Itinerary Details

Day 01 : Arrive – Paro

Meet our representative at the airport and after completion of arrival formalities you will be taken to your hotel. Afternoon free for leisure. Evening visit to Paro market and town.

Day 02 : Paro

Morning drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong (1646), which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Though largely destroyed by fire in 1951, its towering outer walls are still an imposing sight. On a fine day, there is a grand view of Mt. Jomolhari from the approach road to Drukgyel Dzong. Drive back along the valley to visit a traditional farmhouse and then the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred shrines.

Later visit Ta Dzong, which was built in 1651 as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong, and since 1968 is home to the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artefacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Then walk down a short hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, the ‘Fortress of the Heap of Jewels’ built in 1646 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. It now houses the district administration offices and Paro’s monastic community.

Day 03 : Paro – Thimphu

This morning drive down the valley following the Pa Chu (Paro River) to its confluence with the Wang Chu (Thimphu River). Turn left up the valley leading to the nation’s capital, Thimphu. En route visit Semtokha Dzong (1627), the kingdom’s oldest fortress which now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies.

The capital of Bhutan, Thimphu, is a lively place, an interesting combination of tradition and modernity. After lunch, visit the National Memorial Chorten, built as a memorial to Bhutan’s third king, “the Father of Modern Bhutan”, and as a monument to world peace. Then visit Tashichhodzong, “the Fortress of the Glorious Religion”, which is situated by the Wang Chu and Thimphu’s most impressive building. It houses His Majesty’s secretariat, some ministries, and also the central monk body during the summer months. In the evening, take a stroll through Thimphu market and town.

Day 04 : Thimphu

After breakfast, visit the following sights as time permits: the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan; the National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, including some manuscripts dating back several hundred years; the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed, and traditional medicine practitioners are trained; and the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museums, for fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.

After lunch, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium, which carries a wide range of hand-woven textiles and craft products, and browse in the bookshops and many smaller handicrafts shops around the town. Take an early evening drive up to a lookout festooned with prayer flags, for a fine view of Thimphu and the valley.

Day 05 : Thimphu – Genekha [14km, 4 hrs]

In the morning we will drive for 45 minutes to reach the starting point for the trek. The first day’s walk is along a mule path, passing by terraced fields and coniferous forest, and ending at the signboard of Genekha School. Overnight camp at Genekha (2,800m) alongside a stream.

Day 06 : Genekha – Gur [15km, 4 hrs]

On today’s trek the true communion with nature begins, and you will see many varieties of alpine flora and also great variety of birds and other animals. After two hours of walking gradually uphill, rest at a huge rock platform, from which you will have a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours the trek ends for the day. Camp at Gur, where flowers are abundant in spring.

Day 07 : Gur – Labatama [12km, 5 hrs]

While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation.  Today’s trek takes us across meadows where wild asparagus and other small plants grow, and if taking this trek in the spring, you will feel you are walking over carpets of flowers. The first pass, marked by a large cairn gives a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range, alpine meadows and yak herders’ camps. We will lunch at a nearby yak herder’s camp. After lunch we will walk across hills and over meadows, ending the third day of our trek at Yutsho Lake, where golden trout abound. Overnight camp near the lake.

Day 08 : Labatama halt

This day is for an excursion to any one of three lakes: Relitsho, Hentsho and Jamatsho. Your trekking leader will tell you the mystical stories of these lakes. This would also be an ideal time and place for some trout fishing. Overnight camp.

Day 09 : Labatama halt

Excursion to Setsho and nearby lakes. The hike to Setsho lake is easy and interesting. You could spend the whole day trout fishing here, with packed lunch. Alternatively, after reaching Setsho you could then cross over a small ridge and go down to Jagetsho lake or you could try climbing Jomo, a 5,050m peak. Lunch at the summit, with spectacular views all around, is a memorable experience. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next day.

Day 10 : Labatama – Panka [8km, 4 hrs]

Walk for 20 minutes upwards before beginning the descent at around 4,460m. There will be splendid views of the Himalayas during the descent. Your escort will point the individual peaks out to you, such as Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tserimgang, Khangbum, Masagang, Tsendegang and Gangchenta. Himalayan monal pheasants are a common sight, due to the vegetation in this area. Overnight camp on a grassy meadow at Panka.

Day 11 : Panka – Talekha [8km, 4 hrs]

This day entails the crossing of several increasingly impressive passes. You will see different varieties of blue poppy (if trekking June-July) and also species of mountain birds along the way.  Lunch at a point where the trail divides into two paths leading to Talekha and to Wangduephodrang respectively. After lunch, an hour’s gradual climb brings us to the top of the last ridge on the Dagala range from where we will have a spectacular view of Thimphu valley below.  Another hour’s walk and we will reach the last camp, a little above Talekha monastery.

Day 12 : Talekha – Thimphu – Paro [6km, 2 hrs]

Passing through alpine and mixed vegetation with bamboo thickets and wild flowers one reaches Talekha monastery and village, and once again the view of Thimphu is superb. We walk through mixed vegetation and apple orchards, finally reaching the main motorable road to Thimphu where our transport is waiting for us. Drive to Thimphu in time for lunch, and in the evening drive back to Paro.

Day 13 : Depart – Paro

Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.