surrounded by many small prayer wheels.
Visit National Institute of Zorig Chusum was opened in 1997 to provide opportunities for vocational training. Just like the painting school in Thimphu, this institute also trains in arts and crafts. This institute is located just above the hospital driving back to Trashigang and on the way back visit the temple of Gom Kora is set on a small alluvial plateau overlooking the river. Surrounded by rice fields and clumps of banana trees, it looks like an oasis in an arid landscape.
It is one of the famous places where Guru Rinpoche meditated to subdue a demon that dwelt on a huge black rock. Continue your drive to Trashigang, It is a small-congested area, and considered the largest town in eastern Bhutan until Kurichu Project in Mongar dominated the region. Trashigang Dzongkhag has the largest population in Bhutan. On arrival, check-in at a Hotel in Trashigang. Visit Trashigang Dzong, or fortress, was built in 1659 by the third Druk Desi Chogyal Mingyur Tenpa to defend against Tibetan invaders. Because of its altitude invading armies remarked that “it is not a dzong on the ground, it is in the sky”.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.
Places and attractions:
- Trashigang Dzong
- Chador Lhakhang
- Rangjung Monastery
- Trashigang Radhi
- Merak & Sakteng
- Muenselling Institute
- Khaling National Handloom
Accommodation options:
The 180km southern highway from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar takes at least six hours. Shortly after leaving the town, the road winds its way up, through terraced fields up to Kanglung (22km/45min) at 1870m, where you can see the extensive campus of Sherubtse College. Then the road climbs and crosses Yongphu la (2190m), cuts across the ridge into another valley, winds down slightly to Gumchu, and then around the corner, arrives in Khaling, spread out in a high side valley above the Drangme Chhu.
Khaling has a large High School campus, a small town, an Institute for the disabled (a school for blind and other disabilities), and around 3kms beyond Khaling, the National Handloom Development Project operated by the Women’s Association of Bhutan. After Khaling the road traverses above the small villages, and fields cross Kharungla (2350m), and almost immediately after a short descent, climbs and crosses another pass at 2430m. Curling around the ridges and narrow valleys arrive at the pleasant town of Wamrong (2130m), where the travelers stop for lunch. From Wrong it is around 20km/45min to Pemagatshel junction, mostly descending through small villages, with views of distant houses and plains below.
Pemagatshel town is around 29km/45min drive each way along this side road. It is the district headquarter of the smallest district in Bhutan. Unless you have an extra day for an excursion, there is not much to do in the town. From the Junction, continuing south, there is a stretch of road called Menlong Brak, where the road is cut through a sheer cliff and makes an amazing descent to Narphung. Then cross the ridge and climb to 1920m before making the final descent and arrive in Deothang (800m) after about 2hrs from Pema Gatshel junction.
A large Army camp with few shops and road workers’ homes dominates Deothang. From Deothang, it takes around half an hour to cover an 18km of descent to the valley floor. The vegetation changes almost abruptly to Sal and teak forests as you enter Samdrup Jongkhar.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Samdrup Jongkhar.
Places and attractions:
After breakfast, drive to Guwahati, the capital town of the Indian north-eastern state of Assam which is 110 kilometers and nearly 3 – 3 ½ hours drive from Samdrup Jongkhar for a flight either Yonphula airport for your onwards departure or drive back to Paro via Bumthang for departure.
- Inclusion
- Exclusion
- Insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
