Detailed Itinerary

Days 1-2  Your exciting journey begins as you depart your home country/city.  Depending on your travel arrangements, you may spend the night at a layover destination prior to arriving in Bangkok Thailand (See Travel Information).  Upon arrival at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, your No Limits Adventures guide will greet you at the airport.  You will take a brief walk from the airport's main terminal to the Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel which is connected by a 200 meter airconditioned underground walkway and checked into your room. 

Day 3  In the morning, everyone will gather per your guide's instructions and return to the airport for your group's flight into Bhutan.  Access into Bhutan is carefully controlled and tourists can not simply fly in on their own, so it is important to board the flight together.  The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all the mountain flights.  You will receive three gifts as you enter Bhutan.  First will be the cool, clean, fresh air you feel as you step off the plane.  The second will be warm welcome you will receive and the third - the enchanting Paro valley.  Our transportation is waiting for us to take us to our initial accommodations.  We check in and lunch at the hotel.  After lunch you will visit the National Museum of Bhutan where you will have time to admire the museum’s collections of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving and other eclectic pieces. After the museum you will visit the Paro Dzong which now houses the offices of the district administration and the district monk body.  In the evening you will explore the town of Paro.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 4  The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2580 m) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well-maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Later on you will come across some apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and you reach the Gunitsawa Army Post (2810 m). This is the last stop before Tibet. You will continue just beyond Sharna Zampa (2890 m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Looking back from the camp you can see a big snowy peak Chatarake (5570m) was first climbed in 1993 by two Dutch climbers. Overnight at camp.

Day 5  This is a hard day, with a lot of distance to cover. The altitude gain is above the limit, and after lunch the trail is rough and stony with many rises and drops. Count on a late arrival at camp and carry an extra sweater. The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro River), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, you stop of lunch (depending on time). Then you continue along the river, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching the campsite (3575m). Overnight at camp.

Day 6  After enjoying the view to Jhomolhari and a good breakfast, walk for 1hr through forest. The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. You then follow the river above the tree line, the blue poppy (Bhutan’s National Flower) has been spotted. Another 1hr beyond the Armily camp, the trail turns right at a mani wall. A short walk from here into the valley takes you to your campsite at Jangothang (4044 m). You will enjoy superb views of Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) and Jichu Drake (6850m). Overnight at camp.

Day 7  The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. You now start you climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m), Jichu Drake (6989m) and Tserim Gang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyile La Pass (4890 m). After the pass you descend gradually from the pass to our campsite at Lingshi (4010 m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong. Overnight at camp.

Day 8  The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Jhomolhari trek route here. Your trail climbs up towards a small white choeten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chu valley. The largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yelela Pass (4820 m). On a clear day you can see Mt. Jhomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass. After the pass descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in a cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4080 m), where we will camp in a meadow with a choeten in it. Overnight at camp.

Day 9  You are now back at the tree line, and your path follows the course of the Thimphu Chu, descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of rocky cliff faces and waterfalls along the way. Lunch on route by the riverside. Then the trail takes you gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3720m), near which we camp for the night. Barshong is a small village with less than half a dozen houses. Overnight at camp.

Day 10  The trail descends gently through a dense forest of rhododendron, birch and conifers, and then drops steeply to meet the Thimphu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side stream runs down into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the Thimphu Chu, coming out onto pastureland where we camp for the night at 3290 m. Overnight at camp.

Day 11  The trail winds in and out of side valleys above the Thimphu Chu, making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species to pass at 3510 m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (3290 m). Met by transport and drive to Thimphu. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 12  You will start your day with a visit to Memorial Choeten, a stupa built in 1974 to honor the memory of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is known in Bhutan’s history as the “Father of Modern Bhutan” since the modern developments be began during his reign. Then you will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also a focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. Then you will drive to Sangaygang - the view point. It is also known as “Lover’s Point” where young couples come to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Thimphu valley. Next you will visit the Dupthob Lhakhang built by Dupthob Thangthong Gyalpo, also known as “Iron Bridge Builder.” It is now a nunnery and it has more than 70 practicing nuns. You will have time to enjoy the beautiful paintings inside the temple. Lunch in town. After lunch you will hike to Wangditse Lhakhang. This is a moderate hike through pine and oak forests. This hike offers great views of the Thimphu valley including Thim Chu (River), Tashichoedzong (Fortress) and Parliament building. Evening drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13  Day Excursion to Taktshang Monastery literally known as Tiger's Nest. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places, and an important pilgrimage destination. You will walk along a trail that slowly rises above the valley, taking you through fields and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, you hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond is the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where you stop to enjoy a hot drink and the striking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy level, you may relax in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue on for a mile of steep climbing to another dramatic viewpoint. You return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatsi (A chili cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce and other dishes. On route back to the hotel, you will visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Days 14-15  After breakfast, everyone is returned to the Bhutan International Airport and bid a found farewell.  The flight will return you to Bangkok Thailand where you can catch your return flights to your home country.