This trip as the title suggests begins from Paro in the west of Bhutan and traverses all the way to the east. It gives you the opportunity to experience the culture of Bhutan in depth. The trip ends at Guwahati-the capital of Assam State of India.

The trip can be made through out the year except from mid January to mid February when the high mountain passes may remain closed due to heavy snow. 

  Itinerary 

Day 01: Arrive - Paro
Fly into Himalayas. Flight into Kingdom is considered as one of the most beautiful mountain flight with scintillating scenery of world’s highest peaks as Everest, Kanchendzonga, Makalu. Annapurna etc, and as you reach approach closer to Bhutan, Mt. Chomolhari, and the adjoining peaks can seen too on a clear weather. Reception at the airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel (15 min. drive). There will some time to stroll around the town. Dinner and briefing of your whole tour in the hotel.  

Day 02:Paro Sightseeing

Paro is picturesque valley with clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. Although the site of the nation’s first airport, Paro still retains tradition by ways of architecture and the simple way of life. Morning trip to the Ta dzong offers unique and varied collections ranging from ancient armor to textiles and thangkha paintings. Next, drive up valley to the Drukgyal Dzong or the Fort of Drukpa victory. The Dzong, although gutted by fire and now in ruins, still attracts visitors. It was used to repel Tibetans invasions throughout the course of early Bhutanese history. Looming above the smoldered ruins is the snowcapped peak of the Chomolhari. The other attractions include visit to Farmhouses, Rinphung Dzong etc. 

Day 03: Paro (Taktsang Hike) & drive to Thimphu

Today you will set off on foot or also possible on horseback to Taktsang retreat (Tiger’s nest). This monastery clinging on a sheer cliff of about some 500-ft has attracted number of tourists. The Picture of this monastery often represents Bhutan in tourists’ books. Though visiting the actual place is out of bounds for tourists, but mere sight it from across the canyon and the walk uphill through the peaceful forests is truly rewarding. Lunch en route and return downhill for drive (2 hrs) to Thimphu.  

Day 04:Thimpu

The capital of the country lies 60 kms or about two hours drive away from Paro. Sightseeing of Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the Central Government, where both the temporal and spiritual heads of the country preside. The dzong was rebuilt in the 1960s on the ruins of an early structure. Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the Late King. Stroll through town. One may be able to catch a game of archery in progress at the Changlimithang compound, below the town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. 

Day 05:Thimpu – Wangdi & Punakha

Proceed to Punakha across Dochu-la pass (3100m) and enjoy the panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan ranges. From here it is a descent all the way down through the ever-changing vegetation. Punakha & Wangdi are low lying sub-tropical valley located approx. at altitude of 1400 mts. Punakha Dzong looks like a massive ship at the confluence of Pho Chu & Mo chu river (meaning male & female river respectively). It used to serve as the winter capital of Bhutan until 1955 and today the monastic body continues to follow the same tradition. Wangdi (more appropriately Wangdi Phodrang) lies half an hours’ drive downstream of Punakha with a impressive Dzong (fortress) standing on the ridge. 

Day 06:To Phubjikha (Gangtey Gompa)

For 2 hours drive along the highway to east and then after the village of Nobding, you will approach the diversion road to Phubjikha valley (1 hr). This road made quite recently goes through the rich forests of Oak, Fir, and Junipers and with occasionally Yaks and Langurs (monkey) posing for photo against Rhododendron bloom and snowy peaks. Phubjikha is one of few glacial valleys, very wide, beautiful and also the chosen winter home of the rare Black Necked Crane, migrating down from the Central Asian Plateau. Gangtey is old monastery set atop a hill overlooking the valley. Overnight in a Lodge. 

Day 07:Gangtey to Jakar via Trongsa

Morning retrace the route till the highway and continue east across Pele- La pass (3,300m), crossing over the Black Mountains which divide western and central Bhutan. Pass through rich rhodedondron and magnolias and Yak settlements. En route you will stop at the great white stupa, built in 18^th century in Nepalese design. It stands testimony to the subjugation of a demon by the Lam Shida. The approach to Tongsa can be like a mirage as you will see the impressive Tongsa Dzong very near, an hour before you get actually get there. From the Tongsa ascend one more pass (Yutong la – 3400m). After the pass, views changes dramatically. Bumthang valley is regarded as the cultural heart of Bhutan and one of the most spectacular one. It is the most wide-open valleys of all in Bhutan. The dense forest of confers stretches. Arrive to the hotel in Jakar, after 5-½ hrs drive from Gangtey. 

Day 08: Bumthang

Today you will spend the day visiting the sacred religious monuments, weaving centers with patterns unique to the region, farm houses and market place. There is so much to see here that one can spend week going around the countryside. 

Day 09: Bumthang -- Mongar

The journey continues eastwards, winding through more rugged terrain. The drive, with spectacular views, will take about six hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motor road pass in the Kingdom, The Thrumshing-La pass (12,465ft). Gradually drop down till the Kurichu bridge (2130ft) and then climb again through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. The Mongar Dzong, albeit built not so long ago, still maintains the architectural traditions of the ancient Dzongs. Overnight at the lodge.  

Day 10:Mongar – Tashiyangtse

Follow the road to Tashigang until some 15 kms before, take a diversion to Tashiyangtse which is another 2 hours scenic drive climbing through the ridge. The views of the Rice terracing and houses along the slop is fantastic. To ones pleasant surprise, Tashiyangtse opens wide all of sudden. The whole journey is covered in 3 hours +. Overnight in Lodge or Tented camp. 

Day 11:Tashi yangtse

A very recent administrative center, the place still retains the charm of medireview towns at an altitude of 1850mts with pleasant temperature. A beautiful river passes through the township and the surrounding is a lovely place to launch a couple of hours’ walk. Nearby, a tall impressive Chorten Kora is one of the only two temples in Bhutan built in Nepalese style and is host to a great festival celebrated every year. (See Festival dates section). Visit to the old Dzong is across a thatched bamboo Bridge. In former times Tashiyangtse was important centre as it lies on one of the caravan route leading from west and central Bhutan. (This part of the trip is one of the main highlight and different to rest of the common ones). 

Day12:Tashiyangtse – Tashigang

Retrace your drive to Tashigang about 2 ½ hours drive. En-route stop Doksum village where you will can see women busy in weaving and also stop at temple of Gomkora, where Guru Padmasabhava is said to have subdued a demon. Tashigang (Alt.3375 ft) though is small town clustered together, it acts as a trading centre for many of the remote regions of eastern Bhutan. Coinciding with the local market or festival may give you chance to see the people from Merak & Sakten, who dresses differently and wears a Yak Wool hat with unusual shape. Visit the Dzong and overnight in hotel.  

Day 13:Tashigang -- Samdrup Jongkhar

The six to seven hours drive to the small frontier town of Samdrup Jongkhar can be both adventurous and scenic through the ever-changing vegetation. Along the way see Sherubste, the only college in country, the blind school and the weaving center in Khaling. Dinner and Overnight at the border town. 

Day 14:Sightseeing Jongkhar – Guwahati

After breakfast drive to Guwahati ( 3 hrs). En-route, you may coincide with one of the Assamese Tribal market, where people come to trade – barter. Guwahati is the state capital of Assam, and the gateway to many northeastern states. It is located along Brahmaputra river, one of the most important Indian river and holiest in second only to Ganga. Your Tour ends here. If you require hotel, flight or sightseeing assistance in Guwahati, please let us know.