Eastern Bhutan Tour ( 12 /13 Days)
This East Bhutan Tour also very draws attention place in Bhutan which covered central and east of the country. The predominant ethnic group in Eastern Bhutan is Sharecrops, who are generally followers of the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism and tend to be shorter and stockier than people in other parts of the country. Another characteristic of Eastern Bhutan is that the cities and towns are generally built on mountain slopes, a notable exception being Samdrup Jongkhar which is in a valley on the Indian border.
Few westerners visit Bhutan's central Bumthang district with its four sacred valleys. Fewer still venture to far eastern Bhutan with its distinctive peoples, culture and its rich natural history. The 13 day tour offers a rare insight of the entire country of Bhutan including Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, the sacred Bumthang valleys and the rarely seen Eastern Bhutan. In the beginning of your tour you may exploring the Paro and Thimpu's craft centers dzongs, and over the Dochu La to top at Bhutan's ancient capital of Punakha where the great Punakha Dzong stands at the union of the Pho Chu and Mho Cho Rivers. Contining westwards we visit the alpine the alpine valley of Bhobjika where we will visit the Gangtey Gompa and then on to Trongsa and then to Jakar, Bumthang's main village. This is Bhutan's most sacred valleys, hallowed 1,200 years ago by the visits of Padmashambava the great Buddhist guru also knows as the Guru Rimpoche.
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Everest Base Camp and Kalapather Trek -Autumn 2009
We have very much impressed with Mr. Bhandari when we met him in Kathmandu Airport with his personnel and Wel-come us in Nepal with his open heart. We had three wonderful weeks in Nepal with ceramal guide and possessor of Snowy Horizon Treks & Expedition Mr. Rishi Bhandari. We were the first Clients of this company but we never be aware of that Snowy Horizon is newly established Company. We feel proud to describe the experiences owned by ourselves with Mr. Bhandari and his company. We have been trekking Everest base camp area with Mr. Bhandari, which had . .....Read More
Itinerary Details of Eastern Bhutan Tour
Day 01: Flight from Kathmandu or Delhi to Paro Transfer to Hotel.
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro by Buddha or Druk Air and Transfer to Hotel. During the Flight Duration you will have great opertunatly to see left hand side of the plane breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. When you arrive in Paro our representative will be pick up you from paro airport after immigration formalities and baggage arrival. Our representative transfers you to hotel. The day starts with a visit to the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong. Just a short walk downhill lays the dominating Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, the tour crosses Nyamai Zampa, and then driven to the town temple.Overnight at Paro
Day 02: Full Day Sightseeing and explore in Paro Valley
After breakfast visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which is houses National Museum in Paro. After Ta Dzong you visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning which has a long and fascinating history. After lunch, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of goddess'' can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. You may take a short stop at Satsam Chorten for a view of famous Taktsang Monastery. You also explore 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. Evening drive from Paro To thimphu over night at hotel.
Day 03: Full Day Sightseeing and explore in Thimphu Valley
After breakfast, you will be process to sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions. After lunch service in Thimpu we process to visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops. Evening drive past Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. After City sightseeing transfer to same hotel.
Day 04: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast drive from Thimphu to Punakha valley which takes three hours drivrand around 76km distance. The drive will take you via the Dochula pass (3150 m). A wide range of the east Himalayan ranges are visible from the pass on a clear day. Also on the pass, you will see the 108 Druk Wangyel Stupa built by one of the queen mothers of Bhutan. Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. In Punakha visit the Punakha Dzong, after short hike to Chimi Lhakhang passing through village houses and rice fields. Chimi Lhakhang is a special monastery for sterile women, a place of worship for fertility. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Punakha Valley Exploration
The day in Punakha Valley begins with a beautiful hike from the Punakha Lodge along the Mo Chhu thru terraces of rice, chillies and cabbage, takes to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a monument recently built by the four queens of Bhutan. Following the hike you will drive back up the valley towards Khuruthang passing Punthsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the royal family before reaching the impressive Punakha Dzong. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s head and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. A picnic lunch is served on the banks of the Punak Chu, before visiting the village of Lobesa where a short walk ends at Chimi Lhakhang, the auspicious fertility monastery built in 1499
Day06: Drive from Punakha – Wangduephodrang explore around
After breakfast, we drive from Punakha Wangduephodrang which takes around one hour and visit the Dzong. Wangdue district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and slate, which are mined up a valley a few kilometers from the town.Then drive over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley, surely one of the loveliest high altitude valleys in Bhutan. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Over night at hotel.
Day 07: Drive from Gangtey to Tongsa explore around
In the morning explore Phobjikha valley, hopefully sighting some black necked cranes, if you are there at the right time of year. Later, drive to Tongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830ft). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further down the road, stop to visit Chendebji Chorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points. The landscape around Tongsa is spectacular and its impressive dzong, stretched along a ridge above a ravine. On arrival, check into the lodge and over night.
Day08: Drive from Tongsa to Bumthang Explore around
Morning visit to Tongsa Dzong. Built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. The 68 km. journey takes about 3 hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft), and then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley. From here it is about an hour to Bumthang, a most pleasant run in the soft, late afternoon light. Over night at hotel
Day 09: Bumthang sightseeing
Bumthang, valley lies at an altitude of 2600 metres. Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong at a striking location, is an important administrative building, providing the headquarters of the government of Trongsa District. Trongsa provides a strategic central location to control Bhutan and for centuries it was the seat of the Wangchuck dynasty of penlops, who effectively ruled over much of eastern and central Bhutan, and from 1907 have been Kings of Bhutan. This valley is the religious heartland of Bhutan and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples. This afternoon you will visit Jambey Lhakhang, a monastery built in 7th century, proceed to Kurjey Lhakhang also visit Jakar Dzong built in the year 1549. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 10: Drive from Bumthang to Mongar Explore around
The journey continues eastwards, winding through more rugged terrain up into the hills above the valley and then past Ura village, before climbing sharply to the highest point on Bhutan’s motorable road network, Thrumsing-la pass (4,000m/13,125ft).The drive to Mongar takes about 6 hours, with spectacular views en route.From here, the road gradually descends to the alpine valley of Sengor. Vegetation changes from alpine to subtropical with the loss of height, and bamboos and luxuriant ferns overhang the road as we drop down to the valley floor. The descent stops at 700m/2,300ft, where we cross the Kuri Chu River. We ascend again through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to reach Mongar town, high on a gentle slope above the valley.Picnic lunch at a scenic spot en route to Mongar and dinner at hotel.
Day 11: Drive from Mongar to Tashigang Explore around
We visit Mongar Dzong, visit the Yagang lhakang and Wenkhar ( community farming center), visit a typical local farmhouse where you can see the wine being brewed form corn and also the a traditional Bhutanese way of making a snack from maize, which is their main source of income.
After lunch head for Tashigang, which is about 3 hours, drive through leafy forest filled with ferns and corn fields and banana groves taking us to Yadi, a fairly recent and now fast-growing settlement. En route you will see temple, perched on top of a steep hill above the village which is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan. This is the place of origin of the famous
Day 12: Drive from Tashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar Explore around
The Tashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar journey down it to the Indian border takes about 6 hours. Along the way, we pass by Sherubtse College in Kanglung, which was founded in 1978. We also visit the nearby Zangtho Pelri temple .We then drive on to Khaling, home of the National Institute for the Disabled and the Weaving Centre. Visits to these may be arranged by prior request only, before leaving Thimphu. From here, it is a further 80 km. to Deothang, which is remembered in history as the site of a famous 19th century battle fought during the Duar Wars, in which the forces of Jigme Namgyal defeated the British. The road then descends fairly rapidly to the plains through dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns.
Day 13: Drive from Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati for final departure
After breakfast, drive to Guwahati, the capital town of the Indian northeastern state of Assam, for flight to Delhi/Kolkata or onward program in that region.
Note:
- the above itinerary is a guideline and standard suggested pattern chosen by majority of our customers. Your final itinerary will be customised according to your available time and requirements.
- the final itinerary duration and schedule may be reduced or extend depending on your time, budget, your fitness, class of service or any other preferences. The quote will be provided for you initial requirements and can be adjusted with mutual agreement should you require modifying these requirements.
- Indian and Bangladesh Nationality are not required for Bhutan visa. So we did not charge visa cost for those Nation client.
- Other Nation should required to pay $30.00 per person for visa cost.
- For further information please read: How to book Trip in Bhutan?
Cost for the Trip:
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The price for your selected Tour/trekking will vary depending on group size, trip category (bed and breakfast/ full board), your budget, individualised itinerary, accommodation (budget to 5 star), the number of guides and porters, kitchen crew, mode of transport you prefer and many other factors. The price range for the same trip can vary widely so if you would like to discuss your requirements with us we will provide you a very competitive price
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Please e-mail us for up-to-date prices for Island Peak Climbing Trip
Cost Include
- 12/13 days full board package in Tourist standard Hotel in Bhutan
- Arrival Pick up and Departure drop from Paro Airport.
- All land transportation by luxury vehicle, depending upon group size
- 3 meals a day (Breakfasts, Lunch and Dinners with tea or coffee) during the tour.
- Accommodation of Lodges, Hotel during the tour
- All kind of Permit, National Park entry fee, and movement charge
- Private Vehicle Surface transportation will be available as per itinerary
- Guide and Private vehicles will be available for paro and Thimpu Sightseeing as per above Itinerary
- Group medical supplies (First Aid kit )
- Escorted English speaking tour guide during the tour period as per Itinerary.
- Entrance Fees to museum and monuments.
- Bottle of mineral water during long road drive.
- Evening tea with snacks
- All hotel taxes/ service charges
FITS surcharge - Farewell Dinner in before departure.
- Our service charges
- All necessary paper works, office Service charge and Government Taxes
- complete pre-departure information, flight ticket reconfirmation and extend visa service(if necessary)
- Snowy Horizon Special Gifts (T-shirt, Pashmina )
Cost Exclude
- International and domestic Flight Ticket
- Alcoholic beverages, Bhutan visa fee & Personal nature expenses
- Emergency rescue evacuation if required.
- Personal accident insurance or Helicopter rescue.
- Nepal entry visa fee, Visa issuance is easy at the arrival
- Mineral water, laundry, phone calls, internets.
- Bhutan visa fees US $ 30 Per person ( to be paid with tour payment)
- Tips, gifts, souvenirs.
Please read this Rule and regulation that How to Book Eastern Bhutan Tour?
