October 11: Arrive Bangkok (you will need to leave the US on October 10)
Plan to arrive in Bangkok anytime today. We'll be staying at a hotel that adjoins the airport where we'll meet for a trip orientation and a welcome dinner. Overnight Bangkok.

October 12: Arrive Paro
Up early, we catch our flight to Paro. We will be met by our Bhutanese guide and taken to our hotel. After a hearty lunch, we enjoy a short hike to Dzongdraka (8,100 feet), an area in which the great Buddhist teacher Padmasambhava meditated in the 7th century. Situated on the cliffs just above the Bondey Valley not far from the terraced fields, Dzongdrakha is a tranquil village of about eight farmhouses built around four temples. From the last temple you can see the houses of the village of Tashigang, situated about a 20 minute walk from Dzongdrakha. The trail descends through stunted oaks until it reaches a chorten at the base of Dzongdrakha. Looking up from here provides a wonderful panoramic view of this amazing village set high along the cliffs. We'll return to our hotel for dinner where an early bedtime will help us start to recover from jet lag. Overnight Paro.

October 13: Paro Sightseeing
We'll spend a full day of sightseeing in Paro, beginning our learning about Bhutanese culture. We'll start with a visit to the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Originally a watch-tower for the Paro Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into a museum in 1968. Afterwards, we'll walk down the ancient path way and cross the cantilever bridge on Paro River and from there we'll walk to ZURI temple and on towards UMA Resort before returning to town. Back in town we'll visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645, located on a small hill overlooking Paro valley. The Dzong is the seat of the District Governor and the Monastic body of Paro. To finish the day we'll visit 7th century Kyichu Temple. History indicates it was built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet as part of 108 temples he built across the Himalayan Kingdoms to propagate Buddhism. Overnight Paro.

October 14: Paro - Shana
Today our trek begins with a drive to Drukgyel Dzong, the starting point of the trek. While the team prepares the pack animals, we'll visit the ruins of the Drugyel. It was built as a monument to victory over Tibetan and Mongolian invaders in the 17th century. From here you can see, as a preview, the crown of Mount Jumolhari (24,029ft.), the base of which we'll reach in few days. The trail follows the Paro River, winding gently uphill through a narrowing valley of paddy fields. You will pass many traditional farmhouses along the way. The campsite is a meadow past an army outpost. Camp altitude 9,482 feet, distance/walking time - 11.2 miles/5-6 hours/1,624 ft elevation gain.

October 15: Shana - Soi Thangthangkha
After enjoying the tea and warm wash water that is brought to our tents, we start our hike early in the morning. This is a long and tough day, with lots of rock hopping on uneven terrain as we try to avoid mud. The path is quite beautiful, however, as it goes up and over lots of short hills, following the river through the valley. The campsite is located in a meadow with stone shelter. Camp altitude 11,920 ft. distance/walking time - 14.5 miles/7-8 hours/2,438 ft elevation gain.

October 16: Soe Thangthangkha - Jangothang
We'll gradually climb up as the vegetation turns rapidly alpine, past an army outpost, until the land opens up into a wide valley. Our view is filled with high ridges and snow-capped mountains all the way to Jangothang. We are now in an area that is home to yaks and yak herder camps. Camp altitude 13,268 ft., distance/walking time - 11.9 miles/5-6 hours/1,348 ft elevation gain.

October 17: Jangothang Halt
Today is an acclimatization day: you can choose to either rest or spend the day exploring the valley. There are many options for exploration including climbing the ridge behind the camp for a better view Jumolhari and Jichu Drake, walk to the glacial basin of Jumolhari, or hike to the glacial lakes of Tsophu. A stop here will help us acclimatize in preparation for the route going higher. Camp altitude 13,268 ft

October 18: Jangothang - Soi Yakse
Our trail today starts going more steeply up. We climb to a higher basin, level off for a while, and then start a long climb to Bang Tue La (pass). At 15,700 ft, it is the high point of our trek. After the pass it is a long descent into Lingshi basin and its sparse vegetation. Approaching Lingshi we will see a great view of the frontier fortress, Mount Tserim Kang and its glaciers to the north. Camp altitude 12,300 ft., distance/walking time - 13.5 miles/ 7-8 hours/2,576 feet elevation gain and 3,215 feet elevation loss.

October 19: Yakse-Thangbue
After a short climb out of camp, our trail winds around a ridge and then down across a stream before starting to rise again. Contouring around the side of a mountain, the trail alternates between climbing and being relatively flat until a steep climb brings us to the top of a short pass. This brings us to another beautiful open valley above treeline with spectacular views. After lunch we climb to Takalung La, at 14, 400 foot our high point for the day, before starting a steady descent to our campsite in a wide valley that is home to yaks and yak herders. Camp altitude 13,123 ft., distance/walking time - 6.9 miles/ 6-7 hours/2,132 feet elevation gain and 1,312 feet elevation loss

October 20: Thangbue-Shana
Again starting with a short and steep climb out of camp, the next two hours follows a ridgeline with panoramic views of snowcapped peaks and distant valleys. This part of the hike is one of the most beautiful of the trek, making the following knee-jarring descent of 4500 feet well worth it. As we descend the landscape changes from alpine with dwarf rhododendrons to pine forests full of huge old growth trees. Finally reaching an army base, our path then follows the Paro River to our campsite. Camp altitude 9,400 ft., distance/walking time -9.2 miles/ 6-7 hours/722 feet elevation gain and 4,449 feet elevation loss

October 21: Shana-Paro
It's all flat today, as we retrace our steps back through the Paro valley to the Drukyel Dzong, where we're met by our bus. We'll return to our hotel in Paro for a hot shower and a chance to put on truly clean clothes. After lunch some may choose to spend time in Paro while others choose to read and relax. At dinner that night we'll celebrate the success of our trek.

October 22: Taktsang Lakhang and drive to Thimpu
Today we visit one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan: Taktsang Lakhang, known as the “Tiger's Nest”. This monastery, perched on the side of a cliff, can be reached by a path that climbs steeply through juniper and pine forests to a teahouse. Some may choose to stop here and enjoy the excellent view while others continue the ascent to the monastery itself. After a visit to some of the temples, we'll all descend and enjoy a hearty lunch at the base. From there we get on our bus for the ride to Thimpu. Although the capital city is less than 20 miles away, it will take about 2-3 hours as we wind along the one lane road. Most likely there will be time to explore Thimpu from our centrally located hotel before dinner.

October 23: Thimphu Halt
Today we'll have a full day sightseeing in the capital city, Thimpu. We'll visit the Memorial Chorten dedicated to the the memory of the 3rd King, the National Library - a repository of ancient manuscripts, a Traditional Art School, the Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and the Handicrafts. We'll end the day with a visit to Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the Government which houses the King's Throne, and several Government Ministries. We'll attend an evening cultural show and dinner with invited Bhutanese guests for “beyond our guide” exposure.

October 24: Thimphu - Punakha/Wangdue (41 miles/ 2 hrs)
We'll drive across Dochula pass (10,170 ft) with its great view of the inner Himalayan peaks, through forests of rhododendrons and magnolias, and down to Punkaha and Wangdue valley. After lunch we'll visit Punakha Dzong, once the seat of the government. The Dzong lies between two rivers, Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu. Built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of unified Bhutan in 1637 AD, it is one of the most important historical fortresses in Bhutan. In the Dzong are kept the sacred remains of Pema Lingpa and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong now houses the District Administration office andis the winter residence of the state Monastic Body and the Chief Abbot. Our next visit is to Chime Lhakhang, dedicated to the famous saint Drukpa Kuenley, the divine Madman. 48 miles and 3 hours.

October 25: Wangdue Sightseeing
In the morning we'll visit the small market town of Wangdue and its fortress Wangdue Dzong. After an early lunch we'll retrace our drive to Thimphu and then continue further on to Paro. Farewell dinner today. 84 miles and 4 hours.

October 26: Thimphu - Paro International Airport
Our journey to Bhutan ends today. Our guide will see you off at the airport on your way to the next adventure.


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