Classic Bhutan · Cultural Tours · Easy
The Western Valleys
- Paro
- Thimphu
- Dochula
- Punakha
- …
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the glacial valley of Phobjikha — the classic first journey through Bhutan, paced with room to breathe.
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Cultural Tours · Nature & Wildlife
The Grand Crossing — West to East
The whole kingdom, end to end — from Paro across the central valleys to Trashigang, leaving through Samdrup Jongkhar.
- Duration
- 15 days · 14 nights
- Route
- Paro → Thimphu → Punakha → Phobjikha …
- Activity level
- Moderate · up to About 3,750 m (Thrumshing La)
- Best time
- Oct, Nov, Dec, Mar, Apr
- From
- Price on requestQuoted for your dates and style
Overview
This is the journey for travellers who want to see the whole kingdom. It follows the single lateral road across Bhutan, from the familiar western valleys over the high passes of the centre and down into the green, little-visited east — and out again through the south-east, without doubling back.
It is a long journey with some long drives, but the reward is a full portrait of the country, and time in places where visitors are still a novelty.
- Paro
- Thimphu
- Punakha
- Phobjikha
- Trongsa
- Bumthang
- Mongar
- Trashigang
- Samdrup Jongkhar
Highlights
- Every region of Bhutan in one journey
- The spectacular road over Thrumshing La into the east
- Weaving villages of Radhi and Khoma
- Trashigang Dzong and the temple of Gom Kora
- Exit to Guwahati without retracing your route
Day by day
- Day01
Arrival in Paro, to Thimphu Paro → Thimphu
Welcome at Paro and drive to Thimphu.
- National Memorial Chorten
- Day02
Thimphu Thimphu
A full day in the capital.
- Buddha Dordenma
- Tashichho Dzong
- Zorig Chusum
- Day03
To Punakha Thimphu → Punakha
Over Dochula to Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.
- Dochula
- Punakha Dzong
- Chimi Lhakhang
- Day04
To Phobjikha Punakha → Phobjikha
Via Wangdue Phodrang to the glacial valley of Phobjikha.
- Gangtey Goemba
- Nature trail
- Day05
To Trongsa Phobjikha → Trongsa
Over Pele La to Trongsa Dzong and the Ta Dzong museum.
- Pele La
- Trongsa Dzong
- Day06
To Bumthang Trongsa → Bumthang
Via the weavers of Chumey to Jakar.
- Chumey weavers
- Jakar Dzong
- Day07
Bumthang Bumthang
Jambay, Kurjey and Tamshing temples, and the Burning Lake.
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Mebar Tsho
- Day08
Over Thrumshing La to Mongar Bumthang → Ura → Mongar
Visit Ura village, then cross Thrumshing La — at around 3,750 m, one of the highest road passes in Bhutan — and descend through cloud forest to Mongar.
- Ura village
- Thrumshing La
- Day09
Mongar to Trashigang Mongar → Trashigang
Visit Mongar Dzong, then drive to Trashigang. Afternoon at Trashigang Dzong above the river.
- Mongar Dzong
- Trashigang Dzong
- Day10
Trashi Yangtse and Gom Kora Trashigang → Trashi Yangtse
Day trip to the temple of Gom Kora and on to Chorten Kora in Trashi Yangtse, known for its wooden bowls and paper-making.
- Gom Kora
- Chorten Kora
- Day11
The weavers of Radhi Trashigang
Visit Radhi, the 'rice bowl of the east', and its families of silk weavers.
- Radhi weaving village
- Day12
South to Samdrup Jongkhar Trashigang → Samdrup Jongkhar
A long, beautiful drive south, stopping at the weaving centre in Khaling, down to the plains.
- Khaling weaving centre
- Day13
Cross to Guwahati Samdrup Jongkhar → Guwahati
Complete exit formalities and drive to Guwahati in Assam for your onward flight, or continue your travels in north-east India.
- Border crossing
- Transfer to Guwahati
Staying, eating, travelling
- Accommodation
- 3-star hotels in the west; simpler but comfortable hotels and lodges in the east, where options are limited.
- Meals
- All meals included.
- Transport
- Private vehicle and driver for the entire crossing, including transfer to Guwahati.
- Your guide
- Licensed guide throughout.
What is included
Included
- Bhutan visa processing and visa fee
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for each night in Bhutan
- Accommodation as listed
- All meals in Bhutan
- Private guide, driver and vehicle, including transfer to Guwahati
- Entrance fees
Not included
- International flights
- Indian visa (required to exit via Guwahati, for most nationalities)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips
When to go & what you need
Best time to travel
October–April. Avoid the monsoon months when eastern roads can be affected.
- January
- February
- March — recommended
- April — recommended
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October — recommended
- November — recommended
- December — recommended
Before you travel
- Passport valid for at least six months from arrival
- Indian visa for the exit via Assam, where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Comfort with several long mountain drives
Along the way
Questions about this journey
Why exit through Samdrup Jongkhar?
It saves three to four days of driving back to Paro. You will need an Indian visa for the transfer to Guwahati, which we will remind you about in good time.
Places on this route
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- Paro
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