Detailed Program
After the immigration formalities, Truly Bhutan representative will meet you at Paro airport. Post lunch, visit Paro town, National Museum (Ta Dzong), and Rimpung Dzong (fortress). Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centers, which were once strategic forts. Afterward, transfer to Thimphu for an overnight halt (1 hour).
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Enjoy a full day of sightseeing begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, 12th Century Changangkha Temple, and Dupthob Monastery housing the Zulikha nunnery, the School for Arts and Crafts, the National Library, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If time permits, you may also visit Takin zoo and Tashichhodzong.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Zhiwa Ling
Drive over the Dochula pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into pleasant Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). Arrive in Punakha and after lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang (temple) considered as a symbol of fertility.
Overnight in Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
The trek starts upstream from the Punakha Dzong, over the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan (180m) across the Pho Chhu (river). Climb gently on the left side of the Po Chhu through a terraced field of mustard and winter wheat.
After about a 2.5-hour hike through the pine forest, there is a nice clearing for lunch with a big prayer flag and a beautiful view over the valley. In the far distance, the huge chorten, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal, can be seen. Looking to the west the road to Dochula can be partly traced, and if lucky some snowy peaks may be visible: Jumolhari, Khang Bum, and Tiger mountain. A chorten and some prayer flags on the skyline at 2200m indicate the end of today’s climb. From the chorten, you can see towards Wangdi and Limukha where our campsite (2220m) is located just behind the village on a beautiful green area (1.5hr).
Places and attractions:
The day begins with a steep climb (150m) up to a small ridge (2370m) through a cold dense forest, from which today’s climb is visible. Cross this ridge, and descend steeply into a small side valley where a small stream (2235m) is crossed. Surrounded by beautiful birdsong and oak and rhododendrons forest, follow an unclear trail covered by slippery leaves.
After about 2 hours of climbing, we reach a small pass, Dochen La (82645m) littered with prayer flags and possibly a good view towards Dochu La, Jumolhari, Kang Bum, Tiger Mountain, as well as Talo Lhakhang and Nobgang Lhakhang down in the valley. After the pass, a steep steady descent follows along a forest trail. The forest opens up after reaching the Dargyel gang with a beautiful big old farmhouse.
In the distance, a ridge with Samtengang village and Chhuni Gompa can be seen. Walk alongside Dargyel Gompa, an old monastery of Drukpa Kunley, the Divine Mad Madman. On the hillside above the monastery are several small meditations cells. At 1850 m Chungsakha (Chungsakha) lhakhang (temple) is reached.
The campsite is in front of the Lhakhang.
Descend to the road (45 min) and find a suspension bridge crossing the Bae Chhu (1500m). The trail from here is clear and moderately steep passing through several villages. The trail goes through small deeply eroded gorges, which will be very slippery in the rain.
The climb completes the hike for the day when you pass Samtengang High School. We walk through a narrow gorge to the other side at 2000 m and look down towards a holy lake, Lutshokha (Tsho Shokha). Afterward, continue to the campsite, located on the other side of the lake, and another 20-minute walk.
It is a beautiful flat campsite (2050m) in the forest below the village of Samtengang. After lunch, there will be plenty of time either to visit Samtengang or stay in camp and enjoy the fresh wind blowing through the pines. There is a wonderful trail climbing up to Samtengang village. Samtengang is mentioned again and again in old literature regarding traveling/exploring/plant hunting in Bhutan.
Places and attractions:
You will see the farming systems of smallholder farmers in the endless agricultural fields. Starting near the camp, the trail today is steep and challenging. It passes through the valley of the Dang Chhu. The road is next to the bridge at Tiki Zam (5100 ft./1555 m).
Overnight at a hotel in Wangdue.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
We begin yet another exciting day with a morning visit to Wangduephodrang Dzong.
Drive back to Thimphu where you will enjoy lunch and have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores. On the way visit the Tachogang monastery.
Overnight in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest. The hike is 5 hours uphill climb and return. In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, a historic monument. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang.
Overnight in Paro.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Drive to the airport for the flight to your onward destination. We hope to serve you again with our other exciting tour packages in the future.
- Inclusion
- Exclusion
- Insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
