Bhutan’s Far East Walking and Culture Adventure - Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Paro

Paro Sightseeing
Zuri Dzong hike

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular air journeys in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Paro International Airport is situated in a beautiful valley and sits at an altitude of 2235 metres, the highest of its kind in the world. Our representative will be waiting for you on your arrival and will take you to the group hotel, just a few minutes drive away.

After lunch, enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing in and around Paro including a visit to the National Museum which houses many religious relics and works of art, before paying a visit to the magnificent Rinpung Dzong, which looms majestically over the city. A highlight of this former fortress is the huge painting of the Saint Milarepa, considered to be the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and was believed to have attained enlightenment in his lifetime. Dzongs are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which once served as strategic forts.

Time allowing, take a 1 hour walk along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong, before descending to the road where our driver will be waiting. The walk passes the beautiful Gonsaka Lhakhang (Buddhist temple) and provides wonderful views of the valley and Rinpung Dzong. Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods.

Overnight at the tour hotel in Paro.

Day 02: paro

Tiger’s Nest or alternative hike to Chumbu Nye

After an early breakfast, we will begin our hike to the world famous Taktsang Lhakhang, Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates as "Tiger’s Nest”. This temple is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 hundred metres above the Paro Valley. By setting off early and beating the crowds, we can have a much more intimate experience.

After lunch we will drive back into Paro to visit the historic Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 2300m

End: 3100m

OR (for those returning to Bhutan)

A day hike to Chumbu Nye, a holy site on a secluded hilltop in the northern part of Doteng Gewog district. It takes around 3-4 hours of walking to reach the temple, with the majority of the time spent on gently undulating paths through open forest. The last 30 minutes or so is spent ascending the hillock. Plenty of time to warm up the muscles beforehand! We return via the same path, which flanks a beautiful river. The most striking feature of Chumbu Nye is the Dorji Phagmo (The Flying Goddess) statue, commonly known as the “floating” statue.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 2400m

End: 3200m

Stay overnight in Paro.

Day 03: Paro to Bumthang

Morning flight to Bumthang
Nunnery walk
Jambay Lhakhang

After breakfast we will drive a short distance to Paro Airport where we will take a 45 minute flight to Bumthang. In the central part of the country, Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries. Its lush and scenic valleys were carved by ancient glaciers. On arrival, drive to a local farm from where we will walk to a spectacular nunnery in the Tang valley. The walking course is gentle and takes around 3 hours. From the nunnery we will drive back to Bumthang.

Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 2589m

End: 2700m

day 04: Bumthang

Tharpling Goemba hike

We start the day with a drive through the beautiful Chumey Valley en route to Tharpaling Goemba, a centuries-old monastery situated 4000m above mean sea level. The monastery is located on the face of a hillock overlooking the villages of Chumey and Gaytsa. After spending sometime exploring Tharpaling, we will ascend slowly for about half an hour until we reach the start of the hiking trail. From here we walk down through a moderately dense forest for about 4 hours until we reach our pickup point.

Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 4100m

End: 2800m

Day 05: Bumthang - Lhuentse (Driving distance 225kms, 07-08 hrs)

• Ura valley  

Today is a day of travel as we head deep into an area rarely visited by tourists. In fact, the village in which we are staying has NEVER received international visitors before!! The drive is a scenic one and we will make several stops along the way, including a short stop at the beautiful Ura village. Ura Valley is surrounded by lush terraced fields and lofty hills dotted with alpine trees. The valley itself is known for its beautiful meadows.

On arrival at Lhuentse, we will be hosted by a local family (our legendary guide Tshultrim’s family no less!).

Overnight with a local family in Lhuentse.

Day 06: Lhuentse

Jungle walk
Textile village

Lhuentse Valley or Kurtoe, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Kings, is known for several sacred sites of pilgrimage in Bhutan. This region is also famous for its weavers and textiles.

In the morning we can enjoy a tour around the village before going on a special walk through the jungle. Again, we will be the first ever international group to walk these paths!

After lunch we will make a visit to Khoma village, well-known for producing exquisite textiles. It is said that the best silk textiles in the kingdom are woven by the women of this village. After returning to our local family’s farmhouse, we can learn how to cook some basic Bhutanese dishes.

Overnight with a local family in Lhuentse.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 1400m

End: 1800m

Day 07: Lhuentse – Mongar (3-4 hours driving with several stops)

Tikala

Today we will travel to Mongar, a region that has elevations ranging from 400m to 4,000m and a population of just 38,000. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs and deep gorges set amidst dense conifer forests. We will make a stop of at the Statue of Guru Rinpoche at Takila. At 52 metres, it is the largest statue of Guru Rinpoche in the world. On arrival in Mongar, we will have some time to explore the town and visit the Dzong.

Overnight at a hotel in Mongar.

Day 08: Mongar - Trashigang (75kms/03-04hrs drive)

Japla Nye Hike
Trashigang

This morning we will take a further hike seldom attempted by international visitors (around 4 hours) in a beautiful and spiritual area. Starting from the Kore-la Pass, we will head up to Japla Nye. This nye (sacred place), is a pilgrimage site which locals visit in order to make offerings and prayers.

After returning to the pass we will drive to Trashigang.

Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 2400m

End: 2800m

Day 09: Trashigang

Rangjung village walk

Trashigang, "The Jewel of the East", spans the easternmost corners of the kingdom and skirts up to the edge of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is the country’s largest district, with an altitude ranging from 600m to over 4000m. This morning we will drive for an hour or so to Ranjung, a small village with a nunnery and a number of Buddhist schools. We will take a leisurely walk around the village, visit some of the schools and the nunnery and even have a chance to try the famous local wine.

Overnight at a hotel in Trashigang.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 2100m

End: 2400m

Day 10: Trashigang – Paro – Haa

Flight to Paro
Cheli-la Pass
Haa

After breakfast drive to the local airport and take a domestic flight for 40 minutes to Paro. Roughly midway between Paro lies the Cheli-la Pass. At 3810 metres, Cheli-la is the highest point reachable by road in Bhutan and on clear days offers views of Jhomolhari (7314m), a mountain sacred to both the Bhutanese and Tibetans. From here we hike up a little further to around 4000 metres, before descending on open paths and through forest to the ancient Kila Nunnery. With a history dating back to the 9th century, the nunnery is the oldest of its kind in the country and is home to around 50 nuns, each of whom diligently study Buddhist texts.

From the nunnery we will head back up to the pass by private car before descending to the Haa Valley, one of the most picturesque places in Bhutan.

Overnight at a hotel in Haa.

Day 11: Haa - Thimphu

Katsho Goemba Walk
Drive to Thimphu

This morning we can enjoy an easy/moderate walk from the Haa Valley floor up to Katsho Goemba. The goemba is an old monastery dedicated to the Lord Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and local deities. The walk will take around 30 minutes in each direction.

Next we will visit the beautiful and historic Lhakhang Karpo, or White Chapel, which is the official residence of Haa monastic body.

In the afternoon we will drive around 3 hours on mostly scenic roads to the nations bustling capital, Thimphu.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 12 - Thimphu – Paro

• Phajoding hike (Thimphu)

After an early breakfast we will embark on a five-hour (out and back) hike to the Phajoding Monastery. A favourite amongst locals and visitors alike, the well worn path leading to the monastery heads up through a blue pine forest until we reach the tree line. From this point onwards we can enjoy spectacular views of the Thimphu Valley below. Upon arrival at the 13th-century monastery, depending on energy levels, we may be able to enjoy a “kick about” with the soccer loving monks.

After returning to the road we can make a brief visit to the Takin Reserve before driving to Paro.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Hiking elevation:

Start: 2807m

End: 3601m

Day 13 - Departure

A guide and driver will take you the short distance to the airport in plenty of time to catch your flight.