Through the Lens of Bhutan

During the journey to Bhutan, you will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Later in the afternoon, you will visit Paro Dzong. It was built in the 17th century and now houses government offices and religious institutions. You will then visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally believed to have been built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. In the evening, you can stroll through Paro town. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

In the morning, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, situated at an altitude of 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After lunch, you will explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, which is 54 km from Paro Airport and takes about 45 minutes. You will visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan; Changangkha Monastery; the Motithang Takin Preserve, where you will see Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin; the Traditional Paper Factory; the Weaving Centre; and Tashichho Dzong. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will visit Buddha Point, where you can see the large bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma. The three-storey throne of the statue consists of temples on each floor. You will then visit the School of Arts and Crafts, also known as the Painting School; the Post Office, where you can personalize your own stamps; the weekend local market; Semtokha Dzong; Dechenphodrang Monastic School; and a nunnery. In the evening, you can stroll through Thimphu town. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast this morning, you will enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with a stop for tea at Dochula Pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can enjoy views of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, you will drive downhill through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will continue through rice fields and along the banks of the Punakha River before arriving in Punakha. On the way to Punakha, you will stop at Metsina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple. After lunch, you will visit Punakha Dzong, which is situated between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After an early breakfast, you will start your drive to Trongsa via Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Bhutan and is a winter roosting place for the black-necked cranes. You will visit Gangtey Goenpa, one of the important Nyingma monasteries in Bhutan. Gyalse Pema Thinlay built a small temple here in 1613, which was later enlarged into a Goenpa by the second reincarnation, Tenzin Legpai Dhendup. You will then continue your drive and reach Pele La Pass (3,300 meters), where you can stop for a few minutes to take photos and stretch your legs. Your next stop will be Chendebji for lunch. After lunch, you will continue your drive to Trongsa. Overnight at a hotel in Trongsa.

After an early breakfast, you will start your drive to Bumthang. On the way, you will cross Yotong La Pass (3,450 meters), after which you will enter the Bumthang region. Along the way, you will stop at a Yathra textile weaving factory, where Yathras are made with unique patterns that have been preserved for generations in Bumthang. You can also watch some of the weavers working at their looms. After lunch, you will visit Kurjey Lhakhang, where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have left his body imprint inside a cave. You will also visit Jambay Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhang. In the evening, you can stroll freely around Bumthang town. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, you will enjoy a full day of festival dances and celebrations with the people of Bumthang and nearby villages. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today, you will make an excursion to Tang Valley, one of the more remote valleys in Bumthang. While in Tang, you will visit the 16th-century Ugyen Chholing Palace, a country manor that has now been turned into a museum. The well-captioned exhibits offer insights into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. You will also explore the nearby villages. On the way back to Bumthang town, you will see Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures are believed to have been discovered in the 15th century by the famous treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

You will begin your journey to eastern Bhutan. You will pass through Ura Village, which has a medieval look with its cobblestone streets and traditional way of life. Eastern Bhutan is different from western and central Bhutan in terms of development and lifestyle. The drive on this day takes around 6 hours, particularly through Thrumshing La Pass (3,750 meters). You will stop for a while to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery around the pass. After crossing the pass, you will enter eastern Bhutan. Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

After breakfast, you will drive to Lhuntse, a remote district of Bhutan famous for its intricate and colourful textiles. Formerly known as Kurtoe, the region is considered the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family. The landscape is characterised by steep cliffs, gorges and dense coniferous forests. You will explore Khoma Village, where you can see women weaving traditional textiles with their skilled hands. Later in the evening, you will drive back to Mongar. Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

After breakfast, you will proceed to Trashigang, passing through Kori La Pass (2,450 meters) and several villages. In the afternoon, you will visit Trashigang Dzong. In the evening, you can stroll around Trashigang town. Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

Today, you will drive to Rangjung and visit Rangjung Monastery. You will then drive a few miles further to explore Radhi and Phongmey villages, which are renowned for their traditional Bura textiles made from raw silk. You can have a picnic lunch at a farmhouse. You may also meet Brokpas, nomadic people from Merak and Sakteng, who sometimes come to the area to barter yak butter, cheese and dried meat for other food commodities. Later in the evening, you will drive back to Trashigang. Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

After breakfast, you will begin your drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. This will be a scenic journey passing through villages and varied tropical broadleaf forests. You will make stops at Kanglung, Khaling and Narphung to interact with the locals. In the evening, you can stroll around Samdrup Jongkhar town. Overnight at a hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.

After breakfast, you will drive to Guwahati Airport for your departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.