Day 1: Arrive Paro

During the flight into Bhutan, one will experience breathtaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your Little Planet Excursion representative. After completion of arrival formalities, including the processing of your visa (please bring your copy) we will drive to your hotel. After lunch explore Paro town.

Overnight – Paro (7478ft)

Day 2: Fly to Yonphula from Paro International Airport

Today after our breakfast, we will fly to Trashigang and upon arrival, from Yonphula Airport (7183ft) we shall descend towards Kanglung (6133ft), where one of the first modern schools in Bhutan was established and today it is the prime college of the country. If time permits visit the sacred Zangtokpelri Monastery. From here it is another hour until Trashigang (3510ft) where we shall stop for two nights. Trashigang is a lively town and the bars are worth visit. Walk through the town’s plaza where a large prayer wheel sits in the centre of the square and visit the Trashigang Dzong. The entire eastern region was governed from this Dzong from the late 17^th century until the beginning of the 20^th century.

Overnight- Trashigang (3510ft)

Day 3: Day trip to Ranjung & Radhi (Drive time 1 ½ hr)

Today, after our breakfast we’ll drive towards a small town called Rangjung where we will visit Yozer Chholing Monastry. We’ll resume our drive towards Radhi village which is called the “rice bowl” of eastern Bhutan and it is also famous for its raw silk called Bura. On reaching Radhi we will visit Anim Dratshang, a nunnery where women pursue a religious life. Evening is at leisure for a walk through town.

Overnight- Trashigang (3510ft)

Day 4: Trashigang- Mongar (approx 91km/56miles)

Today, we will drive to Mongar the biggest town in eastern Bhutan.The drive will take us through a series of switch backs, with lemon grass growing wild in the Chirpine forests. We continue ascending until the Kori La Pass (8000ft). After the pass, we can get an attractive view of the town of Mongar, as we descend through a mixed, broad-leaved evergreen forest. Unlike other towns in Bhutan that are located in the valley, Mongar town is unusually located on the hill, at an elevation of 5248ft, and it has recently become the most important town in Eastern Bhutan. Visit Mongar Dzong which is relatively new and like all the other Dzongs of Bhutan, Mongar Dzong also houses both district government and the clergy. After the old Dzong was ruined by a fire, Mongar did not have a Dzong until 1931. The Dzong was enlarged in 1953 under the Royal Patronage of the 3^rd king to house the district administration of Mongar.

Overnight- Mongar (5248ft)

Day 5: Day trip to Lhuentse (approx 76km/47miles)

This morning, we’ll drive to Lhuentse, the birthplace of Bhutan’s Royal family and home to some of the finest weavers in the kingdom. We’ll visit Khoma village which is farmed for its terrific weavers and special textiles. It has a long history of textile art; every women and young girl is involved in weaving the supplementary weft-patterned Kiras (traditional women’s dresses) like Kushuthara, the most prized textile in Bhutan. Walk through the village and explore some of the interesting small villages and ancient temples. We’ll drive to Tangmachu and see the 157ft Second Buddha (Guru Nangsey Zilneon) Statue which is one of the tallest statues in the world. Later return to Mongar for the night.

Overnight- Mongar (5248ft)

Day 6: Mongar – Bumthang (approx 198km/123miles)

Today, we will drive to Bumthang, the “Cultural Heartland of Bhutan”. Bumthang valley is divided into four major valleys and the first one to come into, when we drive from Eastern Bhutan is the Ura valley We start descending through the Chir Pine forests and lemon grass carpeted hills, down to the Kuri Chhu River, which is the only river in Bhutan that originates from Tibet (all others are from snow melt and glaciers). The scenery becomes more magical as we drive farther up and layers after layers of mountains keeping appearing just like Chinese wall painting. The drive is without doubt one of the most spectacular in the world, as we go through magnificent forests with mixed vegetations, prayers flags fluttering in the breeze, countless waterfalls, and villages little changed for centuries. We ascend through a wonderful moss drapedtrees towards Thrumshing La Pass at 12300ft and within a matter of a few hours we will have gained over 10,000 feet of altitude and you can very well imagine the corresponding changes in vegetation. From the pass, we will descend through the conifer and rhododendron forest and into the lovely valley of Ura (10168ft) and after passing Ura valley we cross Shertang La (11775ft), from where clouds-permitting, we should get a fantastic view of Gangkar Puensum (24735ft), Bhutan’s highest and world’s highest un-climbed peak.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Day 7: Bumthang (Shugdrak Hike approx 2hrs)

Today, we will hike to one of the four holy cliffs which every Buddhist should visit during the course of their lifetime. The hike up to the temple is easy and the view from the top is beautiful beyond words. The drive to the starting point for the Shugdrak hike takes us along the river down Choekhor Valley. Initially, we will ascend through flower meadows before catching a small trail which leads towards a handful of farmhouses. It continues past an old water mill and then straight up to Shugdrak, beautifully situated on a cliff overlooking the surrounding valleys. The temple is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche and it is said to have been blessed by the Saint in the 8^th century. The temple is built on a rock face and resembles the Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in Paro. Evening explore the town.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Day 8: Bumthang (Prakhar Duchhoed Festival)

This morning, after an early breakfast we will dress in the national traditional cloths, Kira (for women) and Gho (for men) and head out for a day at the Chhumey valley for Prakhar Duchhoed Tshechu (festival). The festival is celebrated to honor Lama Thukse Dawa, one of the sons of the 15^th century Buddhist master, Terton Pema Lingpa. After lunch, depending upon your interest we can go back to the festival or we can visit the Jampa Lhakhang (temple), one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to 7^th century. We’ll visit Kurjey Lhakhang (the body imprint temple). It is believed that the body imprint was left on the rock where the Guru Rinpoche (precious master) had meditated.

Overnight- Bumthang (8528ft)

Day 9: Bumthang – Trongsa (approx 68km/42miles)

Today, we will drive to Trongsa the historical valley of Bhutan. The drive will take us over the Kiki la (9381ft), an easy pass that borders Chhoekor valley from Chhume valley. When we arrive at Zhungney in the Chhume valley, we will visit a shop that engages local girls to weave yathra- Bumthang’s famous hand-spun, hand-woven, and boldly patterned woolen fabric. From here we start ascending up to Yotong La Pass (11234ft), through the blue pine forest for about half an hour. After the pass the vegetation changes to forest of Rhododendrons, Silver Firs and Bamboos. The road goes through many switchbacks, passing through the mist, as we ascend to Trongsa. Upon arrival, we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong, built in 1647; this Dzong was the source of many important historical events in making of Modern Bhutan. We will visit the Trongsa Tower Museum built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong and later we will have a leisure time in Trongsa town.

Overnight- Trongsa (7150ft)

Day 10: Trongsa – Punakha (approx 170kms/106miles)

Today, we will drive to sub-tropical valley of Punakha, the old capital and the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body and their Chief Abbot, the Je Khenpo. The drive goes through diverse vegetation, with massive trees of Rhododendrons and remarkable views of the villages with rice-fields on the mountain slopes. The scenery along this drive is just mind boggling. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Punakha Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (the unifier of Bhutan) in 1637.  It stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers, Phochhu (Male River) and Mochhu (Female River). Visit the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built over the Phochhu.

Overnight Punakha (4624ft)

Day 11: Thangka Painting with Master Bhutanese Artist in Punakha

Today, the morning will be spent painting your own Thangka and learning about the traditional painting of Bhutan from the master Bhutanese artist. After lunch, we will hike to Chimmi Lhakhang, most popularly known as the temple of fertility. The temple was built in the 15^th century as a dedication to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as the divine mad man and considered one of Bhutan’s favorite saints. The hike to this temple will take us through a village surrounded by beautiful rice fields and it will take us only 50 minutes (round trip). Evening explore Punakha town.

Overnight Punakha (4624ft)

Day 12: Punakha- Thimphu (approx 77 kms/47 miles)

Today, we will drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital which is the only capital city in the world where there are no traffic lights. On the way to Thimphu is the Dochu la pass (10,004ft) from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges can be seen, especially on clear winter days.  The beauty of this place will capture your heart by the sight of The Druk Wangyel Chorten, a 108 stupas built for the well being of all sentient beings by the eldest queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Traditional Medicine Institute where the ancient healing arts are still practiced. You can browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum and at the weaving factory. In the evening we will have a leisure time in the town.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

Day 13: Thimphu (sightseeing)

This morning we will drive to Kuensel Phodrang and see the second-largest seated Buddha; locals call it “Buddha Point”. Then, we will take a trip to The Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Traditional Arts School of Bhutan) where students undertake a six-year course onthe 13 traditional arts & craft of Bhutan. We will visit Pangri Zampa Temple, which is now the seat of the monastic school of astrology. We can get an astrology reading at the School. Visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in the memory of our third king, a multi-storied stupa that will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism.

Overnight – Thimphu (7576 ft)

Day 14: Drive to Paro (Drive Time: 1 ½ hr/34mile approx)

Today we will drive from Thimphu to Paro and upon arrival we will visit the Paro Rimpung Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. We will also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan dating back to 7^th century. We’ll visit a farmhouse where we’ll meet and interact with the host family. We’ll learn and practice archery (national sport), enjoy the Bhutanese cooking demonstration by the host and join the family for the meal. Later we’ll have a traditional bath known as ‘Hot stone bath’.

Overnight-Paro (7478ft)

Day 15: Paro (Sightseeing)

After an early breakfast, we will hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang Goemba). The trip is an uphill walk of about three hours and an hour and half hike to the café where there is also clear vantage view where you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. The legend of Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest/Lair) evolves form Tantric mythology when, in 747 AD, Guru Rimpochhe (Padma Sambhava) chose a cave on this sheer rock face to meditate and, assuming his wrathful form, Guru Dorji Droloe, he subdued the local deity, converting into spiritual protector of Taktshang. Some people living in the valley saw the tigress lying by the cave and thought it to be tiger’s lair. Thus, the name tak (tiger) tshang (lair) came into existence and became one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the Buddhist world. For Bhutanese, we have to visit this monastery once in a life time.

Overnight-Paro (7478ft)

Day 16: Depart to Bangkok/Delhi/Katmandu

After breakfast, we will say our goodbyes to the people and country of Bhutan as we go to the airport for the flight back to Bangkok/Delhi.

Trip Includes:

• Accommodation in 3-star hotels with single beds and shared rooms
• All meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and snacks with. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
• All ground transportation
• A knowledgeable guide for the entire duration
• Entrance fee/Museum fee
• A daily Sustainable Development Fund of $100, which is paid to the government of Bhutan in providing free healthcare and education to its citizens.

Trip Extras:

• Domestic and international airfare
• Accommodation in 4-5 star hotels
• Personal insurance policy: It is strongly suggested to obtain comprehensive travel insurance covering tour and flight cancellations, loss of valuables, theft, illness, accidents, and hospitalization
• Excess luggage fees
• Visa fees ($40), passport, and tax fees
• Laundry services
• Staff tips
• Alcoholic beverages (available for separate purchase)

Cancellation Policy

To confirm your booking for the Bhutan trip, full tour payment must be made upon confirmation of your tour. Bhutan Airlines and Druk Air each have their own separate refund policy. In the event of cancellation by you, your full tour cost will be refunded after deducting charges according to the following scale, based on when the cancellation notification is received. Wire transfer charges are not covered and will be deducted from your refund.

Cancellation must be approved by us via email.

To confirm your booking for the Bhutan trip, full tour payment must be made prior to your arrival in Bhutan. In the event of cancellation by you, the following scale of charges will apply, depending on when the cancellation notification is received:

a) Cancellation within 45 days prior to arrival: 25% of tour cost deducted.

b) Cancellation within 30 days prior to arrival: 50% of tour cost deducted.

c) Cancellation within 14 days prior to arrival: 75% of tour cost deducted.

d) Cancellation within 7 days prior to arrival: 100% of tour cost deducted. Please note that

Cancellation must be approved by us via email.