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from$5,290per person
Overview
Bhutan is the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery and magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces the modern world. This sixteen-day journey crosses the whole country from Paro in the west to Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse in the far east. You visit Paro and Thimphu, Punakha Dzong and the fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang, Trongsa Dzong, and the four valleys of Bumthang with Jakar Dzong, Kurjey Lhakhang and Tamshing Goemba. The road then climbs over the Thrumshing La, with views of Gangkar Puensum, and drops to Mongar, the first Bhutanese town built on a hillside, and Trashigang, whose dzong hangs above the Gamri River. An excursion leads to Gom Kora, the Nepali-style stupa of Chorten Kora and the weaving and woodcraft workshops of Trashi Yangtse. The return includes the black-necked crane valley of Phobjikha and the hike to Tiger's Nest.
Day by day
Arrive at Paro, enjoying the clean air and quiet of the valley. Visit the National Museum in the old Ta Dzong watchtower and Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645, now the district administration and monastic school.
Keep exploring
from$5,290
Request to bookThimphu, the only world capital without traffic lights. Visit the Memorial Chorten built for the third King, the National Library, the Painting School for traditional thangka art, the Handicrafts Emporium and the weekend market, then Semtokha Dzong (1629), Tashichho Dzong and Pangri Zampa Monastery.
Over the Dochula (3150 m) to Punakha Dzong, winter residence of the Je Khenpo, and Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple built in 1499 where childless couples come for a blessing.
About 4 hours over the Pele La (3240 m) through fir and rhododendron forest, with a picnic lunch at Chendebji.
Visit Trongsa Dzong (1648) and the Ta Dzong museum, then drive 68 km over one of Bhutan's most scenic routes to Bumthang.
Jakar Dzong (1667), Wangdichholing Palace, Kurjey Lhakhang with Guru Rinpoche's body print, Tamshing Goemba (1501), Konchogsum Lhakhang and Membartsho, the Burning Lake.
About 7 hours over the Ura and Thrumshing La passes with views of Gangkar Puensum (7541 m), then a 3200 m descent through forest to Mongar.
Visit Mongar Dzong, then about 3.5 hours to Trashigang.
Explore Trashigang, once an important centre of trade with Tibet, and its dzong (1659), perched 400 m above the Gamri River.
Visit Gom Kora, a meditation site of Guru Rinpoche, the weaving village of Duksum, the Nepali-style stupa of Chorten Kora and traditional woodcraft workshops.
Begin the return journey west.
Back over the Thrumshing La to Bumthang.
Via Trongsa with a picnic at Chendebji Chorten, then into the glacial Phobjikha valley.
Visit Gangtey Goemba and the valley, winter home of 200-300 endangered black-necked cranes, then drive to Paro.
Hike to the viewpoint and on to Taktsang, the Tiger's Nest, Bhutan's most famous monastery, clinging to a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley where Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress. Allow 4-6 hours round trip.
Transfer to the airport.
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