Itinerary for West – East Bhutan (Feb 13 – Mar 04, 2016) 20 nights/ 21 days.
Day 01: Feb 13, 2016 (Sat): Arrival from Bangkok – Paro , 2,300. Drive to Thimphu, 2,400 m (60km/1.5 hours).Visit Simtokha Dzong, the first Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Overnight at Namgay Heritage hotel (4*), Thimphu.
Day 02: Feb 14, 2016 (Sun): Exploring Thimphu; Visits include, the Buddha point, the Memorial Choeten, Week-end market, Changangkha temple and Trashi Choe Dzong. Overnight at the same place as the previous night.
Day03: Feb 15, 2016 (Mon): Drive to Paro and an excursion hike to Tiger’s Nest temple, 3000 m (4-5 hours for the round trip), Other visits include Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to seventh century. Overnight at the same place as the previous night.
Day 04: Feb 16, 2016 (Tue): Drive to Punakha, 1,450 m via Docho la, 3,050 m. Visits include 108 stupas at Docho la and attend Punakha Serdra, the great procession . Witness the casting of the jewels into the water by Central Monastic Body. Overnight at Uma, Punakha (5*).
Day 05: Day 06: Feb 17, 2016 (Wed): Attend the first day of Puna Tshechu. In the afternoon, visit Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Choeten. Overnight at the same place as the previous night.
Day 06: Feb 18, 2016 (Thu): Drive to Phobjikha, 2,900 m (80 km/3.5 hours). En route, an excursion hike to Chhime Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the divine Madman (an hour for the round trip) and the reconstruction of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong . Overnight at Gangtey Goenpa Lodge (5*) at Phobjikha.
Day 07: Feb 19, 2016 (Fri): For those interested, an early morning walk for viewing the black necked Cranes would be interesting. After breakfast, drive to Gangtey and visit Gangtoe Goenpa Monastery. Take on the Gangtoe nature trail hike (approx 1.5 hour) which passes by the Crane roosting area. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the same place as the previous night.
Day 08: Feb 20, 2016 (Sat): Drive to Bumthang, 2,600 m (155km/6 hours). En route visit Trongsa Dzong. After lunch continue drive to Bumthang. A brief stopover at Chumey Yathra Weaving Centre. Overnight at Yu garling hotel(4*) House or similar at Bumthang.
Day 09: Feb 21, 2016 (Sun): Attend the birthday celebration of the fifth king . Cultural events by the local students of Bumthang. Other visits include Tamzhing Monastery and Kencho sum Lhakhang (Under construction). Overnight at the same place as the previous night.
Day 10: Feb 22, 2016 (Mon): Exploring Bumthang; Visits include Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, and Kurjey Monasteries . Meditation sessions are included in the tour. Overnight at the same place as the previous night.
Day 11: Feb 23, 2016 (Tue): Drive to Mongar, 1600 m (190km/7 hours). From the lookout at Ura Shelthangla, you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Bhutan's highest peak, Mt Gangkar Puensum at 7,500m. We then climb to the highest point on Bhutan's lateral road - Thrumshingla Pass at 3,800m. En route if we have time we can make a stop at Namling and Sengor village where you can view the breathtaking landscapes and cascading waterfalls. Overnight at Wangchuk Hotel, Mongar.
Day 12: Feb 24, 2016 (Wed): Day trip to Largyap Retreat Centre. This centre is atop a high pass. 1.5 hrs walk to the Centre. You will have lunch here and see relics and meditate. Return for overnight stay at the same place as the previous night, Mongar.
Day 13: Feb 25, 2016 (Thu): Today you will drive 3 hrs to Lheuntse which sits at an altitude of 1,700 m. This is one of the most rural and isolated districts in the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is the ancestral home of the Royal Family of Bhutan. In Lheuntse we will see weaving, (lunch at weaving centre) pottery making and a Guru Rinpoche site. You will stay one night in Lheuntse.
Day 14: Feb 26, 2016 (Fri): After an early breakfast we visit the Lheuntse dzong, built in the 17th century and a special Guru Rinpoche site then drive back toward Mongar via Kurizampa, the training centre of His Eminence Gyelsthen Rinpoche. Lunch will be served at Kurizampa. After this visit we will return to our hotel in Mongar.
Day 15: Feb 27, 2016 (Sat): After breakfast we begin the 4 hour drive to Trashiyangste. On the way we wil stop at Gom Kora and also the little town of Doksum where the Manla village people will come to meet with Khandro Rinpoche. Manla is the birthplace of HH 9th Shabdrung (Khandro Rinpoche’s late husband). We will have picnic lunch on the way.
Day 16: Feb 28, 2016 (Sun): Morning time we spend looking at the sites of Trashiyangtse. Chorten Kora is a beautiful stupa where a local dakini gave her life for her community, then we will visit the old dzong, shop and explore the town and then travel to a beautiful view overlooking the mountains. Late afternoon we will travel 3 hours to Trashigang.
Day 17: Feb 29, 2016 (Mon): Day trip to Dametse – a very special and beautiful rural village. There are holy sites here of Pema Lingpa, Chorton Zangmo ( the dakini of Trashiyangtse) and Shadrung Jigme Drakpa. Said to be second only toTiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang) . Overnight at the same place as the previous night, Trashigang.
Day 18: Mar 01, 2016 (Tue): Today after breakfast we will drive by car (3-4 hours) till the motor end. Stop for tea then we will walk approx. 2 hours to Kangpar Lama Gompa. This is a very special retreat place full of relics and holy sites. Here we will have lunch, meditate and stay overnight as their guest house. This centre has never had westerners visit before.
Day 19: Mar 02, 2016 (Wed): After breakfast we will walk back to the motor stop ( approx. 1 hr) then we continue on our drive to Pema Gatsel which is approx. 3 hours. Here we will stay in local hotel for the night. If we arrive early enough we will have a preliminary visit to the Shakya Shri nunnery, Jashar Gompa.
Day 20: Mar 03, 2016 (Thu): Morning time we will go to Jashar Gompa again, this time for puja and lama dancing – especially dedicated to our group. After a sumptuous lunch at the nunnery we will drive to Samdrup Jongkhar ( approx. 3 hrs) for overnight stay at a hotel.
Day 21: Mar 04, 2016 (Fri): Today we leave Bhutan for India and the airport of Guwahati. It is approx. a 3 hour drive and from here we will take our plane to Bangkok or our onward destination.