Today you will hike to the famous Taktsang Goemba. The monastery has a remarkable history and even looks quite extraordinary perched on a hill side. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew here to meditate on the back of a tigress. The hike is about 5 to 6 hours journey through pine forest and rhododendrons, ascending 900 meters above Paro Valley. In the evening, you can explore Paro town. Overnight hotel in Paro.

21KM | 7-8 HOURS | 750M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 2850M

In the morning you will drive to Shana, via Drugyel Dzong and your drive will be along the Paro river, occasionally crossing it and passing through fields, rice paddies, apple orchards, blue pine and fir forests. Soon at 2810m you reach army post of Gunitsawa where the valley widens and few settlements are visible. Finally you will reach at 2850m to Shana Zampa, amid meadows surrounded by trees.

You will begin your journey by climbing up and down through conifers and rhododendrons and crossing several streams. You shall reach a clearing called Shingkharap at 3100m where you can take a rest for a while or you can have your lunch and you will find house with small store. After lunch or after resting, you will continue to ascend another 1 ½ hours to reach the place called Thongdu Zam at 3250m. continue another 3 to 4 hours of ascends and descends through forests of birch, fir, blue pine and maple trees and will  finally reach a valley above which is the beautiful view of mount Jumolhari. At 3600m is your campsite.

19KM | 5-6 HOURS | 500M ASCENT | CAMP ALT 4100M

Today you will elevate to a high altitude, treading through muddy trails, meadows, plateaus and bridges. After 1 hour walk from the camp with few gradual ascends and descends you will reach the place with both Indian and Bhutanese army base. You will pass few settlements where villagers grow barley, potatoes, turnips and radishes. As you move from the village of Soe to Takethang and Dangochang it is common to see people herding yaks near the river banks. At 4100m, you finally reach camp at Jangothang. You can enjoy the stunning views of Mount Jumolhari and Jichu Drake from here.

This is a rest day at Jangothang for acclimatization. From your campsite you can trek on an open slope towards north for four hours to get an awesome view of Jichu Drake. Ascend higher at 4750m for an exquisite view of Jumolhari. There are other options for day excursions to nearby places and lakes. You may also choose to laze around, either way be you will have a terrific time here.

19KM | 6-7 HOURS | 780M ASCENT | 820M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4010M

Leaving behind the last settlements, you will now ascend a trail following the stream. At 4470m you will traverse through moraines and might encounter blue sheep and marmots. Soon you will reach Ngye La pass at an altitude of 4,700m. After the pass, you will descend till Lingzhi camp (4000m) and traverse back into the forest of rhododendrons and birches. You will spot yaks and yak herders along the way. On the way down to the campsite you will get a good view of the Lingzhi Dzong.

12KM | 5-6 HOURS | 160M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 3850M

Visit the historic Lingzhi (Yugyal) Dzong. For centuries, it controlled the border between Tibet and Bhutan and was one of the main defence fortresses in the north. It sits on the hilltop overlooking the vast green hills and the meandering rivers accented by the beautiful peaks. It is a short and charming walk through villages and yak herders camp. After lunch, a short walk leads you to the beautiful Chebisa valley. It has a spectacular frozen waterfall at its head. The camp is located on the meadow opposite Chebisa at 3,850m.

17KM | 6-7 HOURS | 570M ASCENT | 290M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4130M

Start out by tackling a steep ascent towards Gogu La pass lying at an altitude of 4500m. These 4 hours will be a pleasant wildlife safari with sights of rare blue sheep on the rocks above and even rare sights of bearded vultures. After the pass, descend through the rhododendron bushes to a lunch stop. With sporadic ascents and descents along the trail, cross the stream and walk through rhododendron bushes and yak herders camp. We arrive to Shakshepasa (3980m) and then climb up a steep trail to the northern side of the valley. We arrive at our campsite Shomuthang, beside a stream at 4,250m above the sea level.

17KM | 6-7 HOURS | 570M ASCENT | 290M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4130M

We trek up the valley crossing rivers and traverse through trails with Edelweiss aplenty. The snow peak called the Kang Bum is visible in the Southeast, which lies at an altitude of 6526m. We climb to Jari La pass at an altitude of 4,700m. We descend to the valley Tsheri Jathang, a camp by the river where herds of rare Himalayan Takins (the national animal of Bhutan) migrate to in the summer. We cross a stream as the footbridge is washed away often. After crossing the stream, we climb towards Robluthang; a rocky meadow camp at an altitude of 4,200m.

19KM | 7-8 HOURS | 850M ASCENT | 870M DESCENT | CAMP ALT 4140M

Climb past the ruins of a burned forest and up through boggy patches. Following the stream for some while, crossing the river and then climbing through moraine and marmot holes, you will reach at the top of Sinche La pass (5005m). You will view the astonishing panorama of the snow-capped Gangchhenta or the Tiger Mountain (6,840m) over the northern horizon. The trek then descends through rough, rocky trail following moraine into a glacial valley. Eventually we arrive at the Kango Chhu River. The path is narrow and you might have to cross a stream again. After a short walk through cedar forests with small meadows we arrive at our campsite, Lingmithang by a river (4140m). The grand Tiger Mountain towers over the campsite in the distance.

10KM | 3-4 HOURS | CAMP ALT 3850M

In the morning you wake up with a superb view of Gangchhenta peak towering your camp. The walk to Laya is spotted with very beautiful views making the walk a pleasant one. You will pass a damp forest and will also view the change of vegetation as the trek progresses. You will arrive at Laya village, the second highest settlement in the country, at an altitude of 3,800m. So you will be early to the village explore around the Laya village. This will be a wonderful opportunity for you to visit any of the houses around. Traditional Bhutanese hospitality is a pleasant experience. Even to a perfect stranger a cup of tea and Chang (local wine) is always offered. The inhabitants of this valley are very interesting especially the women. They wear conical bamboo hats ornamented with turquoise and silver. You can choose to have a rest day at Laya

4KM | 1-2 HOURS | | 700M DESCENT |

Descend to the army camp. Now we have a farm road till army camp and use four wheeler car or truck to Gasa where your car will be waiting for you. Meet your driver and visit the Gasa Dzong. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal established this Dzong in the 17th century to protect the valley against Tibetan invaders. He was the first religious King of Bhutan. After your visit, descend to Gasa Tshachu (hot spring) to enjoy a hot relaxing bath in one of the springs. The Gasa Tshachu is the most popular hot spring in Bhutan. This is truly the place to unwind after the long trek. You will camp nearby Gasa hotspring or use guest house at an altitude of 2,400m.

After breakfast, you will drive the descending road taking you through heavily forested areas with wild orchids in abundance. You will then arrive at Damji Village which lies at an altitude of 2,400m. Continue downhill where you will be pleased to see high agricultural benches, luxuriant semi-tropical gorge with banana trees and creepers aplenty. You will follow the Mo Chhu through the thick forest till you reach Tashithang (1,620m) and then further down for 15km where you will arrive to Punakha. You can choose to hike Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which takes about 40 minutes from the suspension bridge. Visit majestic Punakha dzong and then walk towards one of the longest suspension bridge. Overnight in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will drive to Thimphu via Dochula Pass. Before that visit Chimi lhakhang (Fertility temple) which is said to bless with a child. The phallus paintings on the walls in the village reminds of the accomplished master Drukpa kuenley famously known as ‘divine madman’ in 15th century. Continue driving to the capital city, Thimphu and do lunch at one of the local restaurant. After lunch visit the national memorial stupa, the giant Buddha statue also known as Buddha point (51.5m) which is said to be one of the largest Buddha statue in the world. Towards evening stroll the city and relax in the hotel.

In the morning visit Takin preservation center, Jungzhi handmade paper factory, 13 arts and craft institute, Royal textile museum, craft bazaar and break for lunch at village restaurant. In the afternoon, drive to Paro and if the time permits visit one the oldest temple in the country called Kyichu lhakhang. For dinner you will visit a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse to experience the life of a Bhutanese farmer and if you wish you can sit down for a dinner with a local family enjoying an “emadatse” a dish made up of cheese and chillies. Overnight hotel in Paro.

After your breakfast, you will be driven to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you goodbye.