West To East Bhutan Tour
- Duration
- 12 days
- Group size
- 15 People
- Country
- Bhutan
West To East Bhutan Tour Overview
West To East Bhutan Tour
West To East Bhutan Tour
A cultural tour to Bhutan serves as an introduction to Bhutanese heritage by means of visiting festivals, sacred pilgrimage sites, rural villages, and temples. In this West To East Bhutan tour, there will be many stops for panoramic views of the valleys and mountain peaks where you will get the chance to enjoy the country’s unspoiled nature. Our odyssey across this emerald jewel of a kingdom begins in the west of Bhutan through towns of Paro and Thimphu.
CULTURAL JOURNEY OF NEPAL & BHUTAN
You will be journeying through to the cultural heartland of Bumthang and savoring the distinctiveness of each corner of the country as you slowly travel further and further back in time. In just over two weeks this trip takes us to the Western and Central Valleys where the wilderness of Bhutan’s un-spoilt forests and the lush tangle of its tropical jungles reign supreme and from there to the eastern quarter of the country and then across the border into India.
The diversity of the vegetation of Bhutan’s tropical forests will surprise you and many consider it a botanist’s heaven. The only aspects of the journey which never change are the friendliness of the people and the awe-inspiring views. You will work your way to the eastern-most outpost of the Kingdom including the remote village of Trashiyangtse and exit into the beautiful and rarely visited area of India, Assam. This cultural tour to Bhutan will give you an insight into the people, the culture, the traditions, religion, and ecology of the country.
Our West To East Bhutan tour will take you through some of the most picturesque landscapes of the spectacular mountain ranges to the lush green valleys. You will see the unique architectural splendors of the Dzongs, monasteries, and the traditional Bhutanese houses along with some intriguing religious festivals. You will also get the opportunity to taste the exotic Bhutanese cuisine and meet friendly people.
P.S
The trip also can be combined with Rajasthan of India (Taj Mahal, Jaipur, and Delhi) or with Tibet (Lhasa) Darjeeling, Sikkim, or the Buddhist circuit tour like Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, and Sarnath.
BUMTHANG FESTIVAL (MID NOVEMBER)
If you want to join the Festival in Bhutan you have to go in Mid Nov. You will walk at mid-night to Jambay Lhakhang to witness the dancers dance around the fire naked and it is believed to be the most sacred dance. The participants at the dance are masked and the local people sing folk songs and interact with each other.
Key highlights of the West To East Bhutan Tour
Itinerary
Our representative of Earthbound Expeditions will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and he will be displaying an Earthbound Expeditions signboard. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
- Altitude
- 1,400 m (4,590 ft)
- On foot
- None, arrival day
- Night in
- Hotel, Kathmandu
- Meals
- Dinner
After breakfast, your tour commences with an excursion of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites situated in the Kathmandu valley. Hop in the comfy a/c bus, and we begin our trip. We head to the sites like Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath and Patan Durbar Square. Breathe the crisp air straight from the abode of nature as the lush green hills of the tranquil hill station of Nagarkot enthralls anyone that roams in its environment.
- Altitude
- 2,175 m (7,140 ft)+775 m
- On foot
- Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Nagarkot
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There are flight options from Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, and Kathmandu. The aerial journey into Paro is filled with wonder and as soon as you step out of the plane, brace yourself for a blast of freshness as this heavily forested country is abundant in the fresh air and panoramic views. In clear weather, you can see the tranquil Paro valley and the crystal clear sky.
- Altitude
- 2,200 m (7,220 ft)+25 m
- On foot
- None, flight day
- Night in
- Hotel, Paro
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Taktsang monastery is considered to be one of the Himalaya\'s crowned jewels, and it is dramatically perched on the side of a cliff which is 900 meters above the floor of the Paro valley. This is the landmark of Bhutan, and although it may take some effort to reach the top, the glorious view and the serene atmosphere is definitely worth the walk. This ancient monastery dates back to the 1600s and history dictates that Guru Padmasambhava, the mystic who was responsible for bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, arrived here on the back of a flying tiger and meditated here for three months. Explore the nook and cranny of this monastery and enjoy the excellent views from it. We drive towards Thimpu and stay there for the night.
- Altitude
- 2,200 m (7,220 ft)
- On foot
- 4–5 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Paro
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The drive to Punakha lasts about 3 hours, and you\'ll see the beauty of nature as it takes you through forests filled with pine and cedar. Head towards the Dochula Pass and observe the panoramic view it provides of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the rhododendrons, junipers, pine forests along with the chirping sound of birds. We further head towards Lobesa where we\'ll walk for a while to reach the Chimi Lhakhang temple.
- Altitude
- 1,200 m (3,940 ft)−1,000 m
- On foot
- None, 3 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Punakha
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The route to Bumthang from Trongsa takes about 3 hours on land. On Bumthang, check in at your lodge.
- Altitude
- 2,600 m (8,530 ft)+1,400 m
- On foot
- None, 7–8 hr drive
- Night in
- Lodge, Bumthang
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The drive to Mongar crosses the Thrumshing La, a pass at the height of 3800 meters, is the highest pass. Mongar is the district headquarters, and it is also the first town that sits on a slope. Visit the prayer wheel and the clocktower, which are the famous landmarks of Bumthang.
- Altitude
- 1,600 m (5,250 ft)−1,000 m
- On foot
- None, 7–8 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Mongar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Trashiyangtse is a culturally diverse district, and the inhabitants include the Tshanglas and Khengpas. This quaint district houses the white stupas and everywhere you\'ll see the green hills and small settlements.
- Altitude
- 1,750 m (5,740 ft)+150 m
- On foot
- None, 4–5 hr drive
- Night in
- Hotel, Trashiyangtse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The Trashi gang is a beautiful town and gives its visitors a warm feeling that is unlike any other out there. This city was once an ancient trading route for Tibet. Visit the Trashi gang dzong which was dates back to 1659 and provides you knowledge regarding its history, and visit its old bazaar.
- Altitude
- 1,100 m (3,610 ft)−650 m
- On foot
- Easy walking, 2–3 hrs
- Night in
- Hotel, Trashigang
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Bhutan and drive to the Indian town of Guwahati and continue towards Sikkim and Darjeeling or get back to Kathmandu and fly further.
- Altitude
- 1,100 m (3,610 ft)
- On foot
- None, departure day
- Night in
- No overnight
- Meals
- Breakfast
What's included
- All accommodations included within Nepal and Bhutan.
- Full broad meals included.
- Private transfers.
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guides.
- All airports pick up and transfers.
- Farewell dinner which includes a Nepali cultural show.
- Round trip airfare to Kathmandu - Bhutan - Kathmandu.
- Travel permits.
- Bhutan visa fees.
- Major monuments’ entrance fee in Bhutan.
- Yoga and meditation classes in Nepal.
- One meditation class in Bhutan
Not included
- Personal travel insurance.
- All personal items.
- A few lunches and dinners are not included.
- Tips for guides and drivers.
- Mountain and road rescue.
- Other emergency evacuations will be charged if necessary.
- Expenses incurred as a result of illness, landslides, political disturbances, re-routing, flight cancellations and any other unforeseen situations and events which is not under our control.
- Any kind of Table drinks, telephone bills, laundry, postage etc.
- Nepal Visa cost -USD 25.
- City monument entrance fee USD 35 (approx) which is payable upon arrival.
Photos
A look at the trail, the villages and the mountains.
Reviews
Everything was handled for us from the moment we landed. Our guide read the group perfectly, slowed the pace when we needed it, and knew every village along the way. I never once worried about logistics.
We travelled as a couple and the small group made all the difference. Comfortable lodges, honest advice about the altitude, and a team who clearly loved the mountains. Booking on our own dates was easy.
You can tell this is run by people from here, not a call centre abroad. The itinerary had proper rest days built in, the food was better than I expected, and the whole thing ran to time.
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12 days
$3,947 per person
