Our midday flight from Singapore takes us to Paro in Bhutan where our adventures begin. After checking in at the Druk Air counter at Changi Airport in Singapore we will meet as a group in the departure lounge one and a half hours before departure.

On clearing immigration in Paro we will be met by our Bhutanese guide and driver. We visit the giant 51m Buddha statue that overlooks the city as the sun begins to dip behind the hills followed by a short drive to the magnificent Tashi Tso Dzong (fortress) which is lit up early evening and resembles something out of a beautiful fairy tale

Tonight we stay in Thimpu

We depart after breakfast to visit the National Takin Preserve to aquaint ourselves with the odd looking national animal of Bhutan – half goat and half cow.  Morning is the best time to visit as the animals are more active.

We enjoy more time in and around Thimpu where we overnight again.

More sightseeing around Thimpu and its surrounds and we then travel in the afternoon to Paro where we stay overnight before our flight the next day to Yongphu and on to Trashiyangtse.

Today we take a 45 minute flight from Paro to Yongphula airport and then onto Trashiyangtse.

We head northwards into one of the most remote valleys in Bhutan for a two night stay which gives us plenty of time to soak up and experience everything this incredible valley has to offer. We travel with a packed lunch and will do some sight-seeing en-route into the valley.

The road into the valley makes for a bumpy ride but the destination is totally worth it. Gom Kora is one of the must-see places en route to Trashiyangste, a remarkably located temple brimming with legends and lore that our local guide will regale you with.  Once we get to Trashiyangste we allow some free time to wander around this delightful town.  In the early evening we walk down to Chorten Kora to witness and take part in the evening circumambulation with locals around this remarkable Buddhist stupa.

We can sleep in a bit this morning, and then go over the options for the day. We will head up to visit the national craft college where students learn Bhutanese traditional arts (the BEST place to shop for locally-made crafts.)

Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary is located about an hour’s drive up the road for those who want to go for a one or two hour walk.  Others may choose to stay back, and look around the town, visit a local school or just relax.  Lots of options to choose from. Tonight we stay again in Tashiyangste.

This morning we leave Trashiyangtse and retrace our journey back to Trashigang, approximately 3 to 4 hours of driving. We depart shortly after breakfast and drive to Gom Kora and then on to the hilltop village of Ramjar where we immerse ourselves in genuine Bhutanese rural life. The views from Ramjar are incredible looking out towards Arunchal Pradesh in India and northwards towards the Trashiyangtse Valley where we have spent the last two days. 

We will disembark the bus for the 40 minute walk to our hosts home (non walking option is available).  Here we have the opportunity to learn about the food and customs of the eastern rural Bhutanese people. Our lunch will be local fare and we even get the chance to make some ara (a corn-based alcoholic drink) and meet the locals. – Mid afternoon we drive to Trashigang where we stay overnight.

Today will be a driving day about 5-6 hours as we enter the magical Lhuentse valley  renowned for its incredible weavers and culture.    

Some of  the most sought after and expensive fabrics in the country are made here using a technique more akin to embroidery than weaving.

We will spend two nights in Lhuentse.

Our destination today is the village of Khoma where many of the houses have traditional back strap looms set up on their porches. We take a packed lunch.

We stay again tonight in Lhuentse.

Mongar is the fastest-developing dzongkhag (region)  in eastern Bhutan. The road approaching Mongar is one of the most spectacular journeys in the country. It passes over sheer cliffs and through beautiful fir forests and green pastures.

There are countless varieties of rhododendrons here and on clear days you can even catch a glimpse of Gangkhar Puensum (7541 m), the world’s highest unclimbed mountain.

The Dzong in Mongar was built (1930), it was constructed the same way as all earlier dzongs, without plans or nails.

However, unlike the earlier dzongs, that are located in strategic positions, Mongar Dzong is located on a small gently sloping area just above the town. A visit to Mongar Dzong demonstrates how traditional Bhutanese architecture has continued to thrive through the centuries. Tonight we stay in Mongar.

After breakfast we continue driving up towards the summit of the 3750m Thrumshing La Pass where we make a brief stop in the thin air and then onwards towards the Ura Valley and Jakar/Bumthang – one of the most important and historically significant places in Bhutan where we spend two nights. We should arrive into Bumthang mid afternoon in time for you to stretch your legs and check out the pool halls and quaint shops of this lively town.

We overnight in Bumthang

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After breakfast we head out for a morning of sightseeing around Bumthang which includes a visit to Jhampey Lhakang

(monastery), Kurjey Lhakang (monastery), the Jakar Dzong (fortress), the Swiss Cheese factory and the Red Panda Beer making facility. We get back to town in time for a late lunch, and those of you who want to try a traditional hot stone bath (extra cost), later this afternoon is the time to try this out.

We overnight in Bumthang

We leave early for a big driving day that affords plenty of  window sight-seeing opportunities. A stop at the Yartha shop outside Bumthang is a great place to buy some fabric souvenirs and on we go westwards past the incredible Trongsa Dzong (fortress) and in to the lower elevations of Punakha. 

Our goal is to reach the quintessentially scenic Punakha Dzong (fortress) by 3:30-4pm to experience this iconic place during the magic hours of the late afternoon.

We overnight in Punakha

Today we spend the whole day in and around Punakha and soak up the sightseeing highlights in this history rich part of Bhutan

We overnight again in Punakha

Today we spend time in and around Punakha sightseeing  before heading to Thimpu in late afternoon.The roads get noticeably busier as we near the Bhutan capital of Thimpu.

We stop at the scenic (and very popular!) Dochu La Pass and its 108 chortens (religious monuments) for tea, coffee and photos and then in to Thimpu city where after a wander around we stay the night.

We are in no hurry to leave this morning! Sleep in, take a stroll  or catch up on photo editing (trust us you will have a lot of photos!) We then drive to Paro. We arrive in time for a leisurely stroll down the main street and its abundance of shops. We then drive to our four star resort which will be your home for two nights.  Tonight we prepare for the amazing hike tomorrow to the iconic Tigers Nest Monastery!

Today we walk to the world famous Tiger’s Nest Monastry (optional walk).  We head off shortly after breakfast for the short drive to the trail head followed by a walk to this iconic temple that clings to the cliffside. Its all uphill but there is an option of a pony ride to the tea house which is located about two thirds of the way up.  (extra cost) 

We then head back to Paro for lunch and some last minute shopping and then back to our amazing hotel  to celebrate the end of our journey traversing this extraordinary country with a final dinner. 

Our return flight to Singapore departs mid morning so it’s an early wakeup for the short drive to  the airport and on to Singaporel.  We recommend you book your connecting flight for the following day and overnight in Singapore. You arrive in Singapore at 4pm

Please note that this itinerary is subject to change based on local conditions and festival schedules. Tuatara Tours and your experienced guide will ensure that you have the most enriching and enjoyable experience throughout your journey in Bhutan.