13-Day Bhutan West to East Tour: Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar
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 per person, 10% off for groups of more than 8
Overview
This is the full crossing of Bhutan, from the airport in Paro to the Indian border at Samdrup Jongkhar. Instead of retracing your steps, you travel the length of the country once, over the high passes that separate its valleys.
The first week covers the classic west and centre: Tiger’s Nest, Thimphu, Punakha, Phobjikha and the temples of Bumthang. The second half continues into eastern Bhutan, which few visitors reach: Mongar, the dzong at Trashigang, Chorten Kora in Trashiyangtse and the weaving villages of the east.
Trip highlights
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
- Punakha Dzong and the rebuilt Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
- Gangtey Monastery in the Phobjikha valley
- The temples of Bumthang, including Jambay and Kurjey Lhakhang
- Drametse Lhakhang, home of a mask dance recognised by UNESCO
- Trashigang Dzong and Chorten Kora in eastern Bhutan
- Crossing the whole country by road, over five high passes
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Arrive in Paro
Your guide meets you at Paro International Airport. In the afternoon, cross the covered bridge to Rinpung Dzong and walk through Paro town.
- Day 2
Hike to Tiger's Nest
Climb through pine forest to Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger's Nest, on the cliffs above the valley. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
- Day 3
Paro to Thimphu
Drive to the capital, stopping at Tachog Lhakhang and its iron-chain bridge. In Thimphu, visit Buddha Dordenma, the National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong.
- Day 4
Thimphu to Punakha
Stop at Simtokha Dzong on the way out of the valley, then cross Dochula Pass and its 108 chortens. In the afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu.
- Day 5
Punakha to Phobjikha
Visit the rebuilt Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, then climb into the Black Mountains to the Phobjikha valley. Visit Gangtey Monastery and walk part of the Gangtey Nature Trail.
- Day 6
Phobjikha to Trongsa
Cross the Pele La pass and stop at Chendebji Chorten. Arrive in Trongsa in the afternoon, with views of the dzong across the gorge.
- Day 7
Trongsa to Bumthang
Visit Trongsa Dzong, ancestral seat of the royal family, and the royal museum in the Ta Dzong watchtower. Continue over the Yotong La into Bumthang.
- Day 8
Bumthang: Chokhor valley
Visit Jambay Lhakhang and Kurjey Lhakhang, two of the oldest temples in the kingdom, then Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.
- Day 9
Bumthang to Mongar
Cross the Thrumshing La pass and descend through Thrumshingla National Park, a rich area for birdlife, into eastern Bhutan. Visit Mongar Dzong.
- Day 10
Mongar to Trashigang
Cross the Kori La and take a detour to Drametse Lhakhang, home of the drum mask dance recognised by UNESCO. Arrive in Trashigang and visit its hilltop dzong.
- Day 11
Gom Kora and Trashiyangtse
Visit Gom Kora beside the river, then continue to Trashiyangtse to walk around Chorten Kora and see wood-turners making dapa bowls. Return to Trashigang.
- Day 12
Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar
Drive south through Kanglung, home of Sherubtse College, and the weaving village of Khaling, then down through subtropical forest to Samdrup Jongkhar on the Indian border. Visit the Zangdopelri temple.
- Day 13
Cross into India
Cross the border into Assam for your onward journey from Guwahati, about two to three hours by road.
Accommodation, meals and transport
Accommodation
Hotels approved by Bhutan's Department of Tourism. In eastern Bhutan the choice is smaller and more simple than in the west; we choose the best available in each town.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, at hotels and local restaurants along the route.
Transportation
All drives within Bhutan with a driver, from Paro International Airport to the border at Samdrup Jongkhar.
Your guide
A licensed Bhutanese guide travels with you from Paro to Samdrup Jongkhar.
Price and inclusions
What’s included
- Hotel accommodation
- All meals
- Transportation within Bhutan
- Licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- Bhutan visa fee
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
What’s not included
- Entrance fees for monuments and sacred sites
- International and domestic airfare
- International travel insurance
- Personal and entertainment expenses
Price per person, including the Bhutan visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee. Groups of more than 8 travellers receive 10% off.
Best time to travel
March to May, September to November
- Autumn (Sep to Nov)
- Spring (Mar to May)
Who this trip is for
Travellers with two weeks who want to see all of Bhutan, including the rarely visited east, and are comfortable with several long days on mountain roads.
Important information
This journey ends in India. Most nationalities need a valid Indian visa to cross the border at Samdrup Jongkhar and travel on to Guwahati; Indian citizens do not. Please check the entry rules for your passport before you book.
The onward transfer from the border to Guwahati is outside Bhutan and not part of the regular price. Ask us and we can help arrange it.
Visa
Sustainable Development Fee
Gallery
Frequently asked questions
Can I change this itinerary?
Yes. Any itinerary can be adjusted: add or remove days, change the pace, or combine it with a festival or a trek. Use Customize This Trip to tell us what you would like, and we will send you a revised plan and price.
What does the price include?
The regular price includes hotel accommodation, all meals, transportation within Bhutan, a licensed Bhutanese tour guide, the Bhutan visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
It does not include entrance fees for monuments and sacred sites, international or domestic airfare, international travel insurance, or personal and entertainment expenses.
Is there a discount for groups?
Yes. Groups of more than 8 travellers receive 10% off the regular price.
Is the Sustainable Development Fee included?
Yes. The Sustainable Development Fee charged by the Royal Government of Bhutan is included in our regular price.
Is the Bhutan visa fee included?
Yes. The Bhutan visa fee is included in our regular price.
Places on this journey
Similar journeys
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Before you travel
Make this trip your own
Book it as it is, or change it: travel on your own dates, slow the pace, choose different hotels, or add a festival or a trek. Tell us what you have in mind and we will send you a revised itinerary and price.