Bhutan Grand Trekking & Cultural Journey - 16 Days

The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Jichu Drang peak in Bhutan. Meet your private guide. If your flight is in the morning or afternoon, you will have some time for sightseeing before driving to Thimphu, the capital. Visit the 17th century Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan, showcasing a range of artifacts and exhibits related to Bhutanese culture and history. Next head to the Rinpung Dzong meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels". From here, you will drive to your hotel in Haa

Distance 6Km, Time 3.5 hours, Ascents 450m, Camp Altitude 3150m

Drive to the trek start point and meet your trekking crew. Begin your trek through an unpaved motor road for less than hour keeping yourself on the left side of the villages. Then take the footpath trail on the right side of the village and climb up gradually through a yak herders camp. And from the end of this yak herder’s camp, you will traverse through two different trails. Take right side trail to make your final climb towards your camp just below Saga La pass, 3150 meters. (The trail towards the left goes to the summer yak herding camp and to the border of China). Overnight camp at Sagala (3150 meters).

Accomodations: Camp at Sagala

Distance 9Km, Time 6 hours, Ascents 700m, Camp Altitude 3850m

From the camp start climbing for 30 minutes to reach the Sagala pass (3550 meters). If the weather is clear, you will have a superb view of Mt. Jumolhari and Jitchu Drake. From the pass, walk on the right side of the trail. After making several ascents and descents, walking through the trails of rhododendron tress and meadows, you will finally be on the top of the ridge which offers great views of Haa Valley. You will again make occasional ascents and descents through forests of Hemlock and Juniper until you reach at your camp at 3850 meters.

Distance 11Km, Time 6 hours, Ascents 500m, Descents 360m

Walk downhill for few minutes on the ridge through meadows of yak herder’s camp. You will then climb uphill through the forest of tall rhododendron trees and meadows adorned with stone Cairns to Kung Karpo Pass. The view of Haa valley is spectacular as you climb up through these stone Cairns. After hiking on the ridges, you will reach Kung Karpo. From here you will have ascends and descends with panoramic view of Paro valley on the left and Haa Valley on the right. A view of Kila Goenpa Nunnery below is also spectacular. Walk down along the ridge on carpet of dwarf rhododendron plants and colorful Buddhist prayer flags till you reach Chele la pass. Your car will be waiting here to transfer you to Paro and then towards Thimphu, the capital. In the evening, you will get some free time to stroll through Thimphu town.

Accomodations: Hotel in Thimphu

Explore the highlights of Thimphu, beginning with Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Bhutan’s third King. Continue to Kuenselphodrang to see the giant Buddha statue, followed by a visit to the Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School. After lunch, visit the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s national animal, before ending the day at the farmers market, the country’s largest vegetable market.

Drive from Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass at 3,100 meters. On a clear day, enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayan mountains before descending through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. Stop at Chimi Lhakhang, the temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, known as the “Divine Madman,” before continuing to Punakha. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, beautifully situated between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers.

Distance: 76 km | 2 hours

Accomodations: Hotel in Punakha

After breakfast, drive to the trek starting point and begin your hike towards Lingmukha. The trail initially passes through paddy fields before climbing steeply to a chorten marking the highest point of the day. Enjoy a picnic lunch with scenic views of the valleys before descending into the beautiful Lingmukha Valley. Visit Lingmukha Lhakhang, built by the renowned treasure discoverer Terton Dorjee Lingpa, before continuing to your campsite.

Trek: 12 km | 6–7 hours | Ascent 948 m | Descent 81 m | Camp altitude 2,147 m

After breakfast at camp, continue eastwards through the Lingmukha Valley. The trail climbs steeply through dense forest to a ridge-top rest stop, followed by a sharp descent with panoramic views across the Shar Valleys. If time permits, visit Chungse Azhe Gyalzom Lhakhang along the way. Continue through small farming villages and past Lhakhang Thangkha before climbing towards Samtengang, where your campsite awaits.

Trek: 13.85 km | 7–8 hours | Ascent 935 m | Descent 1,133 m | Camp altitude 1,950 m

Accomodations: Camp at Samtengang

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at camp, enjoy a relaxed morning before heading back towards Punakha. Continue by vehicle to the hike starting point for Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten. Take a short 30-minute hike to this beautiful three-storey chorten overlooking the upper Punakha Valley, with impressive views of the valley and surrounding snow-capped mountains. Return to Punakha for your overnight stay.

Drive from Punakha to Phobjikha Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Travel through dense oak and rhododendron forests, crossing Lawala Pass before arriving at Gangtey. From the village, enjoy views of the Black Mountain range before setting out on an exploratory hike through the Phobjikha Valley, passing villages, pine forests, farmhouse landscapes and areas near the crane habitats. End the hike at Gangtey Goenpa.

Distance: 87 km | 3 hours

Accomodations: Hotel in Gangtey

Retrace your route to Lawa La before continuing towards Trongsa. Cross Pele La Pass at 3,420 meters, where you can enjoy breathtaking mountain views and see yaks grazing in the surrounding landscape. Continue to Trongsa and visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong and the Tower of Trongsa before settling into your hotel.

Distance: 120 km | 4–5 hours

After an early breakfast, drive to Bumthang, the cultural heartland of Bhutan. Explore Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley, followed by a visit to Kenchosum Lhakhang, an important historic site known for its sacred atmosphere and preserved heritage. In the afternoon, visit Tamshing Lhakhang, renowned for its remarkable Buddhist paintings.

Distance: 68 km | 2 hours

Accomodations: Hotel in Bumthang

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy an excursion to Tang Valley, the most remote of Bumthang’s valleys. Visit the 16th-century Ugyen Chholing Palace, a former country manor now serving as a museum showcasing the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. Explore nearby villages before stopping at Mebar Tsho, or Burning Lake, where Pema Lingpa is believed to have discovered treasures associated with Guru Rinpoche in the 15th century. Return to Bumthang for the night.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Bumthang before transferring to the airport for your domestic flight to Paro. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, spend the remainder of the day at leisure or take a gentle walk through the charming Paro Valley.

Accomodations: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast

Morning transfer to the trailhead for your hike to Taktsang, or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Perched dramatically on a steep cliff approximately 900 meters above the Paro Valley, the monastery sits at around 3,100–3,180 meters. Enjoy lunch at the cafeteria restaurant about halfway up the mountain before continuing to explore the monastery. Afterwards, hike back down to the valley floor.

Trek: Elevation approximately 3,180 m

After breakfast, transfer to Paro Airport for your departure flight. Your local representative will assist you with the airport transfer and bid you farewell as your Bhutan journey comes to an end.