| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guwahati – Samdrup Jongkhar – Tashigang | Early morning pick-up at 5 o’clock in Guwahati and drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. Meet your Bhutanese guide and driver who will manage all immigration formalities. ➜ Begin the full-day drive ascending into the Himalayas, with a blessing stop at a Hindu hermit's shrine for journey safety. ➜ Visit Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, the first Bhutanese Buddhist temple on the route, featuring detailed mural paintings. ➜ In the afternoon, stop in Khaling village to explore the National Handloom Development Project preserving local weaving traditions, and visit the National Institute for the Visually Impaired, which developed a Bhutanese version of Braille. ➜ Pass Karma Thegsum Dechenling Goemba (a large monastery school), Sherubtse College (Bhutan’s first university, founded in 1978), and visit a temple in Kanglung village. ➜ Arrive in Tashigang by evening. |
| 2 | Tashigang, excursion to Tashiyangtse | Morning visit to Trashigang Dzong, a 17th-century fortress with scenic valley views and several temples and government offices inside. ➜ Drive (~2 hours) to Trashi Yangtse, stopping en route at Gom Kora temple, where Guru Padmasambhava left his body imprints. ➜ In clear weather, enjoy mountain views along the drive. Visit Trashi Yangtse Dzong, home to 300 monks and formerly a defensive post on the Tibetan trade route, founded by Pema Lingpa in the 15th century. ➜ See the impressive Chorten Kora, Bhutan’s largest Nepali-style stupa and a key site for two local festivals early in the year. ➜ Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where youth learn traditional Bhutanese crafts to preserve heritage. ➜ If time permits in winter, detour to Bumdeling bird reserve to try spotting the rare Black Necked Cranes. ➜ Return to Trashigang in the evening. |
| 3 | Tashigang – Mongar | Drive to Mongar (3.5 hours), with an optional 2-hour detour to Drametse Gompa, a major monastery where the Naga Chham mask dance originated. The dance is now part of UNESCO’s heritage list. Drametse Monastery was founded in the 16th century by descendants of Pema Lingpa and features many chapels with important statues of saints and protector deities. ➜ If interested in hiking, consider a scenic 1.5-hour hike from Drametse to Baging La via Shergang village (subject to road conditions), or an easier 30-minute downhill walk to Baging village. ➜ In Mongar, visit its dzong (castle), built in 1930 but reflecting traditional Bhutanese architecture. |
| 4 | Mongar, excursion to Lhuentse | Drive to remote Lhuntse, one of Bhutan’s most isolated districts, known for dramatic landscapes with cliffs, gorges, conifer forests, and terraced fields of rice, millet, and corn. ➜ Detour to Takey La to see the recently built gigantic statue of Guru Rinpoche, with richly decorated chapels inside. ➜ Continue to Khoma village, renowned for its exceptionally fine woven textiles favored even by Bhutan’s royal family. Enjoy lunch in a local house and taste regional delicacies. ➜ Visit Lhuntse Dzong, a spectacular monastery-castle with seven chapels and a welcoming monk community. ➜ Drive back to Mongar. |
| 5 | Mongar – Jakar | Begin the 7+ hour journey westward through rugged landscapes, ascending 3,200 meters over 84 km of spectacular mountain road. ➜ After an hour, pass the ruins of Sengor Dzong (burned in 1899) and roadside chortens built in memory of 300 workers who died during 1970s road construction. ➜ Stop at Namling Waterfall and then cross Thrumshing-La Pass (3,580 m), Bhutan’s second-highest motorable pass. ➜ Stop at the rhododendron garden after the pass to observe various rhododendron species. ➜ Visit Ura village, then continue to Shertong-La Pass (3,580 m). From a sharp turn just after the pass, Gangkhar Puensum (Bhutan’s highest mountain) may be visible in clear weather. ➜ Arrive in Jakar in the evening. |
| 6 | Jakar | Visit Jakar Dzong and the ancient Jambay Lhakhang, which pins down the leg of a giant demoness. ➜ Walk to Kurjey Lhakhang temple complex and enjoy a riverside picnic lunch. ➜ Continue to Tamshing Gompa, where you can “wipe your sins” using a chain made by saint Pema Lingpa. ➜ Explore Kenchosum Lhakhang, known for its beautiful paintings and being the seat of Pema Lingpa's reincarnation. ➜ Rest of the day at leisure or with optional program suggested by your guide. |
| 7 | Jakar – Gangtey | Drive to Trongsa via Yotong-La Pass (3,550 m) and visit the dzong from where Bhutan’s royal dynasty began. ➜ Explore the Ta Dzong museum, featuring artifacts related to the royal family, Bhutanese history, and religion. ➜ Drive to Pele-La Pass (3,540 m), historically marking the boundary between east and west Bhutan. Stop at Chendebji Stupa, modeled after Nepal’s Boudhanath. ➜ Arrive in Gangtey by evening. |
| 8 | Gangtey – Punakha / Wangdue | Visit Gangtey Gompa, a hilltop monastery of the Nyingma school with panoramic valley views. ➜ Walk through the village and enjoy one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and easy hikes (2.5 hours) through buckwheat fields and lichen-draped forests to a marshland viewpoint—home to Black Necked Cranes in winter. ➜ Descend to the valley and visit Kewa Lhakhang, a new monastery built where a demoness was once subdued. ➜ Dine at a local farmhouse and try regional specialties like salty suja tea and ara spirit. ➜ Visit the Black Necked Crane Center with an informative documentary and exhibition on conservation efforts. ➜ Drive to Wangdue and arrive by evening. |
| 9 | Wangdue / Punakha – Thimphu | Morning hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for views over terraced rice fields and the valley. ➜ Visit Punakha Dzong, considered Bhutan’s most beautifully decorated castle. ➜ Take a short walk to Chhimmy Lhakhang, the temple of the “Divine Madman,” Drukpa Kunley. ➜ If time permits, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery, featuring a stupa overlooking the valley. ➜ Drive over Dochu-La Pass and enjoy views of the Himalayan peaks and 108 stupas before arriving in Thimphu. |
| 10 | Thimphu – Paro | Visit Buddha Dordenma, the giant statue overlooking Thimphu, and walk to a city viewpoint. ➜ See the bustling Memorial Chorten and stroll through Norzin Lam street, observing traffic police in a city without traffic lights. ➜ Visit the handicraft market, handmade paper factory, and Thangka painting center where young artists train. ➜ Continue to Changankha Lhakhang, the oldest worship site in the valley, and visit Tashicho Dzong, the seat of the king and government. ➜ Evening transfer to Paro. |
| 11 | Paro | Visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), filming site of “Little Buddha.” ➜ Explore Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan. ➜ Climb to Taktsang Gompa (Tiger’s Nest), the iconic highlight of Bhutan. If the full hike is too strenuous, you can go halfway to the viewpoint cafeteria for a scenic view of the monastery. Plan your hike according to weather and fitness. |
| 12 | Departure | Morning program depending on departure time. ➜ Drive to Paro airport for your flight or continue by road to the Indian border at Phuntsholing for overland departure. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Going opposite way from Paro to Guwahati: Tour can be also conducted opposite way starting in Paro (or Phuntsholing) and ending in Guwahati.
- Tang valley visit (+1 day): Stay one more night in Bumthang to visit Tang valley with interesting museum of village life in Ugyencholing palace. You can even stay overnight there as a guest of local nobility which owns palace to thiese days.
- Merak-Sakteng (+2 to 4 days): Off beaten trail trek in eastern Bhutan is open just few years for tourist. You can experience life of Borkpas, distinctive nomadic tribe famous for their tailed berets and carmine red jackets. You can either just visit Merak village and get back to Trashigang next evening or you can make a hike to Sakteng and extend your stay in the country of yeti for a while. Hike is of easy to moderate difficulty and is accompanied by various cultural programs and interaction with the local people.
- Gasa Hot springs (+1 or 2 days): Gasa is highland region north of Punakha, just recently connected by road. Apart from beautiful dzong and vistas of nearby high peaks, you can enjoy the natural hot springs, so called "tsachu". There is a number of pools with different temperatures. Water is sulfurous and it's believed it's beneficial for number of skin ailments. Additional experience can be spending overnight here in local farmhouse to try authentic Bhutanese hospitality.
- Omit Gangtey, Lhuentse or Tashiyangtse (-1 to -3 days): To make tour even shorter, you can omit visit to mentioned places, although it is not recommended.