The flight to Paro from Delhi or Kathmandu crosses the Himalayan Mountains affording spectacular views. Flight from later offers more views of the Himalayas than former. Eighty two kilometers flight from Kathmandu, you will be greeted with the world’s tallest Mount Everest at 8849m, Lhotse 8515m, Makalu 8481m and Kanchenjunga 8586m of Sikkim among other mountains. Fifteen minutes prior to landing at Paro international airport, you will see sacred Mount Jumolhari 7326m and Jichu Drake 6662m north of the valley. On arrival you will be greeted by Trekking In Bhutan guide and transferred to a local restaurant for a lunch. After lunch, if time permits, you have four sightseeing in Paro — Rinpung Dzong or fortress, which was built in 1646 now houses government offices and district monk body; a traditional wooden bridge; 8th century old Kichu Monastery and the Drukgyal Dzong, which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro town. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After a breakfast, you embark on an acclimatization hike to Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Start by driving to the base for 20 minutes and then hiking all the up to the monastery which is at 3100m. Hiking through forests of pine, fir and hemlock with the amazing views of Paro valley below, you will reach at flat portion of the trail where there is a line of small prayer wheels. Leaving the trail junction leading to the Cafeteria, we take right to continue further up till the look-out point from where you can see the whole monastery – it’s a good opportunity for a photography. Walk from the look-out point is down through the stony steps to the small water fall and then finally to the monastery. After paying visit, you will return to the cafeteria for a lunch. Then walk to the base where your car will be waiting for you to take you to hotel. Looking back to the monastery from inside your car gives you a sense of jubilation for having made a day by visiting it. On the way to hotel, you can stroll Paro town for some time. Overnight at hotel in
Paro.

9KM | 4-5 HOURS | 250M ASCENT | 60M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3110M

Today you will drive to Gunitsawa, the start point, passing through Drukgyal Dzong Fortress, apple orchards and the villages of Tsento. It is a light trek moving slowly on a gradual slope through conifers and rhododendrons flanking the Paro Chhu. In about five hours of continuous hiking and crossing the river several times, you will reach at Shingkharap.  It is a wide-open area with a single house which is a rest-stop for highlanders when traveling. You will walk a little further to your campsite at an altitude of 3110m.

15KM | 5-6 HOURS | 650M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 3670M

17KM | 4-5 HOURS | 290M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4040M

From this camp onward, you will be trekking above the tree line, which in Bhutan lies at around 3,700 meters. The trail begins with a gradual ascent toward an army camp. From there, you continue following the river above the tree line, enjoying impressive views of the surrounding peaks. The path then leads through a muddy stretch before passing a Mani wall and entering true yak country. A hot lunch will be served inside a yak herder’s camp. After lunch, you continue hiking past the yak-herding settlements of Soe and Takethang. The final stretch of the day takes you across a broad plateau and along a stream bed, passing Dangochang village before reaching the spectacular campsite at Jangothang (4,040m). From this campsite, the views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake are simply super.

Today, you will tackle a four-hour acclimatization hike to the north of your camp. There is practically no trail but you will climb on an open and endless slope till you see the view of Mount Jichu Drake (6989m). You can scramble further up till 4895m (higher than Mount Blanc) to see amazing view of Mount Jumolhari. You are likely to spot rare blue sheep, Himalayan rhubarb, griffon vultures, golden eagles and the remarkable blue poppy. Jangothang base is a flat grassy land with an old ruined fortress on a hillock in the foreground, beneath the colossal Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake.

The other viable option is to go on two hours excursion to the twin Tshophu Lakes at 4,400m on the way to Bongtela Pass. Most people show signs of mountain sickness at this altitude and it is recommended that all trekkers halt here. If you do not wish to hike then simply relax in camp, either way it will be a memorable day.

18KM | 6-7 HOURS | 790M ASCENT | 820M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4010M

The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the first ridge with a breath-taking view of Jumolhari (7314m), Jichu Drake (6989m) and Tserim Gang (6789m). Then walk towards the valley, almost flat for a while, until you climb to the Neyle La pass at an altitude of 4,830m. After the pass, it is a gradual descent to the camp, enjoying the panoramic view of the surrounding peaks and Lingzhi Dzong. If time permits, you can have a detour to this tiny fortress, which is sitting on a hilltop overlooking Lingzhi village below. For centuries, Lingzhi Dzong was a way station for weary Buddhist pilgrims and defence fort against Tibetan and Mongol invaders. Camp at an altitude of 4010m.

19KM | 7-8 HOURS | 910M ASCENT | 842M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4100M

The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Jumolhari trek here. The trek route climbs towards a small white Chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chhu valley. The trail stays on the west side of the largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above Mo Chhu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yaklay La pass (4942m). From the pass, on a clear day, you can see Jumolhari, Gangchen Ta, Tsherim Gang and Masang Gang. Descend alongside a stream to a shelter, and then further downstream to a camp at Shodu (4100m), a meadow with a Chorten.

16KM | 5-6 HOURS | 470M DESCENT 

At this place, one comes back to the tree line. The path follows Thimphu River, descending through rhododendron, juniper and other alpine forests. The view of the cliff facing rocks and waterfalls is stunning. Hot lunch will be served by the riverside. After lunch the trail gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong at 3630m. This is a base from where it used to be supplying essentials to Lingzhi Dzong in olden days. You may have to walk for a little while on the farm road till you meet your vehicle. Then drive to Thimphu. You will reach Thimphu in the late evening. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten a beautiful stupa in the heart of Thimphu and the giant Buddha Statue in Kuenselphodrang. The statue towers up to 169ft and it is supposedly the largest bronze statue in the world. Followed by a visit to the Takin Preserve to see Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. Then enjoy a scenic drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochu La pass 3,100m marked with 108 chortens where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayan mountains. After a spending few minutes exploring the pass, you will drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir, and hemlock. En route stop at Metsina and hike through rice paddies and up to the Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi of the 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley, or the Devine Madman. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

Visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. From the dzong walk to the suspension bridge. The bridge is the longest suspension bridge spanning 180 meters over the Pho Chhu (male river). From here, start the drive back to Paro via the Dochula pass again and Thimphu. Stop in Thimphu and visit the Farmers Market where farmers come together to sell their farm produce. Continue to drive to Paro. You may take a stroll in Paro town. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Drive to the airport for departure. Have a pleasant flight back home. Goodbye!