Day 1 (2 November, Tuesday): Arrive Samdrup Jongkhar from Guwahati (India)
Our BT representative will receive you at the Guwahati airport. Drive to Samdrup Jongkhar (110km, 3 hours) through tea gardens, transparent rivers interspersed with quiet villages, and small townships of vibrant culture. Arrive at the hotel and overnight Samdrup Jongkhar.
Day 2 (3 November, Wednesday): Samdrup Jongkhar - Trashigang - Rangjung
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Trashigang, the major commercial hub of the eastern Bhutan. This is going to be stunning journey passing through varied tropical to broadleaved forests, villages and varied vegetation zones. En route, visit the Handloom Development Project, were you can women weaving tapestry of textiles and you can also witness the techniques of Bhutanese dyes. From Khaling, you will come across Sherubtse, the country’s premier university college. Passing the villages of Kanglung and Rongthong, you will arrive Rangjung. Overnight at guesthouse.
Day 3 (4 November, Thursday): Rangjung - Phongmey - Joenkhar (Trek starts at Phongmey)
Today, you will drive from Rangjung to Phongmey Village (16km, 45 minutes). The drive is through scenic villages spread on a semi-tropical forest along a feeder road to Phongmey Village, which is the starting point for our trek. From Phongmey, the trail leads to a stiff climb and arrive Joenkhar. Total walking distance is 9km, 5 hours. Overnight camp at Joenkhar altitude 1769m
Day 4 (5 November, Friday): Joenkhar – Sakten Village
After early breakfast at the camp, you will start walking through small climbs and descents along Gamri Chu River. After crossing a suspension bridge and walking on a moderate uphill hike, you will arrive at Thaktri Village and then Sakten. Total walking distance 10-12km, 6-7 hours. Overnight camp at Sakten altitude 2957m.
Day 5 (6 November, Saturday): Sakten Village
It is worthwhile to spend one full day at Sakten Village. Sakteng is large nomadic village comprises of 200 households. With a picnic lunch, you will hike up to Guru Goenpa, which is above the village overlooking the superb Sakten villages beneath. Later in afternoon, you will explore the villages to gain an insight into the life-style of nomads. Evening is an interesting occasion where you will attend to a cultural programme by the locals with rural cocktails. Overnight camp.
Day 6 (7 November, Sunday): Sakten – Rinagpo
Today is an easy-moderate trekking day. You will walk through the forests of pine, rhododendron and spruce. After crossing the stream, you will walk further for 1 hour to arrive Rinagpo altitude 2700m approximately. Rinagpo is large yak grazing pasture for the people of Merak and Sakten. Total walking distance 9km, 4-5 hours. Overnight camp at Rinagpo.
Day 7 (8 November, Monday): Rinagpo – Merak
Start hiking uphill through thick vegetations with occasional sights of yak herder’s camp to arrive at Nagchung La (4140m), the highest pass that separates the twin villages of Merak and Sakten. From the pass, you will descend to reach at Merak. Total walking distance 10km, 7 hours. Overnight camp at Merak altitude 3506m.
Day 8 (9 November, Tuesday): Merak - Damgyenjung
From Merak, you will descend gradually through alpine forests to semi-tropical forests of Damgyenjung. Damgyenjung is a winter pasture land for the nomads of Merak and Sakten. Total walking distance 10km, 5 hours. Overnight camp at Damgyenjung altitude 2100m.
Day 9 (10 November, Wednesday): Damgyenjung - Radhi - Trashigang (Trek Ends)
Today is an easy trekking day. You will walk through forests of pine and bamboo and arrive at Radhi Village, where your transport will be awaiting here to transfer to Trashigang. Total walking distance from Damgyenjung to Radhi 8km, 4 hours. Overnight hotel in Trashigang.
Day 10 (11 November, Thursday): Trashigang – Mongar
You will begin the day by exploring town and the Dzong, which controls the biggest districts in Bhutan. Then you will drive through many small townships, villages and rivers and finally arrive Mongar. Overnight hotel in Mongar.
Day 11 (12 November, Friday): Mongar – Bumthang
Drive the spectacular 8-hour route back to Bumthang, with stops for lunch and tea in nearby villages. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 12 (13 November, Saturday): Bumthang
Day excursion to Tang Valley. Tang valley is the most remote valley in Bumthang, and this will make a nice enjoyable excursion. You'll make a stop in Tang valley for lunch and will have a chance to visit the Ugyen Chholing Palace and explore the village. On the way back to town, you will see Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche's treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It's a good place to meditate. In the evening you can visit local shops. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 13 (14 November, Sunday): Bumthang – Punakha
You'll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight hotel in Punakha.
Day 14 (15 November, Monday): Punakha – Thimphu
In the morning, you will visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful dzongs and the ancient capital of Bhutan. On the way to Thimphu, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple, where you may receive a special fertility blessing from the wooden Phallus if you wish. Continue driving to Thimphu via Dochula Pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.
Day 15 (16 November, Tuesday): Thimphu
Sightseeing in Thimphu includes: King's Memorial Chorten; the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong); the zoo, which contains the national animal of Bhutan: the takin; Folk Heritage Museum; School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school); the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and traditional paper factory. Afternoon is free time. In the evening, you will drive to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 16 (17 November, Wednesday): Paro
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress
to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Explore the monastery complex. Later in the evening, you will hike down to the Paro. Visit the local family and if you wish, you can experience traditional hot-stone bath and sit down for a traditional dinner. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 17 (18 November, Thursday): Depart Paro
Drive to the airport for departure.
Note: This trip can also be customized based on your available time frame and interests.
