General Overview

Day 01: Kathmandu- Paro by flight, transfer to hotel. Late afternoon, sightseeing of Paro Valley

Your arrival at Paro will be received by representatives and will be transferred to hotel. Afternoon visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Below the museum is the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. A short walk below the dzong takes you across a traditional cantilevered to one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan). Evening, leisure walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 02: Paro – Hike to Taktsang

A very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery – After breakfast a short drive takes us to Ramthangkha from there a 2 hour hike till the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger. Looking at the monastery flying tigers doesn’t seem so impossible after all. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk to Ramthangkha and then drive to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in 7th century. Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 03: Paro - Jele Dzong (start of trek)

After an early breakfast you will be picked up our representatives from hotel and drive you to Paro and drive further up to Ta Dzong or the National Muesum. Start of Trek Day 1: Distance 08 Km and walking time 4-5 hours. Starting at Ta Dzong, (2300m) and camp at Jele Dzong (3436m, 11,270 ft). The trek trail is rather gradual climb till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with the Mt. Jomolhari (7314m) and snowcapped mountains behind the valley.

Day 04: Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha

Trek Day 2: Distance 09 Kms and walking time 4-5 hrs. Starting at Jele Dzong (3436mtrs) and camp at Tshokam (3962mtrs; 12,995 ft). The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons trees and most of the walking is up and down on a ridge.Mt. Jumolhari is also visible today. And you will pass by Jangchulakha whereby we use this area as our campsite earler but due to lack of water we have moved our campsite to Tshokam and you may see Yak herders around Jangchulakha and if you are interested you can visit their tents before reaching your camp site.

Day 05: Jangchulakha – via Jimilangtsho Simkota

Trek Day 3: Distance 10 Kms and walking time 6-7 hrs. Starting at Jangchulakha (3780mtrs) and camp at Simkota (3680mtrs). The trail follows the ridge and on clear day the views of the mountains and valley are beautiful, in particular the Jichu Drake(6989m) Camp is close to lake of Simkota. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout’s.

Day 06: Simkota – Phajoding

Trek Day 5: Distance 10 Kms and walking time 3-4 hrs. Starting at Simkota (4040m) and camp at Phajoding (3870m). You begin with a gradual climb upto Phume la (4210m) the highest elevation for this trek. If the weather permits you will have beautiful views of Mt. Gangkhar Punsum(7541m) the highest mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan peaks. Below, you can see the entire Thimphu valley.

Day 07: Phojoding – Thimphu (end of trek)

Trek Day 6 – End of Trek: Distance 4-5 Kms and walking time 3 hrs. Starting at Phajoding(3870m) and end of trek at Thimphu (2300m) The trek to Thimphu is all the way down hill through a forested area of mostly Blue pine. By taking leisurely pace you can reach Thimphu in about 3 hours for a nice hot shower and hot lunch. Later in the afternoon visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine, where old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced. Also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and drive to visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. Overnight at hotel

Day 09: Punakha – Paro

After breakfast drive over the Dochola pass to Paro. After a short break at the Dochola cafeteria continue your drive to Paro enroute visit Simtokha Dzong and Tachogang Lhakhang. Evening ends with a walk through the main street of Paro’s. Dinner and overnight at hotel

Day 10: Paro – Kathmandu

In the morning your Bhutanese escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport.