Paro International Airport – Your First Glimpse of Bhutan

Paro - Paro Valley serves as the aerial gateway to Bhutan and is one of the widest valleys, hosting the only international airport amidst paddy fields and traditional Bhutanese homes. This valley is among the most picturesque in the Kingdom, with most residents relying on agriculture and tourism. Paro Valley significantly contributes fresh produce, including vegetables, rice, and dairy, to the Bhutanese cuisine. The landscape is dotted with numerous temples and monasteries, including the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched on a vertical cliff 10,000 feet above the valley.

Rinpung Dzong - The magnificent Rinpung Dzong, or the Fortress of Heaped Jewels, is situated along the Paro River, drawing admiration from all corners of the valley. Like all Dzongs in the country, Rinpung Dzong houses administrative offices alongside the district monastic body, including monks, their living quarters, and learning centers. The stunning view of the expansive Paro Valley with its paddy fields and Pa Chhu (Paro River) from the Dzong is breathtaking and offers a great vantage point for panoramic photos. At night, the Dzong, along with the traditional cantilever bridge and the Museum above it, is illuminated by floodlights, making for impressive night photography.

Rinpung Dzong is featured in Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1993 Hollywood film ‘Little Buddha’ starring Keanu Reeves as a young Buddha, and it was the wedding venue for Hong Kong’s leading entertainment couple, actors Tony Leung and Carina Lau.

National Museum - The National Museum, located above Rinpung Dzong, was originally a watchtower (Ta Dzong) built in 1649 to protect the valley from Tibetan invasions. Shaped like a conch shell, the tower was converted into a museum in 1968, suffered severe damage from three major earthquakes, the most recent in 2011, and was renovated and reopened in June 2020, restoring its former architectural splendor.

The Museum showcases numerous unique religious and historical artifacts that narrate Bhutan’s traditional heritage and culture. The exhibits include festival masks, fine arts, paintings, textiles from across Bhutan, a collection of stamps, preserved specimens of exotic animals, and many antique collections. A visit to the Museum offers insight into Bhutan’s ancient culture and traditions, revealing the beauty, mystery, myths, and legends that make Bhutan a hidden gem.

Visit to Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest

Paro Taktsang - Enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on your hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest, which takes about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours downhill. Ponies are available for hire up to halfway if the hike seems challenging. Situated approximately 900 meters above Paro Valley on a steep mountain cliff, Taktsang Monastery is a breathtaking sight in terms of its location, setting, and history. In the 8th Century, it was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan, meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. Legend has it that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon, which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest sites in the Buddhist world and a significant cultural icon in Bhutan. Lunch, tea, and snacks are available at the cafeteria midway.

Kyichu Lhakhang - Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, has been visited and blessed by numerous renowned Buddhist saints over the centuries. The temple is located in a peaceful and serene area away from the main town, and although the structure is simple, it is rich in tantric and mythical stories that transport visitors back to the times of demons and saints and their battles.

The temple was built in the early 6th Century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, credited with introducing Buddhism to Tibet. He is believed to be a manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara), of whom the Dalai Lamas are similarly considered manifestations.

Haa Valley – Sagala Pass (3,720 meters)

Haa Valley - Distance: 20-minute drive; 8 Kms, Duration: 4 – 5 hours hike, Camp Altitude: 3,235 meters
From your hotel, drive for a few minutes until you reach the road-end at Talung village, where your trek begins. The walking distance today is about 3 hours, allowing you to explore the villages en route and acclimatize to the altitude. The hike takes you through remote villages, farmlands, meadows, and bridges until you reach your campsite at Khadey Gom, a beautiful meadow located below the Sagala Pass.

Sagala Pass – Ningula Pass (4,435 meters)

Haa Valley - Distance: 12 Kms, Duration: 5 – 6 hours, Camp Altitude: 4,191 meters
The highlight of this day will be the spectacular sunrise and 360-degree views of the snow-capped mountains, Drugyl Dzong, and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery from the top of the Sagala Pass. The walking time is about 5-6 hours until you reach your campsite at Ningula Pass.

Ningula Pass – Chelela Pass (4,300 meters) – Paro Valley

Paro - Distance: 13 Kms, Duration: 6 – 7 hours
Today, you will walk along mountain ridges and through forests of rhododendron, fir, and pine trees until you reach Chelela Pass, which is above the tree line. You can view Haa Valley on one side and Paro Valley on the other, with the snow-capped Himalayan Ranges in the distance. If you are interested, you can also visit the sky burial ground. Your driver and vehicle will be waiting for you at the road point below Chelela Pass, and a further 2-hour drive will bring you to your hotel in Paro.

Departure

Airport Road - After breakfast, drive to Paro International Airport, where your guide and driver will bid you farewell, hoping you had a pleasant holiday and look forward to welcoming you back to Bhutan.

• All Park entrance Fees and Trekking Permits
• Horses and Horsemen to carry all trekking/camping equipment and personal luggage
• Good Quality accommodation throughout
• All Trekking Meals during the Trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
• Helper as per the group size
• Group Medical Kit
• One Trekking Expeditions Leader

• International Airfare
• Alcohol
• Tips/gratuities
• Cost arising out of Flight Cancellation/road blockades/ landslides and events beyond our control
• Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost

This trek is a slight variation of the ancient Haa Planters Trail to include more stunning views of the Himalayas and the surrounding landscape. Traverse through beautiful meadows across virgin forests rich in flora and fauna and enjoy the wilderness in all its various shades and at its magnificent best. Soak in the panoramic picturesque view of the Haa Valley and the three sacred hills of Haa. Walk through peaceful and quaint villages (comprising of around 8 households) and stop over at a yak herder’s camp and interact with them. One of the main highlight of the trek is the absolutely gorgeous 360 degree view from the Pass, with the Mount Jhomolhari, Mount Drageygang, Drugyal Dzong and the Taktsang Monastery on one side and Haa valley on the other.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.