Day 1- Fly to Paro
Altitude: 2250m
Paro is in Western Bhutan

Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, to Paro, the country's only airstrip. The flight often gives fantastic views of the Himalaya, including Everest, and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing. You will be met on arrival by NAT Representative, your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your Hotel.

After lunch visit the massive Rinpung Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events, that has a long and fascinating history. The Rinpung Dzong is the administrative seat of the district of Paro and also houses the monastic community.

Day 2- Trek to view Taktsang
Walking distance : approximately 2-3 hrs

Acclimatization walk to Taksang Monastery. Taksang is one of the most respected places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan world.  For people unaccustomed to the altitude it takes about three hours at an average walking speed to reach the temple.  Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels; the climb begins, up through a forest of oak and rhododendron to the Taksang tea house, a log cabin.  The view over the Lhakhangs from this tea house is extraordinary, and the effort of climbing up to it is amply rewarded.  The Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 2950m up on a cliff overlooking the valley. The buildings cling to the black rock, overhanging the valley below by some 800m.  It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan.  Lunch will be served at the view point cafeteria. 

Afternoon: visit Kyichu Lhakhang composed of twin temples 1) the ancient temple and 2) the recent temple.  The ancient temple is deeply respected for its antiquity and holds one of Bhutan’s holiest statues of the Jowo, Buddha as a prince at the age of eight, which is alike to the one in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.   The recent temple was built in 1968 and is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche.
Visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.  Overnight at Hotel Paro.

Day 3- Trek-Day 1: Drukgyel Dzong (8460ft/2580m) to Camp Shana (9480ft/2890m)
Distance 15km, time 5-6 hours, Assent/310m Descent 80m
 
We begin the day by driving up to Drukgyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), where the road ends.   View the Dzong, which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. The trek begins, following
 
the Paro River gently uphill through rice paddy terraces, apple orchards, and forest, passing the village houses, monasteries and chortens. Overnight at camp Sharna Zampa, 2890m.

Day 4- Trek-Day 2: Shana (8460ft/2890m) to Camp Thangthangkha (11730ft/3575m)
 Distance 22km, time 7-8 hours, Assent/685m Descent 0m)

The trail continues to gradually climb along the side of the Paro River. The valley narrows and closes, and the path then winds along the stream. This day's trek is not difficult, but it is long, and there are many short ups and downs. Nearby the lunch stop we can see the route to Tremo La, which is paved in stone and served as the main trade route to the Phari Dzong in Tibet. It was also the main invasion route of the Tibetans ages ago.  The trek to Thangthangkha continues for 3-4 hours through beautiful forest consisting mainly of birch, fir, larch, maple blue pine and rhododendron. The camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. Weather allowing, the Jumolhari Mountain looks magnificent. Overnight at camp 3575m.
Day 4 - Trek-Day 3:  Thangthangkha (11730ft/3575m) to Camp Jangothang (13260ft/4044m)
Distance 17km, time 4-5 hours, Assent 469m Descent 0m

Your climb today gains elevation and you will be comfortably worn out at day’s end. You are now entering “yak” country. Yaks are utilized for pack animals as well as supply cheese, milk, tea, meat and Yak hair for weaving of huts, blankets, clothes, backpacks and hats. Burley and huge, the yak plays an important role in Bhutan history, yesterday and today. Remote villages are dotted throughout this area. A stone and log bridge provides access to Jangothang.

Unparalleled views of snow peaked mountains form the eastern side of the valley. You are in the most spectacular camp spot in the entire Himalayan range. You are truly in the High Himalayas! Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari 4044m.

Day 5- Trek- Day 4 Halt at Jangothang
An Easy day hike up the valley towards the foot of Jumolhari. Follow the trail that climbs the moraine and go as far as possible on this towards Jumolhari.  The moraine-ridge walk gives a good view down to the glacier and allows acclimatization in preparation for crossing the Nyile La.

Day 6 - Trek – Day 5: Jangothang (13260ft/4044m) to Camp Lingshi (13150ft/4010m) via Nyile La (16040ft/4890m)
Distance 21km, time 5-6 hrs Ascent/840m Descent/880m
This day's trek will take you over Nyile La (pass), which is at 4,880m. Feelings of great accomplishments will arise as you sip your tea under the prayer flags aflutter at Nyile La. It tends to be windy at the pass. You can see yak pastures on the way. Depending on the time of year, you will encounter nomads. You will have a great view of Lingshi Dzong further along the trail. It's also possible to see blue sheep and musk deer. Tserim Gang Mountain and glaciers are at the north end of the Lingshi valley.

Day 7- Trek-day 6: Lingshi (13150ft/4010m) to Camp Chebisa (13090ft/3990m)
Distance 16kms 3-4 hours, Ascent/Descent, No major elevation gain or loss
Today is the shortest walking day, take it easy. Much of the trail is level.  Pass through the village of Goyak, which is surrounded by barley fields. The camp is in the valley of Chebisa, a pretty highland village. Altitude 3990m

Day 8-Trek-Day 7: Chebisa (13090ft/3990m) to Camp Shomuthang (13120ft/4000m) via Gombu La (14560ft/4440m)
Distance 15kms 5-6 hours, Ascent/450m Descent/440m
The route leads through wild high pastures with a steep ascent to  Cross Gobula pass at Alt,4350m. Several ups and downs take us to our camp on a bench above the river, which is on one of the tributaries of the Mo Chhu, flowing just below Gasa Tsangchhu.  Altitude 4000m.

Day 9-Trek Day 8: Shomuthang (13120ft/4000m) to Camp Robluthang (13645ft/4160m) via Jarela (15695ft/4785m)
Distance 16kms 7-8 hours, Ascent/785m +160m at the end Descent/785m

An early start today. After the Jarela pass at 4600m, descend to Tsharijathang, the valley where the Takin, Bhutan’s national animal is frequently seen.  Camp in a meadow, Robulathang at Altitude 4160mm

Day10-Trek-Day 9: Robluthang (13645ft/4160m) to Camp Lemithang (13645ft/4160m) Via Sinche La (16400ft/5000m)
Distance 14km 6-7 hours, Ascent/840m Descent/840m
This is a challenging day with steep climbs and descents and high altitudes. After crossing Shinglela pass Alt. 5000m, the highest pass on the trek, descend through beautiful cedar forests to camp Lemithang in the Laya district with the Great Tiger Mountain looming over camp. Altitude 4160m

Day 11- Trek-Day 10:  Lemithang (13645ft/4160m) to Camp Laya (12465ft/3800m)
Distance 9 km 3-4 hours, Ascent/few small climbs Descent/360m
The route descends along a closed-in winding river valley, to include several short ups and downs, through a heavily forested valley.  The trail splits, one goes down along the river and the other stays high leading to the west side of Laya village.  We camp on a high flat bench above the east end of Laya Village for the night. Altitude 3800m.

Day 12-Trek-Day 11:  Explore Laya
Day 13-Trek day 12: Laya (12465ft/3800m) to Camp Koina (10627ft/3240m)
Distance 16kms 6-7 hours Ascent/0m Descent 560m
The trail leaves Laya through clusters of houses and winds up and down along the river valley.   The crashing river, feeder streams and water-falls, the view is breath taking.  Overnight camp Koina. Altitude 3240m.

Day 14-Trek-Day 13: Koena (10627ft/3240m) to Camp Gasa Hot Spring (7282ft/2220m) via Bale La (12792ft/3900m)
Distance 12 kms 6-7 hours Ascent/660m Descent 1680m

Across the small Bale la pass at 3900m, and downhill until campsite, at the hot spring below the Gasa Dzong.
On the way to the hot spring explore Gasa dzong.  Camp at the Gasa Hot Spring

Day 15-Trek-Day 14 Gasa Hot Spring (Rest)
Relax in the Gasa (hot spring), a comforting break after your days on trek. The Gasa Tsachu is one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan.  Taking a cure at the hot spring is a favorite Bhutanese pastime.   Camp at Gasa Hot spring. Altitude 2,220m.

Day 16- Trek Day 15:  Gasa Hot Spring to Punakha
Distance 17km 7 hours
Last stretch of the trek. After lunch at the village of Damji, a further 2 hours and our trekking crew will wave us goodbye at Kabina, where our transport will be waiting for us. From Kabina, it is about 2 hours drive on a dirt road to our hotel in Punakha.          

Day 17 Punakha to Thimphu (from the winter capital to the national capital (distance 77 kms 2.5 hours drive)
After breakfast, en-route to Thimphu, 25 minutes walks to Chime Lhakhang, a beautiful fertility monastery, and learn about the famous saint known as Drukpa Kinley the “divine madman.” 
Further on to Thimphu via Dochula pass (10000 ft), through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass have a panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan peaks. Lunch will be served at Dochula.  Check into Hotel Druk for the night.

Day 18 Thimphu sightseeing and drive to Paro
Morning visit the National Library (where ancient manuscripts are preserved), the School of Arts and Crafts, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Changgangkha Monastery, a traditional paper factory, and the zoo. You will also visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972) and the majestic Tashichhodzong and explore the interesting handicraft shops.  Afternoon, drive to Paro 65kms 1.5 hours drive from Thimphu.  Overnight at Hotel Paro

Day 19 – Fly to Bangkok, with lovely memories of snow peaks, alpine lakes, meadows filled with herds of yaks, the roar of the rushing river,  the fragrance of pine, and songs of the yak herders floating over the mountains- a perfect finale to your memorable days in Bhutan.