Bhutan10 days
Bhutan: Culinary Trail East to West — 10 Days
A 10-day journey from Samdrup Jongkhar to Paro, tracing regional food traditions, from corn liquor and buckwheat noodles to river trout and local breweries.
This itinerary moves eastward through Bhutan's less-visited valleys before turning west toward the capital, stopping in villages and farmhouses to learn how food shapes life in each region. You'll taste ara (corn whiskey) brewed in a Mongar household, eat puta (buckwheat noodles) at a Bumthang restaurant, and visit working farms, textile markets, and breweries where locals prepare the meals they actually eat. The route connects Bhutan from east to west. Expect half-board accommodation, English-speaking guides, and private vehicle transfers throughout.
Best time to go: all year
Highlights
- Taste ara, a traditional corn-based liquor, brewed on site at a farmhouse in Mongar
- Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) in Paro.
- Visit Chorten Kora and local weaving houses in Tashigang, near the Indian border
- Eat puta (buckwheat noodles) at a restaurant in Ura Village, Bumthang, a regional specialty
- Walk through Kuenselphodrang gardens to see Asia's largest Buddha statue near Thimphu
- Tour a working brewery and taste locally made beer in Paro
- Visit Kaja Throm Farmers Market in Thimphu and dine at a dumpling house in the capital
- Visit Punakha Dzong and eat Bhutanese river trout prepared by the riverside
- Stop at Mebar Tsho Lake (Black Mountain Lake) on the drive to Bumthang
Day by day
1Arrival at Samdrup Jongkhar Border GateSamdrup Jongkhar Border Gate · Gauwahati Airport · your hotel
Arrive at Gauwahati Airport and drive 98km to Samdrup Jongkhar. Clear immigration formalities, then check into your hotel.
2Tashigang: Bamboo Forests, Battlefield & HandloomsTashigang · Dewathang · Khaling National Handloom · Chorten Kora · local home
A 180-kilometer drive eastward through bamboo countryside leads to Tashigang. Visit Dewathang's historical battlefield, visit Khaling National Handloom, then Chorten Kora. Evening spent at a local home experiencing traditional cooking.
3Mongar Dzong & Traditional Ara BrewingMongar · Mongar Dzong · local farmhouse
Drive to Mongar (90km, 3 hours). Visit Mongar Dzong, then lunch at a local farmhouse to taste traditional eastern dishes and observe ara—corn liquor—being brewed.
4Bumthang: Lakes, Villages & Sacred TemplesMebar Tsho Lake · Ura Village · Kurje Lhakhang · Jambay Lhakhang
The 190-kilometer drive to Bumthang takes five hours through mountain passes. Stop at Mebar Tsho Lake, then continue to Ura Village for lunch of puta—buckwheat noodles. Afternoon visits to Kurje Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang, two of Bhutan's most significant temples.
5Punakha: River Valleys & the Fortress DzongPunakha · riverside · Punakha Dzong
The six-hour drive descends through green valleys to Punakha. Lunch by the riverside features Bhutanese-style river trout and red and white rice. Evening visit to Punakha Dzong.
6Thimphu: Buddha Statue, Zoo & Traditional CraftsDochu La Pass · Kuenselphodrang · Babesa village · Takin Zoo · National Library · Traditional School of Arts and Craft
Drive to Thimphu via Dochu La Pass (74km, 2hrs). Visit Kuenselphodrang to see Asia's tallest bronze Buddha statue. Lunch at Babesa village, then visit the Takin Zoo, National Library, and Traditional School of Arts and Craft.
7Thimphu Textiles, Markets & DumplingsTextile Museum · Craft Bazaar · Kaja Throm Farmers Market · traditional dumpling house
Visit the Textile Museum, Craft Bazaar, and Kaja Throm Farmers Market. Lunch at a traditional dumpling house. Afternoon free.
8Paro: Drive and Tiger's Nest Monastery TrekParo · Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro
Drive to Paro. Trek to Tiger's Nest Monastery in Paro.
9Paro: Temples, Museum & Local BreweryParo · brewery · Kyichu Lhakhang · Ta Dzong National Museum · Paro town
Visit Kyichu Lhakhang and Ta Dzong National Museum in the morning. Lunch features local rice pizza and buckwheat dumplings with dried spinach. Afternoon includes a brewery tour and stroll through Paro town.
10Departure from Your HotelYour Hotel
Check out and depart for the airport.
Where you go
- 1Tashigang
- 2Dewathang
- 3Khaling National Handloom
- 4Chorten Kora
- 5Mongar
- 6Mongar dzong
- 7Mebar Tsho lake
- 8Ura Village
- 9Kurje Lhakhang
- 10Jambay Lhakhang
- 11Punakha
- 12Punakha Dzong
- 13Dochula Pass
- 14Kuenselphodrang
- 15Babesa village
- 16Takin Zoo
- 17National Library
- 18Traditional School of Arts and Craft
- 19Textile Museum
- 20Kaja Throm Farmers Market
- 21Paro town
- 22Taktsang monastery
- 23Paro town
- 24Kyichu Lhakhang
- 25Ta Dzong National Museum
- 26Paro town
Included
- Accommodation at 3*/3* Superior Hotels
- Half Board
- English Speaking Tour Guide
- Private vehicle transfers
- Entrance Fees to attractions
- Activities as per itinerary
Not included
- Meals & Drinks (at restaurants unless otherwise stated)
- Flights
- Insurance
- Anything not mentioned in inclusions
- SDF payable to the government
- Visa fee $40 per person
- Disclaimer:
- For Indian Nationals, SDF fees are INR.1200/person/night. Please contact us for applicable price.