Day |
Day to Day trip schedule |
|
Day 1 |
Arrive Paro & Sightseeing |
Hotel |
Day 2 |
Hike to Taktsang “Tiger’s Nest” |
Hotel |
Day 3 |
Paro – Jele Dzong |
Camp |
Day 4 |
Jele Dzong - Jangchulakha |
Camp |
Day 5 |
Jangchulakha - Jimilangtsho |
Camp |
Day 6 |
Jimilangtsho to Simkota |
Camp |
Day 7 |
Simkota to Phajoding |
Camp |
Day 8 |
Phajoding to Thimphu |
Hotel |
Day 9 |
Thimphu Sightseeing |
Hotel |
Day 10 |
Thimphu to Punakha |
Hotel |
Day 11 |
Punakha to Bumthang |
Hotel |
Day 12 |
Bumthang Sightseeing |
Hotel |
Day 13 |
Bumthang Festival |
Hotel |
Day 14 |
Bumthang to Punakha |
Hotel |
Day 15 |
Punakha to Paro |
Hotel |
Day 16 |
Depart Bhutan |
|
Travel during Peak Season: Mar-Apr-May-Sept-Oct-NovTravel during Off Season: Jan-Feb-Jun-Jul-Aug-Dec
Single Traveller – Free Independent Traveller (FIT) : US$ 3340
Couple or Two Person Traveler – Free Independent Traveler (FIT) : US$ 3190 per person
Group of 3 & More : US$ 2740 per person
Single Traveler – Free Independent Traveller (FIT) : US$ 4015
Couple or Two Person – Free Independent Traveller (FIT): US$ 3865 per person
Group of 3 or More: US$ 3415
The Above Price includes following services;
- Bhutan Visa
- All Permits – Museum Fees
- Standard Room in 3 Star Hotels – Upgrade to 4 & 5 Star can be arranged on Additional Cost.
- Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner with Evening Tea
- Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) Licensed Professional Driver
- SUV for FIT & Toyota Van from 3 – 8 Pax & Toyota Coaster Coach from 8 – 20 Pax
- Decade old TCB Licensed Tour Guide
- All Sightseeing with Walks and Hikes
- Bottled Mineral Water
Not included:
- Round Trip Air Tickets
- International Travel Insurance
- Alcohol & Beverages
- Entertainment Cost – Pub & Nightclubs
- Tips for Tour Guide, Driver and Hotel Staffs
- Donations to Monasteries and Temples
- Payment Wiring Fee of USD 50
Seasons: This trek is usually possible from late February to June and from September to December.
Day - 1 Arrive Paro International Airport
During the journey to Paro, one will experience from the left hand side of the plane breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Majestic Travel who will escort you to the hotel. After Lunch visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong).This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful covered wooden bridge and guard houses. Today, the Dzong is the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 monks. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan with its superb woodwork. The Dzong was built in 1646 A.D. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day - 2 Hike to Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest
After breakfast drive to the base of famous Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest and do a short trek to Taktsang Monastery (10 km) from Paro Town. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro Valley and river. It is believed during the second half of the 8th century Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. Vegeterian Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 5 hrs. On the way back to hotel drive to Drukgyal Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16 km away from Paro town ). Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. The peak of Mount Jhomolhari “Abode of the Goddess Jhomo” can be seen on a clear day (Alt. 7314m). Pack and getting ready for next day Trekking. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day - 3 Paro – Jele Dzong 8km, 3 hours
Today is a short trekking day. The journey starts with a short climb up to Jele Dzong. The trek trail ascends gradually up to the camp, and if the weather is clear Paro valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind. Above the camp is Jele-la pass (3,400m) and Jele Dzong (mostly in ruins). There is also a Lhakhang containing a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni. Overnight camp.
Day - 4 Jele Dzong – Jangchulakha 10km, 3-4 hours
Begin with a one and a half hour climb and then ascend more gradually upwards. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons. You will have fine views of Jhomolhari and other snow capped peaks if the weather is right, and you may hear some monal pheasants calling during the day. You may see yak herders around your campsite. Overnight camp.
Day - 5 Jangchulakha – Jimilangtsho 11km, 4 hours
The trail follows the ridge, and on a clear day the views of the mountains and valley are sensational. You will enjoy a great view of Jichu Drake (6,989m), the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Our camp is close to the Jimilangtsho lakes, which are famous for their giant sized trout. Overnight camp.
Day - 6 Jimilangtsho – Simkota 11km, 4 hours
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and passes by the lake of Janetsho. Today you may come across some yak herders’ camps and get an idea of how these people live. We camp overnight close to Simkota Lake, and if you are lucky you can catch a lake trout for your dinner.
Day - 7 Simkota – Phajoding 10km, 4 hours
Today begins with a gradual climb, and if the weather permits you will enjoy majestic views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, and a host of other peaks. The trail slowly descends through juniper trees to a campsite beside a community hall near Phajoding cafeteria. Overnight in cafeteria or camp, depending on weather conditions.
Day - 8 Phajoding – Thimphu 5km, 3 hours
The trek to Thimphu is downhill all the way, passing through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace, you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day - 9 Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast drive to visit the National Library, School of Thirteen Arts and Crafts, National institute of Traditional Medicines. Visit the Changangkha Monastery which is built in 16th Century by the son of the Great Drukpa Kagyud Saint called Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and where the Buddhism flourish continued in Western Bhutan. Visit the Big Buddha “Biggest Sitting Buddha” in the world, Visit the Zilukha Nunnery where the Monastery is dedicated to only women. Visit the Thimphu Tashicho Dzong, the Throne Room of His Majesty and also the Thimphu Annual Festival is held here. Witness the Archery match at the National Stadium Changlimithang. Overnight Hotel in Thimphu
Day – 10 Thimphu to Punakha.
Which is the old Capital City of Bhutan but now the Winter Capital for the Monastic Body, Punakha at 1300m. One hour drive reach you to Dochula Pass at 3150mts where you can see and enjoy the Eastern Himalayas in a Panoramic View and best picture time for group of Bhutanese Style of Stupas, as there are 108 Stupas built by Her Majesty for the well being of the Nation and Love Life of His Majesty. It descends to Punakha which will take another two hours. Stop at Lobesa to do a short hike to Chimi Lhakgang or Devine Madman’s Temple of Fertility, it is widely believed that most couples after many years of marriage doesn’t result to pregnancy go visit this monastery and get blessed by the Phallus and in nine months the baby is born, its hard to believe but its TRUE. After lunch visit the most historic and beautiful Dzong in whole Bhutan. The Dzong is built in-between two rivers namely Male (PHO) and Female (MO) rivers. Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Great Zhabdrung Rimpoche who unified Bhutan in 17th Century Overnight: Hotel in Punakha
Day – 11 Punakha to Bumthang
After breakfast drive to Bumthang on the way visits the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower, Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular, and for miles on end the Dzong seems to tease you so that you wonder if you will ever reach it. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometres and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveller came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance as it thus had complete control over all east-west traffic. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armours used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. The Journey takes about 3 hrs (68kms.) and is over one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Check in at the Guest house. (Bumthang has only guest houses but they are very comfortable with good facilities.) Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang
Day – 12 Bumthang Sightseeing
Visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third Druk Desi (Temporal ruler) in 1646 A.D. It was later repaired and expanded by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay, the fourth Desi of Bhutan in 1683 A.D. It is probably one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan with the surrounding walls about 1 km in circumference. Visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang built in 659AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Goenpo, Kurjey Lhakhang built in 8th Century by Guru Rimpoche, Tamshing Lhakhang built in 15th Century by great Treasure Discover Pema Lingpa. Also visit the Bumthang Swiss farm where the Swiss cheese is processed along with German Weiss Beer and and Honey Processing unit. Overnight: Hotel in Bumthang
Day – 13 Drive from Bumthang towards Chumey Valley and then up to the Nimalung Monastery to witness the whole day their Annual Buddhist Festival. Picnic lunch will be served. After the festival drive back to Bumthang for the night. Overnight hotel in Bumthang
Day - 14 Bumthang – Punakha
After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha. On the way visit Wangdue Dzong and further drive to Punakha hike to the legendary Chimi Lhakhang built in 15th Century by a saint popularly known as Devine Mad Man “Drukpa Kuenley” It is believed that the couple who are married for so long years and doesn’t result in pregnancy, they go there and pray and in next coming months the wife gets pregnant.
Overnight: Hotel in Punakha
Day – 15 Punakha – Paro
On arrival at Paro drive to the National Museum (Ta-Dzong) this was actually the Watch Tower of Paro Rinpung Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. This massive fortress is located on a hill top above the Pachu (Paro River) of Paro Valley. You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration Office and the District Monk Body. It was built in 1645 A.D. Overnight: Hotel in Paro
Day - 16 Depart Paro
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.