Itinerary

Day 1 – Fly to Bangkok

You’ll depart from the U.S. and arrive in Bangkok, Thailand. You can get a hotel room close to the airport or spend a couple of days in Bangkok if you arrive earlier. You are responsible for your own lodging and meals in Thailand. Plan for an early morning flight from Bangkok to Paro.

Day 2 – Fly from Bangkok to Paro

You’ll arrive in Paro in the morning and flying into this lovely town is a unique experience. You’ll have views of the majestic eastern Himalayas, and the arrival into the country’s only international airport with the landscape and weather conditions dictates a steep descent into a narrow valley. The flight normally arrives by about 10 AM local time.

After you clear immigration and customs, we’ll meet you at the airport, check-in to the hotel and have lunch. You’ll have the afternoon to visit the National Museum or the Paro Dzong.We’ll have a group dinner at a local restaurant and then get a good rest for the activities ahead.

Day 3 – Rafting Paro Chhu, Thimphu

We’ll drive to the Paro Chhu (Father River) in the morning for a few hours of rafting and kayaking on our way to the capital city of Thimphu.After lunch, you’ll ride one hour east to the capital city, Thimphu, located at 7,656 feet in the Wang Chhu valley. You’ll have the afternoon to sightsee and shop. One of the largest Buddha sculptures in the world, the Buddha Dordenma, is under construction just outside of Thimphu. You can visit there and you may also want to see the textile museum, the National Library or the Memorial Chorten. You’ll spend the night at a local hotel.

Day 4 – Drive over Dochu La, Punakha Dzong

You can wander Thimphu a bit more in the morning, then meet up with the group for a 3 hour drive east over the Dochu La (10,300 feet) and into the Punakha Valley. You’ll eat lunch and stop at a couple of interesting sites along the way.

You’ll get to see the Punakha Dzong, which is a fortress that was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637-38. The Je Khenpo (the religious head of Bhutan) spends the winter here. It is perhaps one of Bhutan’s most attractive landmarks and has survived 6 fires, 2 glacial lake outbursts, and 1 massive earthquake. It was built right at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and the Pho Chhu (Father River), which is considered an auspicious location. The Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Sir Ugen Wangchuck as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan in 1907. More recently, the coronation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the 5th King of Bhutan, was held here on October 31, 2008. Tonight will be your first night at a luxury base camp located on the banks of the Mo Chhu.

Day 5 – Raft Mo Chhu, Hike to Monastery

The morning will be spent paddling the Mo Chhu followed by a quick lunch. That afternoon, we’ll hike up to a beautiful but remote monastery that overlooks the Mo Chuu, but is often overlooked by most tourists.

Once again we’ll stay at the luxury base camp.

Day 6 – Raft Pho Chhu, Temple of Divine Madman

After breakfast at base camp, you’ll drive a short distance to the Upper Pho Chhu. There’s a quick hike to put-in and then a nice class II/III paddle through emerald green water from the glacial lakes that feed the Pho Chhu. We’ll take-out at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu, which provides a great view of the Punakha Dzong that you will have visited on Day 4.

You’ll visit the Temple of the Divine Madman that afternoon, which was built in 1499. It’s surrounded by lush rice fields and decorated with giant phalluses in honor of a local folk hero. You can even participate in a fertility ceremony if you’d like.

This will be your last night at the base camp along the Mo Chhu.

Day 7 – Back to Thimphu

We’ll drive to back to Thimphu and arrive with plenty of time for more shopping, sightseeing and rest.

You’ll stay at a hotel overnight.

Day 8 – Thimphu, Rafting Thimphu Chhu, Back to Paro

You’ll have some time to wander around Thimphu in the morning before we raft the Thimphu Chhu on our way back to Paro.

You’ll stay at a hotel in Paro overnight.

Day 9 – Visit Taktshang Dzong (aka the Tiger’s Nest)

After breakfast, we’ll hike up to the Taktshang Dzong, which takes about 45 minutes to the view point and another 40 minutes to the monastery. Trust us, it is worth the effort! The Taktshang Dzong is probably the most photographed place in Bhutan. It is perched precariously on a cliff-face over 2,000 ft. high and overlooks the Paro valley. Mythology says that Guru Rimpoche landed here on the back of one of his consorts, who was disguised as a flying tigress when he arrived in Bhutan in the 8th century. He meditated on the cliff and eventually introduced Buddhism to Bhutan.
On this last night we’ll have a farewell dinner and spend the night at a hotel in Paro.

Day 10 – Fly from Paro to Bangkok

You’ll likely fly out in the morning for Bangkok and this is where we’ll say goodbye. You can spend a few days in Bangkok, or head directly home the following day.

Day 11 – Back to U.S. or Continue Vacation

Wake up in Bangkok and the world is your oyster!

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