Arrive in Paro

Local guides will meet you at Paro airport and transfer you to your pre – trek hotel . Later in the afternoon there is the option to join a tour of the city . Once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter – valley wars of the 17 th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968 . It holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps . The museum’s circular shape augments its varied collection which is displayed over several floors . Afterwards, we will take a walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong , which has a long and very interesting history . Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district . The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam , which offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it . Later you will attend a pre – trek briefing with your Lead Guide to prepare you for the journey ahead.

Visa approval formalities should be straightforward. Please make sure you have the visa confirmation we email to you in your hand luggage, as you will need to show this at Immigration. When you collect your bags you need to make sure you have your airline baggage tags handy as they check these off against the flight tags on your luggage before you can leave. You will be given a baggage declaration form to complete, this is to ensure that you re – export all items that have arrived with you. Once you have cleared immigration and collected your luggage, make your way to the main doors. Your guide will be outside these doors, holding sign.

Excursion to Taktshang Lhackhang

Elevation: 2250m to 3110m to 2250m, Time: 5 hours 

In the morning we will take an excursion to Taktshang Lhakhang, commonly known as ‘The Tiger’s Nest Monastery’ . Undoubtedly one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, the Taktshang monastery is one of the most breath – taking temples in the world . This Buddhist place of worship is perched on a cliff – top at around 3 , 100 m ( 10 , 000 ft) above sea level . The main temple complex was built in 1692 , and is considered to be one of the holiest for the Bhutanese people . Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, an 8 th – century Indian Buddhist master, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, thus the name ‘Tiger’s Nest’ . The site has been recognized as a sacred place and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime . On 19 April, 1998 , a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour . After lunch we will visit the 7 th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo . The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan . We will then drive to Drukgyel Dzong , a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago . In the early 1950 s, Drukgyel Dzong was almost completely destroyed by fire . It is now listed in Bhutan’s Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion . In 2016 , the Prime Minister Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay , announced that the Dzong will be rebuilt and reinstated to its former glory . The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari ( 7326 m), ‘the Bride of Kangchenjunga’, can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong . After our tours we will return to our hotel in Paro.

Paro to Jangchulaka

Elevation: 2250m to 3770m, Distance: 13km, Time: 5 – 7 hours 

Today our trek begins with a short climb up to Jele Dzong on a trail that ascends gradually up to the camp . If the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen, with snow – capped mountains rising behind . Above the camp is the Jele – La Pass ( 3 , 540 m) and Jele Dzong (mostly in ruins) . There is also a lhakhang containing a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni . Women who come to the monastery to seek blessings of children get hit on the head by the presiding Lama with a 10 inch ivory, wood and bone phallus, so be careful! After lunch we continue with a 1 ½ hour climb onto a ridge which affords dramatic views of the valleys on both sides and the Himalaya to the north . The trail takes us through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons . Weather permitting, we will have beautiful views of Chomolhari and other snow – capped peaks . Monsal pheasants can be heard calling during the day and we may see yak herders moving along the trails .

Jangchulakha to Lake Jimgelang Sho

Elevation: 3770m to 3870m, Distance: 20km, Time: 6 – 7 hour

The trail continues to follow the ridge, and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are sensational . There will be a lot of ascent and descent today as we climb up the main ridge again before dropping down to cross to the other side of the valley, making our way towards Thimphu . We will enjoy a great view of Jichu Drake ( 6 , 989 m), the peak representing the protective deity of Paro, before settling for the day at our camp, close to the Jimgelang Tsho lake, famous for its giant trout . If we’re lucky we may get to see herds of yaks cooling off.

Lake Jimgelang Tsho to Simkota

Elevation: 3870m to 4110m, Distance: 14km, Time: 4 – 6 hours 

We leave the campsite and the trail takes us through dwarf rhododendron trees as we follow a succession of ridges to reach the second lake, Janatsho . We may come across a yak herder’s camp and will spend some time seeing how they live . A final climb will bring us to our campsite, close to Simkota Lake, with the possibility of catching a lake trout for dinner.

Simkota to Thimphu

Elevation : 4110 m to 4210 m to 2350 m, Distance : 14 km, Time : 6 – 7 hours 

Today begins with a gradual climb up to the Phume La Pass, the highest point of our trek at 4210 m . From here we can enjoy majestic views of Mt . Gangkar Puensum ( 7570 m), the highest peak in Bhutan and the highest unclimbed peak in the world . The trail descends, winding through juniper trees to a campsite beside a community hall near Phajoding monastery . From Phajoding it is downhill all the way to Thimphu , passing through a forested area of mostly blue pine . Taking a leisurely pace, we will reach Thimphu with sufficient time to enjoy an afternoon city tour. Our city tour will visit King’s Memorial Chorten , continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels . Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk . Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the late King and as a monument to peace . We will also visit Trashichhoe Dzong . This is the centre of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot . Built in 1641 , it was reconstructed in the 1960 s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans . We will stay overnight at a hotel in Thimphu  

Drive Thumphu to Punakha

Elevation: 2350m to 3088m to 1310m, Distance: 75km, Time: 3 – 4 hours 

We start this morning in Bhutan’s capital city with a visit to the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts . We will also visit the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum , an Arts & Crafts School where we may see the students being taught the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan . We will follow on to the Textile Museum, providing a fascinating insight into Bhutanese material culture and way of life, followed by a visit to Simply Bhutan, a living Museum and Studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people . (Please note both the National Library and the Institute for Zorig Chusum are closed at weekends and public holidays, and the Textile Museum is closed on Sundays and public holidays) . After lunch we will leave Thimphu and drive up a series of zigzags to Dochu – La Pass ( 3 , 088 m) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten , mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road . Magnificent vistas are all around including the following 7000 m peaks : Masagang , Tsendagang , Terigang , Jejegangphugang , Kangphugang , Zongphugang , and finally Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7 , 570 m . After crossing the pass, the road descends into the Punakha Valley, where we will spend the night in a hotel.

Punakha to Paro

Elevation: 1310m to 2250m, Distance: 125km, Time: 4 – 5 hours 

Before we leave Punakha we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong . Built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 , it serves as the religious and administrative centre of the region . Later we will drive back to Paro, taking a short excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, dedicated to the Lama Drukpa Kuenley , also known as the ‘Divine Madman’ for his humourous and often outrageous methods of teaching Buddhism . The temple is well known as a temple of fertility, and women will come here to pray for children . Upon arrival in Paro, we will check in at the hotel, before taking an evening stroll around the market streets of Paro.

Departure from Paro