Adventure in Bhutan

DAY 1: DEPART UK

Depart the UK on your flight to Paro.

DAY 2: THIMPHU

Your guide will be ready to greet you on arrival at Paro airport and take you straight to Thimphu. On this one-hour journey you will spy your first Bhutanaese temple: Tamchog Lhakhang, which you can reach by walking a rickety iron-chain bridge across the Paro Chhu river. Later in the afternoon, after some time to rest, your guide will introduce you to the capital itself. Get a flavour for the sights and sounds of the city and visit its most iconic monument, the National Memorial Chorten which has some impressive views. If it’s a market day (weekends), you’ll join the hustle and bustle as farmers from all over the country try to sell their wares.

DAY 3: THIMPHU    

Set off on a gentle one-hour walk through shaded rhododendron forests to Tango Monastery, whose origins date back to the 12th Century. Rebuilt in the 15th Century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, the infamous Divine Madman, is run as a Buddhist university with 280 monks in attendance.

DAY 4: THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA VIA THE DOCHULA PASS

Today you’ll set off with your guide and driver for the scenic drive to Punakha.  The journey will take you through pine and cedar forest via the Dochula Pass where, on a clear day, the panoramic views of the Himalayan range are just incredible. Stop to explore the 108 stupas built in honour of fallen Bhutanese soldiers before trying warm Yak milk tea at a cafe. Continue to descend into the fertile Punakha valley before taking a short walk through paddy fields to visit Chimi Lhakhang, otherwise known as the Temple of Fertility. 

DAY 5: TREK TO LIMBUKHA   

Today you begin your three-day trek at the beautiful and historic Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the Mo Chuu and Pho Chu rivers. Follow a 12km trail climbing gradually through terraced farmland and forests to the summit of Dochula Hill before descending into Limbukha, a picturesque hamlet. Here you will camp for the night at an altitude of 1,980m in basic accommodation; the views are spectacular.

DAY 6: TREK TO CHHUNGSAKHA  

Today’s trek is 14 km in total, starting on a trail beside DargyelGoempa, an old monastery. Your route later takes you along a ridge ascending to Dochen La, a small pass at 2,645m that is festooned with fluttering prayer flags, and rewards you with incredible views of the Dochu La and Jomolhari mountains. Continue down to Chhunsakha (1,850m), a small village where you will camp for the night in front of the local temple.

DAY 7: TREK TO WANGDUE VALLEY

Your final morning will see you hiking downhill for 2.5 hours through thick forest before reaching a lunch stop in a clearing with beautiful views over Wangdue valley. Continue into the valley, through terraced fields of mustard and wheat. Your driver will then meet you at the Po Chhu River to transfer you to your hotel in Punakha for a 3-night stay.

DAY 8: Punakha   RAFTING THE PO CHU

The Po Chu or Father river is fed by glaciers in the upper Punakha valley, offering great rafting opportunities. It’s a spectacular spot to get an adrenaline rush as you paddle your way over 15 class 2-4 rapids, ending at the confluence by Punakha Dzong.

DAY 9: GILIGANG TRAIL & DZONG

The Giligang Trail is the best day-trek in Punakha. In all, it takes around 4-5 hours and includes a picnic breakfast in the serene gardens of the Khamsum Chorten before the temple’s visitors start to arrive. Your guide will lead you along the trail which traverses rice paddies and pine forests and offers spectacular views of the mountain-tops.

DAY 10: PARO   AN INTRODUCTION

The drive to Paro this morning, where you will be for one night, takes around 4 hours. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation tour of this historic town with your local guide, taking in its main highlights. End the day with tea and local wine over archery at a traditional, old fashioned local farmhouse.

DAYS 11 & 12: BUMDRA TREK   TIGER’S NEST

This two-day moderate trek does require a reasonable level of fitness as you will reach maximum altitudes of up to 4,000m, and the ascent is quite steep in parts. Your destination and camp is underBumdra Monastery, known as the Cave of a Thousand Prayers and located above the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Day one will see you trekking 3-4 hours through forests, ridges and past temples, with a picnic lunch along the way. On arrival at the camp, you may wish to visit Bumdra Monastery, or climb to the north peak at 4,000m to hang your prayer flags - the higher the altitude, the greater the merit! Note that the facilities at this camp are basic, but the unimpeded views of the Himalayas make for a very special experience.

After breakfast on day two, hike 3-4 hours down, zigzagging along the monks’ trail, across a gorge and descending through the gates past a waterfall. Take in Bhutan’s most iconic site, the Taktshang or Tiger’s Nest monastery, clinging to a sheer cliff face, before heading in to explore it. Later descend into the Paro valley where your driver will meet you and take you to your hotel for your final night in Bhutan.

DAY 13: FLY HOME

You will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport for your onward flight.