Bhutan Cultural Tour and Trek - Accent Himalaya Trekking

8 Days

$2,560
Per Person

Moderate
Tour and Trek
Nepal

Overview

This combined package of cultural tour and trek includes a max 3 days of trekking to Chelela - carefully designed for those passionate travelers to explore beautiful pristine nature and discover plenty of cultures of Bhutan. This tour leads you perceptions into this secluded kingdom through some interesting places including Haa valley (one of the lovely valley - recently open for travelers), Chelela, and Thimphu - the largest and capital of Bhutan. We also lead to Paro valley - visiting Taksang monastery located in the upper valley of Paro at the high cliff. This trek is graded as easy and is even fit for novices, though have to be physically and mentally fit.

This itinerary starts in Paro with an excellent scenic flight rewarded by magnificent views of the Himalayan peaks of Bhutan like Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake. As we reach Paro, we first visit the Buddhist monastery and also a fortress Rinpung Dzong and head towards visiting Kichu lhangkhang. “lhangkhang” means temple and is the oldest of Bhutan. Then we head to Drugyaldzongas. From this point, we get some spectacular views of mountains.

Next day, we hike to Taktshang monastery which is also termed as Tiger Nest monastery. Legend says that the spiritual guru Rimpoche flew to this cave in the back of a tiger and meditated there and thus the monastery was built on the high cliff. Next day, we drive to Haa valley and pass the Chelela Pass, where on the trails - we also get to spot yak herders. We then head below to Sangla Pass (3151 m) where will be camping. The next day, we will be ascending for a while to reach Sangla Pass (3150 m) and ascending and descending further - crossing the rhododendron forest, we reach our camping site Ningula.

Next day, we head back to Chelela Pass and from there, we drive to Thimpu. The next day drive would be to Punakha where we will be visiting numerous lhangkhang and dzongs. Then we head back to Paro and explore Paro also by visiting several monasteries.

We Accent Himalaya can arrange this cultural tour with trekking every season as per the clients’ holiday schedule but we recommend this tour in the month of March-May and from September-November which is flawless to tour and trek around to explore and discover. For more information regarding this Cultural tour and trek to Bhutan, please feel free to contact or email us.

Our detailed itinerary for Cultural Tour and Trek of Bhutan is listed below:

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro (2,250m/7,382ft)

During your flight to Bhutan, you will be viewing startling view of the great Himalayas and the sacred peak Mt. Jichu Drake and Chomolhari. After you land at the airport, our team member of Accent Himalaya will be waiting for you. After greetings and a warm welcome, they will take you to the hotel. After having our lunch, we will start our tour by visiting Ringpung Dzong (means the fortress “heap of jewels”). Next, we will visit Kichu Lhangkhang temple and after that, we will explore the Drugyal Dzong (constructed in 1646 for a Bhutan victory). From the Dzong, one gets to observe the second highest mountain Chomolhari which is at 7314 meters. We will spend our night in Paro.

Meal: Welcome Dinner

Day 02: Acclimatization hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery: 4-5 hours

Today after breakfast, we will be ready to hike well-known monastery known Taktsang monastery or simply as Tiger nest monastery which is located at 3180 meters. The legends say that in the cave Buddhism spiritual master (Guru Rimpoche) had flown on the back of the tiger back to meditate - which now stands as Taktsang monastery. On the midway up to the mountain, there are few café and restaurants and here we will be having our lunch there. After finishing exploring the monastery, we will hike down to the valley of Paro. We will spend our night in Paro.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 03: Drive from Paro to Haa, trek to Sagala (3150m/ 10,334ft), trek starts: 6 km, 3-4 hours

Today morning our driver will drive us to the Haa valley and then we will be crossing the Chele La pass (3810 m). Here we will be meeting our trek guide and then we begin our trekking for an hour and reach Yak herders camp. Then we will be trekking to the right side trail and then ascend to our campsite which is situated beneath Saga la pass (3150 m). We will spend our night at camp in Sagala pass.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 04: Trek Sagala pass to Ningula (3,850m/ 12,631ft):9 km, 6 hours

Today we will be ascending for half an hour to Sagala pass (3550 m). We will get the splendid view of mount Jomolari and Jichu drake only if the weather is clear. We will continue our trek from the pass and hike through the right side of the path. Ascending and descending for awhile and after that, we will be hiking to thick rhododendron trees. After that, we will reach on top of the ridge which offers a breathtaking view of the Haa valley. After that, we will ascend and descend via juniper and hemlock forests and then finally reach our campsite. We will spend our night in camp at Ningula.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 05: Ningula to Chele La pass, drive to Thimphu (2,320m/7,610ft), and trek ends: 11 km, 6 hours

Today we will be descending for a while over the ridge via meadows which are also the spot of yak herders’ camp. We ascend to the high hill via verdant rhododendron trees and head towards Kung karpo pass. As you ascend further, you will get the astonishing view of Paro valley. After hiking further, we will reach Kung karpo hiking uphill and downhill enjoy magnificent view of Haa and Paro valley and the Kila Gomba nunnery monastery. After that, we will be walking for awhile through rhododendron trees and sideways - you will be passing by Buddhists colorful prayer flags and then reach Chelela pass (3990 m). From the pass, we will drive to Thimpu. Later in evening, we can wander around the Thimpu streets. We will be spending our night in Thimpu.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 06: Thimphu to Punakha: (1,250m/4,100 ft.): 76 km, 2 - 3 hours

Today we take a drive to Punakha and on the way, we will be stopping at Dochu La Pass (3100 m). If the sky is clear, we will get the dazzling view of Himalayas. We will continue our drive from the pass where we will drive down passing through thick fir, hemlock and rhododendron forests. After that, we will be stopping at Lobesa and continue our hike via rice paddies fields towards Chimi Lhangkhang temple. We will spend our night in Punakha.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 07: Punakha to Paro: 124 Km, 4 hours

Today in the morning, we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong which is situated amid the Pho - male and Mo - female river. After exploring the Dzong, we will drive towards Paro through Dochu La pass and on the way - we will visit the Druk Wangyal monastery. We will continue our drive and stop for a lunch in Thimpu and continuing driving to Paro. We will spend our night in Paro.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 08: Final departure

Today your Bhutan cultural tour with 3 days Chelela trek finally comes to an end and it is time to say goodbye to this tiny Himalayan kingdom and the cordial people. Druk Air departs in morning so; we will head to the airport after breakfast as our representative will be dropping you at the airport one hour earlier than your flight schedule.