Land of the Thunder Dragon

Paro is Bhutan’s second largest town and the valley also contains some of the most significant religious and historic sites in the country as well as Bhutan’s only airport. After breakfast we will organise a walk up to the Taktsang monastery known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to walk through pine forest and up to the monastery perched on a cliff overlooking the valley. Overnight at hotel in Paro (Meals: B,L,D).

We drive to the road head at the Ta-Dzong National Museum which is the old watchtower above Paro Dzong. The trek starts along a jeep track before turning off onto a trail and after 2 hours we pass a mani wall at Damche Gom. We continue the climb through blue pine forest and after a further hour arrive to clearing in forest where we usually have lunch. After lunch we walk for an hour through rhododendron and a yak pasture to Jele La. Our camp is a short walk down on other side of the pass. Overnight camping (Meals: B,L,D).

The trail starts with a climb through rhododendron forest and back up to Jele La and then along the ridge to Jele Dzong. The view down the Paro Valley is superb from here with Chomolhari visible in the distance. After a visit to the monastery we follow the ridge through forest of blue pine and rhododendron to the clearing at Jangchu, Lakha. We continue further along the trail for half an hour to Tshokam. Overnight camping (Meals: B,L,D).

From camp we take the high trail as the views are far better than the alternative trail following the valley up to Jana Tsho. After climbing up to the Jangchu La at 4,180m, there are superb views from the pass of Mount Chomolhari. After following the ridge for an hour we descend to the beautiful lake at Jimi Lang Tsho. After a break to enjoy the area we ascend up through rhododendron for a further one and half hours to our camp at Jana Tsho. Overnight camping (Meals: B,L,D).

After breakfast we ascend from Jana Tsho on a stone path towards Simkotra La then continue along a trail above Simkotra Tsho. Today there are a further seven minor passes to cross and from the fifth pass called Thujedraj the highest unclimbed peak called Gangkar Puensum becomes visible. We recommend you scramble up small rocky hill to the left of the pass where, on a clear day, the whole Bhutan Himalaya can be seen. The final pass is Dochu La where you can see Thimphu valley, there is a steep descent to Phajoding monastery where we camp for the night. Overnight camping (Meals: B,L,D).

The trail from the camp is downhill all the way to Thimphu passing through blue pine forest. It is not too far to the town so we should get there in time for lunch. In the afternoon there is time to explore the town with your guide, this might include the Tashichodzong, the National library, the pottery and silversmith’s workshops,the late King’s Memorial Chorten, the School of Painting, the Heritage Museum, the Textiles Museum, the paper factory and the Swiss bakery. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu (Meals: B,L,D).

Today we drive to Punakha and en route we cross Dochu La pass at 3,100m. There is a long climb to Dochu La where there is superb view of the Himalayas including Gangkar Punsum, from the pass the road descends to Punakha. We will visit Divine Madman’s monastery called Chimi Lhakang before checking in to our hotel. Overnight at hotel in Punakha (Meals: B,L,D).

After breakfast we make the short drive to Punakha where we visit the Dzong. Punakha is the traditional winter capital of Bhutan and has a Dzong which is home to over thousand monks in the winter. It was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Then we drive back to Paro passing through Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Paro (Meals: B,L,D).

Transfer to Paro airport for flight back home.