Thrumshing La — at 3,780 metres, the second-highest road pass in Bhutan and the gateway to the east.

Visiting

• Getting there

  Thrumshing La is crossed on the highway between Bumthang (Jakar) and Mongar, deep into an eastern journey — several hours' drive from Jakar, with the long descent to Mongar beyond. There is no detour; the road runs over the top. The matched guide crosses it only on the longer central-and-eastern itineraries.

• What to expect

  A high, often misty forest saddle marked by a chorten and prayer flags, surrounded by the wilderness of Thrumshingla National Park, followed by one of the country's most dramatic descents. Warm layers are essential at the elevation. The whole Bumthang-to-Mongar drive is long; the guide paces it with stops.

• Conditions and birdlife

  Snow and cloud can affect the pass, particularly in winter; the matched guide advises on conditions. For birders, the park around the pass is a highlight — the guide can arrange an unhurried birding pace through the forest. The descent road, while sound, is steep and winding; visitors prone to motion sickness should mention it.

• Best time to visit

  Spring (rhododendron and active birdlife) and autumn (clear air) are the finest; the pass is crossable in any season the road is open, though winter snow can close it. The east as a whole is best in the drier months, October to April.