Day 01: Arrive At Paro- Discover Paro

Fly to Paro, Bhutan. If you get a seat on the left side of the plane and the weather cooperates, you may have spectacular views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas including Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga—five of the highest peaks in the world—as well as peaks in Bhutan such as Jhomolhari, Jichu Drakye, and Tshering Kang. After visa formalities at the Paro airport, your private guide and driver will meet you and proceed for a good lunch.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong.

• Visit “Paro Dzong” also known as Paro Rinpung Dzong means “the fortress of the heap of jewels”. This structure serves as the house for the district monastic body and government administrative office of Paro.

• Visit Ta Dzong, which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong – for protection from invaders. Now, it is the National Museum of Bhutan and houses artifacts dating back to 4000 BCE.

• Take a stroll through Paro town, a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.

• The rest of the day is at leisure to unwind and absorb the beauty of this isolated kingdom.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 02: Bumdra Trek Begins (3-4 Hours/3,800M)

Moderate Hike

Hike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College (2,800m) to Yak Pasture below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m). The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor to meet our ponies and while they are being loaded, we may pay our respects at the College. The initial 1–2-hour ascent of a ridge can be steep at times but in cool shade. We will reach a clearing with prayer flags and enjoy a spectacular view of both Paro and Do Chhu valleys.

About 1-2 hours walk away is the Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple); which nestles at the side of the mountain. The trail continues and when we reach the last steep elevation, we will see a temple overlooking the views of Paro airport and the snow-capped Himalaya. After another 20 minutes of climbing through ruins and fluttering prayer flags, we hike into the ancient forest for about 40 minutes before we reach a wide meadow with sacred chortens and prayer flags. We will spend a night at Bumdra Monastery (the cave of a thousand prayers).

It has an awesome view of the Himalayan. After lunch we can visit the monastery (if it is unoccupied) and climb towards the north of the peak (about 4000m) for a better view of the Himalayan before returning for dinner.

Overnight at Luxurious camp

Day 03: Bumdra Trek Ends At Tiger’s Nest 

After a hearty breakfast in the jaw dropping landscape, it is time to either head straight back into the valley or linger awhile soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. Eventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks’ zig zagging trail. After 1-2 hours of descent we catch glimpses of the golden roofs of temples below and soon come upon the first of many on our way back from the wilds.

The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the gardens of Zangdopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can bravely peer over edge and straight down onto the ornate roofs Taktsang in the cliff far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge a steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into the Tiger’s Nest itself.

Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest) is the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Accessible only by foot, we follow a trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves that Guru Padmasambhava meditated in for three years, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress. One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top.

• In the evening you can relax over a traditional hot stone bath and try your skills a game of local archery.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

Day 04:  Paro – Punakha (71kms/5hours)

After a hearty breakfast, journey to the golden Punakha valley.

• Stop at Tachhog Lhakhang (the Iron Chain Bridge), a temple located across the famous iron chain bridge built over the meandering Pa Chhu (Paro River). Devour yourself to the invigorating ambience of the cool-sweeping breeze and bright colored prayer flags. The whole set up a feast to the eye.

• On the way break at Dochu La- Pass at 3,100 meters above the sea level.
• Sip a cup hot coffee at the Dochu La cafeteria while enjoying the mesmerizing panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges. If  skies are  clear, the  high  Himalayan  peaks towards the north east  will  be  revealed  in all  their  glory. Take in the 108 stupas beautifully adorned on the pass with the blue sky back drop.

Continue towards Punakha- on arrival visit Chimi Lhakhang or popularly known as the Divine Mad Monk’s Temple.

• Chimi Lhakhang: On arriving Punakha; walk along the path through the traditional houses of Sopsokha village amidst agricultural field of rice and mustard, leading to a hillock where the temple of the Divine Mad monk is located. Sopsokha village is a typical example of clustered settlement. You may witness unusual paintings of phallus on walls of the houses. The phallus paintings are traditionally believed to ward off evil influences and bad-mouth/gossips of others that bring bad luck.

Over night at hotel in Punakha

Day 05: Explore Golden Punakha Valley

Discover Punakha- the ancient Capital of Bhutan

Elevation at Punakha: 1,200 meters.

• Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten: Drive further to take a small hike to Nyzergang to visit the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. We can begin the day with hike up through fields of rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The scene from the stupa is spectacular. The Stupa stands majestically on the high hill top of the Punakha Valley. This structure is a classic example of gorgeous traditional architecture. It was built by the Queen Mother for dispelling negative forces and to maintain peace and harmony in the country and for all the living beings.

It is a moderate strenuous hike of about one hour from the car parking

• Try out river rafting- which starts from, the bridge to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel and ends at Changyul village. The rafting stretches to 10 kilometers and about one and a half hour. The river maneuvers in a scenically beautiful environment offering lots of opportunity to see birds especially from the month of October to April. As you flow to the lower part of the valley you will have a fine 360 degree view around you.

• Punakha Dzong is just as striking inside as outside and it is arguably the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. Located magnificently between Pho Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River) confluence, the intricate carving and amazing architecture of the Dzong is a great source of inspiration. This famous structure built in the 1637 has lot to tell about the historical background and various Tibetan invasion won from this strategically located Dzong. It also houses the kingdom’s most sacred relic the “Rangjung Karsa-pani”.

Overnight at hotel in Punakha.

Day 06: Punakha- Thimphu (73kms/3hours)

Take a scenic drive back to Thimphu. On the way back you can drop by Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi. It is a breath taking 125 acres’ botanical garden with 46 species of rhododendron flower. The best time to visit this place will be between April and June. The park also has trekking routes. Stroll around the Baritsho (lake), tree house and camping space for visitors. The annual rhododendron festival is held here.

• Upon arriving Thimphu, visit the Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselphodrang. Capture the vibrant Buddha Dordema statue and the tranquil environment in the evening sunset. Apart from the serenity of the place the view of the Thimphu city from this mountain is gorgeous.

• Visit ABC, the Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar is a perfect place to buy authentic Bhutanese souvenirs to take back home.

• Later in the evening take a stroll in Thimphu City: the Capital without traffic signal. You may drop by a café for a coffee or a light snacks on your own.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu

Day 07: Departure

End of your stay with us- Our team will drive you to the airport and bid you farewell.