East-West Traverse

Day 1: Arrival at Paro – Paro Sightseeing

After arrival, visit Dungtse Lhakhang, which was built in 15th century.

Visit the National Museum, which once served as a watchtower to protect the Paro Rinpung Dzong below from invasions from all directions. A visit through the galleries shows the country’s transition from the Stone Age to a modern Mahayanist Buddhist and multicultural kingdom with its cultural heritage intact.

Visit the Rinpung Dzong. Fortress built in 1644 now houses the government administration offices of the district and district monastic body.

Overnight at Paro (2 Nights)

Day 2: Taktshang Excursion

After an early breakfast, drive to Satsham Chorten in Paro for a 4 hour excursion to Taktshang (Tiger's Lair). Perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 4000ft, Taktshang gets it's name from its foundation. It is one of the most venerated pilgrimme sites in the Himalayan world. Despite the fact that it has 13 holy places, most people can only visit the main site called Taktshang Pelphug.

Picnic lunch will be arranged at the Taktshang Cafeteria.

After the hike, visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Tenzin Drukdra built the dzong in 1649 at the behest of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate victory over Tibetan invasion. Unfortunately, this massive structure was razed down by fire in 1950s.

In 2016, it was announced that the Dzong will be rebuild and restored to its formerly glory to commemorate important events including the birth of the Crown Prince, 400 years since the visit of Zhabdrung in 1616, and the birth year of Guru Rimpoche.

At the end of the day, you can enjoy Hot Stone Bath at a Farm House.

Day 3: Paro - Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to the capital city Thimphu

En route visit Tachhogang Lhakhang, the Temple of the hill of Excellent Horses. This temple was built in 15th century as a result of visitation from Balaha, the Excellent Horse.

There, visit Semtokha Dzong. It was the first of its kind in Bhutan and was built in 1629 by the unifier of the country, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel

Visit the Great Buddha Dordema popularly known as Buddha Point. At 169 feet (52 m), it is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world. Sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of 13th Druk Desi (Temporal Ruler of Bhutan), it overlooks the Thimphu valley.

Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the 3rd King (reigned from 1952-72); affectionately known as the father of modern Bhutan.

In the late afternoon visit the Handicrafts Emporium and the Craft Bazaar if you like to browse through examples of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelries; interesting items made from local materials, and all manner of unique objects; and visit to the colorful Centenary Farmers’ Market. You may also like to check out the archery field for competition and practice and one or two good book stores for books on Bhutan.

Overnight in Thimphu (2 Nights)

Day 4: Thimphu Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit one of the oldest temples of the valley, the 15th century Changangkha Lhakhang.

In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, the massive structure that houses the office of the King, the Throne Room and part of Government Ministries. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the senior monks and the Chief Abbot (the Je Khenpo). It is the main Secretariat building. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1961 in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Optional: Visit Motithang Takin Preserve. Originally a small zoo, it was later converted to a preserve when it was observed that these animals refrained from inhabiting in the surrounding forest, even when they were set free following the Royal Decree that mandated animals should not be captivated.

The animal owes a special place in the culture of Bhutan and hence is the national animal.

Day 5: Thimphu – Punakha Sightseeing

After breakfast, proceed to Punakha valley, the ancient capital of Bhutan.

En route, enjoy the scenic beauty of the pass with the majestic Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and 108 stupas on the crest of Dochu La. If the sky is clear one will also be able to enjoy the panoramic view of beautiful mountain ranges and peaks of the Greater Himalaya including Gangkar Puensum (7497 M), probably the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

After an early lunch, visit the Grand Fortress of Punakha Dzong which houses the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. This massive fortress, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, is situated between two rivers known as Pho Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (female river)

Then drive 7 km upstream Puna-Tshang Chu and hike up to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, perched high on the strategic ridge above Punakha valley. En-route, visit the Dho Jhaga Lama Lhakhang

Overnight in Punakha (1 Night)

Day 6: Punakha – Gangtey Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey. Enroute you will be able to see the ruins of Wangdi Phodrang Dzong, built in 1639 AD.

Over an hour’s drive from Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is Gangtey. There, we will visit Gangtey Gompa (monastery) built in 1613 AD.

Take a two hour-long pleasurable walk along the Nature Trail

Lunch will be arranged at a farmhouse.

Then, explore Phobjikha valley, which is famous for being the winter home of endangered Black Necked Cranes. There, visit the crane centre.

Overnight at Gangtey (1 Night in a Farm house)

Day 7: Gangtey – Trongsa Sightseeing

After breakfast, drive towards Trongsa. Enroute is Pele La pass (3,300m) which has been the traditional boundary between Eastern and Western Bhutan.

Visit the most impressive fortress of Bhutan, Trongsa Dzong, built in 1644 AD. It is the ancestral home of the Royal Family and the first two kings ruled Bhutan from this fortress. Then, we will visit Ta Dzong, the ancient watchtower that safeguarded Trongsa Dzong. It is now renovated as a museum.

Overnight at Trongsa (1 Night)

Day 8: Trongsa – Bumthang Sightseeing

Early morning, after breakfast, you will be on a two and a half hour road to Bumthang. It is a pleasant drive through scenic forests and countryside including the valley of Chumey.

Besides being a beautiful place, akin to Switzerland, Bumthang is a place of historical importance and has many highly revered holy places.

After lunch, drive up to 1667 AD structure Jakar Dzong, followed by a visit Jampey Lhakhang, a temple that was constructed by the Tibetan King at the same time as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.

In the evening, take a leisurely stroll in Chamkhar Town.

Overnight at Bumthang (1 Night)

Day 9: Bumthang - Mongar Sightseeing

After an early breakfast drive towards Mongar. An hour later, we will spend some time exploring Ura valley.

Another hour or so will take you through Thrumshing La Pass (3800 m), the highest pass on this lateral highway.

Just before, Lingmethang, you will see the ruins of Shongar Dzong on the right side. It was built in 1100 by a lord from Ura and abandoned in the 19th century in favor of the new Mongar Dzong.

Another hour will take us to Mongar town.

Take a leisurely stroll around the town in the evening.

Overnight at Mongar (1 Night)

Day 10: Mongar - Trashigang Sightseeing

After breakfast, we will visit Mongar Dzong which was built in the 19th century. However the present Dzong was rebuilt in 1953 and is quite small.

Then, you will drive to Trashigang via Korila Pass (2450m) marked by a beautiful Chorten. From this point on is a gradual descend for an hour till Sherichu (700m) and then drive along the left side of Drangmechu till reaching Chagzam at the base of Trashigang Dzong. It takes another half an hour to reach Trashigang Town.

Trashigang is about 90 kms from Mongar which takes over three hours.

After lunch a visit to massive Trashigang Dzong will be arranged. It was built in 1668 by Bhutan’s third Temporal Ruler (1668-1680). The Dzongpons (Governors) of Trashigang dominated eastern Bhutan from this fortress in the political history of Bhutan.

This will be followed by a leisure stroll in to the town. Here one can see many Nomadic herdsmen (Brokpas) of Higher Himalayas. This day is perfect for Photography with these Nomadic Herdsmen. In the evening visit a nearby village.

Overnight at Trashigang (1 Night)

Day 11: Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar Sightseeing

After breakfast, you will start your journey towards the Eastern gate of Bhutan.

Completed in 1965, the Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar road will take around 6 hours. Enroute, visit weaving centre at Khaling.

18 kms prior to arrival at Samdrup Jongkhar is Deothang, the place still remembered in history for the battle fought against British India in the 19th Century.

Overnight at Samdrup Jongkhar (1 Night)

Day 12: Depart Bhutan

After breakfast, depart the country from the town of Samdrup Jongkhar towards Guwahati, India.