Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
Your flight into Paro treats you to incredible views of the Himalayan range, with sacred peaks like Jumolhari and Jichu Drake rising around you. Once you land, your guide meets you and takes you to Rinpung Dzong, a fortress featuring detailed wall paintings that tell Buddhist stories. You'll cross the traditional wooden bridge connecting to the fortress, then spend your evening wandering through Paro town to get oriented.
- Start point
- Paro, Bhutan (Paro International Airport)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Khangkhu Resort)
Included Activities
- Visit Rinpung Dzong
- Walk through wooden galleries with Buddhist wall paintings
- Cross traditional wooden bridge
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Paro town
- Visit market in Paro
Landmarks/POIs Rinpung Dzong Jumolhari Jichu Drake 
- Day 2
Paro
After breakfast, you head out for the hike to Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan's most famous religious site. The monastery sits at 3,180m on a steep cliff roughly 900 meters above Paro Valley, and the 5km hike takes between 4 and 5 hours total. According to local legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here in the 8th century riding a tigress and meditated in a cave. After spending time exploring the monastery, you make your way back down to Paro and have the evening free to check out the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Khangkhu Resort)
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery
- Explore the monastery
Optional Activities
- Explore Paro Town in the evening
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery - Day 3
Drugyal Dzong to Shana Zampa
The trek starts at Drugyal Dzong (2,300m/7,546ft) with a downhill section on a wide trail cutting through well-maintained rice terraces and millet fields. You'll pass apple orchards and forested areas before reaching the army post at Gunitsawa (2,810m/9,219ft), which marks the last settlement before the Tibetan border. Your first night ends at a camping area (2,850m/9,350ft) near Shana Zampa, surrounded by meadows and forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Tented Camp.)
Included Activities
- Trek from Drugyal Dzong through rice terraces and millet fields
- Walk through apple orchards and forests
- Reach Gunitsawa army post
Landmarks/POIs Drugyal Dzong 
- Day 4
Shana Zampa to High Camp
The trail runs alongside Pa Chhu (Paro River) as it climbs and descends through pine, oak, and spruce forests. A hot meal gets served after you cross the bridge and head toward the left bank of the river. From there, you continue upward through rhododendron forests, cross the river one more time, and arrive at the campsite (3,750m/12,303ft) for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot lunch served after crossing the bridge), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Tented Camp.)
Included Activities
- Trek along Pa Chhu (Paro River)
- Walk through pine, oak and spruce forests
- Cross river bridges
- Day 5
High Camp to Jangothang
You climb toward the army camp, then follow the river above the tree line where views of surrounding peaks open up. A hot lunch happens inside a yak herder's camp, giving you a sense of local life at altitude. A short walk takes you to Jangothang camp (4,100m/13,451ft), where you can see Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake dominating the landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot lunch inside a yak herder's camp), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Tented Camp.)
Included Activities
- Trek to army camp
- Follow river above tree line
- Lunch at yak herder's camp
Landmarks/POIs Jumolhari Jichu Drake 
- Day 6
Jangothang
This day is reserved for acclimatizing at Jangothang. You have four options for day hikes. There's a 3-4 hour hike up to a ridge with solid views of Jichu Drake, or you could walk toward the valley end closer to Jumolhari. Another route takes you up the main valley toward Jichu Drake, and a fourth option goes to Tsophu (4,310m/14,140ft), a pair of lakes known for brown trout fishing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Tented Camp.)
Optional Activities
- 3-4 hour hike up to ridge with views of Jichu Drake
- Hike to end of valley toward Jumolhari
- Trek up main valley toward Jichu Drake
- Hike to Tsophu lakes (4,310m) with brown trout
Landmarks/POIs Tsophu Lakes Jumolhari Jichu Drake - Day 7
Jangothang to Lingshi
Starting out, you follow a stream for about 30 minutes, then cross to the right side and climb to the first ridge where Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tshering Gang come into full view. You'll walk through a mostly flat valley for a bit, then climb to Ngye La pass (4,830m/15,846ft). After crossing the pass, you descend gradually to Lingshi camp (4,010m/13,156ft), which sits with good views of the peaks and Lingshi Dzong nearby.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Tented Camp.)
Included Activities
- Cross stream and climb to first ridge
- Climb to Ngye La pass
- Descend to Lingshi camp
Landmarks/POIs Ngye La Pass Lingshi Dzong Jumolhari Jichu Drake Tshering Gang - Day 8
Lingshi to Shodu
The trek climbs up toward a small white Chorten on a ridge above camp, then heads south into the deep Mo Chhu valley. The path stays on the west side of this largely treeless valley, climbing steadily before crossing the river and ascending steeply for about two hours to Yeli La pass (4,820m/15,814ft). On clear days, you can see Jumolhari, Gangchen Ta, Tshering Gang, and Masang Gang from the pass. After descending by a stream and passing a shelter, you reach Shodu camp (4,100m/13,451ft), a meadow with a Chorten.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Camping (Tented Camp.)
Included Activities
- Climb to white Chorten on ridge
- Trek up Mo Chhu valley
- Climb to Yeli La pass
- Descend to Shodu
Landmarks/POIs Yeli La Pass Jumolhari Gangchen Ta Tshering Gang Masang Gang - Day 9
Shodu to Thimphu
You descend back toward tree line following the Thimphu River through rhododendron, juniper, and alpine forests. Rocky cliffs and waterfalls line the route as you make your way down. After resting by the riverside and having a hot meal, you gradually climb up to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. From there, you walk on a farm road to reach your vehicle and drive to Thimphu, arriving in the late evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hot meal by riverside), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Access Suites)
Included Activities
- Trek following Thimphu River
- Walk through rhododendron, juniper and alpine forests
- Visit ruins of Barshong Dzong
Landmarks/POIs Barshong Dzong 
- Day 10
Thimphu
After breakfast, you visit the giant Buddha Statue at Kuenselphodrang, which stands 169 feet tall and is said to be the world's largest bronze statue. Then you head to the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, the School of 13 Arts and Crafts, to see traditional techniques. Following lunch, you check out the Takin Preserve to see Takins, Bhutan's national animal. Your evening includes wandering the craft bazaar with its small bamboo structures showing locally made items, and a 15-minute walk to the Farmers Market, the country's largest vegetable market, where local produce like chilies, fresh cheese, and fruits are on display.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Access Suites)
Included Activities
- Visit giant Buddha Statue at Kuenselphodrang
- Visit National Institute of Zorig Chusum (School of 13 Arts and Crafts)
- Visit Takin Preserve
Optional Activities
- Explore craft bazaar stalls
- Visit Farmers Market
Landmarks/POIs Kuenselphodrang Buddha Statue National Institute of Zorig Chusum Takin Preserve Farmers Market 
- Day 11
Thimphu to Paro
In the morning, you drive to Paro airport and prepare for departure. Your tour representative says goodbye as you head out.
