15 days Eastern Bhutan tour explores all the major towns of Bhutan. The eastern Bhutan is more wild than western Bhutan. In western Bhutan we see far fewer tourist than the western Bhutan. The eastern Bhutan tour are worthwhile since there are several monasteries and villages.
Eastern Bhutan is the least explored region of Bhutan. It offers one of the most authentic experience for adventure oriented travelers. The unspoiled natural beauty, pristine forest with great variations in altitude and climatic conditions, towering cliffs and the regular Buddhist festivals, tour in Eastern Bhutan will give you some of the country's most ancient spiritual practices while observing Animistic and Bon religious ritual. The Western to Eastern Bhutan tour starts at Paro from the western Bhutan and ends at Samdrup Jongkhar of Eastern Bhutan. The Western Eastern Bhutan tour citric includes Paro, Taktsang Monastery, Thimpu, Punakha, Bumthang, Trongsa, Mongar, Lhuntse, Tashi Yantse, Tashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar.
Day 01:Arrive in Paro, Bhutan(2250m).
The flight to Paro on a clear day is one of the most spectacular flight with view of Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsering ghang. On arrival at Paro airport, you will be received by our Bhutan tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Evening take a stroll around Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02:Paro Sightseeing Tour
Breakfast and Paro tour visit Ta Dzong or National Museum, which is among the best natural history museums in Asia. Ta Dzong offers a unique and varied collections ranging from ancient armor to textiles, thangkha paintings and natural life. Then walk down the trail to visit Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. It now houses the Paro monastic school and office of the civil administration. Also Rinpung Dzong is the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in spring.
In the afternoon, visit Drukgyel Dzong or the Fort of Drukpa victory. From this fortress Bhutanese repelled invasion by Tibetans throughout the course of history. Looming above the smoldered ruins is the snowcapped peak of Mt. Chomolhari. Also visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House, nestled below the dzong. Then drive towards Paro town en route visiting Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries of the Kingdom reflecting introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Day 03:Paro – Thimphu (2350m, 55km, 2 hours)
Breakfast and excursion to Taktsang Monastery view point. It is one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called 'Tiger's Nest. This is an important pilgrimage sites in Bhutan.
Later drive to Thimphu, the capital town passing via idyllic countryside, through villages and paddy fields. En route visit the Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 04:Thimphu sightseeing tour
Breakast and Thimpu guided tour visit National Library - it holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags. Arts and Crafts School or Painting School - famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Textile and Folk Heritage Museum - the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
Memorial Chorten - the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Trashichhodzong - the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Handicrafts Emporium - it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 05:Thimphu to Punakha (1310m, 75 km, 3 hours)
Morning, in Thimphu visit to local market and town and drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,080m) offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Arrive Punakha and check into the hotel. Visit to Punakha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang, Namgyal in 17th century and situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers in the afternoon.
Day 06:Punakha to Gangtey/Phobjikha ( 2900m, 70km, 3 hours) via Wangduephodrang.
Breakfast and drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo work, slate & stone carving. Drive to Phobjikha valley through a forest of oak and rhododendron. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. Explore Phojikha valley and also visit to Gangtey Monastery; the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Overnight Guest House/Camp.
Day 07:Gangtey to Trongsa (2200m, 128km, 4.1/2 hours)
Morning explore Phobjikha valley for Black Neck Cranes and later drive to Tongsa across Pelela pass (3,300m). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further ahead stop en route at Chendbji Chorten, built in 18th century in Nepalese style. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular and for miles on end the dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. On arrival, check into the lodge.
Day 08:Tongsa to Bumthang/Jakar(2800m, 68km, 3 hours)
Morning visit to Tongsa Dzong (2,200m) by built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Then visit the Ta Dzong, standing on the side of the mountain and built to guard Trongsa. After lunch proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. 29 kms ahead of Trongsa cross Yutongla pass (3,400m) and from here again the landscape looks different and dense forests of conifers stretches. The arrival of Bumthang begins with wide, open cultivated Chumey valley. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 09:Bumthang Excursion
Visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche meditated here. From Kurje monastery; a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to the Jambey Lhakhang. Like Kyichu Lhakhang in the Paro valley, this temple is said to be the first that King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet constructed in 7th century. Afternoon visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist paintings. Later see the Jakar Dzong, "the dzong of the white bird". Evening take a stroll through Bumthang market area. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 10:Bumthang to Mongar (1700m, 198 km, 7 hours)
The journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain. The drive, with spectacular views will take about 7 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass (4000m). Gradually drop down to Sengor, watching cascading water falls on the way. The descent stops at 700m on a bridge over the Kurichu. Ascent again through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit Mongar Dzong; built albeit quite recently, the dzong still maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.
Day 11:Mongar to Trashigang (3773m, 96 km, 3 hours)
This trip of about 96 kms takes 3 hours passing through Kori la pass (2,450m), the place marked by a pretty chorten and a stone wall. The drive through leafy forest filled with fern, corn fields and banana groves of Yadi which is a recent settlement. Trashigang is the centre of the biggest and most populated district in the country. Visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri River. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the dzong is occupied by the Drukpa monastic community. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day 12:Trashigang Excursion
24 km from Trashigang, visit the temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial plateau, overlooking the river. Gom Kora is a famous place where Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon. Further ahead reach to Doksum village where you can see women busy in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and a chain bridge dating of the 15th century. Visit to Trashiyangtse Dzong, situated at the alt. of 1,850 m. In former times Trashiyangtse was important centre because it lies on one of the caraven routes leading from western and central Bhutan.The dzong is new and near by are the Art school and the famous chorten Kora.
Day 13:Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar(252m, 180 km, 6 hours)
Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar road completed in 1965 and it takes about 6 hours. Along the way, pass by Sherubtse College, the only college in country founded in 1978. We also visit the Zangtho Pelri temple built in 1978 by the late Minister of Home Affairs. It represents Guru Rinpoche's paradise. Driving ahead, reach to Khaling to visit the Blind School and Weaving Centre. Deothang, 80 kms from Khaling is the centre of Technical training college and road maintenance head quarters for the east. From here the road descends fairly rapidly to the plain through a dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns. Overnight at the lodge in Samdrup Jongkhar.
Day 14:Depart Samdrup Jongkhar to India or Nepal.
After breakfast transfer to Bhutan border where you can continue tour to Guahati, Asam India.
Not Available.
Altitude mountain sickness can affect everyone while trekking including young and healthy people and is a genuine concern in the Khumbu region. If you feel dizzy, suffer palpitations or severe headaches, return immediately to a lower altitude. Do not take altitude sickness lightly. It can be fatal! When trekking, its vital to realize that you must always hike at a pace that is convenient to your body…& not to anyone else’s, make sure you feel comfortable when trekking and listen to your body…always. These are the questions we are often asked and we hope that you will find the answers useful. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.
You can get hot shower services throughout the trip. However, the higher you climb the less pleasant it will be. It’s better to be on the safe side of things.
You will only have to carry a daypack, which should be a reasonable size to carry a water bottle, sunscreen, camera, etc. Your other packs are carried by porters. Again we stress on the wisdom of always ‘travel light’.
Most of the tea houses have electricity facilities during the trekking period. You can charge your electronic devices on the trail.
You can keep your luggage and valuable items in a locker at the hotel in Kathmandu for free of charge.
The weight limit for the trek is 15 kg per guest, as it is the maximum weight that the porters can carry. It is also important to note that "hard" luggage poses a problem: soft "duffel-bags" are recommended which we provide. The lighter you are the better for the trails.
You can get your money exchanged at your hotel or we will recommend you the better place where you can get good exchanging rates. So once you are here in Kathmandu, visit us for further information.
Obtaining a Nepalese visa on arrival is easier except that you may have to spend some precious time queuing. If you get your visa in advance, you can avoid the queue. Also, don’t forget to bring cash as ATMs are not available at the airport. Note: If you are staying for more than 15 days, don’t forget to arrange a visa for 30 days.
Our airport representative and a vehicle will be waiting you at the arrival gate of the airport; in his hand will be a plaque board holding your name clearly written on the board or paper. You can’t lose us.
We accommodate trekking groups in local lodges available on the trail. As it is not possible to book the rooms days in advance, we send a porter few hours ahead of the group each day to book the rooms.
You can enter into Nepal both by land and flight. Several Airlines have direct flights to Kathmandu from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Doha, Osaka, Shanghai, Moscow, Bangkok, Singapore, Hongkong, Karachi, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, Paro, Dhaka, Lhasa and Varanasi.
In City like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Nagarkot we do provide star hotel as per your request and during the trekking, we will provide tea house accommodation. A Tea House is the combination of guest house, restaurant, and social hang out. Private rooms are available in most Tea Houses, except for high altitudes ones where it will be just dormitories. The lodges are fairly basic. The rooms are spare with twin beds and very little additional furniture. Blankets are generally provided. Most bathrooms are shared and toilets can be either squat type or the western version. Most of the Tea Houses have running water facility. Many of them have hot water available for bathing at additional cost. Solar heaters depend on day’s weather. But we discourage our groups from using water heated by wood, as lack of firewood in most villages is a big environmental concern in Nepal. It is advisable to carry wet wipes as an alternative
There is a large dining room-cum-lounge, warmed by stove (an iron cylinder, fitted with a chimney duct, in which a log fire is lighted). There is normally no electric lighting in the rooms unless the village has hydroelectric power. The dining room usually has solar lighting. Most tea houses now also have electricity for charging small appliances - mobile phones and cameras - and there may be a small charge for this.
During a Tea House trek you will usually have breakfast and dinner in the Tea House; lunch will be eaten at one of the trail side restaurants. Every Tea House serves the traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), as well as a variety of different food items, such as rice, vegetables, noodles, potatoes and soup. Some have Nepali versions of western food such as pizza, pasta and French fries. Soft drinks, snacks and beer are available in most of the Tea Houses and trail side restaurants. And of course Nepali milk tea is served everywhere.
All tea houses have boiled water for trekkers. We discourage the purchase of bottled water while on the trail. The plastic bottles are difficult to dispose off and have become an environmental problem.
Trek Name: Eastern Bhutan Tour
Trek Days: 14 Days
Total Price: 1000 USD
Trek Season: Sep to Dec,Jan to June
Trek Package: Budget/Standard/Deluxe
Mode of Transfer: Bus/Car/Flight
Start/End of Trek: Kathmandu /Kathmandu
Group Size: 2 - 3 Peoples
Trek Altitude: Trek Altitude
Trek Difficulty: Moderate
Accomodation Tea House
Culture Gurung / Magar