The flight from Kathmandu to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. From the left side of the plane Everest, Makalu and Kangchenjunga, three of the world’s highest mountains are clearly visible. As soon as we are descending into the Paro Valley, you will be treated with the splendid views of alpine forests, small monasteries, temples and flat-roofed farmhouses. On arrival we will be met by our Tour Leader who will accompany us to the hotel.If the flight to Paro is in the morning, there may be time today to visit the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower, high above the Paro Valley overlooking the Dzong.

Overnight: Janka Resort/Equivalent

This morning we made the stunning hike up to one of the most important religious sites in the entire Himalaya, Taktsang, perched on a granite cliff 900m from the base. This hike will provide some excellent acclimatization ahead of our trek. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this site on the back of a tigress to subdue a local demon residing here. Thereafter, he is believed to have meditated here for four months. Today spiritual masters from all over the world come here to meditate and receive blessings from the great Guru. We will be walking through a beautiful forest of blue pine and rhododendrons with lots of opportunities for photography from different spots. We will take our own pace and enjoy this steady, beautiful and sacred hike to one of the most remarkable monuments on earth today.

Today’s sumptuous lunch will be served in a farmhouse from vegetables organically grown in their garden and Bhutanese style meat items. End your day by a visit to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the Himalaya dating back to 8 th century. If there is any luggage that is not required on the trek we can leave a separate bag with the hotel to collect at the end of the trek.

Overnight: Janka Resort / Equivalent

Walking distance: 6km Time: 5-6hrs

Early in the morning we drive for an hour to reach our trek start point in Chamgang in Thimphu. From here our path first leads up through orchards of apples, before a long gradual climb takes us through forests of spruce, birch, juniper, oak and rhododendron. The forests are full of wildlife

with many species of birds and are also known for the many varieties of blue poppy found here. Our camp tonight is in a clearing known as Tsokam (3200m), which means ‘dried lake’. This is a

Winter meadows used to graze the Yaks when the herders brought them down from the higher mountain slopes.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Walking distance: 10km Time: 7-8 hrs

We have a steep climb for about an hour to start the day, after which we ascend more gradually beside the Dokka Chu, where we are likely to see the tents of semi-nomadic Yak herders. On this route Himalayan Monal Pheasants are a common sighting and we have fantastic views of the Himalaya as we climb over several ridges to reach the Tsari La (4190m). Eventually we reach a steep ravine and stream across which the locals have now built a concrete bridge. Crossing the bridge, we then ascend for around another hour to our campsite at Lhaba Chung (4300m). Tonight’s camp is just below a lake and has been used for centuries by the yak herders as their summer grazing grounds.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Walking distance: 8km Time: 6-7 hrs

On today’s hike we will have fantastic views of the Himalaya. Once we reach the Laba Chung  Lapsta, a classic saddle mountain at 4520m, the extensive panorama will include distant Kanchenjunga as well as the Bhutanese peaks of Masang Gang, Gangchhenta, Tsenda Gang  and Jichu Drake. For an even better view those with energy to spare can climb a further 200 meters above the saddle to a small summit. From the saddle our path descends. We take a detour from the main path ascending to visit the lakes, the Chage Tsho, Sertsho and Yu Tsho (Tsho = lake). This is a beautiful area containing many alpine lakes and tarns in numerous valleys, although the epithet of a ‘Thousand Lakes’ is more poetry than arithmetic. From the lakes, we follow the emerging stream downhill for a while to the main Labatama Valley where there are scattered yak herders’ huts. In the springtime this is a flower-strewn meadow with fragrant wild asparagus filling the air. Our next camp is near the herder’s huts at Watachen (4100m).

Overnight: Tented Camp

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Walking distance: 8km Time: 6-7 hrs

We now traverse around the head of the valley to the Pangalabtsa, a pass at 4250m adorned with a huge cairn and prayer flags. Here there is an excellent view over the entire Dagala range and most of the Bhutanese Eastern Himalayan peaks. From the past we make a long gradual descent, crossing several side valleys and their streams, to reach a rocky outcrop where the vegetation changes from spruce and larch to tall blue pine. We now follow a broad trail down the ridge to the Yak pastures of Gur (3290m), from where we have a gradual descent through forests alive with birdsongs in spring time. The villages of this region derived significant income from the harvesting of matsutake and chanterelle mushrooms that grow wild in the forests. In the season mushrooms from this valley are sold all over Bhutan. Below the viewpoint our descent becomes steeper as we follow a well-crafted ancient trail with steps down to the Dolongu Chu, which we cross on a rustic bridge. Following the stream downhill we reach the Geynitsang Chu and continue following this river north to a suspension bridge. On the other side a short climb brings us to the village of Genekha where our vehicle will be waiting to drive us the 40 kms to our hotel in Thimphu and evening at leisure.

Overnight: Tented Camp

Yet another day to explore more of the capital and its sights around. We will begin by visiting the largest seated statue of Buddha Dordenma in the world (51m height) followed by Memorial stupa where you will see Bhutanese from all walks of life circumambulating the stupa, Textile museum where the art of weaving and textiles are on preservation and display, stroll along city to catch the vibrant economy of the kingdom with time for shopping souvenirs, lunch in folk heritage museum served on traditional wooden bowls and end your day with visit to Takin Preserve where you can sight the funny looking national animal of Bhutan, Takin. Prepare for your departure for the following day. 

Your Guide and driver will escort you back to Paro and check into Paro International Airport for your departure homebound. We hope you had a wonderful stay in Bhutan with us. We look forward to staying in touch. Tashi Delek & Bon Voyage.