The first town of eastern Bhutan after the Thrumshing La pass, known for Mongar Dzong and the Drametse mask dance recognised by UNESCO.
The road from Bumthang to Mongar crosses the Thrumshing La pass and drops through Thrumshingla National Park, one of the most dramatic drives in the country. Mongar is the first large town in the east, built on a hillside rather than a valley floor.
The district is home to Drametse Lhakhang, whose mask dance of the drums, the Drametse Ngacham, is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The whole country in one journey: from Paro and Tiger's Nest through Punakha, Phobjikha and Bumthang to the dzongs, temples and weaving villages of eastern Bhutan, leaving by road into India.
USD 3,600
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for crossing the high passes. Summers are wet and winters dry.
Mongar is reached from Bumthang by the east-west highway over the Thrumshing La pass, a long driving day. Trashigang and Lhuentse are both within a few hours.
Takin, black-necked cranes, red pandas and more than 700 bird species, in a country where forests still cover most of the land.
