While approaching Paro in your plane from Bangkok, you get a spectacular view of the Himalayan Mountains all around, including an exciting peek of Everest on a clear day.

After checking into our hotel, and enjoying a tasty lunch, we visit the Paro Rimpung Dzong, dating back to the 17th century. This building is an ancient fortress and center of civil and religious government in the Paro valley. A short walk takes us to the base of the Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.

Overnight at the Khangkhu Resort

After breakfast, we get a taste of Bhutan's mountainous nature. We’ll warm up for our trek with a 5-hour round-trip trek to Taktsang, known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a prominent Buddhist sacred site and temple complex perched precipitously on the edge of a cliff at 10,240 ft. According to the legend, it is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a tigress.

After lunch you are free to relax and wander around town.

Overnight at the Khangkhu Resort

We meet our horses and crew at the end of the road at the Drukgyel Dzong. Today’s climb is gradual, as we wind our way along the Paro Chhu (river), through beautiful meadows, rice paddies and traditional farm houses. We check in at the army post with our permits, and trek to our campsite amongst the blue pines on the banks of the fast-flowing river.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

This is our longest day. We gradually follow the river valley through the mixed forest of blue pine and oak, and, in the afternoon, tall rhododendron trees, fir, maple and birch. It’s not a strenuous day, but it can be muddy. We cross several simple bridges, hiking through the ever-narrowing valley. We descend to our camp in a meadow. From here, on a clear day, we get our first view of Mount Jomolhari. The view of Jomolhari is spectacular. At 7,326m/24,035 ft. Jomolhari is one of the world’s highest peaks.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

In clear weather, the early morning view, with sun on Jomolhari’s face, is stupendous. We trek up the Paro Chhu valley, through alpine meadows and scanty forest growth. At about 13,120 ft./4,000 meters we cross the tree line, with great views of the high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. We also encounter small settlements with yaks and their herders, which become a regular feature of the mountainous landscape.

Jangothang means “the land of the ruins”; there are ruins of old settlements near the campsite where we stay. Jangothang is truly one of the most beautiful campsites in the Himalaya, with marvelous views of Jomolhari.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

Today is free to relax, explore the area, and most importantly to acclimatize. There are great day-hikes with incredible views of both Jomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks as well a few unclimbed peaks in the east.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

We follow the river into alpine terrain, surrounded by the snow-covered peaks. After four hours we cross the Nyilila pass at 16,010 ft./ 4,880 m. We might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes. We descend into the Lingshi basin, continuing on to our campsite near the Linghsi Dzong.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

After breakfast, we hike up towards a chorten (memorial) on a ridge above our campsite. Our trail takes us up to the Yelila pass at 16,170 ft./4,928 m., where, on a clear day we’ll have a spectacular view of Jomolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang peaks. We pass a couple of pristine alpine lakes as we descend the narrow trail and switchbacks to our campsite at 13,350 ft.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

We follow the Thimphu Chhu River, criss-crossing over log bridges and passing under steep rock faces and lovely waterfalls. After lunch we ascend up towards the ruins of Barshong Dzong (fortress). Our campsite is a further 1.5 hours down the trail towards the river at Domshesha.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

Our trail starts with a descent to the Thimphu Chhu river valley through stands of rhododendron, birch and conifers, then climbs up a rocky path to the alpine pastures. The trail ends at our camp in a meadow.

Overnight Tusker Tented Camp

Our trail takes us through the forest, winding up and down and through a small pass at 11,315 ft./3,550 m. We pass steep cliffs and mixed woodland of rhododendron, bamboo and conifers. At Dodena we meet our vehicle at the trailhead, load up and head to our hotel in Thimphu. The afternoon is yours to freshen up after the trek and relax.

Overnight at Namgay Heritage Hotel

We spend part of the day exploring the sights and sounds of Thimphu with our local Bhutanese guide. Our day will include the Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School. At this school students study and practice the ancient art of Thangka Bhuddist painting.

We will also visit the national memorial chorten, as well as making a stop at the textile museum.

The afternoon is free for us to roam around this interesting town amongst the various handicraft shops and local vendors before returning to our hotel to relax.

Overnight at Namgay Heritage Hotel

A morning drive takes us to Punakha, a town linked to some of the more significant events of Bhutanese history. We will visit the historic Dzong, the finest in Bhutan. It is situated at the junction of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, and was built in 1637 to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. We cross the covered cantilevered bridge to reach the Dzong.

Overnight at Damchen Resort

After breakfast, we pack up and take a 4-hour drive back to Paro for the night.

Overnight at the Khangkhu Resort

Today we are transferred to the airport to board our flights home.