Gomkora Festival

Upon your arrival at the airport, a representative from Bhutan Ancestors Home Travel will welcome you and escort you to your hotel. Your sightseeing itinerary includes:

• National Museum (Ta Dzong): Originally built in 1656 as a watchtower for the lower Dzong, it was renovated in 1968 and transformed into Bhutan’s National Museum, showcasing the country’s rich heritage.
• Paro Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels): Constructed in 1646, this striking fortress now serves as the administrative center for Paro district.
• Kyichu Lhakhang (Temple): Dating back to the 7th century, this is one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

After breakfast drive to Ramthangkha to hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour approximately. At the viewpoint enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. After lunch at the cafe walk back to the road point where your car will pick you up and then drive to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century. Later in the evening drive a short distance to visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and explore the lifestyle of a Bhutanese farmer. Together with the family you’ll eat delicious home-made Bhutanese cuisine and sit around the warm stove and interact with your hosts. Dinner at Paro Farm-stay and overnight hotel.

In the morning, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, following the scenic route along the Pachhu River. Along the way, you’ll stop at Tamchogang, where, time permitting, you can walk across the suspension bridge. This iron chain bridge was originally created by the revered treasure discoverer and saint, Thangtong Gyalpo, who built several such bridges in Bhutan and Tibet. Of the eight he constructed in Bhutan, this is the only one that remains intact, as the others were destroyed by floods.

A short drive later, you’ll arrive at Chhuzom, the confluence of the Pachhu and Wangchhu rivers, marked by three unique stupas. From this junction, it is a 31 km drive to reach Thimphu.

Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan, is home to approximately 124,000 people. Your day in Thimphu includes visits to:

• Painting School (Institute of Arts & Crafts): Learn about Bhutan’s traditional art forms.
• Folk Heritage Museum: Explore Bhutanese culture and rural lifestyle.
• National Library: Discover ancient texts and manuscripts.
• Memorial Stupa: A sacred monument built in honor of the third king of Bhutan.
• Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang): Admire the massive Buddha statue and enjoy panoramic views of the Thimphu Valley.
• Takin Reserve: Observe the Takin, Bhutan’s national animal.

In the late afternoon, visit Tashichho Dzong, the majestic administrative and religious center of Bhutan. Return to your hotel for the evening.

In the morning, you will drive to Punakha, ascending through Simtokha to the Dochula Pass (3,150 meters). On clear days, the pass offers breathtaking views of Bhutan’s Himalayan peaks, including the country’s highest mountain, Gangkhar Puensum (7,550 meters). The pass is adorned with colorful prayer flags and 108 intricately designed stupas.

From the pass, the road descends through diverse forests, eventually reaching the picturesque Metsina Valley. After lunch, you’ll embark on a 30-minute hike to Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the “Temple of Fertility.” This sacred site, blessed by Drukpa Kunley, the “Divine Madman,” is renowned for granting blessings to couples seeking children.

Later, visit the majestic Punakha Dzong (“Fortress of Great Bliss”), situated at the confluence of the Phochhu and Mochhu rivers. Built in 1637, the Dzong was prophesied by Guru Rinpoche during his second visit to Bhutan. It also served as the country’s capital in earlier times and remains a significant cultural and historical landmark.

The drive to Gangtey takes approximately 2.5 hours via Wangdue. Along the way, you’ll stop to view the site of the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, originally built in 1638 but tragically destroyed by a fire in June 2012.

Continuing the journey, you’ll arrive in Gangtey, the winter habitat of the endangered Black-necked Cranes. After lunch, visit Gangtey Goenpa, a monastery founded in 1613 by Pema Thinley, the grandson of the revered saint Pema Lingpa. The monastery is currently led by the ninth reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, known as Gangtey Trulku.

Later, enjoy a leisurely walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, a scenic 2-hour hike that winds through the valley’s lower plains. Conclude the day with an evening at your hotel.

The journey to Trongsa takes approximately 2.5 hours, crossing the Pelela Pass (3,425 meters), adorned with colorful prayer flags. While this pass doesn’t offer Himalayan views, it serves as the boundary between western and eastern Bhutan. After the pass, the road descends through several small villages before reaching Chendebji Chorten, a large stupa built in the 19th century to subdue lingering negative energies and bring blessings.

From Chendebji, it’s another 1.5-hour drive to Trongsa, passing more villages along the way before arriving at the Trongsa Dzong viewpoint. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, strategically perched high above the Mangde Chhu River. This Dzong holds significant historical importance as the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family until the reign of the second king.

Later, visit Ta Dzong, a watchtower that now serves as a museum. Afterward, continue your journey to Bumthang, a 2.5-hour drive via the Yotongla Pass (3,425 meters). Along the way, pass through picturesque valleys before reaching the Jakar Valley in Bumthang. Conclude the day with an evening at your hotel.

Bumthang is one of Bhutan’s most sacred regions, steeped in legends and closely associated with the great Buddhist teacher Pema Lingpa, from whom the current royal dynasty traces its lineage. Key sights in Bumthang include:

• Jakar Dzong (Fortress of the White Bird): Originally built in 1554 by Nagi Wangchuk, the grandfather of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the unifier of Bhutan), and later expanded in the 17th century.
• Jampa Lhakhang: One of Bhutan’s oldest temples, similar to Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro, it was constructed in 659 AD by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
• Kurjey Lhakhang: A highly revered site where Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave and left his body imprint. Nearby stands a large cypress tree believed to have grown from Guru Rinpoche’s walking stick.
• Tamzhing Lhakhang (Temple of Excellent Message): Founded by Pema Lingpa in 1501, this temple served as his permanent residence. According to legend, its foundation was laid by a pig, while celestial beings (Khandromas) assisted in its construction.
• Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake): Located 11 km from Jakar town, this sacred lake is where Pema Lingpa uncovered treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche. After visiting the site, enjoy some leisure time before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Begin your day with an early start for a scenic drive to eastern Bhutan, heading to Mongar via the Thrumshingla Pass (3,800 meters).

Along the way, take a short stop at Ura Village, where the local community thrives on livestock and potato farming. As you continue, you’ll reach Thrumshingla Pass, adorned with numerous prayer flags. Beyond the pass, the road descends through forests of fir and hemlock, leading to the quaint village of Sengkhor.

A few hours further, you’ll arrive at Namling Bra, a steep cliff offering stunning views of cascading waterfalls. Upon reaching Limithang, drive a few more kilometers to cross the Kuri Chhu Bridge. From there, the road winds upward in a series of zigzags through light forests of leafy trees and chir pine before finally reaching Mongar.

After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Lhuntse. En route, stop at Autsho, marked by a large stupa. Visit the majestic Lhuntse Dzong, a fortress rich in history and cultural significance. Later, explore Khoma Village, renowned as the textile hub of Bhutan, where the intricate kushuthara is woven. If time permits, visit Tangmachu to see the magnificent statue of Guru Rinpoche, built overlooking the Tangmachu village.”

In the morning, you will drive through the Korela Pass (2,450 meters), marked by beautiful stupas and stone walls. After crossing the pass, the road descends, leading you to the open fields of Yadhi Village. A few more minutes of driving will bring you to one of Bhutan’s longest zigzag roads.

After another 10 kilometers, you will reach Serchhu. Beyond Serchhu, the road follows the Dangmichhu River, the longest river in Bhutan, leading to Chzam. From the bridge here, you’ll enjoy a great view of Tashi Gang Dzong. A final half-hour drive will take you to Tashi Gang Town, where you’ll spend the evening at your hotel.

In the morning, you will drive to Tashi Yangtse, following the same road until Chzam. From there, the road continues alongside the Dangme Chhu River. After about half an hour, you will reach Gombu Kora, a sacred meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche, where he left his body imprint on a large rock. A few kilometers further, you’ll pass Duksum, a small market that was historically a trading hub with Arunachal Pradesh, India.

From Duksum, the road climbs uphill to Zangpo Zor, the junction for Tsenkharla and Tashi Yangtse. Continue on the left path, passing through the village of Shali. After driving through the forest for about an hour, you will arrive in Tashi Yangtse.

Visit Chorten Kora, a stupa built in 1740 by Lama Ngawang Loday to commemorate three important events:

1. In memory of his late uncle.
2. To subdue a local demon that caused harm to both the people and Buddhism.
3. To fulfill the wishes of the local people.

The story goes that the people of the valley longed to see the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal, but no one had been able to travel there. Lama Ngawang Loday went to Nepal, brought back a model of the stupa carved from radish, and had it built here. However, it is said that the stupa here appears slightly different because the radish shrank upon his return.

After lunch, you will drive back to Tashi Gang, where you will spend the evening at your hotel.

In the morning, drive to Radhi, a renowned village famous for its traditional Bura textiles. On the way, visit Ranjung Woesel Choeling Monastery, an important religious site. Continue your journey to the Lhardung Nunnery Temple, where you can experience the tranquility of this spiritual retreat. On your way back, stop at a textile shop located near the road above Ranjung Temple, where you can explore locally woven fabrics. Finally, drive back to Trashigang to conclude your day.

The road to Samdrup Jongkhar was completed in 1965. During your journey, you will pass Sherubtse College, established in 1978 as a degree-granting institution affiliated with the University of Delhi. The road continues uphill, taking you to Yonphula, where a military base camp is located just a few minutes from the junction.

After driving for about half an hour, you will reach Khaling, home to the Handloom Development Project run by the National Women’s Association of Bhutan. Following a brief visit, you will continue on your way, passing Womrong, which marks the halfway point to Samdrup Jongkhar.

Another 75 kilometers will bring you to Dewathang, a historically significant location where a famous battle took place during the Duar War in the 19th century. The Bhutanese army, led by Jigme Namgyal, defeated the British forces here.

After Dewathang, the road continues its descent for another 18 kilometers before finally reaching the foothills of the Himalayas. You will have some leisure time in the evening to relax