Leisure Bhutan packages

Day 1 : Guwahati Airport, India – Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan

Today you will be greeted at Guwahati airport by our Indian ground operator. Transfer by private taxi to the India-Bhutan border and the bustling town of Samdrup Jongkhar where you will spend your first night in Bhutan. Samdrup Jongkhar is your typical border town with little of interest, being slightly chaotic and generally lacking in the charms the rest of Bhutan will unfold to you. The remainder of the day is at leisure to wander about the small bazaar area.

So please prepare for a ‘hard’ start and your rewards will come as your travel into Bhutan’s heartland. Please also note that hotels in Samdrup Jongkhar are generally only a 2 star standard however from the Tashigang onwards you will notice a distinct improvement in hotel quality.

Overnight at 2+ stars hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.

Day 2 : Samdrup Jongkhar – Trashigang

An early morning departure from Samdrup Jongkhar to Trashigang. En-route visit the small and relatively undeveloped village of Womrong which will offer your first view of a small Bhutanese Dzong and soon after the Zangto Pelri Lhakhang (temple). Next stop is Khaling, the site of an historic battlefield and location of the National Hand loom Centre, where young girls from all over Bhutan are trained in traditional hand weaving and vegetable dyeing. Finally visit the university town of Kanglung.

Trashigang is a lively and interesting town and the bars are worth a visit this evening although they do close early at 8.00pm.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Tashigang.

Day 3 : Sightseeing in the Trashigang region

Eastern Bhutan is the heartland of weaving in the Kingdom and Bhutanese weavings and textiles are generally acknowledged as amongst the finest in the world. You will have an excellent opportunity to both trade and interact with the weavers themselves on today’s excursion to the weaving village of Radi, approx. 2.5 hours (each way) eastwards from Trashigang.

For those who wish to have the day at leisure you are welcome to spend time exploring Trashigang on your own or to take a short hike. The Dzong is worth visiting and offers excellent views from a high promontory overlooking the confluence of the Drangme Chhu (river) and Gamri Chhu. Up until the beginning of the 20th century all of eastern Bhutan was governed from this Dzong.

Day 4 : Trashigang – Tashiyantse

One of the newest dzongkhags in the country, Trashi yangtse was established as a distinct district in 1992 and spans 1,437 sq. km of subtropical and alpine forests. With its wealth of natural, historical and cultural resources Trashi yangtse is a destination that visitors to Bhutan will never forget.

At an elevation of 1750-1880 m, Trashi yangtse is an ethnically and culturally diverse district and the inhabitants include Yangtseps, the regions indigenous dwellers, Tshanglas, Bramis from Tawang, Khengpas from Zhemgang and Kurtoeps from Lhuentse. This rich cultural tapestry has resulted in an interesting mix of languages and cultural practices in the region. Three major languages are spoken in Trashiyangtse. In the north, including Bumdeling and Toetsho Gewogs, inhabitants speak Dzala. In the south, Tshangla (Sharchopkha), the lingua franca of eastern Bhutan, is spoken in Jamkhar, Khamdang, and Ramjar Gewogs. In Tomzhangtshen Gewog, residents speak Chocangacakha.

The people of the region have developed incredible skill at woodworking and paper making. The items they produce such as traditional wooden bowls are prized throughout the country. It contains a major art school, the School of Traditional Arts, which is a sister school of the School of Traditional Arts in Thimphu and teaches six forms of art; painting, pottery, wood sculpture, wood-turning, lacquer-work and embroidery.

Trashi yangtse district is home to some of the country's important protected areas. It contains the Kulong Chhu Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1993, which itself is part of the larger Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. Bumdeling Sanctuary currently covers the northern half of Trashi yangtse (the gewogs of Bumdeling and Yangste), as well as substantial portions of neighbouring districts.

Day 5 : Tashiyantse -Trashigang

A 2-hour drive from Trashigang is Chorten Kora, modeled after Boudhanath stupa in Nepal, where local people and Dakpa people from Arunachal Pradesh (India) gather in February/March for a festival to circumambulate the chorten.

A similar festival in Gom Kora takes place 10 days later. Bumdeling to the north is home to wintering black-necked cranes and to Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory, the national butterfly of Bhutan. Important religious sites are found all over the Dzongkhag including Pemaling in the alpine area; Rigsum Gonpa, Dechenphodrang ney and Omba ney (the Taktshang of East Bhutan) between 2000 and 3000m, and Gongza ney and Gom Kora along the Drangme Chhu (800-900m).

Day 6 : Trashigang

Today we will meet with Bhutanese old age people around Trashigang,visit FarmeHouse,enjoy night with local people of Trashigang

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Tashigang

Day 7 : Trashigang – Mongar

Enjoy a leisurely start for your journey westwards to Mongar today. There are no major points of interest in Mongar however it is essential to stop here en-route to the central Bumthang valleys and avoid a tortuous 11.5 hour road trip. When you descend into the valley of the Kuri Chhu you pass extensive cornfields and at the valley floor rice terraces, and tropical fruits such as mango and pineapples, flourish.

When traveling though eastern Bhutan the dominant language is Sharchop which is different enough from Dzongkha (the national language of Bhutan) . The towns between west and east Bhutan also differ as in western Bhutan most towns are situated in valleys whereas in eastern Bhutan most towns, including Mongar, are situated at the tops of hills or ridges.

Day 8 : Mongar to Lhuntse

In the northeastern corner of Bhutan lies the ancient region of Kurtoe or Lhuntse as it is known today. It is the ancestral home of our Kings and hosts several of the sacred sites of pilgrimage in the country. It is located 77km from Mongar (3 hours’ drive) and is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan.

The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs towering above river gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is famous for its weavers and their distinctive textiles are generally considered to be the best in the country. Kurtoep women are especially adept at weaving a textile called Kishuthara. Eastern Bhutanese culture is distinctive in its high alcohol consumption in relation to other parts of Bhutan. Ara, the traditional alcohol of Bhutan, is most often home made from rice or maize, either fermented or distilled. It may only be legally produced and consumed privately.

Some of the attractions in the region include the Lhuntse Dzong, Khoma village (famous for weaving), Singye Dzong, the beyul Khenpajong and the Phunying Pass. The textile products of Khoma village in Lhuntse are stated to be the best in the country. The weaving handicraft looms are common sight in almost every household.

Most of Lhuntse district is part of the environmentally protected areas of Bhutan. The district contains parts of Wangchuck Centennial Park in the north, Thrumshingla National Park in the south and Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary in the east. These three parks are connected by biological corridors that crisscross the central and southern regions of the district.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Mongar.

Day 9 : Mongar – Bumthang

Early morning departure to Jakar, in the Choekhor Valley, for this second and final longer drive on your journey through the Kingdom. The route between Mongar & Jakar is one of the most spectacular drives in the country. When crossing the Thrumsing La (Bhutan’s highest pass at 3780 metres) you are now officially departing eastern Bhutan & entering western Bhutan.

En route visit the Ura valley, the highest valley in Bumthang, and believed by some to have been the home of Bhutan’s earliest inhabitants. The cobbled streets of the very traditional village of Ura give a medieval feel and the old women of this region still wear sheepskin shawls on their backs which double as a blanket and cushion.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Bumthang.

Day 10 : Leisure in Bumthang Valleys today

A free day to take some suggestions above or enjoy one of the many hikes available in this region.

Day 11 : Bumthang –Phobjikha Valley

Continue westwards via the Pele La (Pass) which crosses through the Black Mountains National Park and divides western and central Bhutan. This is the best place in Bhutan to see yaks from the road. You will pass the village of Rukubji surrounded by extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley and wheat and keep a watchful eye out for Rhesus Macaques.

Until recently the Phobjikha valley’s only electricity came from solar or mini hydro plants. In 2011 underground cabled electricity is gradually connecting the valley to the national grid. Potatoes are this region’s primary cash crop once exported to India. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and the winter home (late October to early February) of the rare black necked crane, which annually flies in from Tibet. There are also barking deer, wild boar, sambar, Himalayan black bear, leopard and red foxes.

Day 12 : Phobjikha – Punakha Valley

This morning depart westwards for the Punakha valley. As you pass the dramatic Wangdue Phodrang Dzong(destroyed by fire in June 2012). Noticed the large cacti that cover the surrounding hillsides. These were planted long ago to discourage invaders from climbing the steep slope to the Dzong. From this point you can also view Rinchengang, one of Bhutan’s oldest villages, which did not have access to water, electricity or schooling until the early 1990’s. The craftsmen of Rinchengang are stonemasons, originally from India, and sought after for their skills in construction of Dzongs and Lhakhangs (temples).

Punakha holds the title as the winter capital because of its more temperate climate. Arriving into the valley visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman or Mad Monk), which is a pleasant, easy 20 minute walk across paddy fields. It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing) from the resident monk. Continue on to the local Nunnery which was built by the maternal grandfather of the king.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Punakha.

Day 13 : Punakha – Thimphu

This morning transfer by road to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, via Dochu La (Pass). At the pass view the 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen, and a memorial to those who lost their lives during the low intensity conflict in late 2003 when Bhutan evicted Indian rebels camped in the jungle on the Bhutan – Indian border. On a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya.

Visit the Semtokha Dzong built in 1629, the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded Thimphu.

Take time to wander Thimphu’s main streets which are safe and do consider a visit to a local bar this evening.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Thimphu.

Day 14 : Sightseeing in Thimphu

This morning visit the biggest sitting Golden Buddha statue offering wonderful views of Thimphu city. Continue with the visit to the National Memorial Stupa, the celebrated Royal Textile Academy. Next visit Zorig Chusum – the Institute for the 13 Arts & Crafts of Bhutan where you can interact with the students (week days except holiday/exam time and has restricted hours.

This afternoon other visit options are the colorful weekend markets, the Craft Bazaar on main street, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Post Office where you can have a stamp produced with your image on it and the Handmade Paper Factory.

For those who have an interest in quality weavings and local art check out the Gagyel Lhundrup weaving centre, where you ca interact with the weavers.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Thimphu.

Day 15 : Thimphu – Paro

Depart Thimphu at leisure for your short drive on Bhutan’s best road to the Paro Valley with a few short stops for sightseeing en route. Take lunch at a Paro town restaurant followed by an orientation tour of Paro valley’s main sights including the Rinpung Dzong with its cantilever bridge; Kyichu Lhakang, a most revered temple boasting an Orange Tree that perpetually bears fruit and the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong. This Dzong is the site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory from which the Bhutanese effectively repelled constant attacks from Tibet.

Day 16 : Paro Valley Hiking & Sightseeing

This morning end your Bhutan adventure on a high with a pilgrimage hike to the majestic Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tigers Nest’. This is a pilgrimage all Bhutanese Buddhists endeavor to make at least once in their lives and each step they make along the trail counts as credits towards a bright future.

Choose between a 1.5 to 2 hour hike to the monastery viewpoint, with a café offering excellent Bhutanese vegetarian food & refreshments, or be bold and take the 5 hour round trip hike into the monastery itself – recommended only for the fit and active as this can be quite a strenuous hike with many, many, stairs to contend with. The result is well worth it all the same.

Time permitting we encourage a wander along Paro’s main streets for some final shopping for souvenir or step into the best fresh coffee shop called Champaka.

Overnight at 3 stars hotel in Paro.

Day 17 : International Departure to your onwards destination