Itinerary
- Day 1
Paro
Your guide meets you at Paro International Airport after immigration and transfers you to your hotel. Once settled in, you'll check out Kichu Lhakhang monastery from the 7th century, then head to the National Museum and Paro Dzong. If time works out, you'll swing by Sangchoekhor Monastery for views across the Paro valley.
Included Activities
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang monastery
- Visit National Museum of Bhutan
- Visit Paro Dzong
Optional Activities
- Visit Sangchoekhor Monastery (afternoon, subject to flight arrival time)
Landmarks/POIs Kichu Lhakhang National Museum of Bhutan Paro Dzong Sangchoekhor Monastery - Day 2
Paro
After breakfast, you'll drive to Ramthangka base and start the hike to Taktsang monastery, which sits 800 meters up on a cliff face. The round trip takes about 4 to 5 hours at a comfortable pace. Lunch happens at the cafeteria there, and then you'll head back down and spend the rest of the afternoon wandering around Paro town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery
- Leisure time in Paro town
Optional Activities
- One-way horse riding up to Taktsang View Point Cafeteria (approximately USD 20 per horse, one person per horse)
Landmarks/POIs Taktsang Monastery - Day 3
Paro
The drive takes you up to Chelela Pass, Bhutan's highest motorable road at around 3,890m/12,761ft. From there you'll hike 1.5 hours through forest to reach Kila Gonpa Nunnery. Later you'll grab a traditional home-cooked lunch at Paro Village View Restaurant before returning to Paro for the National Museum and some leisure time in town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Home-cooked traditional lunch at Paro Village View Restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to Kila Gonpa Nunnery from Chelela Pass
- Visit National Museum
- Leisure time in Paro town
Landmarks/POIs Chelela Pass Kila Gonpa Nunnery National Museum - Day 4
Shana to Trek Camp
After an early breakfast, you'll drive about an hour to Shana where your trek starts. This is a long day with several ascents and descents through a river valley that gradually gets narrower. By evening you'll reach a meadow campsite where, if the weather cooperates, you'll see Mount Jomolhari for the first time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Shana (17 km, 7-8 hours hiking)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Jomolhari - Day 5
Trek to Jangothang
Trekking continues up the Paro Chhu valley which opens into alpine meadows with scattered forests. You'll pass an army checkpoint and get views of high mountain ridges and snow peaks. Yaks and herder homes become part of the landscape. Moving through Soe, Takethang, and Dangochang villages, you'll reach Jangothang, a beautiful Himalayan campsite with Mount Jomolhari views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through Paro Chhu valley to Jangothang (14 km, 5-6 hours hiking)
Landmarks/POIs Mount Jomolhari - Day 6
Jangothang (Rest Day)
You'll stay at Jangothang for acclimatization today. Several day hike options let you explore alpine lakes and snow peaks like Mount Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There's a good chance to spot blue sheep on the upper slopes. Three main trails go west toward Jomolhari, north toward Jichu Drake, or east toward unclimbed peaks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Optional day hikes in three directions from Jangothang
Landmarks/POIs Mount Jomolhari Jichu Drake - Day 7
Jangothang to Lingshi
After your rest day, trekking resumes. The trail follows a stream for about 30 minutes before crossing to the right bank. You'll see Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tserimgang along the way. The valley floor is relatively flat before you climb to Nyele La Pass at 4,700m/15,420ft, then gradually descend to Lingshi campsite with mountain views and Lingshi Dzong.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Jangothang to Lingshi (18 km, 7-8 hours hiking)
Landmarks/POIs Nyele La Pass Lingshi Dzong Mount Jomolhari - Day 8
Lingshi to Shodu
The trail climbs to Yelila Pass at 4,930m/16,171ft. When it's clear, you'll get excellent views of Jomolhari, Tserimgang, and Masanggang from the top. After the pass, the trek to Shodu campsite is steep downhill terrain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Lingshi to Shodu (22 km, 8-9 hours hiking)
Landmarks/POIs Yelila Pass Mount Jomolhari - Day 9
Shodu to Barshong
You'll trek through rhododendron forests following the Thimphu Chhu stream. Beautiful waterfalls line the path as the valley gradually narrows. The trail climbs to the slopes and reaches the ruins of Barshong Dzong.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Shodu to Barshong Dzong ruins (16 km, 5-6 hours hiking)
Landmarks/POIs Barshong Dzong - Day 10
Barshong to Thimphu
Starting from Barshong, you'll hike about 7km before your driver picks you up for the transfer to Thimphu. Once there, check out Changlimithang Archery Range if matches are happening. Dinner is home-cooked local food at Babesa Heritage Home, and there's an optional herbal hot stone bath to ease tired muscles.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-cooked local cuisines at Babesa Heritage Home)
Included Activities
- Final trek from Barshong to pick-up point (7 km, 2 hours)
Optional Activities
- Watch traditional archery at Changlimithang Archery Range
- Traditional therapeutic herbal hot stone bath at Babesa Heritage Home (approximately Nu. 2,000 per person)
Landmarks/POIs Changlimithang Archery Range - Day 11
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, you'll visit the Buddha Dordhenma Statue overlooking Thimphu and the Institute for Zorig Chusum where traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts are taught. Stop by Craft Bazaar if you're interested, then head toward Punakha valley. At Dochula Pass, you'll see panoramic views of Bhutan's highest peaks. An optional 1-hour easy forest hike to the Royal Botanical Park is available. Lunch happens in Sopsokha village before you visit Chimi Lhakhang, the 15th-century fertility temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Buddha Dordhenma Statue
- Visit Institute for Zorig Chusum
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility)
Optional Activities
- Visit Craft Bazaar
- Easy 1-hour hike to Royal Botanical Park from Dochula Pass
Landmarks/POIs Buddha Dordhenma Statue Institute for Zorig Chusum Dochula Pass Royal Botanical Park Chimi Lhakhang - Day 12
Punakha to Paro
After breakfast, drive 30 minutes then hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten on a hilltop with valley views. The round trip takes 1.5 to 2 hours through rice fields with a short climb. You'll return to the road and visit Punakha Dzong from the 17th century, then walk across Bhutan's longest suspension bridge. After lunch, head back to Paro, stopping at Chakzam, a 15th-century iron chain bridge. Stay overnight at a Paro village homestay with home-cooked meals and traditional hot stone bath.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Home-cooked local cuisine at homestay)
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten (1.5-2 hours)
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Walk across Bhutan's longest suspension bridge
- Visit Chakzam iron chain bridge
Landmarks/POIs Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten Punakha Dzong Chakzam - Day 13
Paro Departure
After breakfast, your guide takes you to Paro International Airport for your flight. They'll help with all exit procedures before you check in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
