Bhutan 16 Days Itinerary

Discover Bhutan in 16 days.

Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVE PARO - THIMPHU

During the journey, one will experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your tour operator and take you to Thimphu which is 60 km from Paro Airport and about 2 hours drive. The drive to Thimphu takes you along the Paro Chu (Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence with the Wang Chu, then turn upstream and travel along the Wang Chu to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 2: THIMPHU

Morning visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972, National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved, Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist scroll), handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts.

Afternoon visit Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Tashichho Dzong - the main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer, Pangri Zampa Monastery, situated just beyond Dechencholing This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Narngyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. It was built during the first quarter of the 16th century by Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shabdrung. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 3: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA

After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan , and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple, founded by Drukpa Kuenly who is popularly known as the "Devine Madman". Overnight hotel in Punakha.

DAY 4: PUNAKHA - CHENDEBJEE

You will begin the day by driving to Gangtey. You'll pass through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gangtey village, where you'll visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan . From Gangtey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjikha Valley , the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there you'll head to Chendebjee, The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and you will see yaks grazing on the slopes of dwarf bamboos. On arrival, you can browse through the Trongsa shops and town in the afternoon. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

DAY 5: CHENDEBJEE - BUMTHANG

In the morning you will drive Bumthang stop at Trongsa the ancestral home of the royal family, you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong (museum), the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

DAY 6: BUMTHANG

You will take around for sightseeing in the area, including Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating and Tamshing Lhakhang. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.

DAY 7: BUMTHANG - MONGAR

It takes about seven hours to cover the 193 km between Jakar and Mongar, crossing two passes and traversing several wild roads that cling to the hillsides. It is one of the most spectacular drives in the country, descending 3200 m in a distance of 82 km. The forest is mostly fir with undergrowth of several varieties of rhododendrons, including some with large red and pink flowers and others with small yellow blossoms. If you are lucky enough to travel on a clear day, watch for a view of Gangkar Phuensum (7541m) as you approach the pass. The eastern side of the pass is much rockier. There is a settlement at Sengkor of a few houses near the road. If you are carrying a picnic lunch and have not eaten it, this is an excellent place to do so.

The next stretch of the road is the wildest in Bhutan. Five kilometers beyond the Sengkor valley the road begins a steep descent into the Kuri Chhu valley, clinging to the side of a rock cliff with numerous streams and water falls leaping out onto the road. It's often foggy and cloudy on this side of the pass, making it difficult to see what's below - which is fortunate. There are several chortens here - erected as memorials to Indian and Nepali contract labourers who were killed during the construction of this portion of the road. After a long descent the traverses the side of the cliff, the road reaches safer ground. Atop a hill on the opposite side of the river, near the kilometer marker 123 is a view of the ruins of Shongar Dzong. The road to Mongar climbs through chir pine forests up the eastern side of the Kuri Chhu Valley. Overnight hotel in Mongar.

DAY 8: MONGAR - TRASHIGANG

The Mongar district is the northern portion of the ancient region of Kheng. Mongar is the district headquarters and hardly more than a stopping place surrounded by fields of maize. It is also the first town built in a mountain side instead of in a valley, a characteristic of eastern Bhutan where the valleys are usually little more than riverbeds and mountain slopes which rise abruptly from the rivers, flatten out as they approach their summits. One would never imagine that the upper parts of the mountains are so densely populated.

Morning Visit the Mongar Dzong. Mongar Dzong is a new Dzong, completed recently. It was built in the 19th century, restored in 1953 and again in 1990 after being gutted by a fire. The administrative scat and the monk body reside in the Dzong.After Lunch drive to Trashigang.

The Mongar to Trashigang stretch is easier and shorter than the journey from Jakar to Mongar, but it still requires 3½ hours to cover the 92 km between the two towns. The road crossed one low pass, then follows a river valley before making a final climb to Trashigang. Overnight hotel in Trshigang.

DAY 9: TRASHIGANG

Trashigang is one of the most densely populated districts in Bhutan. After Thimphu, Trashigang is the biggest urban center in mountainous Bhutan. It is the heart of eastern Bhutan and was once the center of important trade with Tibet. There are several goembas and villages that make a visit worthwhile, but it is a remote region and requires a lot of driving to reach. It is a good base for excursion to Trashi Yangste, Khaling, Radi Phongme and elsewhere in eastern Bhutan.

Visit the famous Trashigang Dzong. The Dzong precariously hugs a spur at more than 400 m, jutting out over the Gamri River. The Dzong commands a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside. Built in 1659 A.D. it is practically impregnable, protected on three sides by the river and ravines, and from behind by the mountains. After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through Trashigang town. Overnight hotel in Trshigang.

DAY 10: TASHIGANG - TRASHI YANGTSEE

Previously a drungkhag (sub district) of Trashigang, Trashi Yangste became a full-fledged dzongkhag in 1993. It borders the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and there is some cross-border trade. The old trade route between east and west Bhutan used to go through Trashi Yangste, over the mountains to Lhuntse and then over Rhodong la to Bumthang. This route is difficult and became neglected when the road from Trashigang to Mongar via Mongar was completed. The district lies at the headwaters of the Kulong Chhu, and was earlier known as Kulong.

The drive from Trashigang to Trashi Yangste is 53 km and takes about 1hr 45 minutes. Follow the switchbacks down to the bridge at Chazam. The road winds its way through sparse clump of chir pine above the west bank of Drame Chhu to Gom Kora.

Gom Kora is a small temple to the east of the road north of Chazam. Its correct name is Gomphu Kora. Gomphu is a sacred meditation site of Guru Rimpoche and kora means circumambulation. The Guru meditated here and left a body impression on a rock, similar to that of Kurje Lhakhang in Bumthang.

Two kilometers from Gom Kora is the substantial village of Duksum. There are many shops and small eating places here, many of the shops sell particularly colorful patterned cloth that is woven by the women of the village using back-strap looms. The road turns northwest and follows the Kulong Chhu valley towards Trashi Yangtse.

The Trashi Yangtse Dzong was built around 1656 AD in commemoration of a Drukpa victory and renovated in 1976. This valley was of great strategic importance in the old days because all travel to western and central Bhutan had to pass through here.

In Trashi Yangtse, you can visit the popular Chorten Kora, one of few stupas constructed in Nepali (Sherpa) style. It was built to mark the site where Guru Rimpoche subdued many malevolent beings. According to local tradition, the architectural model of the stupa was brought from Nepal, carved on a raddish.

Visit the traditional woodcraft workshop where typical Bhutanese bowls and other wooden items are made. (These products are very popular in Bhutan). Overnight hotel in Trshigang.

DAY 11 - 14: TRASHIGANG - MONGAR - BUMTHANG - TRONGSA - PARO

DAY 15: PARO DAY HIKE

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang or the "tiger's nest" monastery perched precariously on the cliff 900m above the floor of the Paro valley. It is the most famous monastery in Bhutan . It is said that Guru Rinpoche, the great Indian saint, have flown to the site of the monastery from eastern Bhutan, on the back of a tigress and meditated here for three months. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

DAY 16: DEPARTURE

After early break fast drive to the airport for departure.