Arrive Paro

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all the mountain flights. Check in and lunch at the hotel. After lunch you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you will have time to admire the museum’s collections of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. After museum you will visit the Paro Dzong who now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body. Evening you will explore the Paro town.

Overnight at hotel.

Paro (Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery) – ACCLIMATIZATION

Day Excursion to Taktshang Monastery literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places, and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley, taking you through fields and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, you hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where you stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. You return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatsi (A chili cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other dishes. On route back to the hotel, you will visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. Evening at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

Paro – Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours: TREK BEGINS)

The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2580 m) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Later on you will come across some apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and you reach the Gunitsawa Army Post (2810 m). This is the last stop before Tibet. You will continue just beyond Sharna Zampa (2890 m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Looking back from the camp you can see a big snowy peak Chatarake (5570m) was first climbed in 1993 by two Dutch climbers.

Overnight at camp.

Shana – Soi Thangthangkha (22 km, 7-8 hours)

This is a hard day, with a lot of distance to cover. The altitude gain is above the limit, and after lunch the trail is rough and stony with many rises and drops. Count on a late arrival at camp and carry an extra sweater. The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro River), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, you stop of lunch (depending on time). Then you continue along the river, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching the campsite (3575m).

Overnight at camp.

Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang (17km, 5-6 hours)

After enjoying the view to Jhomolhari and a good breakfast, walk for 1hr through forest. The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. You then follow the river above the tree line, the blue poppy (Bhutan’s National Flower) has been spotted. Another 1hr beyond the Armily camp, the trail turns right at a mani wall. A short walk from here into the valley takes you to your campsite at Jangothang (4044 m). You will enjoy superb views of Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) and Jichu Drake (6850m).

Overnight at camp

Jangothang - Dumzo (21 km, 7-8 hours)

Today you will climb to Bonte la at an altitude of 4890m – the highest on this trek. This day offers beautiful views of Mt.Chomolhari, Kungphu, Jichu Drake from the two lakes and wonderful landscape. The ascent is about 850m in altitude, the descent 1,100m in altitude. Before reaching the camp you will pass the Soi Yaksa village and 1km further cross a bridge to reach the campsite at an altitude of 3800m.

Overnight at camp.

Dumzo – Thombu Shong (11 km, 4-5 hours)

Today’s trail offers a lot of scenic beauty. You will have good views into the valley and from the Thombu la pass at an altitude of 4270m views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake can be seen. The pass is marked by three cairns and a couple of prayer flasgs. From the pass it’s all the way down hill till camp at an altitude of 4120m situated above tree line. The difference in altitude (ascent) is 740m.

Overnight at camp.

Thongbu Shong - Shana (14 km, 5-6 hours)

The first part especially the walk on the ridge offers beautiful views partly to the mighty ice giants in the Chomolhari region. The second part consists of a steep descent which lacks interesting views. At end of the descent you will come across the same military camp as you entered. The trail ends near the military helipad next to the Bhutanese army camp. The final night’s camp is on a pleasant site at Shana (2890m) by the Phochu river.

Overnight at camp.

Paro - Thimphu (80km, 3 hours: TREK ENDS)

The trek will end following the same route you traversed on the first day. After 2?3 hours, you will reach a dirt road, where you will be picked up and transferred to lunch in Thimphu. After lunch visit some sites including the Memorial Choeten (Stupa) built in memory of the third King, Changangkha Lhakhang and Dupthop Lhakhang – a nunnery. Evening at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

Thimphu – Paro

After breakfast you will drive north of Thimphu to visit the Tango Monastery which is now a college for learning higher Buddhist Philosophy. It was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century. It takes about an hour and the trail takes you through the gradual ascend. The monastery now has about 200 practicing monks. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple. Lunch in restaurant in town. After lunch you will visit the Bhutan Post – where you will have time to admire and buy some stamps. Bhutan is well known among the philatelists and stamps constitute one of its delightful exports. Next visit the Textile Museum, the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Library – a tall stately building in the traditional Bhutanese style that is a repository of precious historical and religious manuscripts written in gold. Late afternoon return to Paro and evening at leisure.

Overnight at hotel.

Departure

After early breakfast you will drive to the Paro International Airport for your onward destination.