Bhutan Adventure

Arrive by Druk Air. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel and enjoy the city. At approx 16:00 pm we will have a group meeting where you will meet your fellow group members, go over the details of your trip and the CEO . Check the notice board to see where and what time the group meeting will be held. Later we go for a short orientation walk of the town.

Paro is a beautiful valley named after the river flowing through on the banks of which the town is located. It is the only active international airport in Bhutan served only by Druk Air from Nepal, India and South East Asia.

This morning we go for a short excursion to the spectacular Taktsang Monastery also known as the Tiger's Nest. Built in the 16th century, this monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock that goes DOWN 900 m into the valley. Legend says that Guru Padmasambhava who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came here on an flying tiger. We take our lunch at the cafeteria. We then drive down to Ta Dzong, AN ancient Watch tower, which now houses the National Museum. Also walk down to the Archery ground at the base of Paro Rimpung Dzong. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan and you might catch a contest in action, if you are lucky.

Trek to Jele Dzong - 4-5 hours

Today we start our 3 day gentle trek starting from the ta Dzong at 2300 mts. We hike up to Jele Dzong (3436 M. The trek is a gradual climb and on a clear day you can get some stunning view of the Paro Valley and Mount Jumolhari (7314 M) and a skyline of snowcapped mountains.

Trek to Tshaluna Walking distance 9 Kms Walking time: 6 hours

After breakfast we pack our ponies and descend through a beautiful rhodendrons and conifers leading our way through the meadows and into Tshaluna village. Here we walk through the village and mingle with ethinic Bhutanese local community.

Trek to Jemina : Waking distance 9 Kms Walking hours 3

After breakfast descend through the beautiful meadows in the valley of Tshaluna till we reach Jemina from where we drive to Thimpu.

Thimphu contrasts sharply with most cities you have visited throughout the world. It is a capital city without traffic lights, where no cars existed until 1962 and where all stores are closed on Tuesday on the upper lane and Wednesday on the lower lane. This is to give business people a rest from their capitalist pursuits and allow time with families. Although people lived and farmed the valley and hills bordering the Thimphu Chhu for many years, the town did not really develop until it became the capital city in 1961.

This morning we take a tour of Thimpu visiting the Chorten Memorial and the Zilukha Nunnery. The Chorten was built honouring the third ruler of Bhutan and has today become a land mark for Bhutan with its Golden spires and bells standing out.

After lunch we depart to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The drive goes steeply through a forest of Pine and Cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3050 m)

Walking time - 1 hour. Drive time : 2 hours.

In the morning drive towards the north of Punakha valley and then your car will drop you at a riverside, from here cross the suspension bridge and then hike for an hour to reach the stupa of Khamsum Yueley Chorten perched on a hill on the opposite bank of the river. The walk is through the rice terraced fields and pine forest. It is dedicated to our present King. After the visit walk back to the motorable road and then drive to Gangtey with a sight visit to Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. Visit Wangdue Dzong and then drive further to Gangtey Goempa, which lies on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hillside of Phobjikha is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate.

Drive time : 5 -6 hours.

After breakfast drive over the Pelela pass and then onto Thimphu for lunch. After lunch drive to Haa valley via Chunzom. From the confluence the road diverts one to Paro on your right and the left to Haa. You will drive towards the left diversion and the drive offers scenic beauty of Himalayan Ranges through gorges and deep Blue Pine forest and you finally reach to Haa.

Visit the temples of AAP Chhundu and also the Lhakhang Nagpo and Karpo and then drive to Paro over the Chelila pass (3,720 m) and from the pass one can get a clear view of the snow capped Himalayan peaks. The pass is marked by a multitude of prayer flags that seem to spear the intense blue skies and then from the pass hike to Kila Goempa, the hike is through the dense forest of firs, rhododendrons and conifers forest and then to Kila Goempa Nunnery. From the nunnery the trail descends till you reach a gorge and from the gorge climb for 30 minutes till you reach the motorable road and then drive to your hotel.

Tour ends this morning