DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO

On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by your Etho Metho representative and transferred to your hotel after completion of arrival formalities. Evening visit to Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

DAY 02: THIMPHU – PARO: 80 kms, 2.5 hrs

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery, walking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is spectacular. Afterwards visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

DAY 03: PARO – SHANA:17km, 5-6 hours

The trek starts from Drukgyal Dzong (2,580m). The trail climbs gently through rice terraces and fields of millet before entering an area of apple orchards and forests. Soon you reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2,810m). This is the last stop before Tibet. The trail continues up to 2,870m, where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees.

DAY 04 : SHANA- SOI THANGTHANGKHA: 20km, 7-8 hours

The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for a hot lunch. Then we continue along the river, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching our campsite (3,750m).

DAY 05: SOI THANGTHANGKHA - JANGOTHANG : 19km, 7-8 hours

The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040 m). From here, the views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.

DAY 06: JANGOTHANG REST DAY

Day at leisure, enjoying superb views of the south face of Chomolhari and the ruined dzong.

DAY 07: JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI: 18km, 7-8 hours

The trail follows a stream before crossing over to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge with views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then crosses a valley until climbing up to Nyele – La Pass (4,700m). We descend gradually to our campsite at Lingshi (4,000m).

DAY 08: LINGSHI – CHEBISA: 10km, 5-6 hours

We continue on the trail past Lingshi Dzong, perched on its hilltop, enjoying exhilarating views of hills, the winding river and magnificent peaks. It is an easy day and a pleasant walk through villages. After lunch, a short walk takes us to Chebisa village, where we camp by the side of a stream of a stream (3,850m).

DAY 09 : CHEBISA- SHOUDMUTHANG: 17km, 6-7 hours

Today begins with a stiff climb of nearly four hours up a ridge to Gubu-la pass (4,500m). We descend from the pass through rhododendrons to our lunch place. We cross the stream after lunch, and continue along the up and down path, through rhododendron forests and yak herders’ camps, occasionally sighting flocks of blue sheep as we walk. Tonight’s campsite is at an altitude of 4,250m.

DAY 10: SHOUMUTHANG – ROBLUTHANG: 18km, 6-7 hours

This trek starts with a climb up to Jari – La Pass (4,700m). We descend from here to Tasharijathang valley, the summer grazing ground of the rare Himalayan Takin. After crossing a stream, the trail ascends to Robluthang (4,200m) where we set up our camp for the night.

DAY 11: ROBLUTHANG – LIMITHANG:19km, 7-8 hours

We start the day with a long climb up to Shinji-La Pass (4,900m), enjoying stunning mountain views from the path. After crossing the pass we descend to Lingithang. The last part of today’s trek is steep, with splendid views of Gangchenta peak (6,840). Tonight’s campsite is at an altitude of 4,100 m.

DAY 12: LIMITHANG- LAYA : 10km, 4-5 hours

In the morning we wake to a superb view of Gangchenta peak in front of our camp. The walk to Laya is very pleasant with wonderful views along the way. We pass through a damp forest, filled with moss and singing birds. We set up camp on arrival at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at 3,800m.

DAY 13 : REST AT LAYA

Today we explore the village and environs. You can go and visit any of the houses around. Traditional Bhutanese hospitality is extended even to a perfect stranger, and a cup of tea and chang (an alcoholic drink) is always offered. The people in this village are very interesting, especially the women, whose plain black yak wool garments are set off by elaborate necklaces and conical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments.

Early morning flight from the Paro International Airport to Bangkok.

DAY 14: LAYA – CHAMSA: 19km, 8-9 hours

We descend from Laya to the army camp at the side of the Mo chu (Mother river of Punakha), and then walk alongside the river till reaching a bridge. After crossing the bridge, the track winds up and down through juniper and fir forests. We camp in the forest at Chamsa (3, 800m).

DAY 15: CHAMSA – GASA TSHACHU:14km, 6-7 hours

After a 30 minute walk over flat terrain to Bele-La Pass, it’s downhill all the way to Gasa Tshachu. We lunch at Gasa village (2700m), afterwards visiting the village and Gasa Dzong. The Dzong was built in the 17th century. We then descend to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring), where we will set up our camp (2,200m)

DAY 16 : REST AT GASA HOT SPRING

After a long trek, this is the place to relax! Enjoy a hot bath and try some of the local beer.

DAY 17: GASA TSHACHU – PUNAKHA

Drive through scenic mountains from Gasa to Punakha (3-4 hrs). Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

DAY 18: PUNAKHA

Visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.
After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility.
Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

DAY 19: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU

Drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu via the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks (about 3 hrs total driving time). In Dochu-La, you will witness the vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. After lunch, enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 20: THIMPHU

A sightseeing day in Thimphu, visiting the following as time permits: National Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum (Bhutanese arts and crafts school), National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), Handicrafts Emporium, Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 21: THIMPHU – PARO

Visit the School for Arts and Crafts, The National Library housing a collection of 8th century scriptures, the Traditional Paper Factory and the Folk Heritage Museum. If your visit coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market. Late afternoon transfer to Paro for overnight.

DAY 22: DEPARTURE FROM PARO

Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Tashi Delek.

Accommodation

The standard hotels in Bhutan are almost 2 or 3 starred in the country. The standard hotels provides the basics and are maintained well. The luxury hotels are in the 4 & 5 star level and are most commonly located in Paro, Thimphu, Bumthang and Punakha.
Accommodation establishments are more modest with fewer amenities in the more remote areas of central (Gangtey, Trongsa, Bumthang) and eastern Bhutan (Mongar, Trashigang, Trashiyangtse, Samdrup Jongkhar). Sometimes the best accommodation can be a very modest one, especially in the central and eastern regions.
While your travel with us, we can assure you your accommodation can vary from lodges, guest houses, smaller hotels and tented camps.

Guides

All our tours are escorted by well trained and knowledgeable local English Speaking Guides. Our guides are all certified and trained by the Tourism Council of Bhutan. There will be extra charges for German/French/Japanese guides. Since there are not many language speaking guides in Bhutan, advance booking will increase the confirmation of the language speaking guides.

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