Be amongst the first travellers to hikes that are secretly hidden from mainstream visitors
Met by your expert Bhutanese guide, you will be driven to Tashi Namgay Resort (http://www.tashinamgayresort.com/) or an equivalent accommodation.Upon check-in, enjoy tea and snacks. Following the tea break, you will be chauffeured to the victory fortress, Drukgyel Dzong (Druk translates to Bhutan, Gyel means win/victory, Dzong signifies fortress). Although previously gutted by fire and remaining in ruins for an extended period, it has been recently rebuilt. In clear weather, you may catch a glimpse of Mt. Jhomolhari, one of the highest unclimbed mountains globally. Depending on available time before nightfall, there may be an opportunity for a short hike.Following the hike, return to Paro town, characterized by its main streets adorned with painted houses and shops. Explore the town and have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay at Tashi Namgay Resort (as per government law, all tourists are required to be accommodated in certified hotels).Timing will change depending on if you fly into Bhutan from Bangkok or Delhi. As of now, flights from Bangkok to Paro (where the airport is) will arrive in the morning so you will have plenty of time to hike around Paro. Paro is a culturally rich district with several monasteries dotting it. It houses the national museum and Bhutan’s only international airport.
After breakfast, at 7:30 am, depart for the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the renowned temple known as Taktsang. Initially just a cave famous for its association with meditation, it gained significance as the place where the Buddhist saint Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have arrived, flying on the back of a roaring tigress. The original temple, built on a cliff face 800 meters above the Paro valley in the 14th century, was unfortunately burnt down in 1998 but has been meticulously restored. It is a must visit on a trip to Bhutan.After approximately a 2–3-hour walk (depending on your walking speed), visit the cafeteria for tea, snacks, and a breath-taking view of Taktsang. Continue hiking up for another hour to reach the temple, relishing the scenic views along the way. Exercise caution near steep edges and remain vigilant. Explore the temples, appreciating the artistry and tranquility of the location. Once satisfied with the temples perched on the cliff, descend gradually to the cafeteria for lunch. Relax and enjoy the view as you descend to the valley and then drive to Thimphu.Upon arrival, check into your hotel. After tea and snacks, explore the local town, including handicrafts shops, and have dinner at a local restaurant in the capital of Bhutan. Night halt - hotel.
After breakfast, you will be driven to visit the Royal Takin Preserve. The Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor Whitei) holds a special story in Bhutan and is the national animal. Following this, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Traditional Arts and Crafts School, where you can engage in painting or carving exercises. This will be followed by a visit to Buddha Point, offering a bird's eye view of Thimphu city. During this visit, you can opt to hike.After lunch in Thimphu town, you will be driven towards North Thimphu and the base of the Cheri Monastery or Gonpa. An hour's walk takes you to this 17th century monastery, providing a fascinating insight into Bhutan’s monastic and religious life within an architecturally captivating building. While walking, you may even spot the Goral (Naemorhedus goral), the rare and nimble goat antelope of the Himalayas. After visiting the temples and enjoying the outstanding view, slowly descend to the base of the hill where your car will be waiting. If you wish to continue walking, you can proceed towards the south, and the car will follow.Following this, enjoy stroll through the streets of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, visiting shops, and more. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant where experts on culture, Gross National Happiness, and nature will join, providing short talks and answering any questions guests may have. If you still have energy, you will be driven to the largest Buddha for a breath-taking night view of Thimphu city. Spend the night at City Hotel (https://www.cityhotelthimphu.com/) or an equivalent accommodation.
After breakfast (7:30 am), you will be driven to Punakha, the winter capital of the monk body. The journey takes you through a windy but scenic drive to the east, reaching the 10,000ft high Dochula pass after about an hour. Marvel at the breath-taking views of the Eastern Himalayan peaks, many towering over 23,000ft. The pass is adorned with prayer flags and 108 chortens (stupas). Enjoy coffee/tea and snacks, Drive through chirpine forests to visit the renowned Chimi Lhakhang, known for its mystical power to grant fertility. Many, including tourists, have reported success in conceiving a child after their visit to this monastery.Then, drive to visit Punakha Dzong (winter home of the central monastic body), the former capital of Bhutan, beautifully situated at the confluence of Female and Male rivers. It is where the first King of Bhutan was crowned. Follow a short walk across one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan to observe rare migratory ducks and walk/drive along the male river to spot more birds and otters, including the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron (Ardea insignis). Of the 200 White-Bellied Herons globally, Bhutan hosts 30.Take lunch at a local restaurant by the bridge. After lunch, you will be driven to the base of a hill (called cat hill but we call it the elephant ridge, because the hill looks like an elephant on whose nose sites the magnificent Punakha dzong) and start hiking uphill through chirpine forests. Most tour guides are not familiar with this hike, so a local guide will join the group. The hike will allow you to have a 3D view of the surrounding valleys spotted with traditional houses and fields. You will stop by a monastery for tea and snacks.Continue hiking slowly ascending into cool broadleaved forests hosting several bird species, leopards, Himalayan black bears, deer, etc. You will ultimately come off the trail and be greeted by the owner of a farmstay. The farmstay is in a beautiful hillside with outstanding view of the fields, forests, and villages below. You will also be able to sight snowclad mountains from the house. On arrival, you will be treated to traditional Bhutanese tea (locally brewed) and snacks (roasted rice).After having your tea and settled in, you will experience mineral hot stone bath. It has properties to cure joint pains, piles, and other skin issues. If anything, it will be soothing after your hike. Dinner with the family and observe farm life and night halt at the farmhouse.
Get up early to be greeted by the beautiful sunrise. If you like, take walk around the farm and observe farm life. Breakfast with family at 7:30 am. After breakfast, you will have another chance to walk around the farm and visit other farmhouses, check on the traditional implements etc. Return to farmhouse for morning tea and snacks. While you are having your tea, your guide and driver will load the car and leave for the Sewla monastery. After tea, you will hike up to the famous Sewla (la means pass in Bhutan), at 7,600ft. The hike is a combination of traditional walking trail and dirt road. The hike ascends through cool broadleaved forests adorned with lovely bird songs, insects calls, deer, kalij pheasants etc. after about 1.5 to 2 hours, you will arrive the monastery, and you will be greeted by monks. Lunch with the monks. After lunch, monks will hike with you to the peak of the mountain (about 40 minutes to reach the peak), visit a special temple, enjoy the almost 360 view of the surrounding valleys and the high mountains that separate Tibet/China from Bhutan.After you are satisfied with the views, slowly descend the hills and walk around a little hamlet of old houses, returning to the temple for observing night rituals of the monks. Partake in meditation before dinner.Night halt at the temple guest house. If you prefer not to stay at the temple, we can drive you to the homestay (where you stayed last night) but you will miss the morning rituals at the monastery.
If you night halted at the monastery guest house, get up early and enjoy the view and sunrise. Engage in or observe the morning ritual of the monks followed by breakfast.After breakfast, say goodbye to monks and walk to the parking lot where driver will pick you up and down the hill passing through montane broadleaf forest transcending into chirpines forest ultimately coming out into wide river villages with paddy fields. Continue driving to the base of the hill where you will be met by a team of white-water rafting experts.Enjoy about 50-60 minutes of white-water river rafting back to Punakha town. While rafting, keep your eyes peeled for sightings of the white-bellied heron, otters, and many other water birds that winter here.After lunch in at a local restaurant in Punakha town, get into the car and drive to Wangdue Phodrang, offering a view of the newly built Wangdue Dzong. Continue driving through subtropical forests, gradually ascending into temperate cool broad-leaved forests, and ultimately reaching Lawa La (3,300 meters), where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Phobjikha Glacier valley.The Phobjikha valley is the wintering grounds of the endangered Black-Necked Cranes (Grusnigricollis) and is declared a conservation area. Approximately 500 of the globally population of 11,000 cranes travel long distances from Tibet/China to Phobjikha. You will have the chance to see and hear the cranes perform dances. If desired, get off the car and start walking to descend to Gangtey Monastery, enjoying the view, meeting monks, visiting the ancient monastery, and immersing yourself in its history. If you still want to hike, continue hiking towards the hotel, sighting the endangered Black Necked Cranes courting and singing.Phobjikha valley boasts a high diversity of birds and mammals, including tiger, leopard, sambar deer, barking deer, and Himalayan pine martin. Overnight at Hotel Dewachen (https://dewachenhotel.com/) or an equivalent accommodation.
Early morning, at 6 am, take a stroll to see if you can spot any wildlife, the cranes are likely to be present. After breakfast, embark on a day hike into the mountain forests to observe wildlife, including the red panda. A local forest and wildlife expert will join to guide you. The hike will gradually ascend from the grassy plains through villages into towering hills, with most of the journey along a ridgeline at elevations ranging from 3,400 to 4,500 meters. The route will take you through beautiful forests, lakes, and meadows, with a packed lunch served in the field.The area is known for hosting various wildlife, including leopard, Bengal tiger, clouded leopard ,golden cats, goral, musk deer, and numerous bird species. Towards evening, you will slowly descend to Phobjikha valley and return to Hotel Dewachen for dinner and overnight stay.
Get up early to the sounds of birds singing, take breakfast at 6 am. After breakfast, get in the car and drive further south. On this route, you will pass though Pelela, Trongsa and slowly descend to Tingtibi for lunch. After lunch, drive to the central-southern border town of Gelephu. Gelephu is being planned as the World's first Mindfulness City under the patronage of the King of Bhutan. The zone will host international investments and tax free and an international airport will also be built here. Continue the drive through the subtropical plains of Bhutan to Sarpang.The drive will slowly ascend to the beautiful town of Tsirang. Night halt at Tsirang.
Today you will be driving down the hills to reach the Sunkosh river (which is the combination of mal and female rivers that you saw in Punakha). You will continue to hike/drive, take photos, etc. along the river reaching the town of Lobesa. Stop here for tea and snacks. This completes a western – central loop tour for you. On this route, you will be able to sight the Rufous necked horn bill, and hydropower projects.After tea and snacks, continue driving through villages and forests to lunch at the Menchuna resort.After lunch, drive up to the botanical park, take a break and seize the opportunity to see flowers, orchids, birds, and perhaps wildlife, including red pandas. Visit the park information centre showcasing Bhutan’s rare flora and fauna, along with conservation program milestones.After this, hike a section of the Trans-Bhutan trail through Juniper and bamboo forests to peak the Dochula. Enroute chances to sight red panda signs, pheasants, etc.After a brief refreshment at Dochula, get in the car and drive to Paro. Night halt in Paro.Today is the exit day, you will be driven to the airport. And you will say goodbye to our guide and driver.
