Eastern Bhutan Tour

Cultural Tours offers a wide array of fabled destinations, custom designed itineraries, tailor made travel programs. All published Programs are locally hosted with professional English Speaking Guide for all transfers and sightseeing excursions. Guests are met at the Airport upon arrival by a professional English speaking guide, and are in the care of our carefully chosen correspondents throughout their stay.

Trip Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights

Day 1: Arrival at Paro

Paro Elevation: 2,280m

Upon arrival you will be welcomed and escorted to your lodge/hotel by your host/guide from Ratna Yoebar Tours. Your private guide will take you for a stroll around the vibrant town of Paro in the evening. The wide and fertile valley of Paro is considered as the Rice bowl of the country.

Attractions of the day:

• Paro Dzong or the Rinpung Dzong – Fortress of the heap of Jewels.
• Ta Dzong: It is the National Museum, a conical watch tower overlooking the Rinpung Dzong.
• Kichu Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7^th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day called Jampey Lhakhang in Bumthang.

Day 2: Paro Sightseeing

Full day sightseeing of Paro valley. overnight stay at Paro.

Highlights include:

• Paro Dzong or the Rinpung Dzong – Fortress of the heap of Jewels.
• Taa Dzong: It is the National Museum, a conical watch tower overlooking the Rinpung Dzong.
• Kichu Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7^th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day called Jampey Lhakhang in Bumthang.
• Dungtse Lhakhang: An unusual Chorten-like temple that was built in 1433 by the iron-bridge builder Thangthong Gyalpo.
• Drugyel Dzong: The ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, The Fortress of the Victorious Drukpa People stands on a scenic knoll at one end of Paro valley. It was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate victory over Tibetan invasions.

Day 3: Paro to Thimphu

Thimphu Elevation: 2,320m

After breakfast at Paro, we will drive to the capital city Thimphu (58 km 2:00hrs). The capital city houses the seat of the Government, many glittering monuments, temples, museums, monasteries and dzongs. In the evening, we shall travel to Paro. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro.

Attractions of the day:

• The Memorial Stupa
• Folk Heritage Museum
• Changangkha Lhakhang
• Trashichhodzong
• Buddha Point, The 169 feet Buddha Dordenma statue, largest Statue of Buddha in the world.

Day 4: Tango Hike, Thimphu

Hike up to Tango Monastery, a monastic school and retreat built in the 15th century. It takes about one hour. The monastery is the residence of the Druk Desi Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, a lama who is a reincarnation of the 16th century monk who founded Tango. Thimphu valley sightseeing in the afternoon. Overnight stay at Thimphu.

Attractions of the day:

• Painting School
• Changangkha Lhakhang
• Weaving center
• Handicraft stores

Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha

Punakha Elevation: 1,310m

Early morning drive to Punakha. Overnight stay at Punakha.

Attractions of the day:

• Punakha Dzong: The second of Bhutan’s Dzongs built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Rinpoche. The official name is Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which translates as “The Palace of Great Bliss”.
• Chhimi Lhakhang: The fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint and a folk hero popularly known as The Divine Madman (1455-1529).

Day 6: Punakha – Wangduephodrang – Gangtey (Phobjikha)

Gangtey Elevation: 2,900m

Gangtey: A beautiful place of undulating hills and green meadows surrounded by snowcapped mountains. From Gangtey, we can view the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Gangtey Gonpa (Gangtey Monastery) is perched atop a small hill and is the only Nyingmapa Monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains. Overnight stay at Gangtey.

Day 7: Gangtey (Phobjikha) to Trongsa

Trongsa Elevation: 2,180m

Drive to Trongsa Valley. Enroute view Chendebje Chorten, Tongsa Dzong and Ta-Dzong. Overnight stay at Trongsa.

• Chendebje Chorten: The impressive stupa was built in the traditional Nepalese style and is situated on a river confluence.
• Trongsa Dzong: It is one of the finest spectacular examples of Bhutanese architecture. It is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family.
• Ta Dzong: Built in 1652, today this watchtower serves as National Museum, monastic residence and a place of meditation.

Day 8: Trongsa to Bumthang

Travel to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. It is exactly 2.30hr drive. We can visit Domkhar Dzong and Chhumey textile shop.

Day 9: Bumthang Sightseeing

Bumthang Elevation: 2,580m

Sightseeing in and around Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. Overnight stay at Bumthang. Bumthang is a picturesque valley of beautiful houses, and fields of buckwheat, barley and apples.

Highlights of the day:

• Jakar Dzong: It is in a picturesque location overlooking the Chokhor valley. Jakar Dzong roughly translates as the The Castle of the White Bird.
• Jampey Lhakhang: One of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in the 7^th century to subdue an ogress. There is another temple said to be built on the same day called Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
• Tamzhing Goemba: Also called The Temple of Good Message, it was built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa.
• Kenchosum Lhakhang: A small temple dating back to 6^th or 7^th century, it’s a source of many interesting stories.
• Kurje Lhakhang: The name kurjey translates into kur – body and jey – print. Guru Rinpoche has left his body print on a rock inside the main old Lhakhang.

Day 10: Bumthang to Mongar

Mongar Elevation: 1,600m

It is 198 km till Mongar, we will ride through cold scented pine forests and beautiful villages of Ura till the Thrumshingla Pass (3,750m). Followed by a downhill ride into warm Sengkhor village till Mongar. Overnight stay at Mongar.

Day 11: Mongar Sightseeing

After the long ride, you can rest in the morning and ride through Mongar town area in the evening to explore the villages and temples around Mongar. Overnight stay at Mongar.

Day12: Mongar to Tashigang

Tashigang Elevation: 1,070 m

Ride about 90 km to reach Tashigang nestled in the centre of Eastern Bhutan. There are several monasteries and villages that offer tranquility and peace owing to its fresh unpolluted air and lush vegetation.

Day 13 | Tashigang (Excursion to Tashiyangtse)

Tashiyangtse Elevation: 1,700m

After breakfast we shall visit the temple of Gom Kora, 24 km far from Tashigang. We will visit Tashiyangtse Dzong, which overlooks the town and was built in the late 1990s when the new district was created. We shall also visit the dazzling white stupa of Chorten Kora on the riverbank below the town, and the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students are trained in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. In the evening we return to Tashigang. Dinner and overnight stay at Tashigang.

Day 14: Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar

Samdrup Jongkhar Elevation: 170m

An interesting long 180 km drive through Sherubtse college, Khaling and several other settlements as you descend towards the Indian plains at 150 m.

Day 15: Departure

Depart from Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati to travel back to your homeland. Your Guide will escort you to bid you farewell and a safe journey back.

Note: The itineraries can be tailored to suit your interest and convenience.

Daily Tariff (High tourist season):
US $250 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the Month of March, April, May, September, October, November

Daily Tariff (low tourist season):
US $ 200 per person per day on twin sharing basis during the month of January, February, June, July, August, December

All the tours can be customized and clients can request extra services.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLIMENT US $ 30 PER NIGHT PER PERSON.
FIT surcharges 1 pax US $ 40 per day per person.
FIT surcherges 2 pax US $ 30 per day per person.

Cost Includes:
1. All Permits
2. Museum Fees
3. All Sightseeing
4. Walks and Hikes
5. Bottled Mineral Water
6. English Speaking Guide
7. Double/Twin in 2/3 Star Accomodation
8. Receive and Transfer to Airport
9. 3 Meals every day with Evening Tea
10. Toyota SUV for FIT & Toyota Bus for Group with Driver

Cost Does Not Include:
1. Insurance
2. Inbound Airfare
3. Gifts & Souvenirs
4. Alcohol & Beverages
5. Round Trip Air fare
6. Donations to Monasteries
7. International Telephone Calls
8. Tips for Guide, Driver & other Staff

Note:
TCB Licensed language Speaking Guides US $ 100 per day.
Tour price is based on High Season Tariff of US $ 250. For low season months it will be based on Low Season Tariff of US $ 200