Remote east Bhutan Odyssey

The flight to Paro offers spectacular views of Himalayan Mountain ranges including our sacred Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake only on clear weather. On arrival at Paro International Airport our representative will be there to welcome you and after that start your drive to our only capital city of Bhutan,Thimphu which takes about 1 hour. On the way if the time permits stop at one of our oldest iron bridge built in 15^th century by Drupthob Thangthong Gyalpo and again stop at Chuzom (the confluence of Paro and Thimphu River). After reaching Thimphu visit Centenary farmers market and stroll freely in Thimphu city and experience the lifestyle of the people. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast visit National Memorial stupa (built in the memory of the third king of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the giant Buddha statue overlooking Thimphu valley with 169 feet/51.5 meters and its tallest of its kind, Takin reservation center, Institute of thirteen arts and crafts, Folk heritage museum Tashi Chodzong meaning “fortress of glorious religion” built in 1641 by the unifier zhabdrung. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Punakha district, our ancient capital city before Thimphu and stop at one of the most beautiful pass in the country called Dochula Pass(3100m) adorned with 108 Druk Wangyel chortens and colourful  prayer flags surrounded by spectacular views of Himalayan ranges on clear weather. Continue driving to Punakha valley and on the way you can stop at Lobesa to hike up to Chimi Lhakhang through rice paddy fields and through metsina village with colourful painted Phallus on the walls to bless the household with fertility and to ward off evil spirits. The temple is dedicated to the accomplished master in the 15^th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or the “Divine Madman,” who is believed to bless women who seek fertility. After this visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzong in the country with intricate metal and wood carvings situated between male and female rivers like an anchored ship built in 1637 by Zhabdrung and then visit one of the longest suspension bridge.

Phobjikha is a bowl-shaped glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winters here, it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country.The Royal Society for Protection of Nature, also known as The Crane Centre, displays material on the cranes and their environment, as well as guiding conservation awareness operations on this threatened bird.

Start your journey to Bumthang via Trongsa crossing Pelela pass which stands at 3300m and a short stop at Chendebji stupa. Visit Trongsa dzong which is one of the largest dzong in the country. Trongsa means”New village” in dzongkha and it is located in the central Bhutan about 4 hours drive from Phobjikha. The rulers of trongsa, the Penlops (governors) of wangchuck dynasty, who resided at Trongsa dzong were very powerful as they control over east-west trade for centuries until the first king of Bhutan was elected unanimously in 1907 and the only way to eastern and western Bhutan was through the courtyard of the dzong. Trongsa dzong was initially founded as small meditation temple by lama Ngagi Wangchuk(The great grandfather of Zhabdrung) in 1543 on the spur overlooking the gorge of Mangde river. Lama Ngagi wangchuk came to trongsa in 1541 and when he was meditating nearby in the village called Yuling, he witnessed a light on the spur where now present dzong stands. He found small spring on the spot believed to be used by protective deity Mahakali (Palden Lhamo). Another version of the history says he found the hoof prints of a horse that belonged to the protective deity Palden Lhamo. He believed this to be auspicious sign and founded small meditation temple on the spur. And visit five storey Ta Dzong(“ watchtower”) built by Choeje Minjur Tenpa, the first governor of trongsa in 1652. From 2005 to 2008 it underwent extensive structural and interior designing work in order to become a museum as there is no exterior threat since then. Continue driving another 2 hours to Bumthang crossing Yotongla pass at 3400m and numerous villages. On the way if time permits stop at yathra (textile weaving) factory, yathras are unique textiles designed in Bumthang. Overnight in the hotel.

Bumthang is one of the 20 districts formed by 4 beautiful glacier valleys: Ura, Chumey, Tang and choekhor. It is a religious heartland of the nation and home to many holy sites that are centuries old. After breakfast visit Jambay Lhakhang which is believed to be one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. You will also visit the Kurjey Lhakhang monastery complex, where Guru Padmasambhava, the great tantric master blessed and meditated. One can still see his body imprint on a rock created by his long retreat. From the temple you will take a short interesting walk towards the Tamshing Lhakhang crossing a small suspension bridge over the Chamkar Chhu River. The Tamshing Lhakhang holds some of the oldest Buddhist wall paintings in Bhutan. On the way to the town, you will visit the Red Panda local beer and Swiss cheese factory. Afterwards visit Jakar Dzong followed by a stroll in the Bumthang Township visiting handicraft stores bringing your day to an end. Overnight in the hotel.

Your journey to eastern Bhutan commences today. Although the drive is long, it is an interesting one where you will go through high passes, scenic villages, rivers and vegetation. Driving along the east bank of Chamkhar Chhu from Jakar, and climbing up to Tangsibi Village, the route slowly descends into Ura Valley, a serene village. Then we will drive through the Thrumshingla National park, over cliffs and past camp areas to the Thrumshingla pass which sits at 3750m. On clear weather, the pass affords an amazing view of Gangkhar Phuensum (7540m). Then we descend to Sengkhor village and continue on to Kuri Chhu river valley, a very good area for bird watching and where lemon grass grows in abundance. 20 km from Sengkhor village you will reach Namling waterfall and 17km further is Yongkola Pass. From the pass descend till Lingmethang,  then cross the Kuri Chhu river and gradually ascend passing terraced rice paddies and pine forests till we arrive at Mongar. Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

Trace back 12km to Gangola road junction and drive 65km to Lhuentse following the upstream Kuri Chhu River. En route you will pass a small township of Autsho and several other villages. From Lhuentse, drive for another 40km on unpaved road to the historic Dungkhar village. One of the main sites in the region is the ancestral home of the Royal Family, Dungkhar Naktshang, which is a centuries-old traditionally built mansion. It is the birthplace of the first King’s father and from this house sprung the current Royal Family of Bhutan. You will explore some of the farmhouses and even lunch at a local farmhouse. Later you will drive to Takila for a night halt.

After breakfast, you will explore Khoma Village, a unique village with an ancient cluster layout of traditional farmhouses. This village is renowned for its high-quality production of the handwoven silk textile — the kishuthara. It is high-priced not only because of the material but also because of its intricate and meticulous designs that fill up the entire textile. The kishuthara is highly celebrated by the Bhutanese, worn only on special occasions, celebrations and festivals. Weavers from Khoma village are praised for their nimble hands. This is how they make a living — weaving the whole day every day. Watch the women weave in their makeshift textile cottage. In the olden days, weavers from Khoma were hired in the court to weave for the Royal Family. Witness this ornate textile come to life as you walk in the streets of the village, and maybe even purchase one. Travel back to Takila for the night.

Visit Chorten kora, the stupa which resembles the architecture of the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal. Local people and Dakpa people from Arunachal Pradesh (India) gather in February/March for a festival to circumambulate the chorten. Then visit Gomphu kora, the place once blessed by Guru Rinpoche in 8^th century after subduing the evil demon. The biggest attraction of Gomphu Kora is the circumambulation. The place comes alive once every year, when people from all over eastern Bhutan and Dakpa tribe from neighboring Arunachael Pradesh (India) partake in the festivity, to worship and to reaffirm their connection with the past. If you have time, do Rigsum Goempa hike which is 3 hours walk from Dungzam in Bomdeling.

You will trace your journey back to Mongar and continue to Tashigang. From Mongar, the road ascends for a while to Kori La pass at 2400m marked by a Chorten and a few prayer flags. As you descend from the pass you will cross Yadi, a small town. Continue your drive to cross the Sherichhu river bridge at 600m. The road from here is almost flat till Dangme Chhu River Bridge from where you ascend till Tashigang. You will notice that Trashigang is a compact and bustling town that acts as a business hub in eastern Bhutan. After getting there you will begin for an hour and 22km exploratory trip to Rangjung and Radhi Villages with a picnic lunch.  Drive is along the bank of Gamri Chu River through rice fields leading to Rangjung. Explore Rangjung for a while and venture further up till the village of Radhi – it is rice bowl of eastern Bhutan and famous for weaving ‘bhura’ or raw silk, which is a classic tradition textile endemic to the region.  This trip will expose you in depth into the simplicity of lifestyle of eastern Bhutanese and how different from western Bhutan.  You may also visit Nunnery at Radhi to interact with nuns who devote their lives in practicing Dharma.  Later in the evening, you will return to Tashigang for an overnight stay at hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Tashigang.

The north eastern most twin villages of Merak and Sakteng are being inhabited by the semi-nomadic tribe called ‘brokpa’, which is believed to been migrated from southern Tibet long time ago.  You will experience their unique culture in our next two days of visit.  They speak a different language and wear a unique dress made on yak’s wool.

After early breakfast at hotel, we start our journey by retracing our drive to Rangjung and Radhi from where we continue on further up till we arrive Merak, which is situated at an elevation of 3520m.  You will spend a night here at local farmhouse belonging to the brokpa farmer.

In the morning drive back to Rangjung and take a farmroad to Sakteng which is expected to take about 5 to 6 hours drive. After reaching there socialize with nomadic brokpas and spend the day hiking and exploring the community.  Begin a short hike to get the panorama of the village.  This semi-nomadic community, Sakteng is bounded by Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in north.  Due to high altitude no other cereal crops can be grown except for some bitter buckwheat and vegetables, so the people of Sakteng depend upon yaks and cattle for their livelihood. You can interact with locals to get in-depth knowledge of their lives. As the village falls in Sakteng Wild life corridor, during monsoon you will also see blue poppy, the national flowers of Bhutan.  Yeti or abominable snowman is also believed to have been protected in this reserve.  Overnight at farmhouse in Sakteng.

After breakfast, you will begin your journey towards the west end of the village to the small ridge, descending to the river and walking along the river bank through broadleaf forests, you will come to the start of country side road where your car will be waiting here to take you to Trashigang.  Driving through several villages, you will arrive Joenkhar Village, which is the lower most area of Sakten inhabited by mixed of Brokpa and people who speak Sharchops (another popular eastern Bhutan language).  Driving further down through Rangjung, and downstream Gamri Chu River bank for a while we will reach Trashigang.  We will not stop here but continue driving to Lengkhar Village for a night halt, and also to shorten our tomorrow’s journey.  Resort here is set in a beautiful rice fields and orange trees.  Sit down for a dinner after a relaxing hot shower.  Overnight hotel at Tashigang. 

The flight to Paro normally takes off in the morning where you will once more be greeted by awesome views of northern Himalayas.  After arrival in Paro, visit national museum of Bhutan which was built to serve as watch tower in 1649 and later in 1968 the ancient watch tower was renovated and converted into national museum under the command of His Majesty, the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong meaning “The fortress on the heap of jewels” built in 1646 by our unifier Zhabdrung. Along the wooden gallaries lining the courtyard of Rinpung Dzong are the fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore and visit Kichu Temple which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in 7^th century by the Tibetan Buddhist king Songtsen Gonpo. In the evening stroll Paro town and local handicraft shops. Overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast drive to the base of Taktshang(Tiger’s Nest) Monastery  which will take about 20 minutes from your hotel and start hiking the famous Taktshang Monastery perched on the hanging cliff at about 3100 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktshang monastery now stands. The monastery is situated at about 900 meters above Paro valley. We will walk back the same way and the lunch will be served in Taktshang cafeteria or walk down to valley floor and enjoy lunch in the town. In the evening visit farmhouse and try traditional hot stone bath to heal the joint pains after your hike and try traditional Bhutanese meals. This is fantastic conclusion of your stay in Bhutan! Overnight in the hotel.

In the morning, you will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.