Day01: Arrive at Paro
After landing at Paro and immigration and custom formalities, our guide receive you and take you to the hotel. in the afternoon we take an exploratory walk around Paro main street and slso visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in the Kingdom, dating back to 7th century.
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing.
After breakfast we drive to ruined fortress, the Drukgyal Dzong, strategically built over the only passage into Paro valley. We can have the magnificent view of Mount. Chomolhari from the village below the Dzong. We continue tour and visit Taktsang Monastery popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. Perched on the side of a cliff 900m above Paro valley floor, it is Bhutan’s most revered temple. The hike to the monastery makes a splendid half-day excursion. We visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
Day 03: Paro – Jele Dzong, 8km, 3 hours walk
We visit Ta Dzong, the National museum, holding fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangka paintings, handicrafts, masks, costumes, armours and Bhtuan’s exquisite postage stamps. The visit will provide an insight into the rich and unique cultural heritage and tradition of Bhutan. Then we commence the trek. Today will be a short trek day. The journey starts with a short climb up to Jele Dzong. The trail ascends gradually up to the camp, and if the weather is clear Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind. Above the camp is Jele-la pass (3,400m) and Jele Dzong (mostly in ruins). There is also a Lhakhang containing a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni.
Day 04: Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha, 10km, 3-4 hours walk
We begin with a one and a half hour climb and then ascend more gradually upwards. The trail takes us through thick alpine and rhododendron forests. We will have tantalizing glimpses of Chomolhari and other snow capped peaks We will see the yak herders around your campsite.
Day 05: Jangchulakha – Jimilangtsho, 11km, 4 hours walk
The trail follows the ridge, and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are sensational. We will enjoy a great view of Jichu Drake (6,989m), the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Our camp is close to the Jimilangtsho lakes, which are famous for their giant sized trout.
Day 06: Jimilangtsho – Simkota, 11km, 4 hours walk
The trail takes us through dwarf rhododendron trees and passes by the lake of Janetsho. Today we may come across some yak herders’ camps and get an idea of how these people live. We camp close to Simkota Lake, and if we are lucky we can catch a lake trout for our dinner.
Day 07: Simkota – Phajoding, 10km, 4 hours walk
Today we begin with a gradual climb and if the weather is clear, we enjoy majestic views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain Bhutan and a host of other peaks. The trail slowly descends through juniper trees to a campsite at Phajoding.
Day 08: Phajoding – Thimphu, 5km, 3 hours walk
We visit Phajoding monastery built in 15th century by Shagcha Rinchen who introduced Drukpa Kagyu School in Bhutan in the 13th century. We further trek downhill past through a forested area of mostly blue pine and arrive at Thimpu. We commence sightseeing tour in Thimpu and visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.
Day 09: Thimphu – Punakha, 75 km, 3 hours drive
We visit National Library, which holds a vast collection of Buddhist text and manuscripts, some dating several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion. Then visit National Institute of Zorig Chusum or the School of Arts & Crafts, imparting training to young students in 13 traditional crafts of Bhutan, National Textile Museum Folk Heritage Museum which provides a fascinating insight into the traditional Bhutanese farm house and rural life, National Memorial Chorten, a sacred shrine built in 1974 in memory of the ‘Father of modern Bhutan’, third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
After lunch, we drive on to Punakha across Dochula pass (3080m) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road and the spectacular panorama of snowcapped peaks ( in clear weather ): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Day 10: Punakha – Paro, 125 km, approx 4 hours drive
Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it continues to be the winter residence of central monk body. We visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. Then we drive to Wangduephodrang visiting its majestic Dzong, founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638. It is located on top of a high ridge overlooking a river junction. The Dzong stands majestically on a spur and commands an impressive view over both north-south and east-west roads.
After lunch, we drive to Paro en route visiting Sitmokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong in the country which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Day 11: Airport Transfer
We transfer you to Paro airport for your onward journeys.
