Transfer to hotel and check-in.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Leaving Kathmandu behind we fly to Paro, beautifully set amidst the wooded valleys of Western Bhutan. It lies along the banks of Paro Chu River, overlooking terraced farmland, and is home to some of the largest and oldest of Bhutan's majestic dzongs. On arrival we will be met by our Bhutanese tour leader and transfer the short distance to our hotel before visiting the Paro Museum and Kyichu Temple, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan and said to have been built by the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo in 659AD. This temple was believed to have been just one of many, part of an incredible undertaking of over 100 temples, built to subdue a demoness that lived in this land.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we will head out to the fabulous Taktsang Monastery, one of the most revered in the country and precariously located on a cliff face some 900m above the Paro Valley. The name translates as ‘Tiger’s Nest’ and local legend recounts how Guru Rinpoche, who founded the Drukpa Sect and brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a tiger and founded the monastery on the site of a cave where he spent a few months deep in meditation. The demanding hike up to the monastery follows a path that cuts through oak and pine forests before emerging onto a ridge with amazing views of the monastery and surrounding area. 

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we leave the city and make our way to the start point for our trek visiting the 17th century Drugyel Dzong enroute. This ruined ancient fort offers spectacular views of Chomolhari.  We then leave our transport behind and walk alongside a river until we reach our first campsite. Approximately 5-6 hours walking / 11.5kms. Overnight altitude 2800m

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we take an acclimatisation walk from our campsite at Shana Zampa.  We leave our campsite and walk through dense rhododendron and oak forests, crossing several small streams until we reach a small clearing at Shing Karap where we stop for lunch.  After lunch we return to our campsite for some rest before tomorrows walk.  

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have a fairly long day of walking with some steep sections. We trek through dense forest and through an ecological sanctuary, all the while followng a river upstream to Thangthanka. Approximately 8 hours walking / 19kms. Overnight altitude 3685m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we enter the mountains and the landscape frequented by yak herders with their herd.  We are initially met with views of Mt Jitchu Drake (6849m), a distinct pyramid shaped peak said to represent the protective deity of Paro. As we continue the great bulk of Chomolhari (7314m), the goddess mountain, comes in to view. We spend the next two nights at the base camp, close to the ruined fortress of Jangothang.  We spend the day here enjoying the atmosphere as well as taking time to acclimatise. For those feeling strong there are optional day walks towards the glacier, to Tsophu Lake or there may be nomads camping nearby that we can visit. Approximately 6 hours walking / 12kms on day 6. Overnight altitude 4100m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A tough day today as we ascend steeply to cross the Nyele La Pass (4850m). The views from the pass make the effort worthwhile, views of sharp peaks lining the border with Tibet.  There is some scree on the descent but then the path evens out and we descend to Lingshi Dzong. Approximately 7 hours walking / 21kms. Overnight altitude 4150m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A shorter day today after crossing the pass yesterday. After breakfast we visit Lingshi Dzong, built high on a hilltop in the 17th century. We also take the opportunity to visit the village of Goyul, located in a natural ampitheatre. Our walk brings us to our camp near a beautiful waterfall on the outskirts of Chebisa village. Approximately 3-4 hours walking / 9kms. Overnight altitude 3900m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we will cross our second pass, the Gombu La (4350m). We descend through rhododendron forests and yak pastures to Shakyapasang. Approxiomately 6-7 hours walking / 14kms. Overnight altitude 4000m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our third pass is tackled today, the dramatic Jhari La Pass (4750m).  A short steep climb brings us to the top of the pass and once again we are rewarded with magnificent views before making our descent. We then follow the Tsharijathang Valley, home to Takin - the national animal of Bhutan and also blue sheep. Approximately 8 hours walking / 16kms. Overnight altitude 4300m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We enter the Laya district today. Today's walk is fairly tough and we begin with a steep ascent to the Sinche La Pass (5005m). The pass is traditionally decked with prayer flags and we can stop to add our own to the collection. We descend pass milky glacier lakes and our trail offers us a clear view of Gangchen Ta, known as Tiger Mountain. We end the day at Laya. Approximately 9 hours walking / 23kms. Overnight altitude 3900m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the morning exploring Laya. The region is known for unique conical hats worn by the women and we can see these amongst other handicrafts at the small stalls. Leaving the village there are some climbs today, however most of the route is downhill to Koena. Approximately 6 hours walking / 10kms. Overnight altitude 3400m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We tackle our final pass today, the Belela Pass (3740m).  After the pass we continue to descend though forests until we reach the district of Gasa.  There are some small hot springs here and we can take the opportunity to soak our trek-weary feet as we camp close by. Approximately 7 hours walking / 10kms. Overnight altitude 2300m.

Overnight Simple Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we visit Punakha Dzong. Built on a sandbank at the confluence of these two rivers sits the majestic 17th century Punakha Dzong, once the seat of Bhutanese government, but today the winter retreat of His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. A superb example of Bhutanese monastic architecture, the dzong presents us with a collection of tiered halls, inner courtyards and golden spires that have managed to survive numerous fires, floods and earthquakes over the intervening centuries. After our visit we drive to the capital Thimpu where the afternoon is free to explore. Thimpu occupies the wooded, western banks of the Wang Chhu.  There is the option to visit to the King Jigme Dorij Wangchuk memorial, a Tibetan-style chorten built to commemorate the country’s third king and today one of the centre points of daily life in the city. Alternatively walk along Thimpu’s bustling streets, soaking up the rich atmosphere of this most unique of capitals, one that doesn’t possess even a single traffic light!

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we fly back to Nepal and have a day of sightseeing with a local guide. Our sightseeing this morning takes in the sumptuous majesty of Durbar Square and its collection of ornate palaces, courtyards and temples, spanning some three centuries of dynastic rule by Malla, Shah and Rana kings. We will also visit the Asan Bazaar and the Kumari Ghar, home to the Kumari Devi; a living goddess worshipped by both followers of the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Later today we also plan to visit the Temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the oldest and holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal and regarded by many as the most revered temple of Shiva on the planet. The river is considered holy because its waters eventually flow into the sacred Ganges, and the ghats - steps leading down to the river - are regularly swamped by pilgrims bathing in the waters. This area is also one of the city’s most important cremation areas, where both royalty and the common people have their ashes sprinkled on the waters of the Bagmati, to make their way downriver towards the sacred Ganges. Returning back to the city we pay a visit to the stupa of Bodnath, at 40m the highest in the Kathmandu Valley and one of the largest on the planet. Revered by Buddhists this remarkable structure is a dazzling vibrancy of prayer flags, monks and pilgrims, all overlooked by the ever-present and all seeing eyes of the Buddha himself.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we have an unescorted free day to further explore the delights of Kathmandu and the surrounding area. You may wish to take an optional flight to see Mount Everest (weather permitting), affording some quite outstanding views of the Himalayan peaks.  Depending upon your interests you might like to spend it visiting the almost perfectly preserved Newari town of Bhaktapur in the eastern corner of the Kathmandu Valley. Also known as Bhadgaun or the City of the Devotees, Bhaktapur evokes the feel of a medieval village, a snapshot of a time when the city lay along the prosperous trade routes between Tibet, China and India. The ancient centre of the town is a dazzling collection of temples, palaces and monasteries that have earned it a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. A wander through this cultural gem affords an opportunity to take in its beguiling charms and enjoy the sight of artisans going about their craft much as they have for generations. You can watch potters throwing clay on traditional wooden wheels, watch jewellers and artists as they go about their daily business and wander through the handicraft shops and stalls seeking out some exquisite bargains. Another alternative for this afternoon is a trip up to the nearby the hilltop temple of Swayambunath, the captivating ‘Monkey Temple’, whose all-seeing Buddha eyes gaze out across the Kathmandu Valley. The temple is aptly named and the cheeky monkeys that inhabit its ancient walls are not averse to trying to relieve passerby of food, bags and cameras, so be warned.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Tour ends after breakfast.

Included meals: Breakfast