If you are looking for an adventure journey, then this tour is the perfect one. Bhutan’s meandering roads are no less adventurous than any in the world. With the addition of majestic wonders, Bhutan’s Wild West may come across slightly, but the views of the landscape and wildlife en route will swiftly take your mind off the trek! Trek up to the Bumthang valley and remote, unspoiled villages in the east. In Nutshell, it’s a Cross Bhutan Trail trip transcending thousands of years of culture, history, and nature.
DAY 01: PARO
Arrive at Paro International Aiport
Places to visit on your first day in Paro are the Paro Dzong, National Museum, and the nearby Kyichu Temple which was built in the 8th century.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Bhutan Mandala Resort (or similar)
DAY 02: HIKE TO “Tiger’s Nest”
Hike to the Guru’s Glory. Takshang or Tiger Nest is considered one of the holiest sites in the entire Buddhist faith. It will take almost half a day to complete the hike.
In the evening visit, the homestay in the Paro valley to enjoy the traditional hot stone bath, and local’s foods, try playing traditional archery games (National sports of Bhutan) and have good interaction with the local families.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay: Paro
DAY 03: PARO TO HAA
Start the day with a visit to Dzongdrakha village, the village clings to a cliff overlooking rice fields and Paro valley. Then hike up to Kila Gompa Monastery. Continue hiking to Chele La Pass.
Arrive at Haa valley. Have an orientation walk in the small town of Haa.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Rigsum (or similar)
DAY 04: HAA TO THIMPHU
Travel to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. En route, visit Dobji Dzong. After lunch, visit painting schools, the center for Bhutan arts and crafts, the Takin Zoo, the National Memorial Chorten, and the traditional handmade paper factory.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Tara Phendeyling (or similar)
DAY 05: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA
Head towards Punakha. En route, stop off at Dochula Pass, and visit the 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens. The next stop is at Thinleygang to visit Tomb Changdana Lhakhang.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort
DAY 6: PUNAKHA
Visit Khamsum Yuelley Lhakhang. Later, visit Punakha Dzong (an ancient castle fortress built in 1637). After lunch visit Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Zhingkham Resort (or similar)
DAY 07: PUNAKHA TO PHOBJIKHA VALLEY
Travel to Gangtey valley. En route, visit the under-construction Wangduephodrang Dzong. Upon arrival, visit the beautiful valley and take a look around the sacred Gangtey Gompa.
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Village Homestay (or similar)
DAY8: PHOBJIKHA TO BUMTHANG
Drive to Bumthang. En route, visit Trongsa Dzong and the Museum at Ta Dzong. Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Gongkhar (or similar)
DAY 9: BUMTHANG
Visit Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurjey Lhakhang, and then walk towards Tamzhing Monastery. Visit Wangdicholing palace in the evening. Have an orientation walk along the street of Bumthang.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Gongkhar (or similar)
DAY 10: DAY EXCURSION TO TANG WITH A PICNIC LUNCH
Drive to Tang valley. Hike to the Ugyencholing museum, later visit Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, Tang nunnery monastery, and Zangtogpelhri Lhakhang. In the evening, hike back from Nunnery monastery to the Dhungmithang (Sheep breeding center).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Gongkhar (or similar)
DAY11: BUMTHANG TO MONGAR
Travel from Bumthang to Mongar. Stop at Ura village and stroll around the village. Then resume the journey.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation; Wangchuk Hotel (or similar)
DAY12: MONGARF TO TAKILA
Travel to Takila.Visit the Giant Statue of Guru Rinpoche. Then visit Khomo village which is famous for producing the most fabric called Kushetahra.
In the evening drive back to Mongar
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation; Wangchuk Hotel (or similar)
DAY 13: MONGAR/TRASHIGANG
Travel to Trashigang. En route, visit Dragmitse lhakhang. In the evening, stroll along the street of the small town of Trashigang.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Druk Doejung Hotel
DAY 14: DAY EXCURSION TO TRASHIYANGTSE WITH A PICNIC LUNCH
Drive to Trashi Yangtse from Trashigang. Visit the very sacred Gom Kora monastery. Then visit another holy site known as Chorten Kora.
Travel back to Trashigang
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Druk Doejung Hotel
DAY 15: RAW SILK AND RICE FIELDS (RADHI VILLAGE)
Drive for an hour and visit the monastic school founded by Garab Rimpoche. This is the biggest Nyimapa school in the east. Visit Radhi village and visit some houses to see women weaving. In the evening drive back to Tashigang, en route stop at Tanjung village and stall around for some time.
Overnight at the hotel: Trashigang
DAY 16: TRAHIGANG TO SAMDRUPJONGKHAR
Travel towards Samdrup Jongkhar, the extreme east of Bhutan. En route, visit Sherubtse College, Kanglung Monastery, and the Khaling textile weaving center.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Accommodation: Mountain Hotel (or similar)
DAY 17: DEPARTURE
Depart from Samdrup Jongkhar for Guwahati