Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu, Airport pickup/ transfer to hotel and trek/tour briefing

Stay over Night in Kathmandu

Day 02: Denture form Kathmandu- Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (Altitude: 2,320 m)

• Morning: Arrive in Paro.
• Transfer: Upon arrival in Paro, you will be met by our guide, who will take you to Thimphu – an amazingly beautiful city where there are no traffic lights, street traffic is regulated by the smooth movements of a traffic controller, and all the houses amaze with their architecture and paintings. On the way you will see the Tamchog Monastery, built by Tangtong Gyalpo (popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which means “iron Bridge Builder”). The monastery was founded in the XV century, and its main highlight is the suspension bridge of forged chains leading to the monastery itself. It is believed that whoever walks through it will be able to be cleansed of sins.
• Thimphu City Tour: Upon arrival in Thimphu, an exciting city tour will begin. First of all, you will visit the Chorten Memorial (1974), also called Thimphu Chorten and built in honor of the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Chorten is visited by numerous pilgrims who want to pay tribute to the king, who possessed magical abilities during his lifetime. The Chorten was planned as the most prominent religious building in the capital and, more than 40 years after its foundation, impresses with its architecture and interior decoration.

o   Later you will see the largest Buddha statue in Bhutan. It was completed in 2010 and exceeds 51 meters in height. Considering the height of 2500 meters above sea level, on which the Dordenma Buddha statue is built, it is the highest located Buddha statue in the world.

o   The excursion program will continue at the Changankha Monastery, built in the XII century. and being one of the most revered in the country. Then you will go to the Takin breeding center and get to know the national animal of Bhutan. I bet you’ve never seen them before, and probably never heard of them. You can also see the city from a bird’s-eye view by climbing to the observation deck.

• Evening: In the evening, you will visit the magnificent Tashicho Dzong complex, located in a valley on the river bank and is the summer capital of the country. In addition, you will visit the craft center, where you can buy Bhutanese souvenirs.
• Accommodation: After a busy day, you will have dinner and overnight.

 Day 3: Thimphu Exploration

• Morning:

o   Folk Heritage Museum: Gain insight into traditional Bhutanese rural life, customs, and artifacts in a restored 19th-century farmhouse.

o   National Institute for Zorig Chusum (Arts and Crafts School): Witness students learning Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts, such as painting, sculpting, embroidery, and wood carving.

o   Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory: Observe the traditional process of making “Deh-so” paper from Daphne and Dhekap tree bark. You might even try your hand at it.

• Afternoon:

o   Bhutan Postal Museum: Discover the history of Bhutanese postal services, see old postal vehicles, and perhaps even purchase unique Bhutanese stamps.

o   Centenary Farmers Market (if applicable based on day of week – typically Fri-Sun): Experience the vibrant local market where farmers from various regions sell fresh produce, local delicacies, and traditional goods.

o   Handicrafts Market (Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar): Explore numerous stalls offering a wide array of Bhutanese handicrafts, including textiles, thangkas, wooden crafts, and jewelry.

• Accommodation: Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4: Punakha Excursion – Overnight in Thimphu

• Morning: After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Punakha (approx. 2.5-3 hours), passing through the Dochula Pass (3,100m/10,170ft) where you’ll be greeted by 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.
• Chimi Lhakhang: Upon reaching Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the “Temple of Fertility.” This monastery is famous for its unique history related to Drukpa Kinley, the “Divine Madman.” A pleasant walk through rice fields leads to this charming temple, where visitors often receive blessings.
• Punakha Dzong: Proceed to the impressive Punakha Dzong, often considered the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. Strategically located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers, this fortress served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Explore its grand courtyards, temples, and historical artifacts.
• Punakha Suspension Bridge: Take a stroll across one of Bhutan’s longest suspension bridges, stretching over the Pho Chhu River. The bridge offers fantastic views of the river and the surrounding valley, providing great photo opportunities.
• Evening: After a full day of exploration in Punakha, drive back to Thimphu.
• Accommodation: Overnight in Thimphu

Day 5: Thimphu (2,320 m) – Phajoding – Lake Simkota.

• Trek Start: Our track starts today. We hope that you had a good night’s rest and are full of energy for further achievements. Right from Thimphu, we will begin a leisurely ascent to the beautiful Phajoding Monastery, built in the XIII century and located at an altitude of 3650 m. The journey will take about 6-7 hours.
• Phajoding Monastery: The Phajoding Monastery was once one of the most richly equipped monasteries in the country, but due to neglect and lack of development, it was listed by the World Monuments Fund in 2010. five other cultural monuments around the world that are in danger of extinction and in need of urgent assistance. After reaching the monastery, we will climb to the observation deck, from where the whole of Thimphu and the surrounding area are visible at a glance.
• Lake Simkota: Another 500 meters up, and we will find ourselves on the shore of the beautiful lake Simkota, where our camp is located, where we will stay for the night.

Day 6: Simkota – Jimilang Tco (4-5 hours)

• Trek: Today we are waiting for a trek to Lake Jimilang Tsho, which is known not only for its beautiful views, but also for giant trout, which, if we are lucky, we will be able to try for dinner. While trekking from Simkot to Jimilang Tsho, you will admire the picturesque landscapes of the local places and take a path along the delightful rhododendrons and Lake Yanetso. The trail offers stunning views of the mountain and valleys. The track will give you real pleasure. Only nature reigns here, the air is crystal clear and saturated with the scent of happiness and freedom. This is a real “place of power”, the influence of which you will certainly feel.
• Camp: 4 hours of trekking and now we are in the camp, located at an altitude of 3,870 m. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

Day 7: Jimilang Tsho – Jangchu Lakh

• Trek: We continue the hike. And today we are waiting for the transition to the Jangchu Lakh pass, which offers a stunning panorama of the Himalayas. The trail goes through dense forests and thickets of rhododendrons. But the landscapes are gradually changing, without losing their beauty and picturesqueness. And now the forests are being replaced by “alpine” meadows with emerald grass that frame the mountains. In one of these valleys, sheltered from the wind by hills, we will stop for the night.
• Wildlife: Not far around the camp, you can see herding yaks.
• Camp: Free time to relax, dinner and overnight at the camp. Height: 3,770 m. Distance: 11 km. Travel time: 4 hours.

Day 8: Jangchu Lakha – Jele Dzong

• Trek: After breakfast, we will set off again. Picturesque landscapes await us: an “alpine” forest and a delightful grove of rhododendrons. Gradually, a gentle road will begin to lead up, allowing you to admire the views of the mountain peaks of the Himalayas. After 3-4 hours on the road, you will reach the camp where you can relax.
• Jele Dzong Monastery: Dinner and overnight at a camp near the Jele Dzong Monastery. The monks of the monastery are hospitable and friendly – if desired, you can ask for their blessings. The monastery itself was built in the early 16th century and was the residence of Ngawang Chhogyel, the brother of the holy lama Drukpa Kin le. Height: 3,560 m. Distance: 10 km.

Day 9: Jele Dzong – Paro (end of the track)

• Final Trek: Today there will be a final short track, which will begin at the National Museum building. You will pass through apple orchards and a pine forest. If the weather is clear, you will be able to see the panorama of the Paro Valley, its surroundings and the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas from a bird’s-eye view.
• Dzong Paro Rimpung: Not far from the museum is the Dzong Paru Rimpung, whose name literally translates as “pile of jewels”. It was built in 1646 and has long been the cultural and religious center of the valley.
• Farmhouse Visit: In the evening, you will visit the farmhouse, where you can learn a lot about the traditions and way of life of the locals. Bhutanese houses are very colorful, decorated with paintings and carvings, and remarkably built without a single nail and follows a single architectural style.
• Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Paro.

Day 10: Exploring the sights of Paro (Altitude above sea level: 2,280 m).

• Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest): Today will be dedicated to exploring the sights of Paro. After breakfast, we will go to the magnificent Taksang Monastery, one of the symbols of Bhutan. We will drive to Chorten Satsam, and then we will walk to the monastery along pine trees overgrown with moss and prayer colored flags, which give these places a special charm and a kind of magic. On the way to the monastery, we will stop at Taktsang Jakhang cafe, have a snack and continue our journey. Just a little more and here in all its glory is the famous Taksang monastery, also called the “nest of the tigress”. It cannot leave anyone indifferent and impresses with its grandeur, beauty and the fact that it seems to hover at an altitude of 900 meters above the valley, comfortably located right on the cliff.

o   The monastery (in its modern form) was founded in 1692 under the ruler (Druk Desi) Gyalts Tenzin Rabji, although the caves have been used for meditation since early times.

o   According to legends, Guru Padmasambhava was transported to this cave, sitting on a tigress, which his wife Yeshe Tsogyal turned into. Here he meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours to defeat the demons living in the cave. Since then, the cave has been considered sacred, and many famous Buddhist practitioners have come a long way to be able to meditate in it. Milarepa, a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and a famous yogi who lived in the XI century, meditated in the cave. The monastery was often visited by Shabdrung, the founder of Bhutan.

o   You can walk around the monastery, pray or ask the lama to pray for you.

• Afternoon: After lunch, we will go to the ruins of Dzong Drukgyal. The Dzong, which used to serve as both a fortress and a monastery, was erected in 1649 on the occasion of Shabdrung’s victory over Tibetan troops. In 1951, it was destroyed in a fire. It offers stunning views of Mount Jomolari (7,314 m), which is part of the great Himalayan Range. After learning a lot about the history of Bhutan and taking beautiful photos, we will set off on our way back and visit the country’s oldest monastery, Kichu Lakhang, built in the VII century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The history of its creation is very interesting. According to legend, the entire territory of Tibet and the Himalayas was covered by a giant demoness lying on it, thereby preventing the spread of Buddhism. To defeat her, King Songtsen Gampo ordered the construction of 108 monasteries, pinning all parts of her body to the ground with them. 12 of them were built according to precise calculations. In the very center stood the Dhokang temple in Lhasa (presumably built in 638). Further, three groups of four monasteries covered various parts of the body at a certain distance. Monastery Kichu Lakhang was one of the four most remote and “held” the demoness’s left knee.
• Optional: After such an eventful day, you can relax in the traditional stone baths if you wish.
• Accommodation: Dinner and overnight in Paro.

Day 11: Deprature form Bhutan Arrive Kathmandu from Paro/ Last minute shopping of Kathmandu Overnight at Kathmandu

• Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the airport.
• Departure: Departure from Paro for a connecting flight to the destination

Day 12. Departure form Kathmandu as per flight time

Following is the cost for 12 nights and 13 days as per below.        

Hotel Envisaged:

Vehicle Envisaged:

The above prices are net payable to us and inclusive of the following service

–        Accommodation as per below – mentioned hotels and Cities

–      Flight form Kathmandu to Paro-Kathmandu

–        Breakfast and Dinner at the hotel.

–        All transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary

–        English – speaking accompanying guide.

–        Daily Government Royalties and Taxes (USD 100 per person per night)

–        1L Water Bottle Per person per day

–        Visa Fee USD 40 per person.

–        Entrance Fees/Monuments Fee

–        Lunch at Tourist Local Restaurants / Trekking Field

FACILITIES FOR TREKKING

–      First Aid Box And canned oxygen

–      Sleeping Tent (2man tent) with carpeted floor, Mattress, Pillow case, sheets and Room Light

–      Dining tent with dining set, Table, Chair and dining Light

–      Kitchen tent with kitchen set and light

–      Hot water bag with cover

–      Toilet tent with toilet pot and toilet paper

–      Shower tent with shower bag and hot water

–      Apron for cook and staff

–      Waste management by trekking staff

–      Hot towel

–      Compound Lighting

The following are NOT included in above in mentioned quote the:

–        Insurance of any kind / medical expenses

–        Beverages (alcoholic /non–alcoholic)

–        Expenses of personal nature (like tipping, laundry, Telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees, shopping, etc)

Documents required for Booking.

–        Valid passport copy

–        Recent passport size photo