Across the Kingdom

Overview

This is Bhutan in full — a journey that crosses the country from west to east, from the familiar valleys near the airport to the remote districts that most visitors never reach. Eastern Bhutan has an old, distinct feel, with some of the kingdom's most important dzongs and monasteries set among spectacular scenery. The tour follows the western highlights through Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa and Bumthang before crossing the dramatic Thrumshingla Pass into the east. Mongar is the gateway, Lhuentse is famed for its kushutara textiles and ancestral royal connections, and Trashigang — the Jewel of the East — closes the journey from its cliff-top dzong above two converging rivers. A domestic flight from Paro to Bumthang can be used to reduce driving time.