Day 1 Paro [Arrival] Arrival at Paro International Air Port, during your journey, you will received by a representative of Back Country Bhutan and transfer to hotel for lunch, drive to Thimphu for 1hours.
Day 2 Thimphu Sightseeing-Morning: Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist scroll) Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Lunch at the Hotel
Afternoon: Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic school in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong – the main Secretariat Building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer.
Day 3 Thimphu ~ Punakha ~ Wangdiphodrang ~ Punakha: After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, halt at Dochula Pass (26 km) for a hot cup of tea coffee and on a clear day, the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayas. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, the former winter capital and present administrative seat of the district. It is also the winter residence of the central monastic body. The Dzong (fortress) lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, meaning male and female rivers. It was built in 1637 AD.Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong, perched on a promontory 13 km away from Punakha. The Dzong was built in 1638 A.D.Overnight at Mendigang Resort-Hotel Zangtoe Pelri at Punakha.
Day 4 Punakha ~ Trongsa-After an early breakfast drive for six hours to reach Trongsa. Lunch enroute. Check in at the hotel. The hotels, owned mostly by Tibetans, are small but clean and homely with excellent food.
Day 5 Trongsa [Sightseeing] ~ Bumthang-Morning: Visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral borne of the royal family and its watchtower. Built in 1648 A.D, it is presently the administrative seat of the district and the home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the dzong is an architectural wonder. The view from here extends for many kilometers and in the old days, it was a vigilance point for both the eastern and western routes. Thus, the strategic importance of this dzong. The watchtower, located directly above the dzong has on display many interesting arrnours and other implements of war used by ancient warrior.
Lunch at the hotel and leave for Bumthang. The journey takes about 3 hrs (68 km.) but goes along one of the most scenic routes in Bhutan. Check in at one of Bumthang’s many small but homely guesthouses.
Day 6 Bumthang Sightseeing-Morning: Visit the historical Jakar Dzong, built in 1646 A.D. by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Tetnporal ruler). In 1683 A.D. Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi, extended it. Visit several ancient and sacred monasteries such as the Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. Also visit Member Tso “The flaming Lake,” which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots. A trip to the Bumthang Swiss farm is also interesting.Night halt at Bumthang.
Day 7 Bumthang ~ Mongar
After an early breakfast, gear up for a fantastic drive to Mongar. The journey is long and crosses Thrumshing La, which at 3,800 mtrs, is the highest pass. Check in at hotel~guest house. Mongar is the district headquarters but hardly more than a transit town. It is also the first town built on a slope instead of the usual valley. This is characteristic in eastern Bhutan where there are few valleys. The true homeland of the Eastern People,the Sharchogpas, begins from Mongar.
Day 8 Mongar ~ Trashigang
Morning Visit the Mongar Dzong. Mongar Dzong is a new dzong, completed recently. It was built in the 19th century, restored in 1953 and again in 1990 after being gutted by a fire. The administrative scat and the monk body reside in the dzong.
Lunch at the hotel~guest house and drive to Trashigang. Check in at the
guest house.
Day 9 Trashigang Sightseeing
Visit the famous Trashigang Dzong. The Dzong precariously hugs a spur at more than 400 mtrs, jutting out over the the Gamri River. The Dzong commands a remarkable view of the surrounding countryside. Built in 1659 A.D. it is practically impregnable, protected on three sides by the river and ravines, and from behind by the mountains. After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through Trashigang town.
Overnight at Trashigang.
Day 10 Trashigang [Excursion to Khaling]
After an early breakfast, drive to Khaling. Enroute, visit Sherubtse, Bhutan’s only college and the sacred Zangtokpelri Monastery.
At Khaling, visit the blind school and traditional weaving centre and return to Trashigang in the evening.
Day 11 & 12 Trashigang ~ Rangjung Drive to Rangjung ( 35 km)
Exclusive Cultural Programme offered for groups of 10 persons and over:We bring to you the original culture and lifestyle of of a semi-nomadic tribe in the far north-eastern region of Bhutan known as Merak-Sakten. The Brokpas or Yak herders of this remote region have a language, culture and lifestyle that is unique even in a country like Bhutan. Although Merak and Sakten are not open to tourists because of their proximity to the Indian border, Rainbow Tours and Treks can organize a complete exhibition of the
Brokpa arts and crafts, and culture for our visitors. Enjoy Brokpa folk c[ances, including the famous Yak Dance which narrates the story of how the Brokpas first arrived from Tibet led by Lady Jomo, She is revered as one of the most powerful Deities of the region.
For those interested in socio-anthropological studies, the Brokpas present a golden opportunity.
Day 13 Rangjung ~ Trashigang
Return to Trashigang.
Day 14 Trashigang [Excursion to Trashi Yangtse]
Day excursion to Trashi Yangtse (52 km). Trashi Yangtse (Alt. 1850 mtrs) lies to the North West of Trashigang.
The Trashi Yangtse Dzong was built around 1656 AD in commemoration of a Drukpa victory and renovated in 1976. This valley was of great strategic importance in the old days because all travel to western and central Bhutan had to pass through here.
In Trashi Yangtse, you can visit the popular Chorten Kora, one of few stupas constructed in Nepali (Sherpa) style. It was built to mark the site where Guru
Rimpoche subdued many malevolent beings. According to local tradition,the architechtural model of the stupa was brought from Nepal, carved on a raddish.
Visit the traditional wood craft workshop where typical Bhutanese bowls and other wooden items are made (These products are very popular in Bhutan).
Note: If you have time, you can spend one more day in Trashi Yangtse to walk to Bumdeling (approx. 12 km.) for a glimpse of Yaks, and trout fishing. Picnic lunch at Trashi Yangtse and return to Trashigang.
Overnight in Trashigang.
OPTIONAL: Guests can either leave the country from Gauhati (India) through Samdrup Jongkhar, 180 km South of Trashigang, or return to Paro through the same route as indicated below. The drive from Samdrup Jongkhar to Gauhati in India takes about 4 hours.
