Day 1: Arrival Paro

Pick up from Paro International Airport (2280m) and check into hotel. If time permits – visit Paro town in the afternoon.

Day 2: Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast, visit National Museum housed in Ta-Dzong which was built in 1656 and served as the watch tower of Paro Dzong in the past. Visit Paro Dzong, also called the Rinchen Phug Dzong, meaning the fortress on a heaps of jewels. Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known Dzongs of Bhutan and was built in 1644. After lunch in town, proceed towards Drukgyel Dzong, 14 Km from the Paro town. Also known as the Fortress of Victory. This Drukgyel Dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders. On the way to Drukgyel Dzong, one can have a view Takshang Monastery, perched on the side of a rock cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley. Takshang means “tiger’s lair”. Guru Rimpoche is believed to have flown on the back of a tigress and mediated here for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days here.. It is the most famous monastery of Bhutan. Check into the hotel and dinner in the hotel.

Day 3: Paro – Shana (Start of Trek)

Distance – 14 Km, time is about 5-6 hours. The trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong and follows the Paro river trial through cultivated crop fields, tiny picturesque villages and forests, inhabited by numerous birds and brightly colored butterflies. Overnight at camp Shana. Altitude – 2,820m.

Day 4: Shana – ­Thangthangka

Distance – 21 Km, time is about 7-8 hours. The trail follows the river through dense forests with a few isolated farmhouses. After a while it narrows and closes in and winds up and down and passes a junction where another path leads north to Tremo -La, Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. Altitude – 3610m.

Day 5: Thangthangka – Jangothang

Distance -15 Km. Time is about 5-6 hours. After passing through a small army check point in the morning, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home for yak herdsmen. Lunch will in one of the yak herdsman’s huts. Lots of yaks will be seen before arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4115m). High mountains overlook the camp and nearby are the ruins of an old fortress that was used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude – 4115m.

Day 6: Jangothang (Acclimatization)

Rest day. A chance to acclimatize and walk up to the Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite direction.

Day 7: Jangothang – Thangthangka

Day 8: Thangthangka – Shana

Day 9 : Shana – Paro – Thimphu (end of trek)

Drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan after the trek. The journey to Thimphu from Paro Airport is 53 Km and takes about a hour and half. Visit Thimphu town, interact with the Bhutanese people. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Day 10: Thimphu Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Thimphu (2320m) includes visits to: National Library which was established in 1967 and has many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts); Painting School or the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (the 13 traditional arts and crafts like painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making et al..); National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the third King of Bhutan; Semtokha Dzong which is about 5 Km south of Thimphu. Semtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Today, it houses the Institute for Language and Culture studies.); Tashichhodzong, the seat of the Government of Bhutan. It houses the Throne Room, His Majesty’s Secretariat, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. If the sight seeing falls on the weekend you can visit Thimphu’s open vegetable market where farmers from the nearby and and far off provinces sell their farm produce. Evening is set aside for shopping in town.

Day 11: Thimphu to Paro and Paro Sightseeing

The first stop on this road journey is at Dochula pass at 3140m. Dochula is about 23 Km from Thimphu and on a clear day, it offers a clear view of the snow peak Himalayas. After refreshments in Dochula, proceed towards Paro. It is a 72 Km journey from Dochula to Paro. Lunch will be served in the hotel at Paro. In the afternoon, Paro sightseeing and explore the down town for last minute shopping. Dinner will be served in the hotel.

Day 12: Departure

After an early breakfast, our representative will see you off at the Paro International Airport.