8 Nights - 9 Days Tour & Trek

Day - 01 ARRIVAL AT PARO

You will be on board Druk Air , Bhutan ’s only National Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom).  The journey offers you the most magnificent and breathtaking views of the Eastern Himalayas , including the towering Mt Everest. 

While en route, complete immigration and custom form formalities for later declaration. Put your address in Bhutan as c/o Himalayan Kingdom Tours. Keep your custom forms safe, as you need to produce the same on departure. Put the forms in the passport along with $20 visa fee and two passport sized photos.

On arrival, the group will be accorded a very warm reception by a representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours and escorted to your hotel.

Day –02 Paro Sightseeing

After breakfast, sightseeing to Drukgyel Dzong, the fort of the victorious Drukpas. Although gutted by a fire, this fort is renowned as the stand from which several Tibetan invasions were repulsed.  To the north can be seen in all its majesty, the dome of sacred Mt. Chomolhari or the abode of the "mountain of goddess.”

En route, see one of the oldest landmarks in Bhutan . The 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo. It is revered as one of the most holy shrines in Bhutan and embodies the arrival of Buddhism here.

After lunch, visit to Ta Dzong, originally the Watch Tower for the Rinpung Dzong. It was later converted into the National Museum of the Kingdom and boasts a wide range of antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and natural and historic artifacts.

Walk down the trail to Rinpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints.  Walk down to the cantilever bridge below the dzong where your car awaits. After an evening tea, drive to Thimphu .

Ovenight at hotel.

Day-03 Thimphu Sightseeing

Morning visit the memorial temple that depicts the Buddhist teachings in form of paintings and statues. Originally the Third King who is known as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” initiated this temple to protect the nation against negative elements. His son the present King and the Queen Mother completed the temple. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum , where life in medieval Bhutan is still showcased; the National Library, the repository of all ancient books and manuscripts; the Textile Museum for antique textile collections; and the Zilukha Nunnery and the 12^th century Changgangkha temple. Drive up to the highest viewpoint overlooking Thimphu valley and while returning, the Takin research center. Should time permit, visit Tashicho Dzong, the center of both spiritual and temporal powers. Independent tour of the town in the evening.

Overnight at hotel.

Day – 04 Thimphu - Gangtey

After breakfast, leave for Gantey Gonpa, the winter nesting ground for the endangered Black Necked Crane. Ascend up to the Dochula pass (Alt. 3100m)  for a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges(the view is possible only on a clear day). Also visit Punakha (60 km) the former capital of Bhutan .

Overnight at the Guesthouse. The Guesthouse in Gangtey is not luxurious but very clean and comfortable. The food is excellent. Gangtey is a beautiful Himalayan meadow surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It is situated at an altitude of 3000m. Gangtey Gonpa (Gantey monastery)is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. The Gangtey Gonpa is the only Nyingmapa Monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains .

Day -05 Gangtey - Gogona

Begin the Gantey Trek. Riding ponies can be provided if required.

The trail winds through meadows and fields of mixed forests of juniper,bamboo,magnolia and rhododendron to Tselela pass ( 3320m ). Overnight in camp at alt. 3000m. (Distance 16 km, time 5-6 Hr.)

Day – 06 Gogona - Khotokha

A gentle climb up to Shobjula pass (3390m), and then descend to a wide valley surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges.  Overnight in camp. (Distance 16 km. Time 6-7 hrs.)

Day – 07 Khotokha - Chuzomsa & drive to Paro

A short ascent will bring you to the Tashila pass (2780m). You walk through an ever-changing landscape into the drainage of Dangchu ( Chu means River), motor roadside and drive to Paro (140 kms.). Overnight in hotel.

Day- 08 EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG

After an early breakfast,  drive to the foot of the Taktshang cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face.  Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’ as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Lunch at the Taktshang Cafeteria. The trip to and fro takes four hours for which riding ponies can be arranged.  

Day 09 – Departure

Representative of Himalayan Kingdom Tours will bid you farewell. TASHI DELEK.

SEASON: Jan –June & Sept-Dec.

CLIMATE: Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cold and in winter sometimes comes below freezing points.

WHAT TO BRING: Personal clothing, strong normal clothing (accordingly). Preferably cotton for summer. Woolen clothes for evening and winter.