Bhutan's Mountains, Monasteries and Wildlife

Flights to Paro (altitude 7,380 feet, or 2,250 meters) arrive from Kathmandu or Bangkok or Delhi. Please allow at least one night in those cities before and after your trip to ensure a safe connection with flights to and from Bhutan. Please arrange your international airfare to the gateway city; Far & High will book the onward flight for you. Your Bhutan visa is part of the tour. We will email it to you in advance, as you’ll need it at check-in for your flight to Bhutan and again upon arrival at the Paro airport, where your passport will get its final visa seal. After completing immigration and customs formalities, your guide and driver will meet you outside the terminal and transfer you to a restaurant in the town for lunch.

After lunch, your guide will lead explorations of Paro. We begin from the National Museum housed at Ta Dzong, which served as a watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong (a dzong is a fortress and a religious and social center). The museum has a beautiful collection of books, murals, Bhutanese textiles, crafts, weapons, olden utensils, stuffed animals, and a rich philatelic collection. From here, we descend to Rinpung Dzong, which is the district headquarters and also the seat of the district's religious body.

Now, we proceed on an hour-long scenic drive to Thimphu with a stop for a short walk at the 13th-century temple of Tamchog Lakhang which was built by the famous Tibetan iron-bridge builder Thangthong Gyalpo – architect, physician, teacher, and a saint! The temple is owned and maintained by his descendants.

In Thimphu, we’ll have time to settle in and take some rest before a walking tour of the tiny city. Thimphu is probably the only capital in the world without any traffic lights! We will leisurely take a stroll and visit the memorial Chorten (shrine) of the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorje Wangchuk, and whatever else time and our interest allow.

After breakfast, we are off for sightseeing and hiking. We have a lot to see today! Depending on your interest, pace and available time, we may or may not visit all the sights listed below.

We first visit the weekend market of Thimphu, if we are here during the weekend. Farmers from the neighboring villages come to sell their fresh produce. We will also visit the archery field to see the national sports of Bhutan.

Next, we can visit the National Institute Zorig Chusum that offers a six-year course on Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts, including painting, wood carving, embroidery, and statue making. Then we can head to the Simply Bhutan Museum resembles a typical Bhutanese village with demonstrations and performances on Bhutan's arts, culture, and lifestyle. Here, you can try Bhutanese costumes and pose for photographs!

Next, we can visit the Takin Sanctuary. Takin – a kind of sheep by way of antelope — are the National animals of Bhutan and believed to exist only in Bhutan Himalaya. On the way back, stop at the Zilukha Nunnery in Drubthob Goemba, home to 40-60 Buddhist nuns.

We can visit the Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center, which produces traditional hand-woven textiles and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. Here, you can see the local women working their looms. 

Next, visit the Changangkha Temple, one of the oldest in Thimphu, built in the 12th Century. The temple houses Chenrizig (Avolokitesawara), an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation as the central statue. 

In the afternoon, we can visit the World’s Largest Buddha Image — Buddha Dordenma, situated atop a hill overlooking the Thimphu Valley-the latest addition to Thimphu's attractions. This massive 169 feet tall image has a three-story base that houses a large chapel, while the body itself contains 125,000 smaller Buddha statues. 

An option: Hiking enthusiasts keen to experience monastic lives away from the crowds of town can take a half-day hike to Tango Goemba monastery-with a trade-off with some sights listed above. Tango Goema Monastery is Bhutan's highest learning center for Buddhist studies. All Je Khenpo, the religious head of Bhutan, must complete a nine-year program here, including a three-year, three-month, three-day course in mediation at the nearby Cheri Goemba Monastery! With luck, the monks will be in recess, and we can join them for tea. (Note: on a group tour, there must be a unanimous decision to take this hike.)

Interested in the Buddhist astrology? On our way back, we can stop at Pangri Zampa Temple-an astrology school for the state clergy. More than a hundred monks study astrology in this center, and they welcome the public for astrology consultation if anyone is interested. A week-advance notice is requested for scheduling purpose, though. 

(85 miles, 6 hours).

After an early breakfast, we leave for Phobjhikha Valley.

As we leave Thimphu behind, the road gradually winds up through villages and pine forests to Dochula Pass (3100m/10168 ft.), marked by 108 Buddhist shrines, flickering with sacred prayers flags offered by the Buddhist devotees. On a clear day, the pass provides a superb panorama of the snow-capped mountains and the valleys.

From the pass, the road drops slowly through the changing vegetation to the sub-tropical lowlands of the Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. In about 2 and a half hours, we will arrive in Punakha where we will stop for lunch.

We cross Lawala Pass and continue on the winding road down to the glacial valley of Phobjikha on the slopes of Black Mountains. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves of Bhutan as the large flock of black-necked cranes migrate here from Siberia, Mongolia and Tibet during the winter time. Usually, the first flock arrives in late October or early November. In addition to the cranes, there are also muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes in the surrounding hills.

Today, we first visit the prominent Gangtey Gompa of the early 17th century. It is the only Nyingmapa monastery in the region. From here, we jump on the Gangtey Nature Trail for an about 2-hours easy hike through the pine forest and the valley. The walk ends over the meandering Chhu Nap ( Black River) near Khewang village where you are picked up by transport. 

Upon arrival, check into your accommodation and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. It is one of the most important wildlife preserves of Bhutan as the large flock of black-necked cranes migrate here from Siberia, Mongolia and Tibet during the winter time. Usually, the first flock arrives in late October or early November.

In addition to the cranes, there are also muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, serows, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes in the surrounding hills.

After breakfast, one-hour or little longer drive brings us to the trailhead in Gogona village. Visit the local cheese factory and the beautiful temple. The cheese maker produces excellent fresh cheeses based on Swiss cheese making traditions. Maybe you want to purchase some cheese that you can eat along the way for energy The trail goes through rhododendron, magnolia, juniper and bamboo bushes, and if you are lucky, maybe you can spot some wildlife.

The trail back towards Phobjikha valley starts downwards through the small village and crosses the valley over a beautiful flower meadow. It then continues through mystifying forests up right before the Tshelela Pass where the landscape opens up. From the pass, you continue partly on the dirt road and party on beautiful forest paths downwards and into Phobjikha valley.

(118 miles, 5 hours)

Early afternoon, we depart for Trongsa, 118 miles over four to five hours, as we backtrack to the main road and head to the east. The road gradually climbs the Black Mountain Range and crosses Pele-la pass (10,824 feet, or 3,300 meters) where the panoramic views include Mount Jhomolhari on the border with Tibet. Below is Trongsa, the hometown of the present rulers of Bhutan. We stop briefly at the Chendebji chorten, a large white monument, which is said to have concealed the remnants of an evil spirit that was vanquished here.

Re-energized after lunch, visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong that must have captivated your attention already. The Dzong is the former capital and ancestral home of Bhutan's monarchy. An architectural wonder in itself, the fortress currently serves as the headquarter of Trongsa district and a monastery.

A hearty breakfast and then with the trekking crews, we travel to the trailhead-Tongtongfey (altitude 3,280 ft), and we arrive there in about three hours. While the crews unload the gears, we spend some time going through the information board at the Park a suspension bridge. Today, we have a chance to meet the Monpa tribal people-the aboriginal inhabitant of Bhutan.

We arrive in our campsite at Jangbi (4,428 ft) in a valley ridge that offers a magnificent view of the Mangdi Valley. Today, we hike about 6 miles in three or four hours, with an altitude gain of 1,148 ft.

Those interested in orchids can pay a quick visit to the orchid garden before we start our trekking of the day. Today, we come across stone imprints-believed to be the footprints of Guru Rinpoche, his dagger and phallus!

We will enjoy a picnic lunch just before a Monpa Village called Phrumzur. Re-energized, pay a visit to the temple of the village, before we continue our trekking. We travel through another village of Lekpogang and arrive at our campsite in Kubdra (4,920 ft). The campground offers birds-eye-view of Nyimshong village and also the Zhemgang town.

Today, we hike about 9 miles in 6 hours and an altitude gain of 492 ft.

Today's trail takes us through the wilderness area including streams, waterfalls and thick forests. We have a chance to spot The Great Himalayan Squirrel, Rhesus Macaques, and small snakes along the trail. The park is also home to the Himalayan Black Bear, Red Pandas, tigers, Clouded leopards, and much other wildlife but we may see them with luck only.

Depending on your pace, it can take us anywhere from five to seven hours to arrive in Nabji Village (4, 264 ft), where we receive a warm welcome by Nabji Villagers.

Today, we cover the distance of 9 miles in six or seven hours with a decrease of altitude of 656 ft.

On the way, we stop in a legendary Nabji Temple amidst the paddy field. The temple enshrines a pillar that carries the thumb imprints of two warring kings as a treaty to end the war that Guru Rinpoche negotiated successfully.

As we arrive in Korphu ( 4,920 ft), we experience a warm reception from the villagers. They usually welcome visitors by performing folklore songs and dances. You can also join the traditional Bhutanese games of ‘Khuru,’ ‘Dego,’ ‘Sok-sum,’ and ‘Gee-dum,’ all on the brink of disappearance. The campsite near the village provides a bird’s-eye view of Nabji and surrounding areas.

It's a short day today; we cover a distance of 8 miles in three hours or so and gain an altitude of 656 ft.

A  pleasant and probably the best part of the trail for bird watching as it is home to more than 395 bird species and the rare Rufous Necked Hornbills have their nesting holes in this area. As we continue walking, we will see beautiful streams and walk across cantilever bridges. We arrive at our camp site near Nyimshong village late afternoon. The women of Nyimshong village may entertain the tourists by folklore singing and dancing.

Today,  cover a distance of 8 miles in five hours or so and gain an altitude of 656 ft

Today's is relatively a short day. It's mostly downhill, and we cover the distance of 4 miles in two or three hours. We are likely to accompanied by the Golden Langurs along the trail. We meet our transport in Reotala and proceed to Panbang-the gateway to the Royal Manas National Park.

We have a full day in Royal Manas National Park to embark on Elephant Safari, rafting trip and participate in other jungle activities. We will have ample opportunities to view wildlife. The most commonly seen animals are Great One Horned Rhinoceros, Golden Langur monkey, Pigmy Hog, etc.

After breakfast, we leave for Gelephu. We travel through the Manas National Park (120 miles, six hours).

We cover the 120 miles of distance in six-hours or little more. Check into your hotel and balance of the day is at leisure.

After breakfast, we visit a couple of essential attractions of Punakha before we leave for Paro. We first visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, probably the most impressive of all the Dzong (fortress) architectures of Bhutan. It has served as the winter capital of Bhutan, and even today the chief abbot moves here from his seat in Thimphu.

Next, visit the Chimi Lhakhang Temple-a.k.a. The Fertility Temple which is a gentle 25-minutes hike from the main road. The trail goes through the paddy fields and villages. The temple is associated with Lama Drukpa Kuenley of the 15th century who was known for using humor, songs, and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings and for this reason, he was called the "Divine Madman." This temple is also known as the "fertility" temple, as the childless people visit the temple to receive a fertility blessing.

Now, we retrace our drive across Dhochula Pass to Paro. Shortly before the pass, we can stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden that preserves the rich fauna including Rhododendron flowers. After a lunch stop in the Dhochula pass, we will continue to Paro.

The balance of the day is at leisure.

Today is a big day! Takstang Monastery – the Tiger's Nest, Bhutan’s most famous pilgrimage. Perched dramatically on the edge of a 2,000-foot cliff above the valley, Tiger's Nest is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan and a forever-memorable destination for anyone who makes the trip. The round trip is about four hours. It is possible to ride a pony up to the two-thirds of the trail, but not on the upper path, or on the way down.

On the way back to Paro, we will detour to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a 16th Century monastery built to mark the Bhutanese victory over Tibetan invaders, and also the ancient Kyichu Lhakhang Temple – another of the 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo of Tibet built in a single night in the 7th century!

Optional Hot Stone Bath:
With advance notice, you can experience a traditional Hot Stone Bath in a farmhouse. Hot stone bath is a conventional Bhutanese method of curing skin ailments, joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorders, arthritis, and many other diseases. Even if you don’t have any of these issues, it’s a wonderfully relaxing experience, especially after a strenuous hike. It costs approximately $25 per person.

After breakfast, we are transferred in time for flight to your next destination.