Eastern Bhutan Explorer - Trashigang & Merak 11 Days

For travelers who want to see what most of Bhutan looks like: the remote east, Brokpa highlander culture at Merak, the textile weavers of Lhuentse, and the long road through Mongar and Bumthang.

About this trip

The east is what most of Bhutan actually looks like, and only a small fraction of tourists go. This is a road trip across two-thirds of the country, ideally starting with a Drukair flight from Paro to Yongphulla (Trashigang) to skip 3 days of driving (4 flights/week; weather-dependent; if cancelled we drive). Highlights: Brokpa highlanders at Merak (3,500 m, only accessible by road since 2013), the royal ancestral dzong at Lhuentse, the Khoma village textile weavers who produce the kishuthara silks worn by Bhutanese royalty, Mongar and Trashigang on the way back. Long driving days; suitable for travelers comfortable with full days on the road.

Highlights

→Brokpa highlander villages at Merak (3,500 m)
→Royal ancestral Lhuentse Dzong
→Khoma village kishuthara silk weavers
→Trashigang Dzong on a ridge above the Drangme Chhu
→Bumthang sacred sites on the return route
→Drukair Paro to Yongphulla flight (if available, saves 2 days)
→Tiger's Nest hike on return to Paro

Day by day

Included

✓Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese guide
✓All accommodation (twin-share, tier as noted per day)
✓All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
✓Private transport with experienced driver
✓All monument and museum entry fees
✓Bhutan visa processing
✓Bottled drinking water during transit
✓Paro to Yongphulla domestic flight (if available; refunded if cancelled and overland used)
✓Bumthang to Paro domestic flight
✓Long-distance vehicle suitable for eastern roads

Not included

✗International flights to/from Paro
✗Sustainable Development Fee (USD 100/person/night, paid separately)
✗5% GST on tour cost (from Jan 1, 2026)
✗Travel insurance
✗Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities