Itinerary

DAY 1
Arrival in Paro, Bhutan; visit Kyichu Lhakhang and the Paro Dzong

Walking – easy to moderate, 1-3 hours.

Our flight from Bangkok, Thailand into Bhutan provides spectacular views of Bhutan’s landscape as we approach the airport in the Paro Valley. The valley is a green bowl surrounded by jagged Himalayan mountains and forested hillsides, crossed by beautiful rivers, and dotted with medieval fortresses. The first thing that we notice as we disembark in Bhutan is the absence of noise and a feeling of peacefulness that is rare in most other Asian cities. The Paro Valley has kept its bucolic nature and is one of the most scenic valleys in Bhutan. The houses are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country, and Paro is believed to be one of the first valleys to have received the imprint of Buddhism.

We are greeted with a warm Bhutanese reception and transferred to our first hotel where we enjoy a light lunch and afternoon tea. A short drive through town then takes us to Kyichu Lhakhang. Kyichu Lhakhang, meaning “twin temples,” is believed to have been built in 659 AD by King Songtsen of Tibet, and reflects the introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan. The temple is one of 108 that were built throughout the Himalayas in one day in an effort to subdue a mighty ogress; it is still believed to hold her left foot in place today. From here an easy walk leads us through Paro countryside and to farm fields of rice, mustard, buckwheat, eggplant, and, of course, chilies. We cross the Paro River on our way to the valley’s magnificent Rinpung Dzong. If we are fortunate we may get the opportunity to explore within the dzong’s mighty walls; however, if the Administrative Body is in session, we must admire from the outside.

We return to our lodge and relax with an orientation meeting and welcome dinner of Bhutanese cuisine.
Janka Resort, Paro, Bhutan

DAY 2
Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery; visit Bhutan’s National Museum

Hiking – moderate, 3-4 hours on trails; approximate elevation gain of 1,650'.

This morning we enjoy a hike to the famous cliff-hermitage called Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro valley. Legend has it that the Tibetan Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. Entry into the monastery is now permitted, and we may be allowed to visit this sacred site. We enjoy lunch and the views of the valley below at the Taktsang teahouse before descending to the valley floor.

From here, a short drive brings us to the National Museum, housed in the round multi-storied Ta Dzong, built in 1775. The Ta Dzong was once the watch tower for the massive Paro Dzong, built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The museum’s collection includes ancient artifacts, weapons, a collection of antique thangkha (painted or embroidered religious pictures), textiles, and stamps.
Janka Resort, Paro, Bhutan

DAYS 3-10

Chomolhari Trek

This superb 8-day trek begins in Paro and leads us into northern Bhutan to a land of yak-herders and to the base of Mount Chomolhari (23,977 feet), which is the most holy mountain in Bhutan. From there our trek brings us to the remote Lingshi Dzong which once guarded the frontier with Tibet. This trek offers fabulous views of the mountains including Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsheringkhang beside stunning Himalayan scenery. We encounter many yak-herders and their camps but few villages along our route.

DAY 3
Paro – Shana

Trekking approximately 10 miles, 5-6 hours, 1000' of elevation gain.

Our trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (8,514’) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Later on we come to apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (9,273’). This is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (9,471’), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees.
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 4
Shana – Soi Thangthangkha

Trekking approximately 12 miles, 7-8 hours, 2300' of elevation gain.

Today the trail follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak, and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for a hot lunch. Then we continue along the waer, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching our campsite (12,375’).
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 5
Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang

Trekking approximately 12 miles, 7-8 hours, 1500' of elevation gain.

Our path ascends for a while until we reach an 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 (13,332’). From here, the views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 6
Jangothang – Lingshi

Trekking approximately 11 miles, 7-8 hours, 2800' of elevation gain and 2900' of elevation loss.

This morning we start by following a stream for half an hour and crossing a bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (15,510’). We descend gradually from the pass to our campsite at Lingshi (13,200’), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong as we walk.
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 7
Lingshi – Shodu

Trekking approximately 13 miles, 8-9 hours, 3100' of elevation gain and 2900' of elevation loss.

The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Chomolhari trek route here. Our trail climbs up towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chu valley. The trail stays on the west side of this largely treeless valley, climbing steadily for a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli-la (15,906’). On a clear day you can see Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang, and Masagang from this pass. We descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (13,530’), where we camp in a wide meadow.
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 8
Shodu – Barshong

Trekking approximately 10 miles, 6-7 hours, 1700' of elevation loss and 500' of elevation gain.

We are now back at the tree line, and our path follows the course of the Thimphu Chu, descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of rocky cliff faces and waterfalls along the way. We stop by the riverside for a hot lunch, before gradually climbing upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (11,880’), near which we camp for the night.
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 9
Barshong – Dolam Kench

Trekking approximately 10 miles, 5-6 hours, 1400' of elevation loss.

The trail descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers, and then drops steeply to meet the Thimphu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side streams run into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the Thimphu Chu, coming out onto pastureland where we camp for the night at 11,880’.
Camping, Chomolhari Trek, Bhutan

DAY 10
Dolam Kencho – Dodena – Thimphu

Trekking approximately 5 miles, 3 hours, 750' of elevation gain and 2950' of elevation loss.

Our trail winds in and out of side valleys above the Thimphu Chu, making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species to a pass at 11,580’. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (8,580’). Our transport meets us here, and we drive to Thimphu where we overnight.
Hotel Migmar, Thimphu, Bhutan

DAY 11
Thimphu Sites

Easy Walking.

Thimphu is a city ideally explored on foot, and our walk today takes us between its many interesting sights. Before the day is through, we may visit the newly built textile museum, the Thimphu Dzong (seat of the government and main monk body), the School of Traditional Arts and Crafts, the Heritage Museum, and the Handicrafts Emporium, displaying the rich traditional crafts of the kingdom. Along the way we stop at a local restaurant for lunch before continuing our walk through the city.
Hotel Migmar, Thimphu, Bhutan

DAY 12
Transfer Thimphu – Paro

The morning is free to spend as you like before our afternoon return to Paro. There is time for walking, relaxing, or searching for the perfect traditional weaving in a Thimphu handicraft shop. Beautiful wool, silk, and cotton weaves, basketwork, silver jewelry, thangkas, and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various shops.

Tonight we share one last dinner as we celebrate our journey through this magical kingdom and the kind welcome that we have received from its generous people.
Janka Resort, Paro, Bhutan

DAY 13
Departure from Paro

An early morning departure from Paro returns us to Bangkok for departing flights.

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