Your flight to Paro will offer you a beautiful mountain view. On this flight the views of Everest, Kanchen Junga, and other Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Jichu Drakey in Bhutan are awesome. Upon arrival at Paro, our guide will receive you and check into your hotel. After lunch, you will visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong, a massive fortress built in the 17th century that now houses the monastic body. A tour of this beautiful Dzong will introduce us to the unique aspects of Bhutanese Buddhism. A lovely stroll downhill from the Dzong over an old cantilever bridge wraps up an eventful first day in this magical kingdom. Overnight in Paro | Altitude: 2200m.

Day one itinerary is likely to change depending on the flight schedule. However, It will be completed on the second day of the tour.

After breakfast hike to Tiger’s Nest. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the Paro Valley floor. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress (Yeshey Tsogyal) when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days before subjugating the malicious spirits, and concealing profound treasures for the benefit of sentient beings, the monastery was later built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. Nearby there is a cafeteria where you can stop for refreshments or you can choose to eat lunch there and head back to Paro.  On the return , visit 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu is built like the Jokhang in Lhasa. Inside there is a great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

The start of the Drukpath Trek is at the historic Ta Dzong, the National Museum. We follow a farm road until it gives us way to our trail through the pine forest. The trail is uphill to Jela Dzong, a temple built as a war fortress in the olden days, overlooking the Paro Valley below. Overnight in camp.

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 surprise you around the bend. You may see yak herders around the campsite. Overnight in Camp.

The trek today starts with a climb, overlooking the rolling valleys below. You will be greeted by the fluttering wind flags and rock balancing on the way. Rhododendrons and other high-altitude shrubs decorate the rocky trail which climbs up and down.

 On a clear day, Jomolhari mountain can be seen. Our campsite will be near the lake Jimilangtsho. There are stories of a bull that miraculously appeared out of the lake and joined the herd of cattle that were grazing close to pasture land. The name of the lake came from this and whose crystal-clear water is home to gigantic trout that were introduced in that lake by the government in 1970.

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 in will fill you with a sense of personal satisfaction and renew you with extra confidence in yourself. Overnight in Camp.

After an hour climb from the camp will take us over the highest pass on this trek at 4100m. On a clear day, we can see the Gangkhar Puensum. Descending from the pass over rocky steps, we will be greeted by the sight of Thimphu far below in the valley. From this point on, it’s all downhill. We will be passing through the temple and meditation center complex of Phajoding. Our transport will meet at the base as you descend from the blue pine forest.

Optional, you will visit important landmarks of Thimphu before transferring to Paro. Tashicho Dzong, Buddha Point, Memorial Chorten, and Simply Bhutan.

Dinner and overnight in Paro Hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Our tour staff will bid you farewell at the airport.