( 5 Days trek and 4 Nights cultural tour )
Moderate Trek
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02: Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong.
Below the Dzong, visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House. Then visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower now the national Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Dzong meaning - fortress of the heap of jewels. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 03: Paro - Jele Dzong 8km, 3 hours
Today is a short trekking day. The day starts with a short climb to Jele Dzong. The trek trail is rather gradual up till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind. Above the camp is Jele la (3,400m) and Jele Dzong that is mostly in ruins and there is a lhakhang with the statue of Sakyamuni. Overnight camp.
Day 04: Jele Dzong - Jangchulakha -10km, 3hours 40 Mins
Begin with an hour and half climb and then ascend gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. You may see yak herders around your composite. There are fascinating views of Chomolhari and other snow capped peaks and you can also hear some monal pheasants during the day.
Day 05: Jangchulakha - Jimilangtso -11km, 4 hours
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are sensational Camp is close to lakes of Jimilangtso. These lakes are famous for their giant sized trouts. Also there are great views of 6989 m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Overnight Camp.
Day 06: Jimilangtso- Simkota -11km, 4 hours
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetso. Today you may come across some yak herders camp and get an idea how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake and if you are lucky you can catch Jose lake trout for dinner. Overnight camp.
Day 07: Simkota - Phajoding - 10km, 4hours
Today you begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits, you will enjoy majestic view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, and also the other peaks. The trail slowly descends through juniper trees to campsite beside a community hall near Phajoding Cafeteria. Overnight in Cafeteria or camp.
Day 08: Phajoding - Thimphu -6km, 3 hours
The trek to Thimphu is all the way downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 09: Excursion to Punakha/Wangdiphodrang
After breakfast full day excursion to Punakha and Wangdi valleys. The drive from Thimphu crosses 3,100m-dochula pass that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. In Punakha, visit the Dzong situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Built in 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, this Dzong has played important role in Bhutan's history. Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong, the 17th century monument followed by visit to local market. Evening drive back to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 10: Thimphu - Paro
Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu, visit the King's memorial Stupa; built in 1974, the Tashichhodzong; beautiful medieval fortress/monastery and handicrafts Emporium. Afternoon visit; National Library that houses ancient Buddhist tests and manuscripts, Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings, Traditional Medicine Institute; here the centuries old herbal medicine are still practiced. Evening drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Paro depart
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
Moderate Trek
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Meeting & assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02: Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong.
Below the Dzong, visit a typical Bhutanese Farm House. Then visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower now the national Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit the Dzong meaning - fortress of the heap of jewels. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 03: Paro - Jele Dzong 8km, 3 hours
Today is a short trekking day. The day starts with a short climb to Jele Dzong. The trek trail is rather gradual up till the camp and if the weather is clear the Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind. Above the camp is Jele la (3,400m) and Jele Dzong that is mostly in ruins and there is a lhakhang with the statue of Sakyamuni. Overnight camp.
Day 04: Jele Dzong - Jangchulakha -10km, 3hours 40 Mins
Begin with an hour and half climb and then ascend gradually up. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. You may see yak herders around your composite. There are fascinating views of Chomolhari and other snow capped peaks and you can also hear some monal pheasants during the day.
Day 05: Jangchulakha - Jimilangtso -11km, 4 hours
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are sensational Camp is close to lakes of Jimilangtso. These lakes are famous for their giant sized trouts. Also there are great views of 6989 m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Overnight Camp.
Day 06: Jimilangtso- Simkota -11km, 4 hours
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and bypasses the lake of Janetso. Today you may come across some yak herders camp and get an idea how these people live. Camp is close to Simkota Lake and if you are lucky you can catch Jose lake trout for dinner. Overnight camp.
Day 07: Simkota - Phajoding - 10km, 4hours
Today you begin with a gradual climb and if the weather permits, you will enjoy majestic view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum, and also the other peaks. The trail slowly descends through juniper trees to campsite beside a community hall near Phajoding Cafeteria. Overnight in Cafeteria or camp.
Day 08: Phajoding - Thimphu -6km, 3 hours
The trek to Thimphu is all the way downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 09: Excursion to Punakha/Wangdiphodrang
After breakfast full day excursion to Punakha and Wangdi valleys. The drive from Thimphu crosses 3,100m-dochula pass that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. In Punakha, visit the Dzong situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. Built in 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, this Dzong has played important role in Bhutan's history. Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong, the 17th century monument followed by visit to local market. Evening drive back to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 10: Thimphu - Paro
Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu, visit the King's memorial Stupa; built in 1974, the Tashichhodzong; beautiful medieval fortress/monastery and handicrafts Emporium. Afternoon visit; National Library that houses ancient Buddhist tests and manuscripts, Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings, Traditional Medicine Institute; here the centuries old herbal medicine are still practiced. Evening drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Paro depart
Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
