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  Morning drive to Thimphu. Upon arrival visit the Textile Museum, National Library – a tall stately building in the traditional Bhutanese style that is a repository of precious historical and religious manuscripts written in gold. Next you will visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum – a painting school where the traditional style of Thangka Painting is passed on to the next generation. You will then visit the Traditional Paper factory. Lunch in restaurant in town. After lunch you will hike to Wangditse Monastery. It’s a moderate hike and offers greats view of the Thimphu valley including Thimphu Dzong and the Parliament building. Evening at leisure.

Day 5  After breakfast drive to Punakha – the ancient capital of Bhutan. The drive takes you across Dochula Pass (3100 m) which is marked by a large Bhutanese style Choeten, 108 small choetens and prayer flags. If weather is clear you will have an opportunity to enjoy the most spectacular views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. The road to Punakha descends from the pass through the magnificent pine and rhododendron forests and wanders through some of Bhutan’s most spectacular countryside. Check in and lunch at the hotel. Afternoon lunch hike to Chimi Lhakhang – temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay. It’s an easy hike through the rice paddies and Yuwakha village. The hike is 30 minutes one way. Evening visit a private temple built by Lama Serpo (96 years old now) and time permitting you will have a brief audience with this extra-ordinary lama. Depending on the schedule of the Lama, we will also arrange a long-life blessing for our group at his temple. This will be a special treat since no other foreign visitors have excess to this temple other than our guests.

Day 6  Early breakfast and start your journey to Trongsa. On route you will visit the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The location of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view over both the north-south and east-west. Lunch on route at Chendebji Restaurant. After lunch you will resume your journey to Trongsa. Evening at leisure.

Day 7  Trongsa (2,200m/7,333ft)-Nimshong village (1,319m/4,367ft) The first day starts with a brief tour through Trongsa Dzong and its Ta Dzong strategically located above the Mangde River. From there the bus will follow the road towards Zhemgang to halt in Riotola (1,060m/3533 ft), the start of Nabji Trail. Keep an eye open for deer and macaques along the way but notice the beautiful view over Mangde Valley as well.

The trek starts with a steep descent of 693m/2310 ft, to the bed of Mangde River; within one and hour from the river you can have a rest at a place called Matling (804 m/2600 ft). After half an hour you will come across a chorten that indicates the entry to the Nimshong village which is a steep climb for about two hours from the river. Nimshong is a small (circa 58-household) village, which has a population of about 465 people. The villagers welcome you with dance and songs while cooks are preparing diner. The campsite (1319m/4397 ft) is just beside the Nimshong Community School next above the village. Overnight in Camp.

Day 8  Nimshong Campsite (1319m/4397 ft)-Nabji Campsite (1,300m/3827ft).  Early in the morning, the village guide will take you to the local temple. From there the hike will go through a lush broadleaf forest alive with abundant bird and mammal life, with possible sightings of Golden Langur and Rufous-necked Hornbill. Nabji is pretty much at the same elevation as Nimshong village; however, the trail will move up and down through a dense forest. Nabji consists of 55 households and an approximate population of 400 people. The village is situated on a foothill above terraced fields of rice. The temple of Nabji –which means ‘promising’ or ‘oath’- harbours the stone pillar to mark the peace between Bumthang and Assam Kings. In the village you can find rock remains of a blacksmith (one of the reincarnations of Pema Lingpa). Overnight at campsite surrounded by the rice fields of Nabji.

Day 9  Nabji village (1,300m/3827ft)-Korphu Lunch spot 1,636m/5453ft).  From our base camp in Nabji, we will do a day hike to Korphu village. Korphu is situated on a mountaintop at an altitude of 1,500m/5000ft. The village consists of 76 households, with an approximate population of 600 people. It is a spectacular hike uphill, and the view from the clustered village of Korphu is breathtaking. It is possible to visit Korphu’s temple, which houses the sacred relics of Pema Lingpa. A local lunch will be provided in the village. In the mid-afternoon, we hike back to Nabji.

Day 10  Nabji/Korphu campsite-Kubdra Camp site (1636m/5,453ft).  Our trek today starts on a trail to Kubdra village, leaving Nabji village at the holy tree. The trail has it own beauty; you will come across dense forest, big trees with clippers, orchid and small bamboos. After 5 to 6 hours hike, you can rest on the benches provided; enjoy your lunch with a nice view of water fall at a place called Zhelyung (1565m/5217ft.). Then after few hours walk you will come across an ethnic group (called the Monpas) inhabited in Kubdra. Kubdra is situated in the middle of the forest, around 6 hours walking from Nabji. Along the way you’ll find traces of Guru Rimpoche. The habitat you traverse is very attractive for tigers and leopards (though it is very rare to spot them, droppings and spores can be found). Kubdra only has 3 households, but the few Monpas living here are very happy to welcome you at their campsite. 

Day 11  Kubdra Camp site (1636m/5453ft)-Jangbi village (1368m/4560ft).   The hike continues from Kubdra to Jangbi village. Again traces of Guru Rimpoche can be found along the way (foot print, dragger and hat). A brief visit will be paid to the small village of Phrumzur with its temple (at 1,400m). From the site of the temple there’s a good view over the valley, here lunch will be served. From Phrumzur the hike continues, with great vistas and pristine forest along the way. A welcoming tea is prepared in the orchid garden in Jangbi. Here you will also find more information on the Monpas and their Cane and Bamboo Project. Camp will be set near Jangbi village with a beautiful view over the valley and Mangde Chhu.

Day 12  Jangbi Campsite (1,368m/4,560ft)-Tongtongfey (1,061m/3,537ft)-Trongsa.  Today there is a steep descent of 950 meters, which will bring you to the bridge crossing the Mangde Chhu; after that there will be a last climb to Tongtongfey. From here, the bus will bring you back to Trongsa for a real bed and shower. If time permits, you can visit the Kuenga Rabten Palace and the Nunnery (on the way back to Trongsa).

Day 13  After lesisurely breakfast you will visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) in Trongsa, which once guarded the Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellions. The Ta Dzong stands impressive and provides an insight into historical significance of Trongsa in the country’s history. Lunch will be served at Chendebji Choeten. Resume your journey to Wangdue. Evening at leisure.

Day 14  After breakfast hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten built in 1990s by Her Majesty Queen Azhi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. It’s a moderate hike through the rice paddies. The hike 40 minutes one way. Next you will visit Punakha Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and it still is the winter residence of the Central Monk Body. Lunch in restaurant in town. After lunch resume your journey to Paro. Evening time on your own.

Day 15  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 16-17 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