| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival to Paro | Arrival to Paro. ➜ Drive to Paro airport viewpoint. Depending on schedule, you might see planes landing and taking off. Runway in Paro is famed as one of the most demanding of all World's International airports. ➜ Visit of the National Museum in Ta dzong, the watchtower protecting the Paro castle below from intruders. ➜ Then drive down to Paro town and marvel over the old traditional bridge below the Paro Dzong. Here, you will have opportunity to try Bhutanese dress and take a beautiful photo with castle in the background! ➜ Walk in lively little town packed with interesting shops, cafés, and bars! |
| 2 | Paro | Drive to castle-ruins of Drukyel dzong, from where you can see the summit of holy Jomolhari mountain. ➜ Then proceed for hike to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), which is the highlight of the tour. Reaching to the temple requires about two hours of hiking up. After visiting the temple, climb further up to Zangto Pelri lhakhang for bird’s eye views of Tigers Nest. ➜ Continue hiking up even farther to Ugyen Tshemo temple and Yoeseling monastery in 3320 meters. From here, the narrow trail descends through dense forest steeply down. ➜ On the way stop for Shama lhakhang, the temple just adjacent to Tiger’s Nets on the cliff face, but inaccessible from there. ➜ Finally, descend to join main trail near to the parking. This loop hike might require about 6 hours. ➜ Take a rest after demanding exercise. |
| 3 | Trek Paro – Chele-la – Ningula | Trek 10 km, ➚550 m, ➘600 m. Camp in 3850 m. ➜ Early morning start drive from Paro to Chele-la pass (3890 m). This is highest motorable pass in Bhutan and in clear weather, you might spot holy peak of Jomolhari (7350 m) towards the north or even Kanchenjunga (8586 m) to the west. ➜ Start ascending thought the forest of prayer flags. Reach to high ridge up above 4000 meters and continue hiking the ridge with the panoramic views. The trail sometimes clear, sometimes less, will take you through various vegetation. ➜ Have lunch on the way and finally reach to Ningula campsite, in the shadow of peculiar triangular mountain. ➜ Take a rest or walk to watch for wildlife and birds around the camp or hike around for interesting views. |
| 4 | Ningula – Saga-la camp or Talung farmhouse | Trek 10 km or 15 km, ➚500 m, ➘850 m or ➘1200 m. Camp 3400 m or sleep in 3000 m. In the morning start ascending from the camp and then continue hiking on the ridge. Watch for the birds on the way and enjoy the views towards the Haa valley. ➜ Finally reach to Saga-la pass which marks border of Haa and Paro districts. ➜ Descend to camp and enjoy your stay in forest which is habitat of various birds. Especially blood pheasant or other species of pheasant are to be seen. ➜ Optionally, you can also continue gradual descent through forest and meadows, finally reaching to Talung village where you can sleep in relative comfort of local farmhouse as a guest of welcoming family. |
| 5 | Saga-la Camp or Talung farmhouse – Paro | In the morning start hike down to Haa's Talung vilage. ➜ Upon reaching Talung visit local farmhouse and taste local butter tea (suja) and spirit ara, with which you can celebrate the end of the trek. Have lunch prepared by the family and of the house and eat as a Bhutanese! ➜ If you spent night in farmhouse, you can have stroll around the village. ➜ Vehicle will be waiting you here, so part goodbye to host family of the farmhouse and your trekking team. ➜ In Haa visit Lhakhang Karpo (white temple) dedicated to local deity. ➜ Drive back to Chele-la (3850 m) and keep descending by car to Paro. ➜ If time permits, visit also Dzongdrakha lhakhang, the temple built below the rock cliffs with great view of rice fields of Bondey village. ➜ The beauty of this temple, rarely visited by travelers, is only matched by the Tiger's Nest which you will see next day. |
| 6 | Departure | Depending on departure time, drive to Paro and departure from Bhutan by flight or take ~5 hours drive to land border in Phuntsholing. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Extend sightseeing to Thimphu (+1-2 day): If you have spare day, why not to include Bhutan's capital, which is also packed with plenty of interesting hiking options.