Journey to Eastern Bhutan Eastern Bhutan is a magical place, it is isolated, more rugged and less developed. The remote nature of the region results in its being one of the least visited places in the country. Most tourists and even many Bhutanese have never visited this part of the country. Eastern People speak different dialects and are often unable to understand the western dialect. They are easy-going, friendly and religious people. On a visit to the East, travelling through dense forests, gorgeous mountains, lush valleys, terraced hillside fields, remote villages, past smiling children and hard-wroking farmers, you will begin to sense the magic that pervades life in this isolated region. To get to most places in this part of the country, one has to first drive to Mongar, the doorway to eastern Bhutan. The general quality of accommodations and food is not as high as other parts of the country. Insiders' Bhutan has extension package options of four to ten days, which are described below. The extension trips are open to anyone who wish to explore Bhutan in depth. Our guides -- well-versed in the region's rich culture, history and unique environment--will lead you, on a once-in-the-lifetime journey, through these isolated regions of Bhutan. Options The extension trips can be feasible only if you have 4 to 10 days to and from Bumthang. With only 4 or 5 days at your disposal choose option 1 or 2. Those with more time may choose option 3. Option 1. Day 1: Bumthang to Mongar Day 2: Lhuntse Day 3: Mongar Day 4: Bumthang Option 2: Day 1: Bumthang to Mongar Day 2: Mongar to Tashigang Day 3: Tashigang Day 4: Mongar (or direct to Bumthang) Day 5: Mongar to Bumthang Option 3: Day 1: Bumthang to Mongar Day 2: Lhuntse Day 3: Lhuntse Day 4: Lhuntse to Tashigang (Lunch at Mongar) Day 5 - 6: Tashigang Day 7: Tashigang to Mongar (or direct to Bumthang) Day 8: Mongar to Bumthang Bumthang to Mongar The beautiful winding road from Bumthang to Mongar, across the Thrumshingla pass (12,465’) - the highest motorable pass, is the only link to eastern Bhutan. The stunning views of snow capped peaks, breathtaking scenery of the landscape, dense forests of pine and oak, green meadows, beautiful wildflowers, gushing waterfalls, steep cliffs and constanly changing vegetation combine to make this journey one of the most exhilarating drives in the eastern Himalayas. Mongar is the capital of eastern Bhutan. Like other districts in this region, Mongar town is located on the side of a hill. The Dzong is quite modern compared to other Dzongs in the kingdom. It was built by order of the Third King in 1953. Like other Dzongs, it houses the district’s monastic community. On the main street of Mongar town there are many interesting local shops and a vegetable market. Being one of the sizeable trading centres in the region, there is much activity, with everyone buying and selling a huge range of commodities. Mongar to Lhuntse Lhuntse is 77 kilometers (3 hours) from Mongar and is one of the most rural and isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges, beautiful conifer and pine forests, and remote villages with rice, millet and corn fileds. Kurtoe region of Lhuntse is the ancestral home of kingdom’s royal family. The Dzong built in 1654 on a rocky outcrop is one of the most picturesque in Bhutan. This region is also famed for its weavers and special textiles, considered to be the best in the country. The living art of Bhutanese weaving done with the same technologies and applications as the weavers of earlier centuries, have the degree of sophistication to match any weaving tradition in the world. Weaving is an ancient skill identified with women and is an important source of earnings for women throughout Bhutan. Weaving enables women to gain a reputation within and beyond the community. We will explore some of the very interesting small villages and ancient temples by foot. An hour’s brisk walk from the bridge on the main Lhuntse-Mongar road will bring us to Khoma, the best-known weaving village in the country. The other famous weaving area is Gonpa Karpo (four hours walk from the bridge), a remote village clustered around a sacred monastery. The weavers of this village feel that their weaving is superior because of the special blessing from the deities of this sacred site. We will visit some weavers in one of these villages to see them at work. Weaving is like a meditation for the weaver. The time slows down. Even watching the intricate work can feel meditative. Lhuntse to Mongar/Tashigang We return to Mongar and after lunch we will continue our journey of 3 & 1/2 hours to Tashigang. Crossing Korila pass (2400m), we will drive past corn fields, oak and pine forests, remote monasteries and scattered villages. The 17th Century Tashigang Dzong is located on a ridge that juts out of the mountain. Tashigang is the hub for trade and travel of Bhutan’s most populous district. Brokpas, the hill tribes from Merak and Sakten, come down from their remote villages to sell yak butter and other yak products. These nomadic yak-herders have rugged features with high cheek bones and a somewhat premanent flush to their faces. They wear very unusual clothes made of Yak skins and yak-hair hats with five long points that are designed to divert rains away from their face. Tashigang can be used as a base for day trips to other interesting places in the region. A day trip to Kanglung from Tashigang The village of Kanglung is 22 kilometers from Tashigang. The Sherubtse College, Bhutan’s only college, is located in Kanglung village. A Jesuit priest from Canada, Father W. Macky, was instrumental in establishing the College. Outside the gate of the College are several local restaurants and shops. We will visit the beautiful Zangdhopelri Lhakhang, the celestial palace of Guru Rimpoche, near the College. The temple has beautiful paintings and statues of eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava. A day trip to Rangjung village from Tashigang The Rangjung Wodsel Choling Lhakhang, a Nyingma monastery, is about 17 kilometers outside Tashingang town. This monastery established by Garab Rimpoche has some of the most beautiful wall paintings in Bhutan. The monastery lies on a small ridge above the village town which is made up of few local shops with a beautiful chorten in the centre. A day trip to Tashiyangtse/Chorten Kora from Tashigang Tashiyangtse Dzong, lies on a hill overlooking Chorten Kora, the largest chorten in Bhutan. This Nepalese style chorten was built in 1782 by Lama Ngawang Lodey. The drive to Tashiyangtse and Chorten Kora from Tashigang takes about 1&3/4 hours. Enroute, we will visit Gom Kora, a small temple built in a place where Guru Rimpoche meditated and left a body impression on a rock. It is said that Guru Rimpoche meditated here and subdued a demon. The paintings on the wall of the temple are believed to be from 15th century. Bomdeling, another famous winter home of the rare endangered Black-necked Cranes, is a one hour walk from Chorten Kora. During the day, the Cranes fly south to Chorten Kora and feed in the rice fields and then return to Bomdeling in the evening. Insiders' Bhutan Home