| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, drive to Thimphu | Arrival by plane to Paro airport and drive to Thimphu. In case of arrival by land, cross border from India in Phuntsholing/Jaigon and ~5 hours drive to Thimphu. ➜ Stop at Tachog lhakhang to see traditional bridge made using ancient iron chains. ➜ On working day, you might visit Postal Museum to learn about the colorful history of Bhutan's postal service. You can also have the stamps with your own face printed and send postcards to your friends and family back home! ➜ You might also like to see Khaja Throm market where residents make their grocery shopping and where you might try some snacks as well. ➜ Visit to Tashichho dzong castle, the seat of the king and government. ➜ Optionally celebrate arrival to Bhutan in famous Mojo Park music club or other popular venue. ➜ Day's program is subject to arrival time. |
| 2 | Thimphu – Wangdue/Punakha | Morning drive to Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha overlooking the valley and walk to striking city viewpoint. ➜ Continue to wild animal sanctuary, where you can see the takin, famous national animal of Bhutan and other dwellers of Bhutanese forests. ➜ Visit to Memorial Chorten, city's landmark built to remember 3rd king of Bhutan who started country's modernization in the 1950s. ➜ Walk to Norzin lam street to see the traffic police signaling on main junction. Thimphu is only capital in the world without the traffic lights. ➜ Finish walk at handicraft market where many interesting Bhutanese souvenirs can be seen and bought for reasonable price. ➜ Continue with visit to Folk Heritage Museum with the exhibition on traditional village life in Bhutan (closed on Sunday, alternatively visit Simply Bhutan museum). ➜ Afternoon transfer to Wangdue or Punakha over Dochu-la pass (3010 m). Stop for walk over large stupa consisting of 108 small stupas and enjoy the mountain panorama in clear weather! |
| 3 | Wangdue/Punakha – Paro | Early morning short hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten with wonderful views of the valley and it’s terraced paddy fields. ➜ Optionally you can consider rafting on the Mo Chhu (easy) or Pho Chhu (thrilling) river. ➜ Continue with visit of Punakha dzong, dubbed as “Palace of the Great Happinnes” which counts as the most intricately decorated castle in the kingdom and used to be winter seat of the Bhutanese rulers. ➜ Short walk to Chhimmy lhakhang temple, devoted to the 15th century saint Drukpa Kunley, known as “Divine madman”, who allegedly taught Buddhism by singing, drinking and scandalous sexual exploits. Way to temple is perched by houses decorated with phallic symbols, as commemoration of the saint's antics. Temple is also known as fertility booster, attracting childless couples from all over the Bhutan and foreign countries as well. ➜ If time permits, also visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery with Bhutanese and Nepali style stupa, overlooking the valley from the high hill. ➜ Afternoon drive to Paro. |
| 4 | Paro – Gunitsawa | Morning visit of Paro dzong, the castle which serves as the centre of local administration and monastery. ➜ Climb to Taktsang gompa (Tiger's Nest), most venerated and holy place in Bhutan overlooking valley from the steep cliff. ➜ After lunch drive to Drukyel dzong. This used to be a place where the trek started before. See ruins of the old dzong (castle) and continue further to military camp of Gunitsawa on the new built road. ➜ Possibility to make detour to Lhadi Gompa just before military camp. First night camping just above military camp at the elevation of 2890 m. |
| 5 | Trek: Gunitsawa – Thangthangkha | Trek 16 km, 7-8 hours, ➚ 770 m, ➘ 10 m, camp altitude 3610 m. ➜ On this long day there are a lot of up and downs, mostly through the forest along the Paro chhu river. Finally, you will reach to large chorten on the junction, where you will need take trail to the left. ➜ After about half hour, you will reach to Thangthangtha campsite. The place is equipped with dilapidated toilets, kitchen house, and caretaker's dwelling. If weather permits, you might glimpse the first great view of Jomolhari, best photographed right from the toilets. Camp is cold, and it gets dark early. |
| 6 | Trek: Thangthangkha – Jangothang | Trek 10 km, 5-6 hours, ➚ 480 m, camp altitude 4080 m. ➜ If you did not see Jomolhari peak in the evening, you still have a chance to get a great view this morning. ➜ The trek continues up the Paro chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. ➜ Passing the villages Soe, Takethang, and Dangochang is another asset on this day. ➜ After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you can enjoy most spectacular view of Jomolhari over the ruins of ancient temple or fortress. |
| 7 | Halt: Jangothang | Enjoy the sunrise and first rays of sun on the majestic Jomolhari mountain. Calling Jangothang one of the most beautiful campsites in the Himalayas is no exaggeration! ➜ Today, you will be hiking to higher altitude to Jomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks viewpoint above the campsite. Hike offers spectacular panoramic views and on top of that it will help you to acclimatize to high altitude. The hike takes a bit more than half a day. ➜ Rest day would be better spent relaxing in camp or around as too much of exercise is not good for your acclimatization. |
| 8 | Trek: Jangothang – Chore (Dhumzo) | Trek 16 km, 6-7 hours, ➚ 810 m, ➘ 1090 m, crossing Bonte-la (4890 m), camp altitude 3,800 m. ➜ Start steep climb of 300 m in a short distance. After strenuous climb, you will be rewarded with flat or mildly ascending path around beautiful lakes. The views of Jomolhari and Jiychu Drake are breathtaking. ➜ Continue ascent to Bonte-la pass. It's quite likely, that there will be some mild snow here. ➜ After crossing the pass with prayer flags, it will take about 3-4 hours descending through steep gully to Soi Yaksa valley. |
| 9 | Trek: Chore (Dhumzo) – Gunitsawa, drive to Paro | Trek 20 km, 6-7 hours, ➘ 1000 m, ➚ 50 m. ➜ Start trekking back to Gunitsawa. Soon you will reach to Pa chu river and rejoin the trail taken first day. Part goodbye to your trekking team and drive to Paro. ➜ Take a rest after the trekking or have a stroll through the Paro town for shop or good coffee. ➜ Optionally, you can consider hot stone bath, the traditional Bhutanese treat. |
| 10 | Departure | Depart from Paro airport by flight or 6 hours drive to land border in Phuntsholing. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Focus on trekking with full Jomolhari Yaksa loop: See Jomolhari Yaksa Trek program.
- Extend trekking for full loop with Thombu shong pass (+1 day)
- Extend cultural visit till Phobjikha (+1-2 days)