16 Days Panoramic Bhutan Tour from West to East

Highlight: Visit Tashichho Dzong, National Library and Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu.

Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport then escorted to Paro town for lunch.

After that, you will be transferred to Thimphu, following the Pachu River. It is a short drive of about 1.5 hours, and you can stop on the way to see the Tamchhog Lhakhang, a hereditary place of worship for the Bhutan’s iron bridge builders.

Upon arrival in the capital city of Bhutan, you will pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), the most beautiful Bhutan dzong as well as the headquarters of Bhutan government. You will also explore the National Library and Folk Heritage Museum, a 300-year-old traditional house converted into a museum.

Stay overnight in Thimphu

Tashichho Dzong

Highlight: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum and Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.

Today, it will be a full-day sightseeing tour in Thimphu. You will first visit the National Memorial Chorten, constructed in memorial of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974. The King was generally regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and widely esteemed by the Bhutanese. Then head to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.

After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, to see the productive process of Bhutan’s traditional medicine, herbs mostly, and watch the medical practitioner training. Next, go to Traditional Paper Making Factory, which originated from the old tradition in the 8th century, Bhutan papermaking has been well preserved and listed as the valuable national heritage of Bhutanese culture.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlight: Hike to Tango Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it.

Today, we will drive to the base camp of Tango Monastery which lies north of the Thimphu city. Starting from the base camp you follow the route in dense oak and pine tree dominated forest to the monastery, along which the red rhododendron flowers are in their full blossom and the fresh air drives away all the tiredness you suffer.

Tango Monastery is eminent for its home of the highly revered Buddhist monks who once brought the Drukpa Kagyupa school of Buddhism to Bhutan. Here you can enjoy a spectacular view from it. After that, we will return to Thimphu.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Tango Monastery

Highlight: Cross Dochu La pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

In the morning, we will drive to Punakha and Wangdue. On the way, you will stop for a rest at scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m). The pass is a perfect vintage point where you can have an unobstructed vista of the mighty Himalayas. The bus will also make a temporary stop at the amazing 108 chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (The Queen mother of Bhutan) for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty (The king of Bhutan).

After lunch at Wangduephodrang (1,350m), we will keep driving to Punakha. In Punakha, you will visit the celebrated Punakha Dzong, the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1657 at the onflunence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. After that, you will go to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang. Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlight: Cross two mountain passes with scenic views and visit Chendebji Chorten.

Today, we will set out in the early morning after breakfast and travel to Bumthang (2700m). Covering a distance of 197 kilometers, it will take you 7 hours to get to Bumthang from Punakha. The on-the-route scenery is amazing, the bus will take you to lush forests of oaks and pine trees and you can see view changes as you ascend the mountain. Get a fantastic panoramic view from the Pele La Pass (3300 m).

Meanwhile, the open green meadows with rhododendron ridden valleys will lead you to visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese style chorten sits quietly by the side of the road. The chorten is modeled after the Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. It is said that Chendebji Chorten was built in the 19th century by Lama Zhida to cover the remains of an evil spirit who was killed at this spot.

Continue your drive to Bumthang by passing through Yotong La Pass (3400 m). The route during this section takes you to the Yathra Waving Center at Zugney village where you can witness the locals waving Yathra, a name that refers to the colorful and woolen cloth with geometric design in Bhutanese. Then the bus takes you further to Bumthang Valley.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Chendebji Chorten

Highlight: Visit landmarks in Bumthang like Tamshing Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

Today, you will enjoy a sightseeing in Bumthang. Deep in the central regions of the country, Bumthang valley is broad and presents a different landscape you may not see in west Bhutan. You will first visit Tamshing Lhakhang, which famous for its collections of printings exemplifying the region’s style. Then crossing the suspension bridge to the Kurjey Lhakhang. Not far from Kurjey Lhakhang sits the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th century. Next, you will continue to visit Jakar Dzong, a wonderful architecture in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1500 meters.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Highlight: Visit local villages and enjoy bird watching.

We will set off in early morning, and drive on the winding roads with rugged terrain. With the distance being about 192 kms, the entire trip will cost you about 6-7 hours. The road ascends to a pass and descends to Ura village.

The bus continues to move ahead and make a steep descent into Kuri chu valley after passing Thrumsingla pass (3,750m). The views along the route is spectacular with rock cliffs and numerous waterfalls.

The village itself is also a fantastic place for birds watching, prepare your camera in advance and shoot the unique little animals. Then the road climbs uphill through the Chir-pine forest and the large cultivated fields come into your eyes. Continue to ascend, you will finally arrive at the hilltop where Mongar is located.

Stay overnight in Mongar.

Bhutan Mongar

Highlight: Visit Drametsi Monastery and Khaling waving center.

Today’s drive brings you to the eastern most regions. Galloping along the route, the bus takes you through lush forests, large corn fields and banana groves to reach Yadi village. Then follow the river to arrive at Drametsi, a medium sized monastery perched at the top of the hill and founded in 16th century and the exact place where the popular Drametsi Nga Chham, the mask dance with drums, originated.

After lunch, visit Khaling, the waving center under the women association of Bhutan’s Government and the place you can witness the whole process of waving. Then drive back to Trashigang.

Stay overnight in Trashigang.

Highlight: Visit the monastery of Gom Kora and excursion to Trashiyangtse.

Today, we will first head to Gom Kora, which is an extraordinarily picturesque temple, just beneath the road, surrounded by terraced rice fields. In the north of Trashigang about 21 km away, it is a gateway to Trashiyangtsi. There are many relics inside this two-story temple and the murals are said to date from its original construction period.

In March/April, the three-day Gom Kora Tsechu is held here, which is quite unique from other Tsechu around Bhutan. Pilgrims circumambulate the Goemba aruond the large rock throughout the night during the festival. Many nomadic tribes from Merak and Sakten also come here during this period and for many of whom, the evening event results in marriages.

After tour the temple, we will continue to Trashiyangtse. At an average altitude of 1715m, Trashiyangtse is a relatively new town, though much small but pretty, with the river flowing through it. The region is center of paper making and the art of making wooden cups and bowls.

Stay overnight at Tashiyangtse.

Gomkora Monastery

Highlight: Enjoy beautiful scenery along the way back to Mongar.

Today, we will return to Mongar after sightseeing the Trashigang valley. When driving up back, you can visit sights and villages along the way.

Stay overnight in Mongar.

Highlight: Transfer from Mongar and Bumthang and get prepared for the following trip.

After breakfast, we will set off to drive back to Bumthang from Mongar. It is a long drive of about 6 to 7 hours. Upon your arrival, you can have a good rest in your hotel.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Highlight: Explore Probjikha valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Wangdue. The distance between Bumthang and Wangdue is about 197 kilometers, which will take you 6 hours. On the way, the bus will first make a temporary stop at Gangtey Monastery, a can’t-miss monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Then drive towards the Phobjikha valley which is one part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.

During the winter, a large flock of black-necked cranes, the endangered species, gather there to escape from the chilly weather. Besides, the forest covered mountains around the valley have been widely accepted as the most remote areas where only the rarely seen nomadic shepherds and yak herders can find the trails.

In the afternoon, you will have plenty of time exploring the Phobjikha valley and visiting the Black Necked Crane Center. Then continue your travel to Wangdue Phodrang, the capital of Wangdue Phodrang District.

Stay overnight in Wangdue / Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlight: Visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang and Simtokha Dzong.

After breakfast, we will head to visit the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang after hiking to the upper Punakha valley and crossing the hanging bridge through large tracts of paddy fields. It takes you about 1 hour to reach the temple and the view sighted from the temple is also stunning.

Then head for Thimphu and visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan on the route. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang

Highlight: Visit Kyichu Temple and ruins of Drukgyel Dzong.

Today we will leave for Paro. Along the route, the tourist bus will make a temporary stop at the Kyichu Temple, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

After lunch, drive up to the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong where the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.

In the evening, you can choose to either stay in your hotel or stroll round the downtown and pay a visit to some local handicraft stores.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Kyichu Lhakhang

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.

Today, we will leave for Paro to enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

After the trek, we will head back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

Your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

service end.