The first town of eastern Bhutan, reached from Bumthang by a seven-to-eight-hour drive over Thrumshing La (3,750 m) and down through cloud forest that drops 3,000 m to the Kuri Chhu. Its dzong was built in the 1950s without drawings, in the traditional way. Few tourists come this far: the draw is the journey, the birdlife of Thrumshing La National Park, and onward to Lhuentse (the royal family's ancestral valley, famous for weaving) and Trashigang.
Highlights
- The drive over Thrumshing La (3,750 m)
- Birding in Thrumshing La National Park
- Mongar Dzong
- Day trip to Lhuentse and Khoma's kishuthara weavers
- Mongar Tshechu in winter
Things to do
- Mongar DzongAfternoon · 1h
- Birding stops on Thrumshing LaMorning · 3h
- Day trip to Lhuentse Dzong and Khoma weaversMorning · 7h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: March – May, October – November
Worth knowing
Monsoon: Landslides on the East-West Highway
June to August is Bhutan's monsoon. Landslides and roadworks close the Lateral Road for hours at a time, especially between Punakha and Trongsa and over Thrumshing La; a 7-hour drive can take a day. Keep a spare day before your flight home, start drives early, and expect clouds over the mountain views. Leeches on forest trails.
Worth knowing
Snow on Thrumshing La and Yotong La
From December to February snow can close Thrumshing La (3,750 m, Bumthang–Mongar) and Yotong La (Trongsa–Bumthang) for hours or days until the road is cleared. Nights in Bumthang drop well below freezing; keep a spare day if you are crossing to the east.
- Mongar and Trashigang Tshechus — The eastern dzongs hold their tshechus in late autumn and early winter, with Brokpa herders from Merak and Sakteng among the crowds at Trashigang. Few tourists: a good time to see the east, though Thrumshing La can have snow.