17-Day Wild East Rodung La Trek From Central to Eastern Bhutan

You'll be received by our guide and the driver and then visit the National Museum of Bhutan to get insights into the history and culture of Bhutan. Opens at 9:00 am and is closed on public holidays. We then drive to the capital city Thimphu, home to approximately 115,000 residents and the centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. On arrival in Thimphu, you'll visit the Buddha Dordhenma Statue located on the hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley; National Institute of Zorig Chusum where the 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts of Bhutan are taught. Located nearby is the National Library & Archives, a national treasure and fundamental source of Bhutanese history, religion, medicine, arts & culture. Opens on weekdays and on Saturdays 10 am - 12 pm.

Distance from Paro to Thimphu 55 km | Time 1.5 hours | Paro Altitude 2,195m/7,200ft | Thimphu Altitude 2,334m/7,655ft

Dinner and overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara.

Today, we drive to Punakha valley. En route, stop briefly at Dochula, a sacred mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150m presenting you a grand panoramic view of some of the highest mountains of Bhutan on a clear day. 11km before reaching proper Punakha town, you'll visit the famous Chimi Lhakhang built in 1499 A.D. by the Divine Madman, Lama Drukpa Kunley. The temple is popularly known as the "Temple of Fertility" because of its power to fulfill the wishes of couples with offspring who are unable to bear otherwise. It is visited by people from all walks of life. Also to visit is the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, 17th-century Punakha Dzong which has ornate wooden pillars & sacred wall paintings among many other artworks that still influences Bhutanese architecture today. After that walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan that runs over the glacial-fed Phochu (male) river.

Distance 74 km | Time 2.5 hours | Punakha Altitude 1,200m/3,935ft

Dinner and overnight at Meri Puensum Resort or Hotel Lobesa.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we start our journey to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey. Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and it is a winter home for endangered Black-necked Crane from November until they migrate back to the Tibetan Plateau in March.

Arriving in Phobjikha, check into the hotel and settle for lunch, visit an important landmark in the valley, a 17th-century Gangtey Monastery popularly known as Gangtey Gonpa (gonpa literally means “remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance). From the monastery, venture out on an exhilarating Gangtey Nature Trail Hike. The Gangtey Nature Trail is about 5km and takes approximately 2.5 hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farmlands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and an understanding of the local inhabitant's livelihood. You can also visit the Black-necked Crane Information Center.

Distance from Punakha to Phobjikha valley 80 km | Time 3 hours | Phobjikha Altitude 3.000m/9,840ft

Dinner and overnight at Wangchuk Lodge or Yue-Loki Farm Stay

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang valley also known as Jakar via the district of Trongsa in central Bhutan. Bumthang is considered the religious heartland of Bhutan and is home to some of the oldest temples and monasteries in the country. En route, you'll drive over Pelela, a mountain pass at 3350m altitude and pass through several villages and pristine valleys and forests. On arrival in Trongsa, visit the largest fortress in Bhutan, an impressive 17th-century Trongsa Dzong on a strategic location overlooking the gorge of the Mangde Chhu river. Above the Trongsa Dzong on the promontory is the Royal Heritage Museum housed in the 17th-century watchtower. The Museum provides insight into the significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history and showcases the religious and artistic traditions of Bhutan.

Continue driving to Bumthang. En route, stop briefly at Chumey village and visit the Yathra Weaving Center. Yathra is a colorful textile hand-woven out of sheep and yak hair. Lunch can be served here at Chumey Village or on arrival in Bumthang.

After lunch, visit the Swiss Cheese & Wine Factory established by Mr. Fritz Maurer, a Swiss volunteer who came to Bhutan in the early 60s and made Bhutan his home. Also visit Tamzhing Lhakhang built in 1501 by Bhutan's patron saint Terton Pema Lingpa who spend his early years as a blacksmith. There is an armour handcrafted by Pema Lingpa himself. It is believed that anyone who carries the armour and circumambulate the inner sanctum of the temple will be cleansed of past sins and defilement.

Distance from Phobjikha to Bumthang 150 km | Time 4.5 hours | Bumthang Altitude 2,600m/8,530ft

Dinner and overnight at Kaila Guest House or Mountain Lodge

After breakfast, visit the two most popular temples in Bumthang valley and then after lunch transfer to transfer to Tang Valley for an overnight stay. Visit Jampa Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Kingdom founded by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century AD. The statue of the future Buddha known as Jowo Jampa in Tibetan Buddhism is the main relic of the temple. Also to visit is the Kurjey Lhakhang built on a site blessed by Guru Padmasambhava in the 8th century. After lunch, drive to Tang valley. En route, visit Mebar Tso (Buring Lake) from where a sacred statue of Guru Padmasambhava was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa in the 15th century. On arrival at Tang valley, visit Ogyen Choling Palace Museum owned by the ancestor of the Royal family of Bhutan. The royal manor was turned into a museum in 2001 to share its heritage and preserve religious and cultural significance.

Distance from Jakar to Tang Valley 30 km | Time 1 hour | Tang Valley Altitude 2,700m/8,860ft

Dinner and overnight at Ogyen Choling Guest House or at village homestay with the local family.

After early breakfast, we will meet the trekking team at the starting point. The pack animals will carry all the trekking equipment and supplies including your baggage. You will carry only your day backpack. Today’s walk is through bamboos, hemlock and finally up to an alpine forest. The camp is in a meadow at the head of the valley and the base of the Rodung La.

Distance 17 km | Time 5-6 hours | Ascent 920m/3,018ft| Camp Altitude 3,680m/12,073ft

Full-service outdoor camping at Phokpey

Rodung La (4,160m), the highest mountain pass on this trek, is about a three-hour slow-paced climb from the camp. From the pass you continue downhill through a gorge, overlooking scenic mountain valleys covered in lush pine forests. The region is rich in folklore concerning spirits and yetis. Near the camp, you can see a ruined stone building that once acted as a grain storehouse during the reigns of the first and second kings.

Distance 20 km | Time 6-7 hours | Ascent 480m/1575ft | Descent 1,160m/3,805ft | Camp Altitude 2,950m/9,678ft

Full-service outdoor camping at Ungar

This trail winds through the villages of Ungaar, Bulay, Kulaypang and Gomda before bringing you to Drula village and Kheni Lhakhang. One of the oldest temples in the country, it was built in the mid-7th century by the King Songtshen Gampo of Tibet to subdue demons.

Distance 21km | Time 7-8 hours | Ascent 250m/820ft | Descent 1,340m/4,396ft | Camp Altitude 2,010m/6,594ft

Full-service outdoor camping at Kheni Lhakhang

From the camp, the trail goes down to a stream and back up to a basic health unit and a community school in Gorsam. Further on, you pass a Tibetan-style Umling Mani, built by a lama from Tibet, and a chorten on Zerim La (1,940m). Before reaching the next pass, Tage La (1,760m) you will see Menjabi, a beautiful Bhutanese village with large white houses. The campsite for the night is located South-east of Tage La near Tangmachu Central School.

Distance 18km | Time 6-7 hours | Ascent 520m/1,706ft | Descent 810m/2,657ft | Camp Altitude 1,720m/5,643ft

Full-service outdoor camping at Tangmachu

Today, you will rest and do some sightseeing in Lhuentse, a district in eastern Bhutan popularly known for producing the best handwoven traditional textile called Kishuthara. After a leisurely breakfast, visit the world’s tallest statue of Guru Padmasambhava which is located in the neighborhood. The main statue was completed and consecrated in 2015. It was constructed with prophecies from Buddhist luminaries like Terton Lerab Lingpa and Dudjom Jidrel Yeshey Dorji. It is for the peace and prosperity of Bhutan and also as a monument of world peace. You will have an opportunity to pray and spend some time.

You'll visit Khoma village known for producing the famous hand-woven silk textile, Kushuthara. If you find any piece of textile you like, this is the best opportunity to buy it at a price much cheaper than buying it from other handicraft shops elsewhere in the country. Home-cooked local cuisine will be served for lunch at one of the village farmhouses at Khoma.

After lunch at one of the beautiful village houses, visit the Gangzur village in the neighborhood. Gangzur Village is famous for pottery as its women folk are skilled artisans of this dying art. Earthen ports were mostly used for cooking in the olden days. One particular earthen pot you'll see in every household, especially in eastern Bhutan is the one they use for brewing local alcohol known as "Ara".

Dinner and overnight at either Chimi Yuden Homestay, Khoma village or outdoor camping.

After breakfast, drive to the starting point of the remaining 3 days of trekking. A new set of trekking team will meet us there. You will hike uphill through thick forests of oaks and rhododendrons overlooking spectacular mountains. A gradual but long climb will bring you to several patches of meadows used by the cow herders in the summer months. The camp is located on a meadow surrounded by forests at an altitude of 2,400m.

Distance 20km | Time 5-6 hours| Descent 620m/2,034ft | Camp Altitude 2,450m/8,038ft

Full-service outdoor camping at Pemi

You will continue the gradual climb through the thick forest until you reach a Dong La, a beautiful mountain pass at about 3900m altitude. You will see stunning views of the snow-capped surrounding mountains. From this point on, you descend all the way down until you reach Taupang where you will camp overnight.

Distance 21km | Time 6-7 hours | Camp Altitude 2,450m/8,038ft

Full-service outdoor camping at Taupang

Today is the last and longest day of the trek but it is a gradual descent to Trashi Yangtse. As you descend the Chir pine and hardwood forests are slowly replaced by oak trees and bamboos. Your driver will be waiting for you at the roadside to transfer you to Trashi Yangtse town. It will take about 45mins to reach Trashi Yangtse town.

Distance 24km | Time 8-9 hours | Trashi Yangtse Altitude 1,800m/5,900ft

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Karmaling

The people of Trashi Yangtse are well known for their incredible skills at woodwork and paper making. The items they produce such as traditional wooden cups and bowls known as Dhapa are prized throughout the country. After breakfast at the hotel, you'll visit one of the well-known landmarks in this region, Chorten Kora (Chorten means ‘Buddist Stupa’ and Kora means ‘circumambulation’) built in 1740 AD over the span of 12 years. Though smaller in size, Chorten Kora is believed to be the replica of the Boudanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. Located in the town is also the School of Traditional Arts where six forms of traditional Bhutanese arts are taught (painting, pottery, wood sculpture, woodturning, lacquer work and applique embroidery.

After lunch, we drive to Trashigang. En route stop briefly at Gom Kora (Meditation Cave) where Guru Padmasambhava meditated and subdued demons. Continue to Trashigang and visit the Trashang Dzong originally built in 1659. It stands on the ledge with very steep cliffs on three sides overlooking the Gamri Chu and Dangme Chu, one of the largest rivers in Bhutan. Trashigang was once a busy commercial hub in eastern Bhutan.

Distance 65km | Time 2 hours | Trashigang Altitude 1,180m/3,871ft

Dinner and overnight at Lingkhar Lodge or Hotel Druk Deothjung.

After breakfast and depending on the flight departure time, drive to Yonphula Domestic Airport and then transfer to Paro. The flight takes only 45mins and offers a grand aerial view of the mountains and valleys of Bhutan. On arrival in Paro, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang built in one day by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century.

Leisure time to explore Paro town.

Dinner and overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After early breakfast at the hotel, hike to the famous Paro Taktsang Monastery popularly known to the outside world as Tiger's Nest. It is built on a steep rock cliff some 800m above the valley floor. The round-trip hike takes about 4-5 hours for most people but you can hike at your own pace. We recommend starting the hike early. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up the midpoint (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria) but the journey is best enjoyed on foot.

After lunch at the Taktsang Cafeteria, descend back to the base where the driver will be waiting for you. Spend some leisure time around Paro town. Towards the late afternoon, visit a beautiful farmhouse for home-cooked local cuisine. You may also participate and learn how to cook some of Bhutan’s popular dishes. If interested, you can take a revitalizing and therapeutic hot stone bath for an additional fee of US$15 per person charged by the owner.

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Our guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check in.