Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro
Received by Bhutan Travelers representative. After lunch you will do sightseeing in Paro valley including the Paro Dzong, National Museum and Kichu Lhakhang. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro market and town. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Paro Festival
After an early breakfast attend the first day of the Tshechu, which is held in the ground of Rinpung Dzong. Lunch at the hotel. Evening: relax at the hotel or stroll through Paro Town. Overnight in Paro.
Day 3: Paro Festival
After lunch, you have two optional programmes:1) Attend the Tshechu. 2) Drive to Chele La pass, which is at an altitude of 3700m offers a good view of Jumolhari and Haa Valley. Visit Kila Goenpa (home for Buddhist nuns), which is nestled in craggy patch on the mountainside below Chele La pass. It’s about one-hour walk amidst magnificent wooded area. Drive back to Paro. Overnight in Paro.
Day 4: Paro - Thimphu
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery hike back to Paro valley and drive to Thimphu. In the evening you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 5: Thimphu
Sightseeing i Thimphu includes: the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the radio tower (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong), the zoo to see the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin, the National Library (where ancient manuscripts are preserved), the School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and the majestic Tashichodzong. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 6: Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Punakha. En route visit Chimi Lhakhang. After lunch visit Punakha Dzong. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 7: Punakha - Thimphu
In the morning you will drive back to Thimphu. If it is a weekend, visit Centenary Farmers Market. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 8: Thimphu - Phajodhing (Trek starts)
(Distance 8 km, time 4-5 hours). The trek is all uphill through forest, mostly blue pine, this first day. The camp is at Phajodhing Monastery, and you can walk around the area and see the monastery. Altitude 3,870m.
Day 9: Phajodhing - Simkota Tsho
(Distance 10 km, time 5-6 hours). The trail continues to climb for about an hour until you reach Phume La (pass) at 4,210m. From here you will have a view of Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan, as well as other Himalayan peaks. The trail then descends to Simkota Tsho (lake), where the camp is located. It's possible to go trout fishing here if you wish. Altitude 4,040.
Day 10: Simkota Tsho - Jimilang Tsho
(Distance 11 km, time 5 hours). The trail will take you on short ups and downs and through a yak herder camp. Before arriving at the camp, the trail will descend through dwarf rhododendrons. The camp is at Jimilang Tsho (Sand Ox Lake), where you will again have the chance to fish for giant trout, which the lake is known for. There is a good view of Jichu Drake Mountain from here. Altitude 3,880m.
Day 11: Jimilang Tsho - Jangchu Lakha
(Distance 11 km, time 5 hours). The trek will begin with an hour-long ascent, following the ridge above the tree line and then eventually descending. The camp is near a yak herders' camp, and there are lovely views of Jumolhari Mountain from here. You may spot some pheasants in the area. Altitude 3,780m.
Day 12: Jangchu Lakha - Jela Dzong
(Distance 10 km, time 4-5 hours). There are many ups and downs above the tree line during the first half of the trail. The trail then descends through rhododendron and thick alpine forest to Jela Dzong and across Jela La (pass) at 3,490m. You can visit the Dzong and explore the area. The camp is a ways below the Dzong, in a yak pasture. Altitude 3,450.
Day 13: Trek Ends. Jela Dzong – Paro
(Distance 10km, time 4 hours). The trail today is all downhill, past some villages. The trail ends near the Ta Dzong in Paro. You will be met by your driver and driven to your hotel in Paro. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a Bhutanese dinner. Overnight in Paro.
Day 14: Depart Paro
Drive to Paro airport for departure.
