December 2-16, 2010

This 14 night journey explores Bhutan from west to east, traversing the entire kingdom and exiting by land to India, where the trip ends at the Guwahati airport. The recently opened (to tourists) and little visited eastern part of Bhutan holds many pleasant surprises, its varied cultures, terrain, and sights providing contrast to what most visitors experience. If getting off the beaten path in a country already off the beaten path appeals to you, consider joining this journey to Bhutan.

DAY 1
Arrive Paro and check into Gantey Palace Hotel. Enjoy your first Bhutanese meal in restaurant in downtown Paro, followed by exploration of Paro and a visit the Paro dzong.

DAY 2
A two hour drive brings us to Thimpu, one of the world’s smallest capitals. There is much to see, the 400 year old art school, museums, school of traditional medicine, and national memorial chorten. This day will provide a glimpse into Bhutanese life, both old and new. Our centrally located hotel is close to restaurants and night life in Bhutan’s only urban area. Overnight at Phuntsho Pelri Hotel.

DAY 3
Another full day in Thimpu, starting with a 2-hour hike to Wangdi-tshe monastery.Built in 1750, and impressively perched above the Thimpu valley, it is surrounded by pine and rhododendron forest. Still in use today, the monastery houses monks who permit us to view the altar room, withenormous gold covered sculptures of Buddha. Overnight at Phuntsho Pelri Hotel.

DAY 4
Depart Thimpu to drive east, over Dochu La Pass, at 10,130 feet. The high pass is considered sacred, so is festooned with thousands of prayer flags. The views are impressive, with mountains in the distance, and forest of magnolias and rhododendron in the foreground. From here we descend into semi tropical lowland, and arrive just outside of Punakha town, where we overnight at the Zango Pelri Hotel.

DAY 5
We spend the morning exploring the Punakha Dzong, considered to be the most beautiful of all Bhutan’s dzongs. Afternoon hike to Chimi Lhakhang monastery, built in 1499 to commemorate Lama Drukpa Kinley’s subjugation of the demoness. It is also revered as a temple of fertility and a blessing ceremony with a giant phallus is performed for those who request this. Overnight at Zangto Pelri Hotel.

DAY 6
Morning visit to Punakha market. Local produce and goods are for sale, and the crowd is a mix of Bhutanese, farmers, government officials, monks, housewives, school children, hip young kids come to hang out (their mall), and of course us, likely the only foreigners. Then we drive east, through the densely forested and mostly uninhabited Black Mountains. We cross Pele La Pass, at 10,830 feet, considered the traditional boundary between eastern and western Bhutan. At this altitude the scenery is dwarf bamboo, herds of yak, and snow covered peaks. We continue to Trongsa, where we spend the night at the Yangkhil Resort, just outside town and facing the Trongsa Dzong.

DAY 7
Following breakfast we drive an hour past waterfalls and terraced rice fields to Kuenga Rabten, the winter palace of the second king of Bhutan, Jigme Wangchuk. Next we visit the Trongsa Dzong, strategically and spectacularly sited above the river. Due to its enormous size, it is considered the most impressive of all Bhutan’s Dzongs. Afternoon to explore Trongsa town, small yet interesting and very friendly. Overnight at Yangkhil Resort.

DAY 8
In the morning we visit the Trongsa museum, recently built in the old watch tower overlooking the Dzong, Bhutan’s finest museum. Then we drive east to the town of Jakar in the Bumthang valley. This area in considered the cultural heartland of Bhutan, and has many historical sights. Overnight at Jakar Village Lodge.

DAY 9
Full day to explore the Bumthang valley, visit the 2 dzongs and take a short hike to waterfalls. Overnight at Jakar Village Lodge.

DAY 10
Our longest drive, 7 hours through more mountains and valleys, with some of Bhutan’s most spectacular scenery brings us to Mongar. Overnight at Druk Zhongar Hotel.

DAY 11
Early departure from Mongar for day visit to Lhuentse, site of the most picturesque of all the dzongs. En route we pass tiny scenic villages and impressive forest and mountains. In Lhuentse we will have picnic lunch, then return to Mongar. Overnight at Druk Zhongar Hotel.

DAY 12
We continue to travel east from Mongar, to arrive in Trashigang, one of the most interesting towns in Bhutan, seldom visited by foreigners. Explore the town and surrounding. Overnight at Druk Deothjung Hotel.

DAY 13
Morning excursion to Trashi Yangste, en route we visit the very picturesque Gom Kora monastery. While still in mountainous terrain, the mountains are lower here and cloaked with sub tropical vegetation. Overnight at Druk Deothjung Hotel.

DAY 14
A 6 hour drive to the southeast carries us out of the mountains into the plain. Along the way the terrain and vegetation change dramatically from everything we have seen the past 2 weeks. We spend the night at the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar. Overnight at TLT Guesthouse.

DAY 15
Morning departure, pass through Bhutanese and Indian immigration, followed by 3 hour drive to airport in Guwahati, India. From Guwahati numerous flights depart to Delhi and Kolkata, from where onward international connections may be made.

 

---

TOTAL COST PER PERSON FOR FOURTEEN (14) NIGHT BHUTAN TRIP
(Includes food, accommodations, ground transportation, entrance fees, services of licensed Bhutanese guide and driver, services of U.S. tour leader, Bhutanese visa and airport taxes)

$4900. (Based on double occupancy)
Single supplement, $5460.

Note: gratuities, alcoholic beverages, laundry, souvenirs, travel insurance, and international airfare not included.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE:
There are 2 gateways to Bhutan: either through Bangkok, Thailand or Delhi, India. From the East Coast it is generally less expensive to fly to Delhi, India, (Delhi flight stops in Kathmandu, where it is possible to join flight) and then to Bhutan. From the West Coast, a flight to Bangkok and then to Bhutan generally works out to be more economical. For this itinerary participants fly into Bhutan and out of Guwahati, India.

Bangkok-Paro, Bhutan, one way, $418.
Delhi-Paro, Bhutan, $366. one way
Guwahati, India-Bangkok, one way, $230.

Please contact me at:
john@champacajourneys.com with any questions!