Cultural Discovery through Day Hikes

On arrival at Paro airport, you will be greeted by our guide and take you to one of the restaurants for lunch. After lunch, you can walk to the Rinpung Dzong crossing a traditional wooden bridge. From here, you will be taken to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrine in the country. In the evening, you can take an exploratory walk through the Paro town.

Morning, you will drive to Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower that is now the National Museum. The museum has wide assortment of ancient paintings, armors and philatelic displays. After museum visit, it is nice to hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong and then down to Uma resort. The views of Dzong and valley are stunning. From Uma resort, you will be picked up by car and transferred to restaurant for lunch. After lunch, you will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Evening is free to stroll through Thimphu city.

12Km drive towards north Thimphu is the Begana. From here, the road branches right and climbs a short distance to a parking lot. The hike to Tango Goemba climbs a height of 280m and takes about half an hour if you take the steeper shortcut and about an hour if you take the longer route, which has more gradual ascents. The “Divine Madman” built the monastery in the 15th century and now serves as center of study for monks, and it affords a great view of the Thimphu Valley. Descend back to the parking lot where your car will be waiting. Little beyond the turn-off to Tango Goemba, the road ends at Dodena. The 45 minutes hike to Cheri Goemba starts from here. Cross the wooden bridge and then climb steeply to the monastery. En route, there are chances to spot the mountain goats. The monastery serves as important meditation retreats for 30 or so monks. Drive back to Thimphu. Afternoon, visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), giant Buddha statue and the majestic Tashichhodzong.

Morning, drive to Dochula La (3,100 meters), where you will be greeted by the scenic view of the distant Himalayas. From the 108 chortens the trail gradually climbs into rhododendron forests for about 2 hours with some steep sections. It offers panoramic views of the Himalayan ranges. Hike back to Dochula and enjoy your lunch. After lunch, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. You will arrive at Punakha after traversing through rice field and along the bank of River.

Visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan. You will then drive back to Paro. En route stop at Metshina Village and then take a pleasant 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Divine Madman’s temple popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. Continue drive to Paro via Dochula pass.

Today, you hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate. Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.

In the morning, you will drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.