Essence of Bhutan

6 Days / 5 Nights

Day 1Paro to Thimphu (7,700 ft.)

Upon arrival at Paro airport, you will be welcomed and proceed about an hour’s drive to Thimphu, Capital of Bhutan.

Afternoon, explore the city highlights including the National Memorial Chorten, Textile Museum and drive up to Buddha Point for sweeping views of Thimphu valley. Later this evening, meet a local expert over a casual dinner to learn about fascinating facts on Bhutan’s “Gross National Happiness Index”. Enacted on 18 July 2008, this index is instituted in the Constitution of Bhutan.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day 2 Easy Hike around Kabesa (7,700 ft.)

After breakfast, drive about 30 minutes to Tango Monastery, a monastic school and retreat built in the 15th century. Tango is also the highest Buddhist learning center in Bhutan. After, continue to Bagana bridge for an hour hike on a fairly level trail through beautiful riverside village of Kabesa. Along your walk, visit Choki Traditional Art School, the only charitable art school in the country that helps economically disadvantaged students from all over Bhutan. If the school is opened, you can meet their principal and interact with the students. From here, you’ll continue hiking about an hour through the valley, eventually walking close to the Royal Palace before reaching Jushina, close to Indian Embassy in the city.

Overnight at Thimphu

Day 3Drive Thimphu to Haa Valley (9,670 ft.)

Today drive about 4 hours along scenic roads towards Haa Valley, the 2nd least populated district in Bhutan. It lies on the western most edge of Bhutan, bordering with the Chumbi Valley of Tibet and Sikkim in India. Along the drive, stop at Dogar Dobji Dzong, a 16th century structure.

Afternoon at Haa, visit two monasteries built in the 7th century, Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). Take a short walk around the local village and experience typical rural life. Your overnight accommodation is a small guesthouse converted from a typical farmhouse.

Overnight at Haa Valley

Day 4Hike to Kila Gompa (11,480 ft.) & Drive to Paro (7,780 ft.)

After breakfast, drive about an hour to Chele La pass (13,120ft.), one of the highest passes in Bhutan. Weather permitting, you will enjoy good views of Mt. Chomolhari (23,000 ft.) and the Himalayan range.

Then hike about an hour through forests and steep slopes to Kila Gompa, a nunnery perched on a steep cliff face at 11,480 ft. There are seven small temples and several retreat huts built into a dizzying cliff side, where some 30 to 70 nuns live in self-imposed isolation. If opportunity permits, you’ll have tea with some nuns at the nunnery and learn about their daily life.

After, continue driving for about an hour to Paro. Afternoon, visit Kichu Lhakhang, a 7th century temple. Hike 15 minutes up to Drukgyal Dzong, a defense fortress built in 1647 and now in ruins.

Overnight at Paro

Day 5Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (10,240 ft.)

Today you will hike about 4-5 hours to the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery, an incredible monastery built in 1692 on the side of a 3,000 foot cliff. The trail goes through blue pines and switchbacks uphill to the ridge. This iconic monastery was built in 1692 around the Taktsang Senge Samdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for 3 months in the 8th century.

After the hike enjoy a relaxing traditional hot stone herbal bath before visiting the Paro Dzong and strolling around “downtown” Paro, a series of small lanes with a handful of local shops.

Overnight at Paro

Day 6Depart Paro

Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.