East–West Pace Planner
Crossing Bhutan from Paro to Trashigang is ~700 km and involves 18–20 hours of driving spread over 5–7 days if you want to actually see things. Operators compress it into 4 days; travelers regret it. This planner generates a realistic day-by-day route with sleep altitudes, drive hours, and recommended stops.
Plan your cross-country
What this solves
Most "Paro to Trashigang" itineraries either cram 18 hours into 4 days (you arrive wrecked) or pad with optional extras you don't have time for. This planner paces the trip with sleep-altitude logic, not just kilometers.
How to read the itinerary
- Sleep alt — altitude of your hotel that night, not the pass elevation.
- Drive — driving hours, not sightseeing hours. Add 2–4 hrs for stops + Dzong visits.
- Accl. — marked if you sleep above 3,000 m or have gained > 1,500 m of altitude from previous night.
Limitations
- Monsoon landslides can add 3–6 hours to any single day. Plan a buffer day.
- Some operators use different road segments (Phobjikha vs direct Wangdue→Trongsa). Distances vary.
FAQ
Can I do Paro to Trashigang in 4 days?
Technically yes. Realistically you'll skip Punakha, Gangtey, and most dzong visits. Not recommended unless time-pressured.
Is the eastern side worth it?
Yes if you have 7+ days. Eastern Bhutan is dramatically less touristed, with strong Brokpa culture, Trashigang dzong, and Trashiyangtse crafts.
Sources
- Cross-country route data — TOAB reference itineraries, cross-checked with Google Maps road data