Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
Your flight descends into Paro Valley with Himalayan views spread out below. After landing, your guide meets you and takes you to the hotel for lunch. Then you'll head to Rinpung Dzong to see the fortress and its Buddhist murals, cross the ancient wooden bridge, and check out Kichu Lhakhang, which is Bhutan's oldest temple. The evening wraps up with a walk through Paro town and the local market.
- Meals
- Lunch (Delightful lunch at hotel upon arrival)
Included Activities
- Visit Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of the Heap of Jewels) with guided exploration of wooden galleries and Buddhist murals
- Scenic walk crossing ancient wooden bridge to Kichu Lhakhang
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang, Bhutan's oldest and most revered temple
- Evening stroll through Paro town and local market
Landmarks/POIs Rinpung Dzong Kichu Lhakhang Paro Valley - Day 2
Paro
After breakfast you'll hike up to Taktshang Monastery at 3,180m on a dramatic cliffside. The trail helps with acclimatization and the views from the ridge are worth the climb. Around halfway up the mountain there's a cafeteria where you'll grab lunch. That evening you'll have authentic Bhutanese dinner at a traditional certified farmhouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria), Dinner (Authentic Bhutanese dinner at traditional farmhouse certified by Department of Tourism)
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) at 3,180m
- Lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria
- Authentic Bhutanese dinner at traditional certified farmhouse
Landmarks/POIs Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - Day 3
Paro to Soi Thangthangkha
Early start with breakfast before your driver drops you at Shana to begin the trek. You'll walk 22km through the Pa Chhu area with pine, oak, and spruce forests, moving through gentle terrain. After crossing a bridge, lunch is hot and ready for you. Then it's through rhododendron forests with gradual climbs until you reach the campsite at Soi Thangthangkha at 3,750m.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast), Lunch (Delicious hot lunch during trek), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Shana along Pa Chhu (Paro River) through pine, oak, and spruce forests - 22km, 7-8 hours, 770m ascent
- Hot lunch during trek
Landmarks/POIs Pa Chhu (Paro River) - Day 4
Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang
Today covers 19km with steady elevation gain as you climb toward the highlands. The trail goes up to an army camp, then follows the river above the tree line with good views of the peaks. A cozy yak herder's camp provides your hot lunch. A short walk into the valley leads to Jangothang campsite at 4,080m where you can see Mt. Jomolhari and Jichu Drake.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot lunch at yak herder's camp), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Soi Thangthangkha to Jangothang - 19km, 5-6 hours, 480m ascent, passing army camp and above tree line
- Hot lunch at yak herder's camp
Landmarks/POIs Mt. Jomolhari Jichu Drake - Day 5
Jangothang
This day is for acclimatization at 4,050m and you've got options for how to spend it. Choose a 3 to 4 hour ridge hike for Jichu Drake views, trek toward Jomolhari, walk up the main valley toward Jichu Drake, or do a quieter hike to Tsophu where twin lakes sit with brown trout. You'll sleep at Jongothang Base Camp under the stars.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization day with choice of four scenic hikes (3-4 hours each): ridge hike to Jichu Drake views, trek to Jomolhari valley, main valley hike toward Jichu Drake, or hike to Tsophu twin lakes with brown trout
Landmarks/POIs Tsophu - Day 6
Jangothang to Lingshi
The 19km trek today starts with stream and bridge crossings before you climb to the first ridge with views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tshering Gang. The middle section is mostly flat terrain. Then comes the climb to Nyele La pass at 4,830m, followed by a gradual descent to Chashi Thang at 4,010m where you can see both the peaks and Lingshi Dzong.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Jangothang to Lingshi - 19km, 6-7 hours, 780m ascent and 820m descent, including Nyele La pass (4,830m)
Landmarks/POIs Nyele La Pass Lingshi Dzong Tshering Gang - Day 7
Lingshi to Chebisa
You'll trek 12km today with time to see Lingshi Dzong perched on the hilltop with views of green hills and winding rivers below. Walking through villages and yak herder camps gives you a sense of how people actually live out here. After lunch you'll take a short walk to Chebisa village where there's a clear waterfall nearby. The camp sits beside a stream at 3,850m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delightful lunch during trek), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Lingshi Dzong with leisurely walks through villages and yak herder camps - 12km, 5-6 hours, 160m descent
- Visit Lingshi Dzong
- Scenic stroll to Chebisa village with crystal-clear waterfall
- Lunch during trek
Landmarks/POIs Lingshi Dzong Chebisa - Day 8
Chebisa to Shomuthang
The 17km trek begins with a challenging ridge climb to Gubu La Pass at 4,420m, which takes about four hours. After crossing the pass you'll descend through rhododendron bushes to lunch. The afternoon continues through mixed terrain with stream crossings and rhododendron forests. You'll likely spot yak herder camps and might see blue sheep herds. Camp is at Shomuthang village at 4,130m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Well-deserved lunch stop), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Chebisa to Shomuthang - 17km, 6-7 hours, 570m ascent and 290m descent, including Gubu La Pass (4,420m)
- Lunch during trek
Landmarks/POIs Gubu La Pass - Day 9
Shomuthang to Robluthang
Today's 15km trek starts with a climb to Jerela Pass at 4,750m. From there you descend into Tasharijathang Valley where the rare Himalayan Takins live (Bhutan's national animal). You'll cross a stream on a footbridge, though it sometimes washes away. The trail heads left and ascends toward Robluthang camp at 4,160m for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Shomuthang to Robluthang - 15km, 5-6 hours, 620m ascent and 590m descent
- Climb to Jerela Pass at 4,750m
- Descend through Tasharijathang Valley with possible Himalayan Takin sightings
Landmarks/POIs Jerela Pass Tasharijathang Valley - Day 10
Robluthang to Lingmithang
The challenging 19km trek heads up to Shingela Pass at 5,010m where the views across the mountains are really something. Then it's down toward Lingmithang on narrow paths crossing streams where you might get wet. The final stretch gives you a glimpse of Mt. Gangchey Ta. You'll camp at 4,140m for a quiet night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Robluthang to Lingmithang - 19km, 7-8 hours, 850m ascent and 870m descent, including Shingela Pass (5,010m)
Landmarks/POIs Shingela Pass Mt. Gangchey Ta - Day 11
Lingmithang to Laya
You'll wake to Gangchen Ta Peak in front of you. Then trek 10km to Laya, walking through lush moss-covered forest with birds chirping around you. Laya sits at 3,850m and is the second highest village in Bhutan. You'll camp there for the night and experience the quiet charm of this remote place.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lingmithang to Laya - 10km, 3-4 hours
- Visit Laya village (second-highest village in Bhutan at 3,850m)
Landmarks/POIs Laya Village Gangchen Ta - Day 12
Laya
This day is yours to shape while staying in Laya at 3,800m. You can explore local homes and experience genuine Bhutanese hospitality with cups of tea and Chang, the local wine. The women here wear striking conical bamboo hats with turquoise and silver ornaments. You'll spend another night in the camp in Laya surrounded by nature.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Laya village homes and experience local Bhutanese hospitality
- Meet villagers and learn about their unique culture and traditional attire
Landmarks/POIs Laya Village - Day 13
Laya to Gasa
The 25km trek descends toward an army camp where you'll meet the Mo Chhu river. Following its flow you'll cross a bridge then traverse rolling hills through juniper and fir forests to Koena at 3,800m. A half hour walk over flat ground takes you to Barila La Pass at 4,100m. From there it's scenic downhill to Gasa Village for lunch. After exploring, you'll descend to the Gasa hot springs and camp at 2,900m.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch in Gasa Village), Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Laya to Gasa - 25km, 6-7 hours, 50m descent
- Visit Mo Chhu (female river of Punakha)
- Cross Barila La Pass at 4,100m
- Lunch in Gasa Village
- Visit Gasa Tshachu hot spring
- Explore Gasa Village
Landmarks/POIs Mo Chhu Barila La Pass Gasa Tshachu - Day 14
Gasa to Punakha
A scenic drive takes you to Punakha on unpaved roads that wind through high agricultural terraces above the Mochu River. The route goes deeper into a lush gorge with banana trees and vibrant creepers. After checking in at your hotel you'll have time to relax. Later you'll see Punakha Dzong between the Male and Female Rivers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Punakha Dzong, nestled between Male and Female Rivers
Landmarks/POIs Punakha Dzong - Day 15
Punakha to Thimphu
After breakfast you'll drive to Thimphu, stopping at Lobesa for a hike through rice paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple honors a 14th century yogi believed to bless women seeking fertility. Next is Druk Wangyal Lhakhang where the murals show modern Bhutan like the airline, Royal Family, and monks with laptops. You'll see the gold butter lamp tribute to the Fourth King. In Thimphu you'll have lunch and a city walk before settling at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch in Thimphu), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through rice paddy fields to Chimi Lhakhang Temple from Lobesa
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang Temple
- Visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang and view murals
- Leisurely stroll through Thimphu city
Landmarks/POIs Chimi Lhakhang Temple Druk Wangyal Lhakhang - Day 16
Thimphu
After breakfast you'll visit Buddha Point to see one of the world's largest sitting Buddha statues overlooking Thimphu Valley. Inside are over 100,000 smaller Buddha statues. From there you'll check out a living museum showing traditional Bhutanese life, then Changangkha Lhakhang from the 13th century. The Royal Takin Preserve lets you see Bhutan's national animal. Zilukha Nunnery has around 60 nuns studying Buddhism. After lunch visit the Royal Textile Academy and the Institute of 13 Arts & Crafts. At Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory you'll watch artisans make paper from tree bark. Finally you'll see Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest fortress with Buddhist paintings and carvings. Evening drive to Paro for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hearty breakfast), Lunch (Delicious lunch), Dinner (Dinner in Paro)
Included Activities
- Visit Buddha Point with one of the world's largest sitting Buddha statues
- Interactive living museum experience showcasing traditional Bhutanese life
- Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, ancient temple from 13th-14th century
- Visit Royal Takin Preserve wildlife sanctuary
- Visit Zilukha Nunnery (Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery)
- Visit Royal Textile Academy and observe intricate weaving
- Visit Zorig Chusum (Institute of 13 Arts & Crafts of Bhutan)
- Visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory and observe papermaking
- Visit Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest fortress
Landmarks/POIs Buddha Point Changangkha Lhakhang Royal Takin Preserve Zilukha Nunnery Royal Textile Academy Zorig Chusum Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory Simtokha Dzong - Day 17
Paro Departure
After breakfast your representative will escort you to Paro International Airport and help you with a smooth departure from Bhutan.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Delightful breakfast)
Landmarks/POIs Paro International Airport
