Arrive in Paro by Druk Air. You are met and transferred to the capital Thimphu, Bhutan’s bucolic capital, nestled in a fertile valley at 2,300m (1hr drive). After lunch we will take a short tour of its many sights and familiarize. Overnight in Jumolhari Hotel or Hotel River View.

After breakfast, tour spends the full day touring traditional Art School, Indigenous hospital, textile museum, and some of its many cultural monuments in the capital. This evening we will take a stroll, and visit the colourful farmer’s market, which is best during the weekends. Overnight in Jumolhari Hotel or Hotel River View.

(September 2009 trip: for most part of the day, we visit Thimphu Tsechu Festival, held in open courtyards adjoining Tashicho Dzong).

After further tour of Thimphu in the morning, drive east to Punakha and Wangdi valley, which takes about 3 hours. En-route, we stop to take in the panoramic views from Dochula pass (3,050m). In the evening, take a short walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Buddhist saint popularly known as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. There will be time in the evening to take self-guided walks from your hotel.

Overnight Meri Phuensum Resort or similar

Drive to the idyllic countryside north of Punakha, and start a gradual hiking ascent through cultivated fields and little hamlets to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, a shrine built for the present King when he was a crown prince and for world peace. The shrine is an amazingly elaborate structure with a rainbow images of Guru Rimpoche and there are superb views of the Valley below. The hike uphill takes about 35 minutes. We will return downhill and following ancient riverside trails, walk back to Punakha Dzong via Sonagasa village etc. (Total approx 2-3hours walk of easy walk). Visit impressive Punakha Dzong, an architectural masterpiece at the confluence of pho & mo chu rivers. Later in the evening, drive and visit the town of Wangdiphodrang and its fortress on the ridge. Overnight Meri Phuensum Resort or Similar.

From Punakha, retrace our drive recrossing Dochula for one more opportunity to view the panoramic views of eastern Himalayan range. Lunch at Thimphu or in Paro depending on the time taken. In Paro. We will try to cover some sights as well and later stroll through the town area. This is also an opportunity to shop for any others you may need for the trek. Our accommodations will in a simple nice cottages of Tiger Nest Resort, north of Paro with views of Takstang monastery (away from the town area). Our trek start point is nearby and so we have extra time in the morning to pack etc.

Overnight in Tiger’s Nest Resort or similar

Approx. 17km, 5 hours trek, 360m ascent 80m descent (1meters = Aprox 3.28ft)

Transfer to the trek starting point near Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m), where our pack ponies are loaded up with all the gear for our trek. Accompanying us are crews; comprising of horseman, ponies, Guide, Cook and assistants. Your luggages are carried by the ponies/ mules and all you have to carry is a day pack containing the requirements for use during the day.

On the trek, there will be a dinning tent, simple pit toilet tents and sleeping tents. We use LPG gas to cook the meals, light dinning tent and kitchen. We are also among the very few companies in Bhutan that carry Gamow or PAC bags (Pressurized Altitude Chambers), in case of emergencies with altitude sickness.

Our first day is an easy trek. While our crews get ready, we begin by walking along the Paro River, following it as it winds along past traditional farmhouses with cultivated fields of red rice, chilies, potatoes, and millet. After about five hours of walking, we arrive at campsite by the river near the village of Shana (2,860m). By this time our crew will have passed us and prepared our camping. Overnight in tents.

Today is a longer and much tougher day, so start early! You are now entering Jigme Dorji National Park. We continue up through the valley of the Paro River, which gradually narrows as the trail leads higher, winding up and down through a thick, lush forest of oak, pine, and juniper. As we get closer to our camp for the night, we begin to see the snowcapped summit of Mt. Chomolhari. Camp at Soi Thangthangkha (3,610m) amidst the woods with one trekker’s hut, used for eating and fire place. Overnight in tents.

Approx. 19km, 5 -6 trek. 480m ascent

We continue following the Paro River as the valley begins to widen, opening to a spectacular area surrounded by high ridges and snowcapped peaks. A few yak-herding villages are based in this area, and we may be lucky to purchase some yak cheese from them or have lunch in one of their simple, traditional homes. Today is not a long day but because of altitude gain, the pace is slower. Camp at Jangothang (4,080m) below a ruined fortress with Mt. Chomolhari seemingly nearby. There is a nice little trekker hut that provides fire place and dinning.

Jangothang is one of the most spectacular camping places in the entire Himalayas. Chain of snow peaks form the eastern side of Paro River, which is clear little brook here, and there are Yak herders villages, and trout filled lakes to visit. The mighty of Chomolhari, Bhutan’s second highest mountain, seems almost close enough to touch here. This sacred mountain remains unclimbed, off limits to mountaineers. Near it raises majestic Jichu Drake, also unclimbed. There are several small Yak herders villages nearby.

Depending on your interest, you can walk towards the glaciers of Chomolhari, or part of the route heading north to Lingshi or you can also opt to stay at camp, take in the views, visit village, and rest for the challenging day ahead. You can also get some laundry or cleaning done this morning in a stream nearby. Overnight in Tents.

Approx. 16km, 7 hours trek. 810m ascent and 1090m descent.

The trek is now more serious today. Our trail starts with a steep hike to Tshopu (4380m), one of the two trout-filled glacial lakes we will pass on the way to Bhonte La. From here, we often see blue sheep, fat marmots, and migrating Himalayan birds, as well as incredible views of Jichu Drake, a beautiful snowcapped peak alongside Chomolhari. The meadows are carpeted with flowers and there are usually some Yak herder’s tents. We continue for about one hour to our lunch spot below Bhonte La (4890m). On a clear day, the views from the pass are really spectacular in all directions. You can even see Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the world to the west. After lunch we cross the pass and make a long, steep descent to the yak-herding valley of Soi Yaksa. There are only a few families living in the area and they produce some of the best yak-wool cloth we’ll see along the trail. Yak herders and their families will come to our camp as early as 6:00am with items to sell, such as cloth, yak tassels and ropes, jewelry, etc. Campsite is at 3800m

Approx 11km 5 hours trek. 720m ascent, 340m descent.

Our hike starts with a very gentle uphill trail to the top of the eastern ridge of the Soi Yaksa valley. From here we can enjoy an incredible view of the amphitheater of mountains to the north. Little by little the very top of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake reappear on the distant horizon as we approach our lunch spot. Cross Takhung La (4520m). A short descent thereafter leads into wide and grassy Thangbu valleys (4180m). This area is rich pastureland for yaks, and we’ll probably see nomadic yak herders camped in their traditional woolen tents and stone huts.

Approx. 13km 5hr 200m ascent and 1650m descent.

After a short, steep climb out of camp, we leave the remote mountain area by following a ridge to Thombu La (4380m) From this vantage point we get a glimpse of the Paro Valley to the south and mountain views all around. Then start steep descent for most of the afternoon and rejoin our route at Shana (2730m), where we spent our first night of camping. (5-6 hours hiking.) You campsite may differ tonight. We may cover more area and camp bit further down.

After trekking for 4 hours or less, we make it back to the Drugyal Dzong. Bid farewell to our trekking crew and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, you can join for the tour of Paro Valley.

(Note: March trip attends the colorful Paro Tsechu Festival, the biggest event of its kind in Bhutan, this afternoon.)

Approx. 9km/ 2-3 hours trek 890m descent.

Transfer to the trail head and hike to Takstang. Most of the tourists trek upto Takstang and return but we will hike beyond Takstang and also visit other sites such as Zangdopelri temple and Ugyen Tshemo monasteries as well. Return to Paro in the evening

Overnight in Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar.

Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan’s only airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the most popular and important sites also found within Paro district.

On our final day in Bhutan, tour the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower. Visit the Rinphung Dzong, fortress cum monastery, which houses the local district office and living quarters for monks. Visit Kichu temple, founded in the 7th century. We will take stroll around the town area, visit some farm houses and evening is free until farewell dinner. Overnight in Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar.

(Note: March trip visits the Paro Tsechu Festival in the morning: this includes unfurling of Gaint Thangkha and final rites of the festival.)

After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport in time for your departure flight.