| # | 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 to Rinpung dzong, the castle where the Bernard Bertolucci’s Little Buddha film was shot. ➜ Walk in lively little town packed with interesting shops, cafés, and bars! ➜ Sightseeing is subject to arrival time. |
| 2 | Paro – Thimphu | Today we will hike to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), the most famous monument of Bhutan. Monastery in perched on the rock cliff in 3015 meters is not only beautiful place to visit, but also it makes nice acclimatization hike before you trekking. For even better experience of high altitude, you might climb above the main temple to Zangtopelri Lhakhang in 3350 meters. After visiting the temples, descend back to parking. ➜ Drive to Thimphu (3010m) with the stop at Tachog lhakhang to see traditional bridge made using ancient iron chains. ➜ Early morning hike to Taktsang gomba (The Tiger’s Nest) is the absolute highlight of the tour! While the climb seems to be hard, it’s very rewarding. If you don’t feel so strong, you can cut it short in cafeteria with nice view of the temple. ➜ After hike drive to Thimphu with stop at Tachog lhakhang to see traditional bridge made using ancient iron chains. ➜ Late afternoon visit to monumental Tashichho dzong castle, the seat of the king and government. ➜ You might also like to see Khaja Throm market where residents make their grocery shopping and where you might try some snacks as well. ➜ Take a rest after the morning's hike. ➜ Optionally celebrate arrival to Bhutan in popular Blackout Rooftop Bar or other popular venue. |
| 3 | Thimphu – Jakar | Today, you will spend whole day in the car, driving to central Bhutan. Drive will take 8 to 10 hours over 265 kilometers, crossing number of mountain passes. ➜ Your first stop to stretch the legs after parting Thimphu will be Dochu La (3,010 m) with the large stupa consisting of 108 small stupas and enjoy the mountain panorama in clear weather! Even the Gangkhar Puensum peak can be seen from here in a clear day! ➜ Descend to subtropical Wangdue valley and start ascending again to Pele La pass (3,540 m), ancient border between western and central Bhutan. ➜ Continue drive on scenic road with stop at Chendebji chorten which was built to resemble Boudhanath stupa of Kathmandu. ➜ Another important stop would be Trongsa viewpoint to see the full extent of the Trongsa castle, which you will visit some more drive afterward. This is the place from where the royal dynasty of Bhutan had risen. ➜ Finally in the evening reach to Jakar over Yotong-la pass (3550 m). Take a rest after long drive. |
| 4 | Jakar – Nasiphel drive, Trek Nasiphel – Sadduksum | Distance: 11 km | Time: 4-5 hrs | Elevation Gain: 450 m | Loss: 150 m. Easy day starting with a ride from Jakar to the trail head at Nasiphel (2,850 m). ➜ In Khaktang military camp the trekking permits will be checked and soon one can start trekking through the forest along Chamkhar chu river with some gentle ups and downs. ➜ Camping at Sadduksum (3,125 m) by the confluence with Gumthang Chu is comfortable enough with the fireplace and small cabin available for sleep and cooking. |
| 5 | Trek Sadduksum – Tsampa | Distance: 13 km | Time: 5-6 hrs | Elevation Gain: 650 m | Loss: 50 m. Another relatively easy day trekking mostly gently uphill and offering stunning views of the narrow valley with rapidly flowing river. One will experience first signs of high altitude. ➜ In Tsampa (3,700 m), the permits will be once again checked at the advanced military camp. There are a number of holy spots related to Terton Pema Lingpa and Drukpa Kuneley to see. Tsampa Lhakhang is definitely worth a visit. |
| 6 | Trek Tsampa – Shingo | Distance: 9 km | Time: 4-5 hrs | Elevation Gain: 500 m | Loss: 20 m. Continue trekking uphill following Chamkhar Chu, passing through the Tsampa Lhakhang. There are a number of seasonal herders’ settlements on the way. ➜ Also pass around the source of mineral water. The trail gently ascends through forest until it finally reaches the zone of shrubs and the undisturbed albeit relatively distant view of Ganghar Puensum opens further north. ➜ Reach to Shingo (4,200 m) herders settlement and camp, taking a good rest. |
| 7 | Trek Shingo – Bamurpa | Distance: 5 km | Time: 3 hrs | Elevation Gain: 500 m | Loss: 0 m. This is going to be a short hiking day following the river through the wide open valley with the Gangkhar Puensum gradually disappearing from the view, giving a way to Melunghi Khang, neighbouring seven-thousander to the east. ➜ Upon reaching Bamurpa campsite (4,500 m), this is the mountain which will dominate the horizon to the north. Gangkhar Puensum can only be seen when hiking a bit uphill towards the east. ➜ Spend rest of the day in leisure, taking a rest or with a gentle hike, to get proper acclimatisation to high altitude. |
| 8 | Bamurpa halt & explore | For the rest and exploration day, several hiking routes offer excellent options. The most favored choice involves hiking north to Boortsam, which provides a vantage point overlooking the Chamkhar glacier and lake. Alternatively, groups can choose to hike to the viewpoint hills situated about 5,000 meters east or west of the Bamurpa camp. Other option would be hiking towards Zhogye Phu plateau to the west, vast area perched with lakes and scenic views. |
| 9 | Trek Bamurpa – Tsampa | Distance: 14 km | Time: 6-7 hrs | Elevation Gain: 0 m | Loss: 1,000 m. Today, we will be retracting your way back to Tsampa, passing through Shingo and other settlements. |
| 10 | Trek Tsampa – Sadduksum | Distance: 13 km | Time: 4-5 hrs | Elevation Gain: 50 m | Loss: 650 m. Another day, following the walked train down. |
| 11 | Trek Sadduksum – Nasipel, drive to Jakar | Distance: 11 km | Time: 3-4 hrs | Elevation Gain: 150 m | Loss: 450 m. Final easy day descending to the trek start. ➜ Part goodbye to your trekking In Nasiphel and drive to Jakar. ➜ Enjoy the hotel facilities and celebrate the successful conclusion of the trek in popular Café Perks restaurant! |
| 12 | Jakar – Wangdue / Punakha | Start day sightseeing with ancient Jambay lhakhang temple, which pins down the knee of the giant demoness. According to legends, this one of the two oldest Buddhist temples built in Bhutan by great Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. ➜ Walk to Kurjey lhakhang temple complex where 7th century saint Guru Rimpoche subdued local demoness. After exploring the place, enjoy the picnic lunch on beautiful riverside. ➜ Afternoon proceed with drive to Wangdue / Punakha. This is a long journey, consuming about 6 hours. ➜ Reach to the hotel in the evening and take a good rest. |
| 13 | Punakha / Wangdue – 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. |
| 14 | Departure | If time permits, visit the uniquely designed Dumtse Lhakhang, built by the 15th-century lama Thangton Gampo, also known as the "Iron Bridge Builder" or "Leonardo da Vinci of the Himalayas." ➜ Another option is the National Museum of Bhutan in the Ta Dzong watchtower, which features valley views and a Natural History gallery. You may skip the main building's religious artifacts if they are not of interest. ➜ Last-minute shopping in town is also an option. ➜ A stop at the Paro airport viewpoint offers a look at one of the world's most demanding international runways. ➜ Finally, depart from Paro by flight or take a 5-hour drive to the Phuntsholing border. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Extend exploration above Bamurpa (+1 and more days): Since there are multiple options of day trips from Bamurpa, you might like to add extra day(s) there for further exploration or even climb up to Zhogye Phu plateau for overnight.
- Extra cultural sightseeing (+1 and more days): Since you reach till central Bhutan on this tour, you can visit a lot of cultural sights located around in Bumthang, Trongsa, Phobjikha etc.
- Less cultural sightseeing (-1 and less days): If you have already been to Bhutan and you visited most typical spots, you might like to skip some day(s), reducing the trip length.
- Extend to full exploratory loop over the Oro La pass (+4 days): See Gangkhar Puensum Circuit trek for details of this recently explored and demanding option. You can also read our blog about Firefox Tours led exploration of this trail.