Bhutan11 days
Bhutan's Eastern Circuit: Samdrup Jongkhar to Paro via Black Necked Crane Valley — 11 Days
Journey from southeast borderlands through rural settlements to the Black Necked Crane Festival in Phobjikha Valley, ending at Tiger's Nest.
This 11-day itinerary moves through eastern and central Bhutan in a deliberate arc from the Indian border at Samdrup Jongkhar westward to Paro. The route traces a clear geography of development: the southeast's rural villages, agricultural valleys, and older trade routes give way gradually to the more urban infrastructure of Thimphu and Paro. The centerpiece is Phobjikha Valley, where the Black Necked Crane Festival occurs during winter months (November through February), drawing these rare migratory birds to their primary wintering ground. The journey moves through dzongs, monasteries, weaving centers, and farmland breweries that remain functional rather than performative.
Best time to go: NOV/ DEC/ JAN
Highlights
- Dewathan battlefield along the route between Samdrup Jongkhar and Tashigang
- Khaling National Handloom center in Tashigang
- Mebar Tsho Lake and Ura Village in the Bumthang district
- Gangtey Monastery overlooking Phobjikha Valley
- Black Necked Crane sightings in Phobjikha Valley (November–February)
- Punakha Dzong and Wangduephodrang Dzong
- Kuenselphodrang, Bhutan's largest Buddha statue, near Thimphu
Day by day
1Arrival at Samdrup Jongkhar BorderSamdrup Jongkhar · Guwahati Airport to Samdrup Jongkhar · Samdrup Jongkhar border gate
Drive 98km from Guwahati Airport to Samdrup Jongkhar. Clear immigration formalities at the border gate, then check into your hotel.
2Samdrup Jongkhar to Tashigang: Bamboo Forests and Historical Groundbamboo forests · Dewathan · Chorten Kora · Khaling National Handloom · Tashigang dzong
The 180-kilometer drive (5–6 hours) winds through bamboo forests and past Dewathan, a historical battleground. In Tashigang, visit the dzong, Chorten Kora, and Khaling National Handloom.
3Tashigang to Mongar: Dzong and Corn WineMongar · Mongar Dzong · local farmhouse
Drive to Mongar (90km, 3 hours). After lunch at your hotel, visit Mongar Dzong, then a local farmhouse to watch corn wine being brewed.
4Mongar to Bumthang: Sacred Lakes and TemplesMebar Tsho Lake · Ura Village · Jakar Dzong · Kurje Lhakhang · Jambay Lhakhang
The 190-kilometer drive to Bumthang passes Mebar Tsho Lake and Ura Village. Afternoon visits include Jakar Dzong, Kurje Lhakhang, and Jambay Lhakhang.
5Bumthang to Phobjikha: Gangtey Monastery and the Crane ValleyBumthang to Phobjikha · Gangtey Monastery · Phobjikha Valley
The 162-kilometer drive (5 hours) descends to Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Monastery, then walk nature trails through the wetlands. Black Necked Cranes winter here November to February, weather permitting.
6Phobjikha to Punakha: Dzongs and Sacred SitesPhobjikha to Punakha · Wangduephodrang Dzong · Chimi Lhakhang temple · Punakha Dzong · longest suspension bridge
Drive 80 kilometers (2 hours) to Punakha. Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, then Chimi Lhakhang temple. Visit Punakha Dzong and cross the longest suspension bridge.
7Punakha to Thimphu: Mountain Pass and Capital LandmarksDochu La Pass · Simtokha Dzong · Takin Zoo · Traditional School of Arts and Crafts · Tashichhodzong
Drive to Thimphu via Dochu La Pass and Simtokha Dzong. Visit the Takin Zoo, Traditional School of Arts and Crafts, and Tashichhodzong.
8Thimphu: Buddha Statue, Textiles, and CraftsKuenselphodrang · Textile Museum · Craft Bazaar
Visit Kuenselphodrang, Bhutan's largest Buddha statue. Visit the Textile Museum and Craft Bazaar. Afternoon free.
9Paro and Tiger's Nest Monastery HikeParo · Tiger's Nest Monastery
Drive to Paro, then hike to the cliffside Tiger's Nest Monastery.
10Paro: Dzong, Temple & Local Brewerylocal brewery · Rinpung Dzong · Kyichu Lhakhang · Paro town
Morning at Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang. Afternoon: local brewery visit, then walk through Paro town.
11DepartureHotel
Hotel checkout and onward journey.
Where you go
- 1Samdrup Jongkhar
- 2Chorten Kora
- 3Khaling National Handloom
- 4Mongar
- 5Mongar dzong
- 6Mebar Tsho lake
- 7Ura Village
- 8Kurje Lhakhang
- 9Jambay Lhakhang
- 10Gangtey Monastery
- 11Phobjikha Valley
- 12Wangduephodrang Dzong
- 13Punakha Dzong
- 14Dochu La Pass
- 15Takin Zoo
- 16Tashichhodzong
- 17Kuenselphodrang
- 18Textile Museum
- 19Paro
- 20Tiger's Nest Monastery
- 21Kyichu Lhakhang
- 22Paro town
Included
- Accommodation at 3*/3* Superior Hotels
- Half board meals
- English Speaking Tour Guide
- Private vehicle transfers
- Entrance Fees to attractions
Not included
- Meals & Drinks (at restaurants unless otherwise stated)
- Flights
- Insurance
- Optional activities
- 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.