Overland Bhutan Road Trip

Drive to Paro.Overnight stay at Paro.

After driving for around 35 minutes, the Taktsang hike (also famously called as “Tiger Nest”) will begin early in the morning as it will be cool. You will begin the hike at the Taktsang base where a shopkeeper and horseman can be found. Your walk will be through a forest for almost one hour and 30 minutes, and soon, you will reach Takstang cafeteria. Sip some tea while enjoying a very spectacular view of Taktsang Monastery.After visiting drive towards Paro to visit Drukgyal Dzong, although it is now mostly in ruins and under construction.

Altitude: Chelele La Pass: 3,988 meters; Thimpu: 2,320 meters Chelele La is located between Haa and Paro which is 50 kilometers away from Paro Valley. It is the highest motorable pass in Bhutan situated at 3,988 meters or 13,084 feet. From there, you can view some of the highest and un-climbed beautiful Himalayan mountain passes on a clear day. On reaching the pass, you could see prayers flags fluttering wildly in the breeze and chilly wind. Some of the snow-capped mountains can be viewed from there during the summer too. After riding around 30 minutes, you will have lunch at Haa Valley. You will proceed towards Thimphu.Overnight at Thimpu

Altitude: 3000 metersAfter breakfast we start our drive towards Phobjika. The road is 100 percent tarmac and double lane. Before reaching Punakha, you may visit Chimi Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong if you wish. We can also take a trip to the longest suspension bridge and enjoy the views if you want. After visit continue with drive to Phobjika valley Upon reaching Phobjikha, we can visit Gangtey Goenpa, the Black-Necked Crane Information Center, and Phobjikha Valley. You will stay overnight at Phobjika in a Farmhouse or homestay.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you begin today’s tour with an excursion to Tangjey Lhakhang (3,050-meter distance, 10 to 12-kilometer duration, 4 to 5 hours). You set out on a day’s hike toward the southeast direction through a vegetation of dwarf bamboos that adorns the Phobjikha Valley. This valley is where the rare black necked cranes reside during the winter season, beginning November until mid-March. After an hour of an easy hike, you reach the small settlement of Kilkhorthang village. You take a short rest to enjoy the dramatic landscape of the valley before continuing towards Tangjey, passing through vegetable fields and orchards. Tangjey Lhakhang (temple) is dedicated to Lord Buddha and its local protective deity Yeshi Gempo. The original foundation of the temple dates back to 1517-1554. After an enjoyable visit to the temple, you head back to the hotel crossing a wooden bridge over a crystal clear river. Your day can be ended, if you wish, with a little celebration of locally distilled traditional drink.

Altitude: 2800 metersAfter breakfast, you take a short nature walk in the vicinity of the hotel and then after, you drive to Bumthang, crossing Pele La pass (3,300 meters / 10,830 feet) via Trongsa. Pela La is marked by a large white chorten with prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point where the mountain forest trees are replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboos. You stop, en route, at Chendebji Chorten which is patterned on the Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at four cardinal points. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida from Tibet. The stupa’s purpose was to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Also, en route to Bumthang, you visit Trongsa Dzong. The dzong is a massive structure with many floor levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it was built. You will also visit Ta Dzong, a cylindrical stone watchtower rising five stories. It was built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. Further 68-kilometer drive across the Yutong La pass (3,400 meters / 11,155 feet) will finally bring you to the wide open cultivated Bumthang Valley

Altitude: 2,800 metersAfter breakfast, you proceed on your tour of the Bumthang Valley. Bumthang is the general name given to the combination of four valleys (Chumey, Choekhor, Tang, and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters). There are many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries in the Bumthang valleys. You will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang. It is a temple where the saint Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock.Later in the afternoon, if time permits, you visit Wangdicholing Palace (visitors allowed from outside only)

Altitude: 800 metersYou will travel to most extensive protected areas network in Bhutan. The northern two-thirds of the district, the gewogs of Chhoekhor and Tang, belong to Wangchuck Centennial Park, buffered by pockets of biological corridors. Southern Bumthang, the gewogs of Chhumig, Tang, and Ura, is part of another protected area, Thrumshingla National Park.You will have lunch at Trongsa Town and visit the zong. You will stay overnight at hotel in Tingtibi.

Altitude: 600 metersAfter breakfast leisurely drive to Gelephu. Here, you will spend a relaxing night.

Ride to Thimpu the Capital of Bhutan.

Drive from Thimpu to Phuentsholing. This is the end of the tour.