10 Nights / 11 Days
Seasons: March to May | September to November.
Difficulty: Moderate
Day 1| Arrival into Paro
On a clear day, the flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. You will see major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and then on the final approach to Paro Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang will come into view. You will be received by your guide from Yeedzin tour and treks at the airport and then transferred to your hotel. Your evening will be free to stroll around Paro town.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day 2| Paro
In the morning, visit Ta Dzong, built in 1651 as a watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) and in 1968 inaugurated as the National Museum. Also visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. It now houses the district administration offices and Paro’s monastic community.
After lunch, drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. We may also have time to visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries of the kingdom.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 3|Paro – Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu stopping to visit Bhutan’s most ancient fortress Simtokha Dzong (built in 1627). After lunch, visit as time permits: the National Memorial Chorten (built as a memorial to Bhutan’s third king and as a monument to world peace); the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only) where herbal medicines are made up and dispensed and traditional medicine practitioners are trained; the Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan; the National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature including many ancient Buddhist texts in block-printed format; Tashichhodzong, (“the fortress of the glorious religion”), which houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4|Thimphu – Trongsa
Drive to Trongsa via Dochu-la pass (3,088m). On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Continue on to Wangduephodrang town, which is also our lunch stop. Then proceed to Trongsa over Pele-la pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west.
Overnight at hotel in Trongsa| Altitude: 2350m
Day 5|Trongsa – Bumthang
Morning visit the Trongsa Dzong, Then visit the Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa Dzong. Proceed to Bumthang and in the afternoon visit the 17th century Jakar Dzong and then Kurje monastery, built in the 17th century to mark the place where Guru Padmasambhava had meditated in the 8th century, leaving his body imprint on the rock.
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang |Altitude: 3000m
Day 6|Bumthang – Ngang Lhakhang
14km, 6 hours
The trek begins today. The trek route follows the Chamkhar Chu (river), taking us through meadows, forests of blue pine and scrub bamboo. We will pass by many villages and temples, on this very relaxing and easy day. Camp overnight at village (2,900m).
Day 7|Ngang Lhakhang – Ugyenchholing
19km, 7-8 hours
The trail ascends gradually through juniper forest towards Phephe-la pass (3,340m). From there, the path descends to Tang valley, finally arriving at Ugyenchholing village (2,850m). Camp overnight by the side of the river near the village.
Day 8|Ugyenchholing – Bumthang
11km, 4 hours
In the morning, walk up to Ugyenchholing Palace, a beautiful private mansion that also houses a small eco-museum, and then drive to Jakar (Bumthang) following the Tang Chu until arriving at the main road. On the way visit the Mebar Tso Lake, where Terton Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered religious treasures in the 15th century. This lake is very sacred, and on auspicious days many Bhutanese people go there to offer butter lamps. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 9|Bumthang – Punakha
Morning visit to Jambey Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, who is believed to be the reincarnation of Jambey (Avalokitesvara), the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Tamshing Lhakhang, across the river, is also an important place to visit, as it houses old and interesting religious paintings. Drive to Punakha with lunch en route. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 10|Punakha – Paro
Today we drive to Paro. It will be a relaxing day, as we reach Paro by lunchtime. Free time for leisure or last minute shopping in the afternoon. Take a stroll around Paro market in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11:Depart from Paro
Early morning flight from Paro International Airport for flight to onward destination.
Central Bhutan Tour with Bumthang Cultural Trek
12 Nights / 13 Days
Day 1 | Paro – Thimphu
The flight into Bhutan is one of a kind giving you a taste of the adventurous Bhutanese people taking you as close as you can ever get to the Himalayan mountain ranges. On arrival, you will be received by our guide from Yeedzin Tours and Treks and will head to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Evening tea in a local restaurant and free time to walk around Thimphu town.
Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 2 | Thimphu
Today will be a full day sightseeing program of the Thimphu valley. National Library, Arts and crafts school, Folk Heritage National Memorial Chorten and National Textile Museum, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office, Tashichhodzong.
Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 3 | Thimphu – Wangduephodrang
After early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m) to get a view of the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east, depending on the weather u may or may not see the entire mountain range.
Stop at Wangduephodrang town and visit the Wanduephodrang dzong (In ruins due to recent fire).
Overnight at Wangduephodrang
Day 4 Wangduephodrang–Gantey-Trongsa
Drive to Trongsa en route visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan, hopefully sighting some black necked cranes, then drive across Pele-la pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. You will see a change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo.
Stop en route at Chendebji Chorten, Arrive at Trongsa late afternoon and check into the lodge for the night.
Overnight at Trongsa.
Day 5 | Trongsa – Bumthang
After breakfast, walk by Trongsa Dzong, Ta Dzong.
Then drive to Bumthang, 68 km. from Tongsa, a journey of about 3 hours, over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft).
On arrival in Bumthang, check in at your lodge.
Overnight at Bumthang.
Day 6|Bumthang – Ngang Lhakhang
14km, 6 hours
The trek begins today. The trek route follows the Chamkhar Chu (river), taking us through meadows, forests of blue pine and scrub bamboo. We will pass by many villages and temples, on this very relaxing and easy day. Camp overnight at village (2,900m).
Day 7|Ngang Lhakhang – Ugyenchholing
19km, 7-8 hours
The trail ascends gradually through juniper forest towards Phephe-la pass (3,340m). From there, the path descends to Tang valley, finally arriving at Ugyenchholing village (2,850m). Camp overnight by the side of the river near the village.
Day 8|Ugyenchholing – Bumthang
11km, 4 hours
In the morning, walk up to Ugyenchholing Palace, a beautiful private mansion that also houses a small eco-museum, and then drive to Jakar (Bumthang) following the Tang Chu until arriving at the main road. On the way visit the Mebar Tso Lake, where Terton Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered religious treasures in the 15th century. This lake is very sacred, and on auspicious days many Bhutanese people go there to offer butter lamps.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 9 | Bumthang – Punakha
After breakfast, explore the valley of Bumthang. Then proceed to Punakha, stopping along the way at Tongsa for lunch, which will be served in a local restaurant famous for its cuisine.
Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and town en route to Punakha, which we will reach late afternoon.
Overnight at Punakha
Day 10 | Punakha – Paro
Morning visit to Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. The Dzong has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. Then drive to paro
Overnight at paro
Day 11 | Paro-Haa -Paro
Morning drive to Haa town, which was recently opened to foreigners, en-route cross Pelela pass one of the highest pass in Bhutanese road. Enjoy the uniqueness of the recently opened town. After lunch drive back to Paro.
Overnight at Paro
Day 12 | Paro
Hike to taktsang stopping for lunch at the cafeteria.
After lunch, we drive up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by the Shabdrung to commemorate the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans in the war of 1644. En route, we also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. then visits to the National Museum, and Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Evening tea at a local farmhouse.
Overnight at Paro.
Day 13 | Depart Paro
After early breakfast in the hotel , drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.