EASTERN DRAGON TOUR

If one has enough time, this tour package will provide a perfect opportunity to see almost the whole of .

Day 01 (Arrive - Paro): During the journey by (Bhutan’s National Airline), one will experience spectacular views of Mt. Everest and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the revered Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt Jichu Drake of Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by our representatives of and escort you to the hotel. Later, you will be taken to visit the Bhutan National Museum, a fascinating place housed in a watchtower in a round fortress called Ta Dzong above the huge Paro Dzong. This will be followed by visit to – regional administrative and religious centre, visit Kyichu temple which was believe to have been built in the 7th century. In the evening there will be free time to stroll around the township of Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 02 (Paro –Thimphu Two hours hike to Taktsang Monastery (Popularly known as the Tiger’s Nest). And drive to (the victory fortress) which is now in ruins. It is about 16 Kms away from Paro town. On a clear day one can get a breath-taking view of Mt. Jhomolhari while you drive to Drukgyal Dzong. There will be a late evening drive from Paro to Thimphu (about 2 hours) with an estimated population about 70,000 people. Check into the hotel and dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 03 (Thimphu – Sightseeing): Sightseeing in Thimphu includes – a visit to the National Library, Painting School, Folk Heritage Museum, , Memorial Chorten, Nunnery school, Paper factory (handmade paper) and in the afternoon, visit the Handicraft Emporium, Motithang Zoo - to see the National animal of Bhutan and if time permits Indigenous Hospital. Evening free time for shopping and relaxing. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 04 (Thimphu – Trongsa): The drive to Trongsa will be a long but enchanting one. It will take more than seven hours across the Dochula Pass (3050m) and Pelela Pass 3300m. On a clear day one can get a good view of the Himalayan ranges from Dochula Pass. We will then drive through Wangdue town. Picnic lunch at Chendebji Chorten. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.

Day 05 (Trongsa – Bumthang): In the morning, visit and also visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower). Drive through Trongsa town to the broad & beautiful valley of Bumthang. Stop over at Chume Valley, where local women weave the famous "Bumthang Yathra", pure woolen textile. It is woven in the traditional technique with beautiful colored motifs and patterns. Overnight lodge at Bumthang.

Day 06 (Bumthang- Sightseeing): Bumthang valley is one of the most hallowed valleys in the Kingdom and countless legends surround the area. This is the place where Guru Rimpoche first visited in 7th century. The present Royal Family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, Pema Lingpa, who was from this valley. Sightseeing includes visits to Kurje Lhakhang (where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock), Jampel Lhakhang which was built in 7th century, then Dzong (the fortress of white bird) built in 17th century by Tenzin Rabgay (the fourth Desi or the temporal ruler). Next to Tamshing Lhakhang built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa (the religious treasure discoverer). Then visit Kunchosum Lhakhang and “Meebertsho” (the flaming lake) which is in fact a gorge where the river runs through but the legend has it that Pema Lingpa discovered religious texts from this lake. Other good places to visit are the cheese factory. Evening free time to stroll around the valley and overnight lodge in Bumthang.

Day 07 (Bumthang – Mongar): After breakfast, drive to Ura village and visit Ura Lhakhang and then continue our drive to Mongar through Thrumshingla Pass (3750mts highest pass on this east –west highway). A picnic lunch will be served en-route. You will begin your journey to eastern Bhutan, which is different from western and central Bhutan in term of development and lifestyle. The steepness of the region lends itself to some spectacular views, with rushing waterfalls and sheer drops. The drive on this is an exhilarating 8 hours from Thrumshing La and once again you will see the spectacular views of the Himalayan range on a clear day. The drive continues to Mongar and you can wander around Mongar town. Overnight at hotel in Mongar.

Day 08 (Mongar – ): Trashigang is 92 kilometers from Mongar, and a four hour drive. is built high on the cliff above the confluence of two rivers. En-route we visit Dramitse Monastery (which means the peaks where there is no enemy). There are about 60 gomchens (married Nyingma monks) here. The monastery was founded by the great granddaughter of Pema Lingpa, Ani Chhoten Zangmo in 1511. It is also one of biggest and the most important Nyingmapa Monasteries in Eastern Bhutan. From there you will have great views of the valley and you can see the college at Kanglung. Dramitse Ngachham originated from here and now it is a very famous sacred dance in Bhutan. Lunch will be served at Dramtise. After lunch continue our drive to Trashigang for overnight at hotel in Trashigang.

Day 09 (Day excursion to Trashi Yangtse): 53 Kilometers from Trashigang is the beautiful valley of Trashi Yangtse. You will visit Trashi Yangtse, which is a small, pretty, quite town. The people are known for making wooden bowls and containers, which are said to be the best in Bhutan. Just below the town is the Chorten Kora. Along the way to Trashi Yangtse you will stop at the Gom Kora temple, behind which is a large black rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated in the cave in rock and that you can see the impression of his thumb, his hat, and his body in the rock. We will visit the dzong and explore in the town of Trashi Yangtse. Chorten Kora is one of the attractions of this valley in Eastern Bhutan. It is a great Chorten built in 1740 and modeled on the style of the Boudhnath Stupa in Nepal. Its annual tsechu (religious festival) attracts enormous crowds. We then drive back to Trashigang and overnight at the hotel in Trashigang.

Day 10 (Trashigang – Mongar): This is the beginning of the return journey and the drive will take four hours (92 km) and we will visit Mongar Dzong. In the evening there is free time to stroll around Mongar town and have a relaxing dinner at the hotel. Overnight hotel in Mongar.

Day 11 (Mongar – Bumthang): The drive from Mongar to Bumthang will take more than 7 hours through Thrumshingla Pass (3750mts highest pass on this east –west highway). A picnic lunch will be served en- route. From Thrumshing La once again you will see the spectacular views of the Himalayan range on a clear day. The drive continues to Bumthang and overnight lodge in Bumthang.

Day 12 (Bumthang – Punakha): We drive to Punakha via Trongsa and will visit Phobjikha valley en- route. Phobjikha is part of a conservation area in the Black Mountain National Park. It is the winter home of the migratory Black Necked Crane. Gangtey is the name of the Monastery that sits on top of a conical hill in the middle of the valley. It is also one of the oldest and largest monasteries in western parts of Bhutan. Due to a conservation effort, there is no electricity in the valley and lunch will be served en-route. We will then again continue our drive to Punakha. Overnight at hotel in Punakha.

Day 13 (Punakha – Paro): In the morning we visit which was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel. It serves as the winter residence of the monk body for 6 months. It is one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also the ancient capital of Bhutan. If time permits, we will visit Chimmi Lhakhang (a short walk of about half an hour through paddy fields to get to Chimmi Lhakhang – A monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley, the Divine Mad Man). After lunch we drive to Paro (4 ½ hours) via Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 14 (Paro – Departure): There will be an early morning drive to Paro Airport where your Bhutan representative will see you off.