Trekking & Cultural Adventure West

On arrival at Paro International Airport today, you will be met by your guide. You will be driven by private vehicle to the town of Haa, with a brief stop en route to take in some breathtaking Himalayan vistas at Chelela which, at 3,810 metres (12,500 feet) above sea level is the highest paved road in Bhutan. As you arrive at Chelela, you may wish to join with your guide and driver in a hearty cry of ‘lha-geh lu!’ (‘May the Gods be victorious’).

You will be given time to settle into your hotel in Haa and to rest before joining your guide for an afternoon acclimatization walk around the town. Your orientation walk will include a visit to the Lhakhang Karpo or ‘White Chapel’ complex, just south of Haa Dzong (fortress). The Lhakhang has an atmospheric central chapel which houses statues of the Tse-la-nam Sum trinity. During your visit to the Lhakhang Karpo, you will have the option of a traditional pre-expedition blessing in preparation for your upcoming trek on the Trans Bhutan Trail.

Your guide will select a local restaurant in Haa for dinner this evening, which will be your first chance to learn about and sample Bhutanese cuisine.

Included Activities:

• Haa orientation walk
• Visit Lhakhang Karpo (temple)

Accommodation: Soednam Zingkha Heritage Lodge or similar (3*)

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Katsho, where you will begin your first day of trekking on the ancient Trans Bhutan Trail. For generations, the people of Haa followed the route you will walk today to trade with the Parops in the neighbouring valley. There, they would barter 20 drey (approximately 30 kilograms or 66 pounds) of Shakam (dried meat) for 20 drey of rice at Paro Tshongdu (market) because the harsher climatic conditions in Haa are unsuitable for rice cultivation.

The age-old trail follows the beautiful Haa river as it gently rises out of the Katsho Valley, passing through yak pastures before heading into forests of pine and rhododendron. As you traverse the Katsho Valley, look out for cliff-edge Bjungneydra Taktsang (monastery), also known as “The Mini Taktsang”, and the sky burial site of Kungkarpo. The trail continues to climb until it reaches the Pass at Kaleyla, where it crosses the ridge trail between Chelela and Sagala.

At Kaleyla, you will enjoy stunning views of the Himalayan range to the north, including on the clearest days vistas of Mount Jhomolhari (7,326m/24,036ft), Mount Jichudrakey (6,662m/21,860ft) and Mount Tsherimgang (6,532m/21,431ft). You will be provided with a picnic lunch during this stop.

From Kaleyla, the trail descends down to Ngopa gewog of Paro through rhododendron and bamboo forest into the Paro Valley. The last few kilometres to Paro will then be on tracks which meander through traditional Bhutanese farming villages.

On arrival, check in at your hotel.

Your guide will arrange for dinner either at your hotel or in a local restaurant.

Included Activities:

• Hike on the Trans Bhutan Trail

Accommodation: Metta Resort & Spa or similar (3*)

After breakfast this morning, rejoin the Trans Bhutan Trail heading east. The trail rises gently from Lamgong Village as it traverses the sprawling rice paddies of the Paro Valley, before carving around the northern ridge and descending into the traditional village of Dopshari. At Dopshari, enjoy a cookery demonstration and a traditional Bhutanese lunch at a local farmhouse. After lunch, you will also have the opportunity to try your hand at Bhutan’s national sport, archery, and have a quick game of traditional ‘khuru’ (darts).

After lunch, head out onto the trail for one last time for the climb up to Upper Dopshari (Damchenang), where you will end you hike with stunning views out over the Paro Valley.

Head to your hotel, where we recommend you to relax and unwind.

Included Activities:

• Hike on the Trans Bhutan Trail
• Cookery demonstration
• Archery and khuru (darts) session

Accommodation: Metta Resort & Spa or similar (3*)

After breakfast today, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. With elevations ranging between 2,248 metres (7,375 feet) and 2,648 metres (8,688 feet) above sea level, Thimphu is the fifth highest capital city in the world by altitude. The city offers a unique blend of the modern world with Bhutanese tradition. Today will be spent taking in the best of Thimphu’s numerous attractions.  

Upon arrival, visit Buddha Dordenma, remarkable landmark in Bhutan located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang overlooking Thimphu Valley, the giant statue of Shakyamuni Buddha stands at a height of 54 meters (177 feet), making it one of the largest Buddha statues in the world. Constructed to promote peace and happiness, the statue was completed as part of celebrations marking the 60th birthday of the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The statue is made of bronze and gilded in gold, giving it a magnificent appearance that can be seen from many parts of Thimphu.

Afterwards, before breaking for lunch, pass by the Memorial Chorten, a Tibetan-style stupa built in 1974 and one of Thimphu’s busiest religious sites.

After lunch, stop by the Draktsho Vocational Training Centre for Children and Youth with Disabilities, a non-profit organization in Bhutan dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through education, vocational training, and employment opportunities. Established in 1997, Draktsho aims to help people with disabilities become self-reliant and active members of society. The center provides training in various skills such as weaving, tailoring, embroidery, information technology, arts and crafts, and other vocational programs. These programs enable students to develop practical skills that improve their chances of gaining employment and living independently.

In the evening, drop in at the Thimphu Craft Bazaar, a fine place to pick up souvenirs of your visit to Bhutan, before visiting the Capital’s interesting Folk Heritage Museum. Housed in a 19th century traditional rammed mud and timber building, the exhibitions depict Bhutanese culture and way of life.

Dinner with your guide at a local restaurant before heading to your hotel for the evening.

Included Activities:

• Visit Buddha Dordenma
• Visit Memorial Chorten (stupa)
• Visit Draktsho
• Visit Thimphu Craft Bazaar

Accommodation: Tashi Yoedling or similar (3*)

After breakfast, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Dochula, a mountain Pass east of the city, where you will rejoin the Trans Bhutan Trail. At clearer times of the year, you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas to the north from Dochula.

From here, descend down into the adjacent valley and join what is known as the ‘Divine Madman Trail’. You will now be following in the footsteps of The Divine Madman himself, Drukpa Kuenley, when he came to Bhutan from Tibet in the 16th century to fulfil his legacy of suppressing evil energies through his dharma teachings. Over the coming days, you will come across many important cultural sites and extraordinary stories which relate to the life of Drukpa Kuenley.

You will make a stop for a picnic lunch at Thinleygang Lhakhang (temple) before continuing to follow the trail down towards Toeb. On arrival you will visit the Toeb Chandhana Lhakhang (temple), also known as the Chandhana Lhakhang, meaning ‘where the arrow landed’. Legend has it that when Drukpa Kuenley fired an arrow from Tibet to determine his path, it landed here in Toeb Chandhana. The temple itself was built in the 15th century to ward off the evil energy of a demoness and served as the religious seat of Ngawang Chogyal. The two hills at each end of the temple resemble knees and are said to be the knees of Ngawang Chogyal herself.

Next door to Toeb Chandhana Lhakhang (temple) is the house of Toeb Tshewang, which Drukpa Kuenley’s arrow is said to have struck when it landed. It is said that, dressed as a hunting beggar, Kuenley courted Tshewang’s wife and that, in a fit of jealous rage, Tshewang drew a sword which Drukpa Kuenley miraculously knotted. Realizing his divine power, Tshewang offered Kuenley his wife to fulfill his prophecy.

Included Activities:

• Hike on the Trans Bhutan Trail
• Visit Toeb Chandhana Lhakhang (temple)

Accommodation: Deluxe Camping

After breakfast this morning, bid farewell to Toeb as you commence the climb up towards Sew Drangsa. In recent years, the central monastic body occasionally uses this route to reach its winter residence in Punakha and to return to Thimphu in the summer. At Sew Drangsa, you will find a clearing marked with prayer flags, which is where the monks stop for lunch en route. From here, the trail descends towards Punakha Dzong (fortress), offering spectacular views of the Punakha Valley and the Punatsangchu hydroelectric project on the way.

In order to visit the Punakha Dzong (fortress), you will need to cross the Bazam (bridge). Once on the other side, enjoy a tour of the Dzong, which was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in around 1637 at the confluence of the Phochhu (male river) and the Mochhu (female river). Arguably, it is the most beautiful Dzong in the country. The Dzong guards Bhutan’s most treasured relic, the Rangjung Kharsapani, an image of Chenresig kept away from the public in the utse (tower). Guru Rinpoche had prophesied that this Dzong would be built by a man named Namgyal at a hill resembling an elephant. So, when Zhabdrung arrived at Punakha, he chose the tip of the trunk of the sleeping elephant as the perfect site. It has since survived Tibetan invasions, numerous fires, floods and a glacial lake burst. The Dzong served as the capital and seat of the Bhutanese Government until the early 1950s; and the coronation of His Majesty the First Druk, Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck, took place here. The building currently serves as the winter residence for the monastic body.

After your visit, head north by vehicle to Dzomlithang, where you will enjoy a traditional Bhutanese outdoor lunch.

This afternoon, you will have the option of a gentle rafting expedition down the Mochhu. Head to the put-in spot, around 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) north of Punakha Dzong (fortress) and enjoy a leisurely float down the wide river valley past Her Majesty the Queen’s winter residences and His Majesty the King’s weekend retreat.

Your guide will arrange dinner this evening either at your hotel or at a good local restaurant. 

Included Activities:

• Hike on the Trans Bhutan Trail
• Visit Punakha Dzong (fortress)
• River Rafting

Accommodation: The Four Boutique or similar (3*)

After breakfast this morning, you will be transferred west to the city of Paro.

On arrival in Paro, visit Ta Dzong or the ‘watchtower’, originally built in 1649 to protect Paro Dzong from the Tibetan military. In 1968, Ta Dzong became Bhutan’s National Museum and is now home to a number of exhibitions including sculpture, painting and artifacts depicting Bhutan’s magical past. Afterwards, continue to the stunning Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), meaning ‘Fortress on a Heap of Jewels’. The original construction of this dzong is believed to have been completed in 1458 and it was restored to its present glory by His Majesty the Third of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, to mark his royal wedding in 1951.

After your visits, head to your hotel, where we recommend you relax and unwind in a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath before enjoying dinner with your guide at a nearby restaurant. 

Included Activities:

• Visit Paro Ta Dzong Museum
• Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress)

Accommodation: Metta Resort & Spa or similar (3*)

After breakfast this morning, head northwest out of Paro by private vehicle for a visit to the iconic Taktshang Goemba, more commonly known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery’. Precariously perched on a sheer cliff face 900 metres (2,950 feet) above the Paro Valley floor, the Tiger’s Nest is undoubtedly Bhutan’s most famous religious building. It is built on the site where Guru Rinpoche is said to have arrived on the back of a tigress when he came to subdue the local demon, Singye Samdrup. After subduing the demon, Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated in a cave here for three whole months.        

The Monastery is only accessible by foot via two to three hours hike up the valley side. The trek offers spectacular views from the ridge and passes a small chorten, a basic monastery, and a waterfall on its way.

Once you have reached the Tiger’s Nest, you will have a chance to visit the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated, as well as the extensive network of Lhakhangs (chapels) which house images, murals, chortens, and a holy spring. You may also wish to make a diversion to the attractive Machig-phu Lhakhang (temple) on the way back down to the access road.

After the visit, you will head back to your hotel in Paro, where you will be able to relax for the remainder of the day or do some last-minute shopping for souvenirs.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with your guide at a nearby restaurant. 

Included Activities: 

• Visit Tiger's Nest Monastery

Accommodation: Metta Resort & Spa or similar (3*)

After breakfast today, you will be transferred to the airport for your international departure flight.