East to West Bhutan Cultural Tour - 16 Days

Welcome to the Land Of Thunder Dragon! You will be welcomed by your guide waiting outside the arrival hall. We will drive to Bhutan through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam stage. Hold night at Samdrup Jongkhar.

We will drive to Trashigang, through mountain and glorious valleys. Visit hand loom (weaving center) in Khaling and then visit the blind school. Drive through the oldest college of Bhutan, Sherabtse College and then to Trashigang.
Trashigang is the central market for high land people and here people speak Sharchop instead of Dzongkha.

We will drive up to Jimeling about 3 and a half hours and hike up yo Merak village. Hold night with high land people, dance, sing and explore their lifestyle.

Way back visit Phongme village and then drive to Rangjung and visit Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery-this was founded by Garab Rinpochhe in 1990. Evening stroll around Rangjung town. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning drive to Trashiyangtse, on the way visit GomKora temple. And in Trashiyangtse visit ChortenKora ChortenKora built in 1940 and modeled on the style of the Boudhnathstupa in Nepal. After lunch visit the Trashiyangtse town is small but very beautiful with traditional designs and colors of the houses. This place is also famous for wooden products like dapa (wooden plate), phob (cup) and others. One of the traditional painting schools is located in Tashiyangtse. Drive back to Tashigang. Overnight at hotel.

Visit Drametse monastery – founded by Ani Choten Zangmo, Pema Lingpa’s granddaughter, who fled from Bumthang to escape a proposal of marriage from the local king. She stayed there and meditated, Drametse means the peak where there are no enemies.
Continue drive to Mongar and after lunch visit Mongar Dzong.

Early morning drive to Lhuentse, on the way visit Takila where Guru Padmasambhava statue is built. And visit Lhuentse Dzong.

Now drive to high land, on the way will stop in several places.

Jambay Lhakhang: Oldest temple built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to subdue the evil demoness.

Chakhar Lhakhang: visit Chakhar temple a short distance from Jambay temple.

Kurjay Lhakhang: The temple to the right was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body imprint.

Jakar Dzong: the fortress used as an administrative center and residence of monks.

Drive to Phobjikha via Pele la Pass at the altitude of 3,150 meters, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. En-route stops at Chummy village to visit Yathra weaving central.
Drive Phobjikha a bowl-shaped valley on the western slopes of Black Mountain, visit Gantey Goenpa as it is a major attraction with an old monastery date back to the 16 century. Later walk around the valley which is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes, which migrate, from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia during winter to this valley. Overnight will be at the hotel.

Will drive to Punakha and on the way visit Chhimi Lhakhang – found by Lama Dukpa Kinley also known as divine mad man in 15th century. Visit Punakha dzong built-in 1637 by Zhabdrung.

Drive towards Thimphu and we will stop at Dochula Pass, a popular tourist spot that grants stunning 360-degree views of the Himalayas. Here, we have 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens build in the name of the Bhutanese soldiers killed in a 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents from India.

Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang, one of the largest sitting Buddha. Overlooking the Thimphu valley giving you a glorious scene. The 169 feet bronze statue makes you a visit.

Sangaygang – where Bhutan Board Casting Service tower is located on the hilltop gives you the 360-degree view of Thimphu city.

Takin reserved park – look at the beautiful animal the national aminal of Bhutan which has a significant Buddhist view.

National Institute for Zorig Chusum: Or the school of Arts and crafts is an institute where student undertake a six year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

Traditional Medicine Institute: In Bhutan, equal emphasis is given to both allopathic and traditional medicines. The rich herbal medicines made up from medicinal plants are prepared and dispensed here.

Folk Heritage Museum: The house replicates a traditional farmhouse and is furnished as it would have been about a century ago. Overnight at hotel.

Paro Valley- The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples.

Paro Dzong – also known as Rinpung Dzong, built in the 15th century and now the center of administrative doe Paro dzongkhag.

Ta Dzong – the National Museum built-in 1968 overlooking the Paro valley.

Drukgyal Dzong – dzong under reconstruction after it was destroyed by fire was build -in 1647 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

Taktsang Monastery – An hour hike to the monastery built on the cliffy mountain. Where Guru Padmasambhava flew on the tigress back and meditated.

Kyichu Lhakhang – After lunch, we will visit the other oldest temple build along with Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang.

We wish that you have a great day with us. A memory from the mountain country. We wish that you will make a visit back to Bhutan. Tashi Delek!