Trip Facts:
Trip Name: Walking & Hiking Holiday
Trip Id: TIB1409
Trip Duration: 07 Days
Max. Altitude: 3,120m/10,240 ft (The Tiger Nest Monastery)
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Meal: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation: Government approved 3 stars and Above
Transportation: Private car, van or bus (Depends on group size)
Trip Type: Private Tour
Trip Overview:
Walking and Hiking holiday in Bhutan is witnessing Bhutan’s natural beauty and the majestic snow-capped mountains views by means of day hiking around Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. The program also allows sightseeing visiting popular tourist landmarks like Paro Rinpong Dzong, Punakha Dzong – arguably the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakang- the oldest Buddhist shrine in Bhutan, Buddha’s point – a beautiful viewpoint closer to Thimphu, the capital city and many more. Day hikes such as Cherry Monastery hike in Thimphu, Khamsum Chorten hike in Punakha and the ever popular hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ will take you to some of the exotic locations in Bhutan and also observe beautiful landscapes, natural vegetation, wonderful Buddhist monasteries including unparallel mountain panorama.
Initially Walking and Hiking holiday starts upon landing at the Paro International Airport and after lunch visiting the Paro Ringpong Dzong. Then take an hour’s drive to Thimphu. The next day is hike to Cherri Monastery ‘Chagri Dorjeden Monastery’ in the countryside of Thimphu. The monastery was established 1620 Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, the founder of the Bhutanese state. It is located about 15 km from Thimphu. Then the tour proceeds towards Punakha en-route taking a short hike to Chimmi Lhakhang atop a hill. The temple of Chimmi Lhakhang is dedicated to Drukpa Kunley and also known as the ‘fertility temple’. In Punakha go for Khamsum Chorten hike erected by Royal queen mother for the purpose of present king in 2002 which is located closer to Punakha. At the tour end, you will go for the popular hike to the Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ located outskirts of Paro town and the monastery is situated in a vertical cliff defying all engineering logic. The popular belief is Guru Rinpoche flew from Tibet more than a millennium ago on a back of a flying tigress and meditated here for three months in a cave where the monastery was later built. Walking and Hiking holiday ends in Paro and bidding farewell to the Dragon Kingdom as you fly into your next destination.
Trip Highlights:
- Witness Sepctacular Himalayan views including Mt. Everest during in/out flights to Paro
- Sightseeing tours of Paro, thimphu & Punakha
- Visiting age-old monasteries, Dzongs, shrines, stupas
- Explore rich Buddhist & Tibetan culture & traditions
- Observe varieties of floras & faunas during hikes
- Shop around for Bhutanese arts and crafts
- Hiking in the beautiful valleys, glaciers and other lush natural surroundings
- Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Hike (3,120m) outskirts Paro
- Hiking and walking day trips for about 4-6 hours amid exotic natural settings with Himalayan panorama
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m)
Day 02: In Thimphu –Day hike To Cheri Monastery (2850m)
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m) – Chimi Lhakhang short hike
Day 04: Punakha – Khamsum Chorten hike – Paro (2250m)
Day 05: In Paro – Day hike to Chumphu Temple
Day 06: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m)
Day 07: Paro depart
Day to Day Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m)
Arrive Paro by Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, and it’s a scenic flight as the plane touch down the lush green Paro Valley flying past the world’s highest mountains. Steeping down from the plane, cool, clean and fresh air welcomes the visitor, the first gift of Bhutan. After clearing the customs and visa formalities met by the representatives and transfer to Paro for lunch. Afterwards, visit Rinpung Dzongbuilt in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Then drive to Thimphu (1 hour) following Pa Chhu downstream.
In Thimphu, drive on to the Buddha Terrance for a stunning view of the valley and take a drive to visit Takin Preserve to see Takin, Bhutan’s national animal – a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose! Take a view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, the seat of the government before circumventing the Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Visit Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals, the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. Overnight at Hotel (Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 02: In Thimphu –Day hike To Cheri Monastery (2850m)
After early breakfast, drive up the valley towards north along Thim Chhu (river) for a short hike to Cheri Monastery. The short drive along the countryside reaches the Jigme Dorji Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest protected area in Bhutan. The park is home to several endangered species including the Takin, snow leopard, blue sheep, tiger, red panda, and the Himalayan black bear. More than 300 species of birds have been cataloged within the park and it has a rich vegetation.
The hike beings from the small village of Dodena after crossing the covered bridge over the Thim Chhu to climb up steadily to Cheri Monastery. Cheri Monastery is a small monastery atop hill with a view over the Thimphu Valley. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built this monastery in 1620, and this is where the first community of monks in Bhutan was established. The monastery contains the ashes of Tempi Nima, the father of the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, so the monastery is considered very sacred. Shabdrung also spent three years in retreat here and it’s a renowned meditation place even today. Afterwards, descend back re-tracing the same route keeping our eyes open for the goral (wild goat) often spotted on the cliffs nearby. Then back to Thimphu.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m) – Chimi Lhakhang short hike
After breakfast, drive for about 1 & half hour to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochula La at 3140m. On clear weather, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas. From the pass, descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as “the Divine Madman”. The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Then drive to Punakha. Afternoon: visit Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river), the Punakha Dzong is arguably the most impressive dzong in the country. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 04: Punakha – Khamsum Chorten hike – Paro (2250m)
After a fairly breakfast, hike up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten erected by Royal queen mother for the purpose of present king in 2002. It offers a great view of the lower valley. The temple is regarded as one of the most intricate with paintings. At the temple one could see three different sect of Mahayana Buddhism. Then drive towards Paro. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 05: In Paro – Day hike to Chumphu Temple
After an early breakfast, we proceed with hike to the Floating statue Temple in Paro not a familiar tourist destination as this site is promoted by few travel agent. The Chumphu Nye hike starts from the upper Dop Shari Valley after a drive for about half an hour on the dirt road from Paro. Then keep walking along the river till reaching a small chorten (stupa). From this point, you can spot Chumphu Nye atop a hill on your left. The walk then is easy as the path way is alongside the river with a mixture of gentle up hill and downhill but at the very end after reaching the small temple from where the temple can finally seen it’s a steep climb up for 45 Mins to reach and see the amazing floating statue of Dorji Pham. Afterwards trace the same route back and to Paro. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 06: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m)
After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Afterwards, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 07: Paro depart
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the onward flight. Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappearing again behind its guardian mountains. (Breakfast only included)
Cost Details:
Includes the following service during Bhutan tour:
• Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
• 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium).
• Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
• Route Permit
• Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
• All land transportation by private vehicle
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• Sightseeing as per itinerary
• Drinking water
• All internal taxes and charges
• A sustainable development fee of $200 per person per night. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
Excludes in the package cost:
• Monuments entrance fees where applicable (Entrance fees)
• Airfare & Travel Insurance
• Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
• Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Note:
On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on a usage basis.
Our entire Bhutan tours are private journeys and tailor made programs suited for any independent travelers according to their chosen traveling dates. Should you wish, the tour can be easily customized as per your interest and activities you wish to get involve in or spend more time in your places of interest. Contact us to customize this tour as per your requirements. This tour can be undertaken round the year.
