Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps the biggest highlight for your trip! This hike will also help you to acclimatise to the altitude before you start your trek. An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery –translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery – is a two hours hike that rewards you with a spectacular temple clinging on a 1000 feet cliff. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. Your guide will complement the experience with its story.

On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.). Continue to visit Kyichu Lhakhang – believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan built during the 07th century.

In the evening visit a farmhouse and will try a herbal hot-stone bath which is known to be therapeutic and helps ailments related to joints and muscle aches, besides simply soothing your mind and body. Perfect to unwind and goes well with the Red Panda local beer. This is a complimentary value-added experience from Himalayan Trails without any hidden costs.

Accommodation: Metta Resort / Gangtey Palace
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tiger's Nest © Pelden Dorji

This is a long trekking day, taking eight hours to reach the campsite. The trail continues to follow the river; gradually ascending through a mixed forest of blue pine and oak and, later in the afternoon, tall rhododendron trees, birch, fir and maple. Though the trail is a rough and rocky path, it is not too strenuous. In rainy conditions it can be quite muddy. There are several simple wooden bridges to cross and sometimes the river reaches right up to the trail.

Several trails lead in other directions, such as the trail to Tremo La (LA: Pass), which was the old salt-trading route to Tibet. About 45 min beyond this is our camp and also where we will have lunch after about 4 hours of walking through an ever-narrowing valley.

Distance: 10 Km
Walking hours: Approx. 4 hours

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Forest bathing © Don Bethune

This morning we continue up the valley though beautiful forest consisting mainly of birch, fir, larch, maple, blue pine and Rhododendron.

Not long before reaching the campsite, the trail leads you up a ridge with a chorten (CHORTEN: Buddhist monument).

Beyond, in the distance at the end of the valley Mt. Jomolhari (7314m) comes into view. After a 4 hour walk, you will reach the campsite located in a spacious clearing and directly facing Jumolhari. The view the next morning of the sun’s rays striking the peak is breathtaking.

Distance: 12 Km
Walking hours: 4 hours

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Dozuden Village © Don Bethune

The third day’s trek is shorter so it’s possible to set off a little later and progress at a leisurely pace. When you reach an army outpost you are required to stop and register your entry permits issued by the army headquarters in Thimphu. This matter will be taken care of by your guide.

The Pachu River is again to the right and the trail passes through some tiny villages. It will take less than six hours to reach Jangothang. The altitude at the camp is 4,080m and is a beautiful place to spend the night. The imposing, rounded bulk of Jomolhari fills the view to the Northeast and in the evening the profile of the ruined Jangothang Dzong, populated by huge ravens, creates a mystical atmosphere. The area is rich in bird life including the fire-tailed sunbird, ibisbill, white throated dipper, yellow-billed chough, rosy pipit, snow pigeon, blue-fronted redstart, plumbeous water redstart, blood pheasant, snow partridge and many more.

Distance: 19 km
Walking hours: 5-6 hours

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Mt. Jomolhari © Alex Treadway

Today is a scheduled rest day, intended to aid everyone’s acclimatization before the crossing of the Nyele La to Lingshi. There are plenty of options for a walk, and one possibility is a hike up the ridge behind he ruined dzong to a grassy summit at approximately 5200 meters, from where there is an incredible close-up view of Jomolhari.

Alternatively, a 2 hour hike to a lake above camp provides a stunning location for photographs of Jitchu Drake. Green grass, grazing yaks, stunning mountain scenery – it doesn’t come much better than this. For a spectacular view of Jitchu Drake closer to camp (even better at sunrise if you can get up sufficiently early), follow the river for 20 minutes to a lone house and here the mountain is presented before you.

No matter what you choose to do today, the cooks will have had all day to prepare dinner and a veritable banquet will be waiting at the end of the day.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Looking at Jitchu Drake © Don Bethune

As you climb steeply into an area of glacial moraine, the views of Jitchu Drake and Jomolhari change along with your perspective. A steep and steady climb, perhaps through snow, brings you to the Nyile La, a pass at 4890m. From the top of the windy pass enjoy a 360 degree view. Tshering Gang (6,789) also comes into full view. A fairly tough trek over scree or snow leads down to the valley and then follows the side of a ridge towards the impressively situated Lingshi Dzong (4,370m). The camp site is some distance below the Dzong on a flat area near a community building made of stones, at an altitude of 4000m.

Distance: 18 km
Walking hours: 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Above Gyo Gompa © Michele Bjornson

Today you have many choices for great day trips or you can just relax at camp.

The two longest day walks are Chebisa Village or Dando Gompa. A little big shorter option could be the Goyok village where you can see not only the village but also one of the oldest and most important Dzongs in all of Bhutan.

The walk up the valley to Gyu Gompa is also lovely, so you have many options besides just staying in Lingshi for the day.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Goyok Houses © Don Bethune

Today is the most difficult day of our trek so we should make an early start. We begin walking opposite the dzong and ascend gradually through the treeless valley until the stiff climb to Yale la pass at 4950 meters the highest point of the trip. From here the panoramic view of Mt.Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshrim Gang is breathtaking. After the pass, it’s a long descent to the camp.

Distance: 22 km
Walking hours: 7-8 hours

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Shodu © Mads Mathiasen

Today we come back below the tree line, it will seem so lush! The path follows the Thimphu River, descending through rhododendron, juniper and other alpine forest. The view of the cliff facing rocks and waterfalls are stunning and a hot lunch will be served by the riverside.

After lunch our trail gradually ascends to the ruins of the Barshong dzong before reaching the camp. The Barshong village is very small numbering only half a dozen houses.

Distance: 16 km
Walking hours: 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Shodu morning © Margus Riga

The trail descends through an alpine forest and we once again join the Thimphu River for a while. After lunch climb up through thick bamboo and pine forests to Dolamkencho camp in pastures where we end our trek.

We say goodbye to our trekking crew and continue by jeep to Thimphu, a hot shower and celebration dinner in town tonight.

If we arrive at the road head early we could visit Tango or Cheri monasteries on the way back to Thimphu both are well worth a visit.

In the evening if you feel like taking a walk, visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of the third king of Bhutan. You will enjoy a celebration dinner at one of Thimphu’s best restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines.

Distance: 15 km
Walking hours: 4-5 hours

Accommodation: Bhutan Suites/ Hotel Pedling/ Peaceful Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Monk © Punap Ugyen Wangchuk

Today we’ll visit some of Thimphu’s cultural highlights in the afternoon. Visit the National Folk Heritage Museum-a 19th century traditional Bhutanese farm house which provides glimpse of Bhutanese life style, and artifacts from the rural house holds. One can come across typical households objects, religious tools and equipment. Visit the Zorig Chusum school of 13 traditional arts/crafts and the Textile Museum.

Take a ride upto the Takin Reserve Center in the evening to see the national animal of Bhutan – the Takin and stroll over to the viewpoint that offers great views of Thimphu city. From here, continue to the colourful vegetable market where you’ll really experience local lifestyles where farmers from all around Bhutan will be seeling their produce. It is interesting to see what may seem to you as ‘weird vegetables and forest products’ that actually enriches the Bhutanese palate. If you are interested, we could organise a cooking session in Bhutanese culinary with a renowned chef.

Continue to the Changlimithang Stadium to watch locals enjoying the national sport of Bhutan – Archery – which is played in a traditional style over a 120m long range and always filled with fun and festive moods.

Later in the afternoon, learn about traditional healing and wellness practices, we will visit the the Institute of Traditional Medicine where you’ll be amazed by a myriad collection of Himalayan herbs used in the traditional system of healing.

End the day with a visit to Tashichhodzong – the fortress that is now the government’s central administration headquarters, and also the offices of the King and the Prime Minister.

(*We always encourage our guests to live like a Bhutanese while in Bhutan. If you fancy it, we recommend you to dress in our traditional attire, which our guests love to experience it. We are sure you’ll rejoice in our textiles! We can take you to some of the best weavers to showcase their craft and for you to buy/hire your own Bhutanese Kira (attire) as a souvenir).

Accommodation: Bhutan Suites/ Hotel Pedling/ Peaceful Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will drive you to the airport for your onward journey.

Lords of the 3 Worlds © Michele Bjornson