Bhutan Ancient Trail
$2375
per person
This 12-day Bhutan tour offers an immersive experience of the country’s cultural, historical, and natural treasures.
The tour begins with arrival in Paro, followed by sightseeing at key landmarks like Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, and an archery session. The itinerary includes a trek from Sang Chokhor to Bumdra Monastery and Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), before driving to Thimphu for city sightseeing, including Memorial Chorten and Tashichhodzong. The journey continues to Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang, and Mongar, exploring historical dzongs, temples, and cultural sites along the way. The trip concludes with visits to Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar, before crossing the border into India for a transfer to Guwahati Airport.
Tour Highlights
- Day 1: Fly Kolkata – Paro
- Day 2: Paro Sightseeing | Archery Session
- Day 3: Drive Paro – Sang Chokhor | Trek to Bumdra
- Day 4: Trek Bumdra – Taktsang | Drive to Paro
- Day 5: Drive Paro – Thimphu
- Day 6: Drive Thimphu – Punakha
- Day 7: Drive Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang
- Day 8: Bumthang Sightseeing
- Day 9: Drive Bumthang – Mongar
- Day 10: Drive Mongar – Trashigang
- Day 11: Drive Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar
- Day 12: Drive Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati
Cost Includes on Trek
- Accommodation in sleeping tent on twin sharing basis (sleeping bags to be brought along by the trekkers themselves)
- Toilet tents
- individual sleeping mat
- camp fee
- Trekking permits
- Hot meals – breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Kitchen staff (cook/waiters/dish washers)
- Licensed & certified English speaking trekking guide
- Horses, Ponies & porters
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Destination
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Departure
Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahti -
Dress Code
Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes
Our gallery
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Day 1: Fly Kolkata – Paro (1.5 hrs)
Upon arrival in Paro, Meet your guide and driver outside the terminal to be taken to your hotel. If time allows, visit local sites such as Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang. Enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
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Day 2: Paro Sightseeing | Archery Session
After breakfast, head to an archery session organized by the company. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then visit a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse, Drukgyel Dzong, and the National Museum. Overnight stay in Paro.
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Day 3: Drive Paro – Sang Chokhor | Trek to Bumdra
After breakfast, drive to Sang Choekhor to meet the trekking crew and start the trek to Bumdra. Along the way, visit Sang Choekhor Lhakhang and see Guru Rinpoche’s hat rock for meditation. The trek begins with a 1-2 hour ascent through a forested ridge to Chhoe Tse Lhakhang, offering views of Paro and the Himalayas. After a final climb, reach a high meadow near Bumdra Monastery. Spend the night at a tented camp (3,800 m), with an option to visit the monastery and meditate.
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Day 4: Trek Bumdra – Taktsang | Drive to Paro
After breakfast, begin the trek to Paro via Taktshang Monastery. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Afterward, descend for about an hour to meet the vehicle and drive back to Paro for an overnight stay.
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Day 5: Drive Paro – Thimphu (51 km | 1.5 hrs)
After breakfast, drive from Paro to Thimphu and check in to your hotel. After freshening up, start sightseeing around the city, visiting the Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Buddha Point, Takin Sanctuary, School of arts & Crafts,Paper Factory, Weekend Market and Tashichhodzong. Overnight stay at a hotel in Thimphu.
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Day 6: Drive Thimphu – Punakha (74 km | 3 hrs)
After breakfast we drive to Punakha. In the afternoon, visit historical Punakha Dzong the sacred site of Royal Wedding and towards evening easy hike to theFertility Temple (Chimi Lhakhang) . Overnight stay in Punakha.
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Day 7: Drive Punakha -Trongsa – Bumthang (216 km | 6.5 hrs)
Drive to Jakar (Bumthang) via the Pelela pass and Trongsa. Stop in Trongsa to visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan. Continue to Bumthang for dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel.
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Day 8: Bumthang Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Bumthang includes visits to Jambay Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Monastery, Kenchosum Temple, and the Swiss Farm area. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Bumthang.
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Day 9: Drive Bumthang – Mongar (177 km | 7 hrs)
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Day 10: Drive Mongar – Trashigang (80 km | 2.25 hrs)
Drive 96 km in 3 hours through Kori La pass to Trashigang, passing forests, cornfields, and banana groves. Visit Dametsi monastery, where the Naga Chham dance originated, and then explore Trashigang Dzong, the district's administrative center. Overnight in Trashigang.
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Day 11: Drive Trashigang – Samdrup Jongkhar (167 km | 5.5 hrs)
The drive from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar covers 180 km in about six hours. The route winds through terraced fields, passing Kanglung, Khaling, and Deothang. After a descent from Deothang, the landscape changes to Sal and teak forests as you enter Samdrup Jongkhar. Enjoy a hot pack lunch en route. Samdrup Jongkhar, a key trading town and economic center near the Indian border, developed in the 1960s and is known for its coal mining. Overnight stay at a hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar.
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Day 12: Drive Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahti (100 km | 3-4 hrs)
After breakfast, say goodbye to your Bhutanese guide and driver before proceeding to the border check post. After completing formalities, you'll be transferred from Samdrup Jongkhar to Guwahati Airport for a flight to Kolkata. The 100 km drive takes about 3-4 hours through scenic landscapes.
General Information
- Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
- Destination: Bhutan (Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang, Mongar, Trashigang, Samdrup Jongkhar)
- Accommodation: Hotels in major cities and tented camps during the trek
- Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D) included daily
- Guide & Transport: Provided by local Bhutanese company, including an experienced guide and private vehicle with driver.
Trip Highlights
- Cultural Exploration: Visit significant religious and historical sites across Bhutan, including dzongs, monasteries, and temples.
- Trekking Experience: Enjoy a unique trek to Bumdra Monastery with a descent through the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery.
- Scenic Drives: Traverse through Bhutan’s diverse landscapes, from lush valleys to high mountain passes, with opportunities to see the Eastern Himalayas.
- Local Experiences: Participate in a traditional archery session, visit a Bhutanese farmhouse, and explore local markets.
What to Pack
- Clothing: Comfortable, layered clothing suitable for varying temperatures. Include warm clothing for mornings and evenings, and light clothing for daytime.
- Footwear: Comfortable hiking shoes for the trek, and casual shoes for city exploration.
- Essentials: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, reusable water bottle, and a small daypack for carrying essentials during the day.
- Documents: Passport, visa clearance letter, travel insurance details, and copies of important documents.
Cultural Etiquette
- Respect: Bhutan is deeply rooted in Buddhist traditions. Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Always ask for permission before taking photographs of people or inside temples.
- Shoes: Remove your shoes before entering temples and religious sites.
- Language: English is widely spoken.
Additional Tips
- Currency: The local currency is the Bhutanese Ngultrum (BTN). Credit cards are accepted in some places, but it’s good to carry cash for smaller shops and markets.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though it may be slow in some areas. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for better connectivity.