EASTERN BHUTAN TOUR

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be greeted by our staff who will escort you to the Hotel, where our Sherpa guide or the office staff will give you a brief orientation about the hotel, Kathmandu itself, trekking, and the do’s and don’ts of the area.  Also, they will go over any other related information that you might require while in Nepal. Evening complementary well come dinner in one of the finest traditional Nepalese restaurant in Kathmandu with necessary transfer and overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Valley sightseeing tour

After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your full day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu. After your breakfast proceed for your full day sightseeing tour to Kathmandu Durbar square visiting, ancient palace, living goddess temple Kumari temple, Hanuman Dhoka and Kastamandap temple. Transfer to Swoyambhunath stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, further transfer to Pashupatinath temple the holiest shrine of the Hindu people and Boudhnath stupa of Buddhist pilgrimage center and back to hotel, evening briefing about the trek with guide introduction. Be ready this evening for tomorrow leaving to trek and overnight at Hotel.

Day 03 : Fly to Paro

Arrive Paro by Druk air  A319, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by ITT members. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight Kichu Resort or similar.

Day 04 : Paro Sightseeing

Visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. The fort defended the Paro valley from the  Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. It was housed into the National museum in the 1960s by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven floors museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to

the 7th century. A short  walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Kichu Resort or similar.

Day 05 : Taktsang Monastery Hike

Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra cost.  The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. Evening drive 2 hours to Thimphu and will be a pleasant one mainly due to the well maintained road through out Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel Druk or River view or similar.

Day 06 : Thimpu Sightseeing

AM sightseeing -  visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith  workshop and Handicraft centers. PM visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare “Takin” national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. Overnight same.

Day 05 rive to Wangduephodrang via Punakha

Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang via Punakha crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong

which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Proceed 45 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and stroll around the  market area. Check into Wangdi Kichu Resort or similar.

Day 06 : Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters.

The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter. Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measures to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort.

Day 07 :

Today the drive takes about 6 / 7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hour arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Karma To bden Guest House or similar.

Day 08 :Bumthang Visit

Visit Bumthang 2600m, has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also

known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing – Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more  interesting done on foot. Overnight same.

Day 09 : Today will be the longest drive almost 8/9 hours to Mongar winding through more rugged terrain. On the way visit the Mebartso meaning burning lake. If there is time a short visit to Ura village. The drive from Ura is all the way uphill crossing the highest  motor road pass nemed Thrumshing la in Bhutan at 4050 meters. The panoramic view from the pass is just thrilling. Down route from the pass goes through alpine & rhododendron forest reaching Sengor for lunch stop. This small village is a open vast land surrounded mainly by pine forest. The drive from here is hair raising as the roads is narrow and the  bends gets sharper but the scenic beauty is truly enchanting passing cascading

waterfalls, terraced fields and scattered farm houses. After descending at an  altitude of 700 meters the climate gets warmer. Mongar is located on a hill side and is a new town. The Dzong built not long ago maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight Hotel on room availability or camp.

Day 10 : Director The road from Mongar to Trashigang begins through lush forests and ferns passing

over Kori la pass. Descend rapidly through corn fields and banana grooves passing Yedi

village. Follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Drametsi perched atop a steep

hill. It is also famous for the dance called Drametsi Nga cham (Drum dance). Trashigang

lies 30 kilometers from the junction and lies on top of a steep hill. This district is

the biggest and most populated in the Kingdom. The Dzong built strategically on the spur

going out towards the Gamri river. Overnight Hotel or camp.

Day 11 :Sightgseeing

Sightseeing – Drive 2 hours to Tashi Yangtsi. On the way visit Gom Kora monastery located near a river. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche turned into a Garuda to subdue a demon and the imprints of serpent and his body can be seen. Also there is a passage leading from one end to the other end of the huge boulder and who ever crosses

the passage his/her sins will be forgiven. Next stop is at Duksum a small village boasting of the oldest iron suspension bridge built during the 15 century by Drupthob Chazampa builder of iron bridges. Further on lies the beautiful Chorten Kora a huge white

washed stupa surrounded by a small community who make the famous wooden bowels (Dapa). Drive back to Trashigang. Overnight Hotel or camp.

Day 12 : Drive 6/7 hours to Samdrupjongkhar.

On the way visit Kanglung the only university in Bhutan. Further on visit the blind school and the famous weaving center. The road takes you through numerous towns and villages. the drive can be both adventurous

and awesome. Upon arrival at Samdrupjongkhar the climate is warmer and more busy than the last visited areas since it is the border town with India. Overnight Hotel.

Day 13 : You will be received and driven 3 hours to Guwahati by the Indian agent.