Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Welcome to the land of happiness, also known as Druk Yul (country of the Drukpa Lineage, the Dragon People, or the Land of the Thunder Dragon.) Upon arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver, who will be accompany you throughout the tour.
Go to your hotel, check in, rest for a while and then start your sightseeing. Today you won’t be doing much of the sightseeing since you need to acclimatize before your trek starts.
First sightseeing you will do is at, National museum / Ta Dzong / Watch tower. (Ta Dzong actually means a watch tower to look after the province of Paro valley and served as a regional administrator as well as a store house which would ensure supplies in the event of warfare.)
Paro Dzong / Rinpung Dzong (It was built by Gyalchog (brother of Gyalzom) the family of lama Pha Dung Dung in 15 centuries. He surrendered himself to the local deity Jawang Nep and built a 5 storied building and named as Hungrel Gampo.)
Lunch will be at a local restaurant at Paro town.
Afterwards you can then visit the town and stroll around or you can go and check out a farm-house to see how the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle is.
Day 2: Jomolhari Trek (Paro – Shana)
Today you will drive back to Paro and start off with the trekking. Early morning drive from hotel to Shana. The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. As we go up the valley becomes narrow, wilder and steeper. The trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction en route, where another path leads over the Tremo La to Tibet. This route was formerly used by Bhutanese people as a trading route to Tibet. We cross several traditional wooden bridges finally arriving Thanthangka. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. From this campsite for the first time-in case of good weather the Mount Jomolhari may be seen.
Distance: 13.6 miles / 22 km
Duration: 6-8 hours
Day 3: Jomolhari Trek (Shana – Jangothang)
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040m). From here, the views of Jomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.
Distance: 10.5 miles / 17 km
Duration: 4-6 hour
Day 4: Jomolhari Trek (Jangothang)
Rest day or explore the valley. There are many options for exploration including climbing the ridge behind the camp for better view Jomolhari and Jichu Drake or walk to the glacial basin of Jomolhari or to glacial lakes of Tsophu. A stop here does well for acclimatization since the route here on goes higher.
Day 5: Jomolhari Trek (Jangothang – Lingshi)
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor, until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (4,700m). We descend gradually from the pass to our campsite at Lingshi (4,000m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong as we walk.
Day 6: Jomolhari Trek (Lingshi – Shodu)
First half of the trek is mostly through treeless valley until we start ascending to Yale-la pass at 4950 m. On clear day, we can see Mt. Jomolhari, Mt. Tserimgang and Mt. Masagang. Nomads traveling between Lingshi and Thimphu use the Yale la so the trail is well marked. The descent from the pass joins the Jaradinthang Chhu which later becomes the Thimphu Chhu. At the altitude of 4150 m is a chorten (stupa) from where the trail takes an easterly direction following the river. The camp is at Shodu just after crossing the sandy slope.
Day 7: Jomolhari Trek (Shodu – Domshisa)
250m ascent, 670m descent, camp altitude 3,710m today’s trail winds up & down following the Thimphu Chhu through the limestone valley. Monks use the caves for meditation. Zhabdrung is said to have mediated in these rocks when he fled from Tibet in the 17th century. We will have the good opportunity to view the giant rock faces and waterfalls. The trail gradually ascends 130m to Barshong Dzongs which lays ruins. Barshong is a small village with an inhabitant of half a dozen houses.
There are several ups and downs and crossings of small streams. Reach a split in the trail, the one to the right descends to your campsite for tonight.
Distance: 8.7 miles / 14 km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Day 8: Jomolhari Trek (Domshisa – Dodina)
Today is an easy walk and with small ups and downs followed by a couple of short steep switchbacks to descend a vertical cliff before finally reaching the last stretch to Dodina. The trails descends through bamboo forests, following the mule trail high above the river and reach Dodina where your vehicle will meet you and drive you half an hour to Thimphu. The modern capital of Bhutan. Thimphu has a population of about 98,500. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights.
Distance: 4.3 miles / 7 km
Duration: 3 hours
Later you can rest at the hotel or stroll around the capital city.
Day 9: Thimphu
Today morning, after breakfast, you will start with the sightseeing here in Thimphu till lunch.
First you will start at the Memorial Chorten (built in memory of Third Druk Gyalpo and is dedicated to World Peace.)
Then to the Buddha Point (one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at 54 meters/177ft)
Changangkha Lhakhang (It was first built by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo(12-13 century) the founder of Drukpa Kagyu school in Bhutan.)
Lunch will be at Folk Heritage.
National Institute of Zorig Chusum; (Commonly known as ‘the painting school’, operates four to six years courses that provide instruction in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts.)
The Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (is a national textiles museum)
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952)
Farmer’s Market visit, where you will experience all the local vegetables, fruits and Himalayans incense etc.
Day 10: Thimphu to Punakha
Today you will be driving to Punakha district (the old capital of Bhutan till 1985). In the morning you will be driving pass the Dochula Pass (Elevation 3100m) there you will stop for a short sightseeing and then go for a short hike towards Lungchutse Temple, above Dochula Pass (3. 5km trek), with medium difficulty. Then later, you will drive down at the elevation of 1300m and reach Punakha.
Then have a lunch at a local traditional restaurant.
Before Punakha, you will first visit the Chimi lhakhang (Temple of the famous saint mad man Drukpa Kinley)
Punakha Dzong (also known as Punthang Dechenphodrang, Legend says that Zhabdrung made the carpenter trulpizow balep made to sleep in chamber and he had been taken to paradise /zangtopelri of Guru Rinpoche and he got at the sketch and the model of the dzong.)
Visit to the long suspension bridge in Punakha.
Day 11: Punakha – Phobjikha
Today you will drive to Gangtey. (It’s a beautiful vast U-shape valley which is a winter residence of the famous endangered bird called “The Black Necked Crane”. They come down from the Tibetan Plateau to Phobjikha valley during winter season and fly back during summer season.)
Before that, you will first do a short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Built by the third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. This beautifully designed chorten took nine years to complete, using only religious scriptures to construct the four- story temple. Have to hike for 40minutes through the paddy fields and vegetable fields, into the chir pine forest.)
After that, you will do rafting. It’s starts from Khamsum Yuelley and ends near the Punakha Fortress.
Have your Lunch and then you will drive towards Gangtey.
After reaching Gangtey, you will directly go towards the Nature Trail, walk around the Phobjikha valley. Later you can check in and enjoy the beautiful valley of Phobjikha.
Day 12: Phobjikha
Today, you can explore the Phobjikha valley. There are a lot places to visit, make sure you take your cameras with you since it’s going to a beautiful place to take pictures.
Before that, first visit the two places which is a must to do.
Gangtey Goenpo (Generally known as Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism built in 17th century.)
Then visit the Black Necked Crane center after that.
Then start off with your sightseeing to others places and make sure you take a lot photos since Phobjikha valley is eye candy.
Day 13: Phobkiha – Paro
Today, you will be traveling to Paro for half a day. (Approximately it will take around 5 hours)
Start early in the morning so that later you can explore Paro valley and do sightseeing at some amazing places.
At night you can also do the hot stone bath (It’s very helpful for ailments such as, arthritis, hypertension, joint pain, stomach disorders and other deep-set aches.
Day 14: Tiger’s nest
Today you will be visiting the most iconic structure in the valley of Paro, the Tiger’s Nest. In the morning, you guys need to have a good set of meal for the total of 5 to 6 hours round trip hike to the tiger’s nest. Take all the necessary things which your guide will brief you beforehand so that later you guys won’t have any problems with anything. It will be an amazing and a good hike so be sure to take your cameras as well to take memories back home.
Lunch will be at the tigers nest cafeteria (Serves only vegetable meals) or back to Paro town at the local restaurant.
This will be optional for you, don’t have to visit if you feel like you need a rest,
Visit Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. There are three temples built by a very renowned person with different dates. The first temple was built by a 1st Dharma king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7th century. He has built a 108 structure in a Himalayan region to ogress the evil spirits and out of those two temples was now in Bhutan and they are Kichu lhakhang in Paro and Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.) You will also get to see the museum of Dilgo Khyentse Rimpoche’s home.
Later it will be optional for you guys, you can dip in the hot stone bath to relax your body from hike or stroll around the town or you can just relax at the hotel.
Day 15: Departure from Paro
Our guide and driver will bid farewell to you all. Please have a pleasant flight back home. We will be looking forward to seeing you again in future for another place to tour around. Thank You & Tashi Delek!!!