Trashigang
The Far East and the Gateway to Merak-Sakteng
The largest district of the east, three hours beyond Mongar, with a 17th-century dzong on a spur above the Drangme Chhu and a busy bazaar where Brokpa herders from Merak and Sakteng come down in yak-hair hats. Day trips to the stupa of Gom Kora and to Trashi Yangtse's Chorten Kora. From here the road runs south to Samdrup Jongkhar and Guwahati in Assam, so a trip can leave Bhutan here instead of driving back west; Merak and Sakteng need a special permit.
Highlights
- Trashigang Dzong above the river
- Brokpa herders in the bazaar
- Gom Kora and its circumambulation
- Chorten Kora at Trashi Yangtse
- Trashigang Tshechu in winter
- The road south to Samdrup Jongkhar and Assam
Things to do
- Trashigang DzongMorning · 1h 30m
- Gom Kora temple and koraMorning · 2h 30m
- Day trip to Chorten Kora, Trashi YangtseMorning · 6h
- Trashigang bazaar walkEvening · 1h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: March – May, October – December
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.
- 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.