East West Connection Tour
Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk air A319, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by MJTT members. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing - visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel dzong & visit Ta-Dzong( National museum). A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Stroll around the market and visit a sovenier shop where one can get a rare and old collection of Bhutan stamp. Bhutan is famous for stamp. Return to Hotel.
Day 03: Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra cost. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 3/4 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. Evening drive 1 & 1/2 hours to Thimphu. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04: AM sightseeing - visit the Indigenous hospital, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM visit the Memorial chorten, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. Overnight same.
Day 05: Drive 3 hours to Punakha by crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Punakha Dzong. Check into Hotel.
Day 06: Drive 6 / 7 hours to Bumthang crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07: Bumthang Sightseeing - Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. Overnight same.
Day 08: Today will be the longest drive almost 8/9 hours to Mongar winding through more rugged terrain. On the way visit the Mebartso meaning burning lake. If there is time a short visit to Ura village. Overnight Hotel.
Day 09: The road from Mongar to Trashigang begins through lush forests and ferns passing over Kori la pass. Follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Drametsi perched atop a steep hill. It is also famous for the dance called Drametsi Nga cham (Drum dance). Trashigang lies 30 kilometers from the junction and lies on top of a steep hill. This district is the biggest and most populated in the Kingdom. The Dzong built strategically on the spur going out towards the Gamri river. Overnight Hotel or camp.
Day 10: Sightseeing - Drive 2 hours to Tashi Yangtsi. On the way visit Gom Kora monastery located near a river. Next stop is at Duksum a small village boasting of the oldest iron suspension bridge built during the 15 century by Drupthob Chazampa builder of iron bridges. Further on lies the beautiful Chorten Kora a huge white washed stupa surrounded by a small community who make the famous wooden bowels (Dapa). Drive back to Trashigang. Overnight Hotel or camp.
Day 11: Drive 6/7 hours to Samdrupjongkhar. On the way visit Kanglung the only university in Bhutan. Further on visit the blind school and the famous weaving center. The road takes you through numerous towns and villages. the drive can be both adventurous and awesome. Upon arrival at Samdrupjongkhar the climate is warmer and more busy than the last visited areas since it is the border town with India. Overnight Hotel.
Day 12: After breakfast the Indian agent will receive and driven 3 hours to Guwahati for onward flight.