Expedition – Rivers & Mountains of Bhutan

Start your Bhutan sojourn at Paro. It is the perfect town to explore on foot, due to its small size, quaint streets and numerous sacred and historical buildings. Paro Dzong, Bhutan’s most well-known dzong, should be seen for its intricate architecture and sweeping views across the valley.

Start your day early as you trek up to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery.
Hike uphill for an hour, then stop at a small teahouse to refresh yourself with some tea and soak in the outstanding views of the cliff-hugging monastery. Head upwards through the forested trail.
In the afternoon, travel to Thimpu and explore Bhutan’s most modern city.
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Drive to Paro and experience the valley to Bumthang. It is considered the spiritual heart of Bhutan and is named after a ‘bumpa’, the vessel of holy water commonly found on monastery altars.It has some of the oldest temples and monasteries in the country. You could also see the black-necked cranes and wild yaks if you are lucky.

Start the day with a walking tour in the Bumthang Valley. Visit the Jambay Lhakkang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Built in 750 AD, it is said that the temple was constructed in one night. Head towards Kurje, a 17th-century temple. From here, walk through the countryside, cross the rushing Chamkhar River, and cross through farmland to the Tamshing temple complex. In the afternoon relish some free time exploring Bumthang town.

Continue on to Mongar, a dzongkhag (district). The drive to this place is supposed to be one of the best in the country winding through fir forests and over the Thrumshingla Pass (3,780 metres). On extremely clear days you could get a sneak peak at Gangkhar Puensum: at 7,541 metres, the world’s highest unclimbed mountain.

Drive out of Mongar towards the river before a three-hour hike to the rafting spot at Drangme Chhu. Explore the nearby woodlands, or relax at our riverside campsite.

Get set to raft today. Over the next few days, we’ll be on the water for an average of 5-6 hours each day. Get the adrenaline pumping with rafting on a combination of class 3 and 3+ rapids.

Start your second day in water. On the calmer stretches enjoy the gorgeous green valley surrounds. In the afternoon, set up camp on the sandy riverside beach and spend a night under the stars. /tg_program]

Spend another day rafting down the rushing Drangme Chhu. Spend the evening camping on the riverbank.

After breakfast, continue on down the river to the take-out spot. Cross the border into India and spend the night in the Manas National Park. This park is relatively unknown to visitors but is home to a variety of animals, such as elephants, tigers, leopards and rhinos.

Start early as you head out from Manas to Guwahati (4-5 hours). Board an onward flight to Delhi or Kolkata.