East to West Cultural and Hiking Tour (18 days17 nights)

East to West Cultural and Hiking Tour (18 days17 nights)

This tour has everything that Bhutan has to offer. Culture and tradition, history, hikes, camping, art and architecture not mention the natural beauty of the country from East to West. Our experienced team of Guides, drivers, cooks and support staff will make this trip a memorable one.

Itinerary

Day 1: Guwahati-Samdrup Jongkhar (100km/3 hours drive)

Pass By: Samdrup Jongkhar Market, Samdrup Jongkhar, Bhutan
Border town to India and Bhutan

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Dungsam Trashilling Resort/simmilar (3 star)

Day 2: Smadrup Jongkhar-Trashigang (180 km/5 hours drive)

Stop At: Chokyi Gyatso Institute, Deothang, Bhutan
CGI is a shedra (monastic college), offering a thorough education in Buddhist philosophy to more than 140 monks. It is also an active monastery with a busy schedule upholding the practice lineage of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, including annual drubchos and drubchens, based on Khandro Sangdu, Pema Tseyi Nyingtik, Vima Ladrub, Minling Dorsem, and Phagma Nyingtik, as well as many other practices.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Muenselling Institute at Khaling, Tashigang - Rangjung Rd, Khaling, Bhutan
The Country’s only Institute for the visually impaired in Khaling, Trashigang district has come a long way since it was established in 1973. The institute has so far nurtured and shaped the lives of many visually impaired people in the country. The institute has been recently renamed as Muenselling Institute.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Druk Doethjung Hotel 3*

Day 3: TRASHIGANG-MERAK (60 km/4-5 hours drive)

Stop At: Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang Bhutan
• Visit Trashigang Dzong Trashigang means, ‘the fortress of the auspicious mountain’.The Dzong was built by Pekar Choepel in 1659, on the order from Trongsa Penlop in 1659. The site of the Dzong was occupied in 12th century by one of the king in the eastern Bhutan, settled there and built a fort which he named Bengkhar. The fortress today is used as any other Dzongs in Bhutan as district head quarters and half of it is occupied by the Monk body. The Dzong has been renovated recently.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Rangjung Woesel Choling Dratshang, Bhutan
Woesel Choeling Monastery in Rangjung, Trashigang district was founded by His Eminence Dungsey Garab Dorje Rinpoche in the year 1989 with few monks and nuns. The objective of monastery is to provide a conducive haven for the study of Buddha dharma as expounded in the Dudjom New Treasure Lineage and carry out dharma activities for the benefit of the Buddhist community in and abroad the country. It has a flourishing community with branches monasteries and retreat centers.

After this you will be driving to Merak Village enjoying the views as you drive.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Home stay in the village of Merak and enjoy the hospitality of the host family.

Day 4: MERAK-SAKTENG TREK, Duration: about 7-8 hours, Difficulty: Medium

Stop At: Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang Bhutan
• After breakfast, your car will drive you to the point from where you will start your hike.
• Enjoy the beauty of nature as you trek. Keep your cameras ready as you will come across many surprises.
• By evening you will reach the another village of Sakteng.

Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Home stay in the village of Sakteng. Experience the local tradition and food with lots of local drinks.

Day 5: Sakteng Village sightseeing

Stop At: Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan
• Spend the day at leisure. Visit the village, local homes, temple, meet with people, who are happy to chat with you. See the lifestyle and unique living culture of this ethnic group. You can also visit the local School. Try the local liquor with a special ceremony. Sakteng is a wide valley at about 3000m, surrounded by mountains on all sides. Sakteng literally means bamboo field. The inhabitants of Sakteng are similar to those of Merak in their language, dress, lifestyle and spiritual afflictions. It comprises of around 200 households with three main villages, Sakteng, Tengma and Borang Tse but generally known as Sakteng, and the people are known as Saktengpa. Every winter, Brokpas take on drukkor or grain journey to the lowland villages, where they have their regular host family, with whom they have close trading and social relationship. They live together as one family for weeks and barter their Yak products with maize and grains.
• Will provide a cultural show with a mask dance which is unique to these two villages of Merak and Sakteng.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Home stay

Day 6: SAKTENG-TRASHIGANG-MONGAR (137 km/6-7 hours drive)

Stop At: Trashigang Dzong, Trashigang Bhutan
• The new farm road has been connected to Sakteng so, to shorten your trip will drive you to Mongar. En route stop for pictures and to enjoy views.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Wangchuk Hotel 3*

Day 7: MONGAR-BUMTHANG (193 km/7-8 hours drive)

Stop At: Kurje Lhakhang, Bumthang Bhutan
• Trashigang to Bumthnag is the biggest national park in Bhutan called the Thrumshingla National Park. The 768 sq.km of this national park is located within the boundaries of four districts: Bumthang, Lhuentse, Mongar and Zhemgang and it was established in 1998.
• On this long drive, enjoy the natural beauty of the undisturbed environment and take pictures of some breath taking scenery like the Namling Bra (cliff) waterfall which falls down the deepest cliff in Eastern Bhutan.

Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Jakar view Resort 3*

Day 8: • BUMTHANG-NGA-LHAKHANG-TANG HIKE (duration 6-7 hours)

Stop At: Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Valley, Jakar Bhutan
• BUMTHANG-NGA-LHAKHANG-TANG HIKE: The hike offers a nice walk through peaceful forest with temple and farmhouse visits. The hike will take you about 5 to 6 hours. Start your hike from Nga Lhakhang passing through villages and to another valley of Tang. You will be picked up by your car from Tang village to Bumthang which is about an hour drive.
• You can also choose to visit Ugyen Chholing Palace. The Palace is located east of the district headquarters Jakar in the remote Tang Valley. The Ugyen Cholling Palace was built in the 17th century AD by Deb Tsokey Dorji, a noble man from the lineage of Buddhist saint Dorji Lingpa. The palace was heavily damaged in the great earthquake of 1997 and was rebuilt again in the early 1900‟s and has remained pretty much the same ever since. The Ugyen Cholling palace is one of the least visited national treasures of Bhutan, the palace hosts about 200 guests annually and has a small guest house which can accommodate tourists overnight, but has to be booked well in advance.

The palace also houses a museum which is cover 3 floors of the main building as well as the central tower. The traditional living quarters of the family and the household staff have been carefully recreated to capture the essence of 19th and 19th century Bhutanese noble life. The museum also houses a collection of medieval utensils and tools of everyday use, weapons including petrified yak dung which was used to make a primitive from of gun-powder, other tools like weaving equipment; tillers etc. are also a part of the main exhibit. In addition to this there is a collection of fine Bhutanese art belonging to the noble family and some ancestral heirlooms also on display at the museum.
• Meybartsho: On your way back to Bumthang you can stop and visit the site of some of Terton Pema Lingpa’s (Treasure Discoverer’s) greatest finds – Meybartsho or ‘Flaming Lake’ which is one of the popular pilgrim sites of Bhutan. You can meditate for a while here if you like.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Ogyen Choling Heritage House

Day 9: BUMTHANG-PHOBJIKHA (145km/5-6 hours drive)

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Phobjikha Valley: This valley is famous for potatoes which is one of the cash crops of the region and an important export to India. Phobjikha is also famed for the migratory black-necked cranes that make it their winter home. This endangered species of birds arrives from Tibet towards the end of October. Known as ‘Thrung Thrung Karmo’ by the Bhutanese, the locals have great affection for these beautiful birds and are featured in many folk songs. Their departure by the end of February is marked by songs of lamentation. Details of their habitat and habits are available at the Crane Observation and Education Center. If you visit the place at the time when the birds are in residence, you may be able to get a close view from the hides specially constructed for this purpose.

Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: The Tower of Trongsa Museum, Trongsa Bhutan
• Ta Dzong: Literally meaning “Watch Tower” is located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong, it was built by Choeje Minjur Tenpa, the first governor of Trongsa, in the year 1652. The tower stood guard over the Trongsa Dzong to protect the main stronghold of the town from any external threats. It has now been turned in to a Museum.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tongsa Dzong, Trongsa Bhutan
Trongsa Dzong: The most impressive Dzong (Fortress) in the country – it is intricately layered into the hillside, in complete harmony with its surroundings. The structure is aesthetically designed and its clean lines boast a superb sense of proportion and space while finely carved woodwork and elegant paintings suitably embellish it. Following the instruction of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the Dzong was built in 1644 by Chhogyel Minjur Tempa who later became the third Desi (Governor). The Dzong was named Chökhor Raptentse Dzong. The structure was enhanced by Desi Tenzin Rabgye in 1771 and now contains twenty-three temples. It is a veritable maze of corridors, courtyards and passageways leading to the multiple levels contained within the great outer impregnable shell.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Chendebji Chorten, Chendebji, Trongsa Bhutan
• Chendebji Chorten: This Napalese style stupa lies on the banks of Nikka Chu at an extremely serene spot. It was built in the eighteenth century by Lama Shida of Tibet to suppress a demon who had been troubling the inhabitants of the valley. A smaller Bhutanese style chorten was constructed nearby by the Royal grandmother in 1982.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
• Gangtey Goenpa: Gangtey Goenpa (Monastery) was established by Pema Lingpa’s grandson who became the first Gangtey Trulku. The goenpa is affiliated with several other important goenpas in this region, including Tamzhing in Bumthang. Currently the ninth reincarnation, Kunzang Pema Namgyel is the abbot here. Besides the goenpa there are several schools, a Tibetan style chorten (stupa) and meditation centers where monks retreat for periods ranging from three days to three years. There is also a Buddhist college nearby that offers a nine-year course in Buddhist studies.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Dewachen or Home stay (Please let us know if you like to stay at a farm house so to make bookings accordingly)

Day 10: PHOBJIKHA GANGTEY-LONGTEY VILLAGE HIKE (DURATION 3 TO 4 HOURS)

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
• Longtey Village down into Phobjikha: Drive until Longtey Village which is about one hour from your hotel across the Pele La Pass, and start your hike from there, up and over Kayche La (3700m). We climb up gradually through the thickets of dwarf bamboos, birch, rhododendron, hemlock and fir to Kayche La, marked with some prayer flags. The other side of the pass is mostly meadows, and from here it is all downhill through the long and beautiful stretch of meadows and farms. The walk takes around 4 hours in total.
• Evening at leisure. Enjoy the view of the valley from your hotel.

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Dewachen or Home stay (Please let us know if you like to stay at a farm house so to make bookings accordingly)

Day 11: PHOBJIKHA-PUNAKHA (97 km/3-4 hours drive)

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
• Drive to Punakha valley.
• Visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue.

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
• The 160 meters Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge is known for the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, which gives you spectacular views of Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu Valley.

Evening at leisure at your campsite by Punatshangchhu riverside
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tents by Punatshangchhu riverside

Day 12: PUNAKHA-GASA (47km 2-3 hours drive)

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Gasa is one of the 20 Dzongkhags (Districts) in Bhutan. It is located in the far north of the county and spans the Middle and High regions of the Tibetan Himalayas. The people of Gasa are mostly semi-nomadic communities mainly depending on their livestock. Gasa has an area of 3,117.74 km2 (1,203.77 sq mi) as of 2010. It has a population of about 3,116 as of the 2005 census making it the largest, least populated, and thus least densely populated of all the dzongkhags. It is also considered one of the least developed.

The Gasa Dzong is located at an altitude of 2770m above sea level and it’s official name is Trashi Thongmoen Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 to commemorate the victories over the Tibetans and later defended the country against several invasions in 17th and 18th century.
• Drive to Gasa (please not some parts of the road is not tarred so, it may be dusty) enjoy the nature around.
• Visit Gasa Dzong and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains.
• Soak your selves in the natural hot springs (remember to take your towel and extra under garments).

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at in tents enjoying

Day 13: Gasa-Lampelri Botanical Park

Stop At: Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri, Punakha-Wangdue Highway, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Drive from Gasa to Lampelri Park.

The Royal Botanical Park was inaugurated on 22nd October 2008. Due to its close proximity to the city the park attracts lots of visitors which include bird watchers, travelers and picnickers, etc. The park covers an area of 47 sq kms.

Rest of the day you will spend at the park going around the park discovering varieties of Rhododendron plants and trees.

You will camp inside the park.

Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Chimi L'hakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
En route do a short hike to Chime Lhakhang. This Lhakhang dates back to 1499 which was built by Lama Drukpa Kinley who is till this day known as a Divine Madman. Located beautifully on a hilltop, it is about 30 to 40 minute walk passing through a charming village set in lush terraced fields. Lama Drukpa Kinley is believed to have subdued a demoness residing in Dochu La with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’ and a wooden effigy of this is preserved within. There are also statues of him along with those of Lama Zhabdrung, Sakyamuni and Avalokiteswara. Devotees receive blessings from his wooden phallus and iron Bow and arrow that lie here and childless women are said to have their wish fulfilled after visiting this Lhakhang.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tents at the Park. A team of cook and his assistant will be there to serve you at all camp sites.

Day 14: Lampelri-Thimphu (2 hours drive)

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
Stop at Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the 108 chortens, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Buddha Point, Kuenselphodrang, Kuenselphodrang, Thimphu, Bhutan
Drive to Kuenselphodrang (Buddha Point) where world’s tallest Buddha Statue (169 feet) sits overlooking the Thimphu Valley. Enjoy the spectacular view of Thimphu city below.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
• Visit National Memorial Chorten (Stupa): The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (”the father of modern Bhutan “) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground, Chang Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Witness a game of Archery the National game of Bhutan.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bhutan Postal Museum, Thimphu Bhutan
Postal Museum – where you can also make a postage stamp with your own photo and can be posted in Bhutan.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Hotel Bhutan/similar 3*

Day 15: THIMPHU- DODEY DRA HIKE & THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING-PARO

Stop At: Dodeydrak Buddhist Monastry, Thimphu, Bhutan
• Morning hike to Dodey Dra Monastery. Located to the north of Thimphu valley and is nestled among the rich pine trees above Samteling Palace, the residence of the Great fourth, our fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It has two hiking trails, one begins from the gates of the palace and another one from Dechenphu goenba. The former one is steeper but on an average both the hikes take up roughly 4 hours. The elevation gained from the ground of 2600m to the top is around 500m.

The Monastery was initiated by the 13th Je khenpo ( Chief Abbot) Yonten Thaye of Bhutan sometime around 1779. The monastery has 3 main temples and the name of the monastery itself is derived from one of the temples. Dodendrak literally translates a cave like temple between two giant rocks. The story goes that a small temple was built on a giant rock with concave head. The top and lower parts of the rock were one merged but it had broken into two, lower rock forming the base for the temple.

The artistic Buddhist painting on the rock is quite vibrant and visible from a distance. This hike ideal for people who love nature trails and it is also quite popular among the locals who visit the monastery on auspicious days to accumulate merit and enjoy the breath taking view of the Wang (Thimphu) valley.

Afternoon drive to Paro

Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: National Museum, Tag-Dzong Rinpung Dzong, Paro 12001 Bhutan
• Visit to Ta Dzong, which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong and now houses the National Museum.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tenzinlign Resort/Tiger Nest Resort/similar 3*

Day 16: PARO-BUMDRA TREK (4-5 hours)

Stop At: Bumdrak Monastery, Bhutan
Bumdrak Trek: In this Trek, we will be blessed by visiting the two most revered Buddhist Pilgrimage spot in Bhutan, Bumdra and Taktshang Monastery, besides enjoy the scenic beauty and Himalayan Mountains. Bumdra means ‘Rock of One Hundred Thousand Foot Prints’. The legend tells us that a hundred thousand Dakinis (angels) descended here and left their footprints on the rock 800 years ago. Bumdra is about 3800m above sea level and the Taktshang Monastery is above 3100m above sea level.
• After breakfast, we will drive to Paro, Sang Choekor Monastery.
• Before starting the trek visit Sang Chhoekhor Lhakhang (Monastery) and pray for our safe journey.
• The trek to Bumdra will take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours with not very steep climb. You will be hiking along densely forested ridge with occasional clearings and Lhakhangs (Temples) with prayer flags. The Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles on the mountainside about 2 hrs hikes from Sang Chokor. The trail undulates before the last steep section up to the pretty temple, which offers commanding views of Paro and surrounding snowcapped Himalayan Mountain ranges.

Our camp for the night is right beside the Bumdra Monastery and offers unimpeded views of the Himalayan range.
• After lunch we can visit the monastery and meditate there for as long as you want.

Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tents

Day 17: BUMDRA-TAKTSHANG-PARO HIKE

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
• Hike uphill to the two sky burial grounds at 4200m (where corpse of infants are offered to the Eagles) and enjoy the 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
• Back to your camp, after lunch climb down to Taktshang.
• Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery: The hike to Taktshang Monastery perched on a cliff at 2950m/9700ft takes anywhere from 4 to 6 hours as per your hiking ability. It is an uphill hike to the Monastery. There is a cafeteria (Taktsang Jakhang) on the half way.

Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (the great Buddhist master) with his magical powers came to Taktshang in the eighth century, flying from the east of the country on the back of a tigress (a form that one of his consorts is believed to have taken). He is said to have meditated for about three months in a cave on the cliff and subdued the evil spirits. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1692 by the fourth Desi Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below.
• Back at Paro, enjoy a traditional hot stone bath at a farm house which will relax your body. Try some local brew (Ara) which is similar to Japanese Saki.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tenzinlign Resort/Tiger Nest Resort/similar 3*

Day 18: PARO-AIRPORT DROP

Stop At: Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point, Paro Bhutan
End of your travel in Bhutan. Our team will drop you to the airport and bid farewell.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.