Day 01: Arrive At Paro Airport And Drive To Thimphu

Discover the great Himalayan peaks as you fly into Paro Airport. On arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your private guide with a traditional white scarf of auspiciousness and transferred to Thimphu. Discover the mountains speckled with sacred Dzongs and Lhakhangs unfurl its magic as you drive.

• On the way stop at Tachhog Lhakhang, 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 medieval surrounding of this place. The cool-sweeping breeze and bright colored prayer flags is a feast to the eye.

Reach Thimphu situated at 2,300 meters sprawled along the Wang Chhu (Thimphu River).

• Capture spectacular view of the Thimphu valley from the vibrant Buddha Dordenma statue at Kuenselphodrang.
• Immerse in a sensory experience at the Thimphu Weekend Farmer’s market before visiting the local archery ground where the locals celebrate the national sport of archery with dance and song with every hit.
• Later explore the only city in the world without a single traffic light before returning to your hotel. 

Duration of Drive: 1.5 hours (54Km)

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 02: Explore Thimphu Valley  

Chagri Monastery Hike:

Dive to the Northern end of Thimphu valley passing through the countryside of Begana village before reaching the bridge at Dodena. After crossing the crystalline river on the oldest wooden cantilever bridge of Bhutan, enjoy your hike through the off-beaten tracks leading to the tranquil surrounding of the hilltop Chagri monastery where monks and wildlife mingle freely.

Later visit the College of Bhutanese astrology at Pangrizampa enjoying a good meal at the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day 03: Journey To The Golden Punakha Valley

After a healthy breakfast, journey through the mountains to the Golden Punakha valley, the ancient capital and preferred winter place of Bhutan situated at 1,200 meters.

On the way, stop at Dochu La Mountain pass at 3,100 meters marked by 108 Buddhist Shrines. Hoist the concreted prayer flags on one of the highest point and make aspirations to benefit of all being.

Upon reaching Punakha wind your way up to Wolakha village before reaching the thriving Sangchen Nunnery in Punakha; participate in an intense butter lamping offering with the Nuns.

A little further from Laptsakha village takes you to Leki Wangmo Homestay, a traditional Bhutanese farm-house offering grand view of Punakha valley. Experience the rural life of Bhutanese villages by engaging in their daily activities; you can try your skills in cooking Bhutanese dishes or learn the art of making butter tea or just relax by taking in the view of the Punakha valley.

Drive Duration: 3 Hours (80Km)

Overnight: Leki Wangmo Homestay in Punakha

Day 04: Explore The Glacial Splendor Of Phobjikha Valley

Journey to Phobjikha valley which one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of Bhutan and also the winter home to the endangered Black Necked Cranes.

Gangtey Nature Trail Hike

Upon arriving at Gangtey, take a walk to explore the most beautiful glacial valley of Phobjikha before visiting the stunning Gangtey monastery and capture images of little monks in the monastic primary school.

Later soak in the tranquil environment of Phobjikha valley.

Duration of Drive: 4-5 hours (130Km)

Overnight: Hotel in Phobjikha

Day 05: Phobjikha To Punakha

Journey to Punakha valley and explore the winter place of the central monk body.

Visit the exquisite Punakha Fortress and feast your eyes to the intricate sculptor and carving of the Dzong before returning to your hotel to try a game of local archery.

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten:

After a healthy breakfast, start the day by taking a drive along the Mo Chu (Female River) to Nyizergang in the North. A walk through the verdant rice field leads you to the most elaborately built Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten; a fascinating temple built by the Queen Mother. The fresh glacial river and lush valley amid soaring mountains is a spectacular view to capture.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Day06: Punakha To Paro

Lungchutse Hike (Optional): Journey towards Paro by stopping at Dochu La (Pass) for another chance to catch the Snowcapped Mountain peaks before starting your hike to the mountaintop Lungchutse Temple. The Lungchutse hike takes you through enchanting forest of Rhododendron and Hemlock; and in spring season hikers will have the opportunity to witness gorgeous rhododendron flowers of red, pink, white and yellow color blooming on the trail. From Lungchutse temple you will be able to get panoramic view of the entire mountain range beautifully. From there descend to Tashigang Goemba at Hongtsho through the forest of cypress and pine. Your vehicle will pick you up from there and head to Paro after a hot tea.

Hike Duration: 4 hours

If you are not interested in long hours hiking we can skip the Lungchutse hike and drive straight to Paro and take a gentle hike to the ancient Zuri Dzong from where you can see the Paro Dzong and the valley beautifully.

Later try your taste pallets to the different flavors of Bhutanese beer at Namgay Artisinal Brewery.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 07: Excursion To Chele La Pass

Drive to Chele La Mountain Pass, one of the highest road points in Bhutan at 3,988 meters. It offers a breathtaking view of Haa Valley on one side and snowcapped Himalayan peaks like Jomolhari (7326meters) & Jichu Drake (6,714meters) on the other. The trail which goes down the pass introduces us to the lush valley, spruce, pine, primula, and Rhododendron forest and we can also get a good view of Paro Valley. However, if we hike through the trail going upwards from the pass, then we can even hunt for Blue Poppy, the rare & National flower of Bhutan.

If lucky we can also come across beautiful and exotic bird species like Himalayan Monal and Kalij Pheasant.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro 

Day 08: Bumdra Trek Begins (3-4 Hours/3,800 Meters)

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: Luxury Camp under the blanket of star.

Day 09: Bumdra Trek Ends At Tigre’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.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Day 10: Departure

Our team will drop you to the airport and bid you farewell.