In this tour, you will visit four regions of eastern and central Bhutan – including the sacred valleys of Paro and Bumthang, and the “bustling” city of Thimphu – the seat of the world’s newest democracy in 2008. Plus you will discover the isolated regions of eastern Bhutan where few tourists venture.
We will visit fortress-like Dzongs (temples), see traditional handicrafts being made, and make visits to smaller villages on one of our famous “village strolls”. Depending on the timing of the tour we will include local religious dance festivals on the itinerary.
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Premium Bhutanese luxury countryside house surrounded by lush greenery and scenic hills
The flight to Bhutan takes you over the great Himalayas, offering (clouds permitting!) the most scintillating scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. Upon your arrival representative from Truly Bhutan will receive you and transfer you to your hotel through the fascinating valley of Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
After breakfast, visit Ta Dzong (national Museum). Rinpung Dzong (the fortress of the heap of Jewels built in the 17th century). After lunch visits the ruined Drukgyel Dzong, the place of the historic war between Tibet and Bhutan in the 17th century; Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century during the reign of the first Tibetan king. Evening leisure walk in Paro mini town. Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Morning hike to Taktsang Monastery, the hike will take about an hour uphill to the viewpoint and another hour to the monastery. Guru Rinpoche visited and meditated in the 8th century at this particular site & Lunch at the cafeteria on way down. Later stroll down the road and drive to Thimphu for about one and a half hours. Thimphu is the modern capital town of Bhutan, it has about 100,000 inhabitants.
Overnight in hotel.
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
Sightseeing includes – The folk and Heritage Museum; Late King’s Memorial Stupa; Traditional Hand made Paper Factory; Painting School; Dupthob Lhakhang, Tashichhodzong; the textile museum; Sangay Gang to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. National Handicraft Emporium. Evening free walk in busy Thimphu City.
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
Depart to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,100m). The pass offers the most spectacular view over the greater eastern Himalayas including the highest peak of Bhutan, a Short excursion of about an hour to the temple of “the Divine Madman”, through villages and the rice fields, and Arrive at Punakha the capital city of Bhutan till 1955. The Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot, resides there during the winter and later in the evening visit Punakha Dzong.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Depart to Trongsa via Gangtey. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of the rare black-necked crane, which migrates from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. Explore Phobjikha and also visit Gangtey Monastery. Continue your journey crossing Pele la Pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Stop for late lunch at Chendbji Chorten.
Arrive in Trongsa and check into the lodge overnight.
Places and attractions:
- Trongsa Dzong
- Ta Dzong
- Thruepang Palace
- Kuenga Rabten Palace
- Chendebji Chorten
- Trongsa Tshechu
In the morning visit Trongsa Dzong. Then visit Ta Dzong (watchtower museum). Drive to the Kuenga Rabten Palace, south of Trongsa. After lunch drives about 3 hours to Bumthang. Stop at Chumey weaving center producing a typical woolen product from Bumthang valley.
Overnight at Bumthang.
Places and attractions:
- Jakar Dzong
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Ura Valley
- Red Panda Brewery
- Mebartsho
Morning – visit Kurjey Lhakhang; Jambay Lhakhang; short visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in the 15th century by Pema Lingpa, the treasure revealer; Jakar Dzong, the Dzong of white bird, which houses the administrative seat of the district.
Evening, take a stroll through the Bumthang market area.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Jakar Dzong
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Ura Valley
- Red Panda Brewery
- Mebartsho
The journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain, spectacular views will take about 6 to 7 hours. Pass through the picturesque Ura village before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass – 3,700 m (12,465ft).
Gradually drop to Sengor, watching cascading waterfalls on the way. The descent stops at 2,130ft on a bridge over the Kurichu. Vegetation becomes more tropical and we ascend again through pine forests, maize fields, and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit the recently built Mongar Dzong.
Overnight at a local hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Mongar Dzong
- Yagang Lhakhang
- Drametse Lhakhang
- Zhongar Dzong
- Phunying La
- Aja Nye
This trip of about 96 km passes through Kori la pass (2,450m). The road descends rapidly through cornfields and banana groves arriving at the famous zigzags of Yadi, which is a recent settlement. We then follow the Gamri River until the bifurcation to Drametse; this temple perched on top of a steep hill was founded by Chorten Zangmo and is the most important monastery in eastern Bhutan. The famous masks dancing with drums originated from here. About 30km onwards lies Trashigang, the biggest and most populated district in the country. In the evening Visit Dzong.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Trashigang Dzong
- Chador Lhakhang
- Rangjung Monastery
- Trashigang Radhi
- Merak & Sakteng
- Muenselling Institute
- Khaling National Handloom
Today, we’ll visit Rangjung Monastery one of the Nyingmapa monasteries overseen by Garab Rinpoche. Although it’s relatively new it has unique Tibetan-style architecture and paintings that are completely different from other temples. A few km beyond is Radhi village, well known for raw silk weaving in the east.
Places and attractions:
- Trashigang Dzong
- Chador Lhakhang
- Rangjung Monastery
- Trashigang Radhi
- Merak & Sakteng
- Muenselling Institute
- Khaling National Handloom
24kms from Trashigang visit the temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial plateau overlooking the river. Gom Kora is the famous place where Guru Rinpoche is dedicated in order to subdue a demon. In former times Trashiyangtse was an important center because it lay on one of the caravan routes leading from western and central Bhutan.
Evening return to Trashigang.
Places and attractions:
- Chorten Kora
- Bumdeling
- Rigsum Goemba
- Tshenkharla Dzong
- Ombha Ney
- Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory
- Black Necked Cranes
Drive to Samdrup Jongkhar for about six hours. Enroute stop Wamrong Zangdopelri.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- S|Jongkhar Dzong
- Chokyi Gyatso Institute
- Mithun Breeding Farm
- Zangdo Pelri Lhakhang
- S|Jongkhar Tshechu
Morning drive to the Guwahati airport in Assam(India) about three hours from Bhutan border for flight to onward destination.
- 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.
Bhutan Travel Info
Travel Essentials
- Travel/Medical Insurance: Ensure a worry-free journey with Bhutan's dedicated travel and medical insurance plans offered by the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan. Visit RICB for more information.
- Banking: Modern banking facilities are available in urban areas of Bhutan, with banks like Bank of Bhutan Limited, Druk PNB, and Bhutan National Bank. ATMs are common in Thimphu and Phuentsholing, but scarce in rural areas. Complete your banking in major cities.
- Money Matters: Bhutan's currency is the Ngultrum (Nu), which is equivalent in value to the Indian Rupee. Foreign travelers should bring traveler’s cheques or cash, especially USD. Credit cards like Visa and American Express are accepted in most areas.
- Communication: Bhutan's telecommunications are well-developed with internet cafes, mobile phone coverage, and international roaming available in most towns.
- Electricity: Bhutan operates on 230 volts and 50 Hertz. Ensure your devices are compatible with the three types of plugs commonly used.
- Time Zone: Bhutan's time is six hours ahead of GMT.
Health, Safety, and Customs
- Health and Inoculations: Recommended vaccinations include tetanus, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Avoid untreated water and ice cubes; instead, opt for bottled water, which is readily available.
- Safety Precautions: Bhutan is generally safe, but avoid walking alone or staying out late, especially after 9 PM. Secure your belongings, particularly in the capital, Thimphu.
- Customs Regulations: Personal belongings, 1 liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and professional equipment are exempt from customs duty. Importing restricted items, such as wildlife products, antiques, and drugs, is prohibited.
Accommodation, Food, and Shopping
- Accommodation: Bhutan offers a range of accommodations, from quality 3-star to luxury 5-star hotels in places like Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha. Travelers can also opt for camping when venturing beyond urban areas.
- Food: Bhutanese cuisine is rich and spicy, featuring dishes like ema datshi. International cuisine such as Indian, Continental, and Chinese is available in most restaurants, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
- Shopping: Bhutan offers unique handicrafts, including hand-woven textiles, wooden bowls (Dapas), silver statues, Thangkas, and local postage stamps. Note that the buying and selling of antiques is strictly prohibited.
Travel Kits and Clothing
- Clothing and Essentials: Bhutan's climate is diverse, so dress in layers and pack accordingly. Respectful clothing is required when visiting monasteries and religious sites, and hats should be removed in sacred areas.
- Travel Kits: Pack items like sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, antihistamine cream, anti-diarrhea pills, a flashlight, warm clothes, and a hat. The diverse climate means temperatures range from 20-25°C in summer to below 15°C in winter.
Experiences and Activities
- Photography: Capture Bhutan's stunning landscapes, rural life, and architecture. Indoor photography in sacred sites requires special permission.
- Guides and Interpreters: Bhutan offers certified guides fluent in various languages, ensuring you get the best experience when visiting sacred sites and cultural landmarks.
- Festivals and Holidays: Each district in Bhutan celebrates its unique annual tshechu. Check local schedules to plan your visit around these vibrant festivals.
- Weights and Measures: Bhutan uses metric measurements for weight, with advanced electronic scales commonly found in major cities.
- Best Price Guaranteed
- Book Now, Pay Later
- Local Expertise
- Hand-Picked Hotels
- Value for money
- Quality Service
- Responsible Tourism
- Tailor-Made Holidays
- No Booking Fee
- 100% Visa Approval
- 24/7 Customer Service
- No Hidden Costs
