| Day 1 |
Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1.2 hrs)
On arrival in Paro international airport you will be received by HBT representative and transfer to Thimphu by private car. Check into your hotel. Delicious lunch will be served at your hotel and afternoon we will proceed for city sightseeing. Visit memorial chorten, stupa built in the memory of our late 3rd king and Buddha view point, which gives breathtaking pictures of entire Thimphu valley. We will walk down from the viewpoint to our hotel marking graceful first day in the Kingdom Bhutan. Overnight in Thimphu. Altitude 2400m |
| Day 2 |
Thimphu sightseeing
After our leisurely breakfast we will start our day visiting handmade paper factory, visit painting school, nearby folk heritage museum and national library. Lunch in the town, after lunch we will drive to north end of Thimphu valley and hike to Tango monastery, which is converted into Buddhist college. Evening we will explore the weekend market (Thursday to Sunday only) and some handicrafts to understand the Bhutanese arts, textiles, painting, religious artifacts and the varieties. Overnight in Thimphu. |
| Day 3 |
Thimphu-Punakha (2.5 hrs)
After our delicious breakfast, we will checkout from the hotel and proceed to Punakha. En-route we will stop at beautiful Dochula pass at 3050m. The pass offers charming views of the entire northern Bhutanese Himalayas during a clear day. We have warm tea/coffee at the cafeteria on the pass and proceed to warm fertile valley of Punakha. Hike to Chimi lhakhang, the temple of fertility which is associates with religious arts of phallus. Visit most beautiful 17th century Punakha Dzong, which showcase the finest arts and architects of Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha. Altitude 1350m |
| Day 4 |
Punakha – Phobjikha (3 hrs)
Check out from the hotel after our delicious breakfast, we will drive to valley of black necked cranes via Wangdue. En-route we will visit Rinchengang village. Visit Gangey Gonpa and black necked crane center to get better idea and information about this endanger bird of Bhutan which migrates from Tibetan plateau to Phobjikha in every winter. Later in the evening we will visit typical Bhutan farm house or choose to stay at farm house that we offer in Phobjikha. Overnight in Phobjikha. Altitude 2900m |
| Day 5 |
Phobjikha – Thimphu (5 hrs)
Check out from the hotel after our breakfast and retrace our drive back to Paro via, Wangdue, Dochula and Thimphu. On arrival in Paro, we will visit national museum of Bhutan and Paro dzong. Evening we will explore the tiny Paro town. Overnight in Paro. Altitude 2200m. |
| Day 6 |
Thimphu – Labana (Trek start). Distance: 12k, walking time: 6h, sleeping altitude: 3500m, pass to cross: Pumo La, 4100m.
The trek begins with decent climbing which continues for the whole day. Passing through the temple and meditation center complex of Phajoding. Further climbing of an hour will take you over Pumo La, the highest pass of this trek with a beautiful view of Thimphu valley overlooking. On a clear day we can see the Gangkhar Puensum, which use to be the highest peak in Bhutan. Descending from the pass you will reach your first night camp. |
| Day 7 |
Labana – Jigmelangtsho. Distance: 15k, walking time: 7h, sleeping altitude: 3300m.
The trail will take us through dwarf rhododendrons and junipers. We will also pass the lakes of Janatso and Simkotha. The view of the far ridge across the valley which you trekked will fill you with a sense of personal satisfaction and renew you with extra confidence in yourself. Our camp is at the lake of Jimilangtsho. |
| Day 8 |
Jigmelangtsho – Jangchulhakha. Distance: 13k, walking time: 6h, sleeping altitude: 3200m.
The trek today starts off with a climb, leaving the quite lake behind. Following the ridge, on a clear day the Chomolhari mountain can be seen straight in front of your eyes. Rhododendrons and other high altitude shrubs decorate the rocky trail which climbs up and down. You may see yak herders around. |
| Day 9 |
Jangchulhakha-Jele Dzong. Distance: 10k, walking time: 4h, sleeping altitude: 3000m.
Today's trail looks like the setting of Stephen Spielberg's Jurassic Park. With ancient firs wrapped in Spanish moss, a dinosaur or a Bhutanese Yeti might actually surprise you around the bend. Camp near Jela Dzong, a temple built as a war fortress in the olden days, overlooking the Paro valley below. |
| Day 10 |
Jele Dzong – Paro (Trek end). Distance: 10k, walking time: 4h.
Morning from the camp, you climb up for a short while and start descending through the pine forest. Crossing few farm houses and through the dirt road. The Drukpath Trek ends at the historic Ta Dzong, the National Museum. Our transport will meet us there. |
| Day 11 |
Paro sightseeing
The day starts with a visit to the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here, an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. Just a short walk downhill lays the dominating Paro Dzong, fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. From the Dzong, the tour crosses Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge, and guests are then driven to the town. Paro options include picturesque picnic spots or, perhaps, a visit to a traditional farmhouse to lunch with the family. In the afternoon, hike up to view one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktshang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The four-hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. Overnight in Paro.
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| Day 12 |
Departure
The Dragon tour will end today. After the breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Carry smile on your face, eyes with tears and memories unlimited. Tour staffs will bid you farewell at the airport departure gate with the quick prayer of save journey and to see you again in future
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