Bhutan Banner 3
Back to Listing

East to West: A Journey Through Bhutan

17 days from £9,240 for 2025 per person

This pioneering itinerary is the perfect journey for those who want to explore Bhutan’s remote countryside in depth. This adventurous tour has only just become possible with the opening of the entry point at Samdrup Jongkhar, a sub-tropical region which borders India.

Completely off the beaten path you will be able to visit the heartlands of Bhutan including the eastern provinces and town of Trashigang and Mongar where the indigenous people are semi-nomadic. Journey on to the more frequently visited valleys of the Bumthang ValleyTrongsaGangteyPunakhaThimphu and Paro, staying in local guesthouses and traditional farm houses. Each of these destinations is home to its own unique and distinctive attractions including dzongs, markets and beautiful, sweeping vistas. The infrastructure and accommodation for the first few days in Bhutan will be a far cry from a luxury holiday but with each passing day this will change and you will certainly feel that you have earned your luxuries by the end of the trip. 

This is purely a suggested itinerary, so it can be booked as it is, or used as a starting point for creating your own luxury tailor-made tour of Bhutan. If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our Epic Journey and Active Holiday collections; as well as our favourite Mountains & Trekking itineraries.


Itinerary details

17 days from £9,240 for 2025 per person

  • Day 1 - The Imperial Hotel - Delhi
    Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure.
  • Day 2 - Tashi Gasel Lodge - Samdrup Jongkhar
    Fly from Delhi to Guwahati and drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. Afternoon sightseeing Samdrup Jongkhar.
  • Day 3 - Lingkhar Lodge - Trashigang
    Drive to Trashigang (approx. 7-8 hours) stopping to take in the stunning scenery along the way.
  • Day 4 - Lingkhar Lodge - Trashigang
    Full day sightseeing of Trashigang Valley.
  • Day 5 - Wangchuk Hotel - Mongar
    Morning drive to Mongar (approx. 3 hours). Afternoon sightseeing in Mongar.
  • Day 6 - Swiss Guest House - Bumthang
    Drive to Bumthang (approx. 6-7 hours). The roads are lined with pristine forests and dotted with quaint rural settlements.
  • Day 7 - Swiss Guest House - Bumthang
    Full day sightseeing in Bumthang valley with your guide.
  • Day 8 - Dewachen Hotel - Gangtey
    Drive to Gangtey (approx. 6 hours) stopping at interesting points along the beautiful mountain roads.
  • Day 9 - Dewachen Hotel - Gangtey
    Day at leisure to explore Gangtey valley, including the Black-Necked Crane Centre and the Gangtey Gompa.
  • Day 10 - Dhensa Boutique Resort - Punakha
    Drive to Punakha (approx. 3 hours) via Wangdue Phodrang and Wangduephodrang Dzong at the confluence of the two rivers.
  • Day 11 - Dhensa Boutique Resort - Punakha
    Full day sightseeing in Punakha visiting the famed Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stupa.
  • Day 12 - Zhiwa Ling Ascent - Thimphu
    Drive to Thimpu (apporx. 2 1/2 hours) via the Dochu La pass.
  • Day 13 - Soednam Zingkha Heritage Lodge - Haa Valley
    Spend the morning exploring Thimphu. Afternoon drive to the Haa Valley (approx. 3 1/2 hours).
  • Day 14 - Soednam Zingkha Heritage Lodge - Haa Valley
    Spend the day at leisure for local activities in the Haa Valley.
  • Day 15 - Uma Paro - Paro
    Drive to Paro (approx. 2 1/2 hours) and spend the afternoon at leisure to explore Paro.
  • Day 16 - Uma Paro - Paro
    Take a day hike in the valley ending at the Tiger's Nest.
  • Day 17 - In transit.
    Transfer to Paro airport for your onward flight home.
Haa Valley, Bhutan (3).jpg
Haa Valley, Bhutan (2).jpg
BHUTAN UMA Paro Paro 21
Amankora, Paro, Bhutan (9).jpg
Amankora, Paro, Bhutan (10).jpg
10 Six Senses, Paro.jpg
East to West A Journey Through Bhutan itinerary 2
East To West A Journey Though Bhutan
East to West A Journey Through Bhutan itinerary 3
East to West A Journey Through Bhutan itinerary 1
Amankora, Bumthang, Bhutan (6).jpg
BHUTAN - Bumthang fertility wall
Gangtey Bhutan 1
Gangtey Bhutan 4
Amankora, Punakha, Bhutan (5).jpg
East To West A Journey Though Bhutan
East to West A Journey Through Bhutan itinerary 3
East to West A Journey Through Bhutan itinerary 1
Amankora, Bumthang, Bhutan (6).jpg
BHUTAN - Bumthang fertility wall
Gangtey Bhutan 1
Gangtey Bhutan 4
Amankora, Punakha, Bhutan (5).jpg
Amankora, Punakha, Bhutan (6).jpg
Six Senses, Punakha (1).jpg
Haa Valley, Bhutan (3).jpg
Haa Valley, Bhutan (2).jpg
BHUTAN UMA Paro Paro 21
Amankora, Paro, Bhutan (9).jpg
Amankora, Paro, Bhutan (10).jpg
10 Six Senses, Paro.jpg
East to West A Journey Through Bhutan itinerary 2
The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton

Client Testimonials

Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka

Let us keep you up to date

Sign up to our newsletter and never miss out on unmissable exclusive luxury experiences