Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Paro
You'll land in Paro and meet your Alpine Club guide before checking into your hotel. The afternoon is yours to explore the cultural heart of the valley. Walk through the 15th-century Dungste Lhakang temple first, then head to Rinpung Dzong, the impressive fortress-monastery that dominates the landscape. After that, you can visit the national museum to get context on Bhutanese history, then finish with Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country. The Himalayan backdrop frames everything you see here.
Included Activities
- Visit Dungste Lhakang (15th-century temple)
- Visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress-monastery)
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang (oldest Bhutanese temple)
Landmarks Dungste Lhakang Ugyen Perli Palace Rinpung Dzong National Museum (Paro) Kichu Lhakhang - Day 2
Paro to Thimphu
After breakfast, you'll start the hike to Taktsang, which takes about 4 to 5 hours total. The trail climbs steeply but the monastery perched on the cliff edge makes it worthwhile. Around the midway point, you'll reach a mountain restaurant where lunch is set up. Once you've taken in the views and explored the monastery, the descent takes roughly 90 minutes. From there, you'll drive to Thimphu for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch served at restaurant halfway up the mountain), Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery (approximately 4-5 hours)
- Lunch at mountain restaurant
Landmarks Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery Paro Valley 
- Day 3
Thimphu to Sagala Pass (Trekking)
This morning you drive toward Haa valley, passing through Chele La pass at 3,810m/12,500ft, one of Bhutan's highest points. The road offers constant views of snow-capped peaks and you'll see herds of yaks grazing on the slopes. After stopping at a few yak herder camps to see how locals live up here, the trek gradually climbs higher. By evening you'll reach the overnight camp at Sagala pass at 3,150m/10,330ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive through Chele La pass (3810m)
- Trek through Haa valley
- Trek through yak herder camps to Sagala pass
Landmarks Chele La Pass Haa Valley Sagala Pass - Day 4
Sagala Pass to Ningula
Start the day with a 30-minute climb to Sagala pass at 3,550m/11,650ft where, if the weather cooperates, you can see the sacred mountains Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. From there the trek moves through rhododendron forests and open meadows. Keep an eye out for Himalayan Monals and Blood Pheasants as you walk. The day ends at your camp at Ningula, sitting at 3,874m/12,710ft.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Sagala pass (30 minutes climb)
- Trek through rhododendron forests and meadows
- Trek to Ningula camp (3,874m)
Optional Activities
- Bird watching for Himalayan Monals, Blood Pheasants, and Musk Deer
Landmarks Sagala Pass Jomolhari (Mountain Goddess) Jichu Drake Haa Valley Ningula - Day 5
Ningula to Thimphu
You'll trek through fir forests heading toward Gung Karpo ridge at 4,000m/13,120ft. Following the ridge, you then drop down through rhododendron scrub land and pass Chelela Pass at 3,990m/13,090ft. All day long you're surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the alpine flowers here are worth the walk - pediculariss, blue poppies, yellow poppies, and iris scattered across the meadows. By afternoon you'll drive back down to Thimphu.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through fir forests to Gung Karpo ridge (4,000m)
- Trek to Chelela Pass (3,990m)
- Drive back to Thimphu
Landmarks Gung Karpo Ridge Chelela Pass - Day 6
Thimphu to Punakha
After breakfast, head up to Dochula pass at 3,100m/10,170ft to see the 108 memorial chortens. From up there, the panoramic views include Mt. Masanggang, Bhutan's highest peak at 7,158m/23,485ft. You'll hike around the pass area, then drive downhill through thick forest. Stop in Metshina Village for a 20-minute walk through rice paddies to reach Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple sitting in the valley below.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Dochula Pass (3,100m)
- Visit Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 memorial chortens)
- Hike at Dochula Pass
- Walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang (fertility temple)
- Visit Chimi Lhakhang
Landmarks Dochula Pass Druk Wangyal Chortens Mt. Masanggang Metshina Village Chimi Lhakhang 
- Day 7
Punakha to Paro
Begin with breakfast, then drive to Punakha Dzong, the fortress-monastery located where two rivers meet. The architecture and setting here are really something. After exploring, you'll head back toward Paro, crossing Dochula Pass again and stopping at the new Druk Wangyal Monastery to see the detailed paintings showing the monarchy's lineage. Stop in Thimphu for lunch before continuing on to Paro for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Punakha Dzong
- Visit Druk Wangyal Monastery
Landmarks Punakha Dzong Dochula Pass Druk Wangyal Monastery Thimphu - Day 8
Departure from Paro
Get up early and have breakfast before heading to Paro airport. Druk Air flights typically leave in the early morning hours to avoid weather issues later in the day. This gives you time to check out and make your departure without rushing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Landmarks Paro Airport
