Bhutan is historically divided into three zones, the west, East and the central. We have designed this program to experience Bhutan from the historic west to the spiritual central valleys and to the far remote Eastern Valleys. The trip includes varieties of experiences, starting out by car from Paro you journey east through the Bhutanese Capital of Thimphu and then the picturesque valleys of Punakha, Phobjikha and Trongsa. You will spend a couple of dayss in the spectacular valley of Bumthang, hiking around the valley visiting the sacred and ancient old temples that dot the valley, and take excursions to villages. We continue another day of driving to Mongar through the lush pristine forest, spectacular waterfalls and medieval villages. After a night in Mongar we further continue our drive through the historical Trashi Yangtse,Trashigang and finally to the plains of Bhutan and to Guhati, India, from where you will take your flight to Delhi or Kolkatta for your connection flight home.

DAY 01 BANGKOK TO PARO
Fly from Bangkok to Paro on Druk Air. From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Himalayan peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to hotel for lunch. After lunch visit the National Museum of Bhutan, (Ta Dzong) which contains works of art, handicrafts, costumes, armor and rare stamps. Take a leisurely hike down to Rimpung Dzong. You will walk through a traditional covered bridge across the river to your waiting car and drive to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 PARO SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast visit, Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by  Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, the Dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can get a magnificent view of the  Mount Chomolhari, alt. 7314 m / 23,990 ft. Drive south to Satsam Chorten, built in memory of the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpochey, and continue on to Kyichu Lhakhang, built in seventh century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo. After lunch drive to Thimphu, the capital city. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03 THIMPU SIGHTSEEING
After a late breakfast you will start your sightseeing of Thimphu town. Visit the Medicine Institute where traditional medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkhas ( sacred Buddhist religious scrolls), The Bhutan heritage Museum, a nineteenth century house that is preserved to present the visitors of how Bhutanese lived their life in the past, Next visit the National Library and return to hotel for lunch. After lunch visit Textile Museum, the traditional gold and silver smith workshop and other places of interest. Overnight at Hotel.

OPTION: If you are in Thimphu during Friday Saturday and Sunday then the sightseeing will

Visit Thimphu weekend market, which is in a permanent set of stalls, vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain selling their goods until Sunday night. It’s an interesting place to visit, where village people jostle with well-heeled Thimphu residents for the best  - and cheapest – vegetables and foodstuffs. This is the only time that fresh produce is easily available and the shopping is enhanced by the opportunity to catch up on the week’s gossip. At the northern end of the market is a collection of stalls called the indigenous goods and handicrafts section. Here you will find locally produced goods, including religious objects, baskets, fabrics and different hats from various minority groups. Continue your sightseeing to Zangdopelri temple, the Changlimithang where you can witness young Bhutanese practicing their favorite archery game. Return to hotel for lunch, after lunch visit the Memorial Chorten built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, Dupthop Lhakhang (Monastery for the nuns) and other places of interest.

DAY 04 THIMPHU-PUNAKHA
Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, as we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha (1,350 meters/ 4,430 feet). Before proceeding further to Punakha town we will hike up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple on a small hilltop. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” to the westerners. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. After lunch we will proceed to Punakha town to view the majestic Dzong ( fortress), situated between the two rivers Pho Chu and Mochu (male and Female River). This fortress is now used as the winter seat of the Je Khenpo ( the Spiritual head of Bhutan). In the past this Dzong was the capital seat of the Kingdom. After strolling through the town of Punakha retire back to hotel.

DAY 05 PUNAKHA – TRONGSA
The drive to Trongsa takes approximately 6 hours. We start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan through the breathtaking beauties and serenity of Bhutan’s rich flora and fauna.  As we cross the fertile valley of Punakha and enter into the valley of Wangdue Phodrang. We take an opportunity to photograph the majestic fortress of Wangdue Dzong, which stands on a spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pele la Pass (3,300 m/ 10,989 ft.)  With an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo, the Pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East Bhutan. During the clear weather we can view the high snow capped peaks specially the Mount Chomolhari (7,314 m/ 24,355 ft.). As we descend from the pass through the dwarf bamboo and quite often Yaks grazing we reach at Chendebji Chorten. Lama Shida built this Chorten or Stupa in 18th century. Continue your drive to Trongsa, as you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa makes you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. Overnight at Lodge.

DAY 06 TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
After breakfast we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647, by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan. Next we will visit Taa Dzong, the ancient watchtower, overlooking the Dzong and the town. We will than resume our drive to Bumthang crossing the Yotongla Pass and into the first four valley of Bumthang known as Chumey, we will visit Domkhar Palace, this palace was used as the summer residence of 2nd king Jigme Wangchuk. Lunch will be served here in the open ground. We will make another stop at Tsungney village, where we will observe the weavers weaving the famous Bumthang fabric known as Yathra. Continue our drive for an hour and arrive at the Chokhor Valley, if time permits we will have sightseeing around the valley. Overnight at Lodge. 

DAY 07 & 08 BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING
Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of four valleys-Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura. Choekhor and Chumey are agricultural valleys while Tang and Ura depend mostly on the animal husbandry. Sightseeing in the valley of Chokhor will involve walking almost throughout the day. Begin your hike from your Lodge to the Temple of Jambay Lhakhang through scattered and clustered villages of Jakar. A Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, built this temple in the 7th century. Your next stop will be Chakar Lhakhang, which was built in the 8th century. This House was a castle of the King Sindhu Raja who used to rule the Bumthang Valley. Continue your hike to Kurjey monastery, it is here, the great tantric saint Padmasambhava had meditated and subdues a local deity known as Shelging Karpo. Continue your hike north and cross the Chamkhar River you will arrive at Tamshing Lhakhang. Terton Pemalingpa built this temple in 1500s. Your final stop of the hiking will be at Konchogsum Lhakhang, built in 7th century.   From here you will drive to the Apple and Cheese factory. Your next stop will be the small town of Chamkhar. The car will drop you near the bridge from where you will stroll through the small half-kilometer town and return back to Lodge.

DAY 09 BUMTHANG – MONGAR
The drive from Bumthang to Mongar will surely enchant you as it offers one of the most spectacular views of the country. Evergreen junipers and colorful Rhododendrons cover the hillsides, as fresh new scenery unfolds with every twist and turn of the winding road. Sound of the rushing streams and cascading waterfalls greets you as you look down at the valley looming in the distance below the precipitous rock face. You will be so captivated by its beauty that the seven hours journey will hardly be noticed. Overnight at Guest House.

DAY 10 MONGAR – TRASHIGANG Via TRASHIYANGTSE
TRASHIYANGTSE: (altitude 6,000 feet) Driving from Mongar to Trashigang you take the left road to Trashiyangtse before crossing Chazam (Bailey bridge) to Trashigang. The road traverses north and takes about 2 hours to reach at Trashiyangtse. Tashiyangtse Dzong is half-hour walk from the main road. Established in 1656, the Dzong was completely renovated in 1976.Tashiyangtse is a small village with a garden aspect and a lovely place from where to launch a couple of hour's stroll into surrounding countryside.  The drive is again a picturesque with sub tropical forest blooming with different vegetation and wild life the place is paradise for nature lovers. On your way to Trashigang you will make several stops before turning back for Trashigang. Gomkora: 15 miles from Trashigang before arriving Trashiyangtse is a popular pilgrim site where Guru Rinpochey had meditated and subdue the demon that dwelt in the vicinity. This is also the venue for Gomkora Festival held in early spring. Duksom. A small village with many shops and small eating places, this is a small shopping area for the surrounding villages, you will find women weaving cloth in particularly colorful patterns using back strap looms. Continue your drive North to Chorten Kora, a large stupa designed similar to Nepal’s Boudnath stupa, this large white stupa was constructed in 1740 by Lama Nawang Lodey. During the second month of Lunar calendar that is March or April the people in Trashiyangtse celebrate a festival known as Chorten Kora. You have arrived in Trashiyangtse, stroll the bazaar before you turn back to Trashigang. Overnight at Guest House in Trashigang.

DAY 11 TRASHIGANG
In the morning stroll the small town of Trashigang, here you will meet several different ethnic groups of eastern Bhutan that come to shop here. In particular the Merak Sakten people, who have complete different language and dress code. After Lunch we will visit the Trashigang Dzong, rest of the day free for individuals to explore Trashigang on your own.

DAY 12 TRASHIGANG – SAMDRUP JONGKHAR
After breakfast we will resume our drive to Samdrup Jongkhar the border town between Bhutan and India, the drive. En route we visit the Zangdo Pelri temple at Kanglung, a twon with clock tower and the college campus, this is the only degree college in Bhutan. The road climbs through fields of corn and potatoes crossing through Yongphu La Pass (7190 feet) and swoops along the top of the Bartsam valley, cuts across a ridge into another valley, then winds down again and enters into Khaling. Khaling is the home to the National institute for the disabled. After visiting the institute you will drive few kilometers further and then visit Khaling National Handlomm Development project, operated by the National Women’s Association. The hand woven products manufactured from this institute are sold in Thimphu market. You can purchase any hand woven products that you may like. You will continue the drive through sub tropical forest  to tropical forest when you arrive in Samdrup Jongkhar. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13 DEPART BHUTAN
If you have tour organized in India, then you should let your Indian agent pick you up this morning from Samdrup Jongkhar. Otherwise our vehicle can drop you at the Guhati Airport (A small surcharge will be added above your cost) if this service is required.