Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Bangkok (most flights arrive in the evening)

    Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand.
    
Day 2 : Paro - Thimpu (7,725')

    Fly to Paro, Bhutan and tansfer to your hotel in Thimpu.
    Bct10_fam
    
Day 3 : Thimpu

    Warm-up hike up to Cheri Monastery, built in 1620 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and established with an original staff of 30 monks.
    Bct11_fam
    
Day 4 : Thimpu – Paro (7,500')

    Morning visit to School of Arts and Crafts and the Textile Museum, National Traditional Medicine, and Folk Heritage Museum. Afternoon drive to Paro and visit National Museum, with its collections of spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, Bhutan's beautiful stamps, and the Tshogshing Lhakhang ("Temple of the Tree of Wisdom").
    
Day 5 : Paro

    Another warm-up hike to Taktsang Monastery (the "Tiger's Nest"), perched on a cliff 2,700 feet above the floor of the Paro Valley.
    
Day 6 : Begin trek - Sharna Zampa (9,450')

    On trek, venturing from thick forests of rhododendron and up beyond the treeline to an amazing alpine world of glaciers, rocks, and dazzling snow-covered peaks, including Chomolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tsering Kang. You may see migratory birds and herds of bharal (blue sheep), and snow leopard tracks are occasionally spotted (but it's rare to catch sight of these elusive big cats themselves). You'll also encounter local people who live a simple lifestyle herding yaks, gathering and drying herbs, making fresh cheese and butter, and weaving beautiful textiles.
    
Day 7 : Soi Thangthangkha (11,840')

    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. The trail becomes very rocky, muddy, and strenuous, climbing up and down while slowly gaining altitude. As we get closer to our camp for the night, we begin to see the snowcapped summit of Chomolhari (if the weather is clear), a mountain that is sacred to the Bhutanese. This is a long, hard day with lots of ups and downs and rock hopping; it can be very muddy. We camp at Soi Thangthangkha (11,840'). (13½ miles, 9-9½ hours hiking.)

Day 8 : Jangothang (13,382')

    We continue following the Paro River on a demanding, rocky trail, and then the valley widens again, opening to a spectacular area surrounded by high snowcapped ridges. A few yak-herding families are based in this area, and we may be lucky to pay them a visit and try some of their dried yak cheese. Camp at Jangothang (13,382') below a ruined fortress near the base of Chomolhari. (11½ miles, 5½-6 hours hiking.)
    
Day 9 : Rest day (13,382')

    Today is a free day to rest and explore the area. You can hike to an open area where you can sit and watch the grazing blue sheep, or you can walk to a nearby glacier at the foot of Chomolhari. Of course, you can also opt to stay at camp, take in the views, and rest for the challenging day ahead.

    
Day 10 : Soi Yaksa (12,450')

    Hike over Bhonte La ("La" means "pass") into the yak-herding valley of Soi Yaksa.
    
Day 11 : Taybu (13,700')

    Continue trek to Taybu (13,700').
    
Day 12 : Shana (9,413')

    Leave the remote mountain area and descend down to Shana (9,413’).
    
Day 13 : End trek – Paro (7,500')

    A four- to five-hour walk brings us back to the trailhead at Drukgyel Dzong. Lunch upon arrival. We bid farewell to our staff and ponies before we board our van for drive to Paro
    
Day 14 : Bangkok

    Fly to Bangkok.
    
Day 15 : Fly home

    Depart Bangkok, or join one of our extensions to India, Vietnam, or Cambodia.

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