Thimphu sightseeing & shopping, Punakha Valley via Dochu La, Chimmi Lhakhang With the morning reserved for more sightseeing in the capital you have the chance to buy some wish fulfilling prayer flags to hang later at the Dochu la pass. If the weather gods are with us at 3,080 m the pass affords sweeping views towards the main Himalayan range and a meditative stroll amongst the forest of fluttering prayer flags and maze of 108 memorial chortens.

The route now plunges into primeval forest (look out for monkeys and birdlife) either by bike or in the vehicle snaking nearly 2,000 meters down into the Punakha valley at Chimmi Lhakhang. This hilltop, fertility temple, was founded by the tantric Buddhist Master Drukpa Kunley, one of Tibet’s foremost saints and yogis and the patron saint of Bhutan. He belongs to the Drukpa (Dragon) school of Tibetan Buddhism and is greatly loved by all the people as an enlightened master and an exponent of ‘crazy wisdom’. He taught through outrageous behaviour and ribald humour in order to awaken the people he met to a higher awareness free from conventional morality and self-obsession.

• Optional bike descent.
• Duration of drive: 2 – 1/2 hours (76 km)
• Overnight: Punakha (Alt; 1,300 m)

Walk or white watering rafting adventure for a full day to cover all the highlights of the valley. We start early with a short walk up through whitewashed homesteads and farmland to Khamsum Yuley Namgyle Chorten, a shrine built by the royal family. This temple is a startlingly ornate and elaborate structure boasting a rainbow of Guru Rinpoche images and superb views of the lush rice paddies and orange groves of the Punakha Valley.

Downstream the edifice of Punakha Dzong (Druk Pungthang Decchen Phodrang – the Palace of Great Happiness) awaits and we can either drive down or float to its gates on a rafting adventure. Built in 1637 by Zhabdung Nawang Namgyal in a commanding position at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu (Father and Mother rivers).

Bhutan’s second oldest dzong served as the seat of the Kingdom’s government until the time of the second King and today is the winter home of the Je Khempo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of about 1,000 monks. Some guests are so captivated by the murals, shrines and general goings-on in the courtyards that they chose to spend a few hours in the dzong.

• Optional half day white water rafting adventure (at an additional charge).
• Duration: 5 – 8 hours
• Overnight: Punakha (Alt; 1,300 m)

It is time to retrace our steps back over the Dochu La for a second chance of that spectacular view of the Himalayan range.

From Dochu la pass you will your hike with a gradual uphill climb of about 2 hours to 18th century Lungchutse Lhakhang. The picturesque route passes through forests of rhododendrons, magnolias, birches, firs, hemlocks and bamboos, and occasionally meadows that are being used as yak pastures. The view from Lungchotse Lhakhang over the entire Bhutan Himalayan and its snow covered peaks is amazing. We will walk back downhill for about an hour until we get back to Dochula pass.

Returning to the Chunzom (or confluence) we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward off evil spirits near the checkpoint. On the final leg the sinuous route follows the Pa Chhu River, through apple orchards and rice paddies, past quaint homesteads to our home in the Himalayas, Paro town. After check-in at the hotel, we invite you for stroll in town and to spend the rest of the day relaxing after the long drive.

• Duration: 6 – 7 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard
• Overnight: Paro (Alt: 2,280 m)

Through Paro Town, past Ugyen Pelri Palace and the main archery ground we start our walk across the traditional covered bridge Nyami Zam over the Pa Chhu River and join devotees on their way up to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels). Our vehicle then whisks us up to the former watch tower of Ta Dzong, housing Bhutan’s National Museum. Taking in the magnificent views, we may be fortunate to see a plane on its final approach into Paro.

Time for an easy but spectacular walk high above the valley to the pretty grounds of Zurig Dzong overlooking Rinpung Dzong and the festival ground before descending to our pickup point near luxury resort Uma Paro. Pop in to the resort for tea and a look round (or even lunch at an additional charge) but we are now on our way to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magic orange tree that bears fruit all year round. The walk can also be done vice versa, you can discuss with your guide.

• Duration: 5 – 7 hours (depending on time spent in National Museum and Paro)
• Overnight: Paro (Alt; 2,280 m)

The hike to the iconic Taktsang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery provides a fitting climax to our adventure. Otherworldly forces seem to be at work to keep the monastery clinging to its perch in the rock face, so it comes as no surprise to discover that this Cliffside was where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. To avoid the hot sun an early start is advisable for the two-hour climb to the viewpoint where you can see the monastery right in front of you. Descend steeply, then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates.

Retrace your steps or alternatively (if time and energy levels allow) head further up to several remote temples and monasteries for more magnificent views over Taktsang and the valley below. Time permitting, we drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1649 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the northern route to Tibet (from here, it is only a two-day hike to the border, dominated by Mt Jhomalhari). On the way back to Paro stop for some last minute shopping if you are not tired or you wish to.

• Duration: 7 – 8 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard
• Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria
• Overnight: Paro (Alt; 2,280 m)

Seemingly suspended in rock crags almost at the brink of the highest road pass in Bhutan (Chele La 3,988 m), Kila Goemba has been a retreat for meditation since the 9th century. As with so many temples in the Himalayas it was destroyed by fire before being rebuilt by the 25th Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan), Sherab Gyaltsen. These days it is an Anim Dratshang or nunnery; lofty retreat, place of worship and home to about 50 hardy nuns.

Towards the summit of Chele La we pop out-of-the-blue pine and rhododendron forest into windswept highlands much favoured by yaks and dotted with azaleas, edelweiss and perhaps even the famous blue poppy at certain times of the year. With tantalizing glimpses of Mt Jhomalhari (7,314 m) at every other hairpin bend we finally reach the summit and western Bhutan is laid before us with the unspoilt Haa valley and the mountains of Sikkim to the west, Mt Jhomalhari and Tibet to the north and the patchwork fields of the Paro valley down to the east.

Leaving the prayer flag swathed col and our vehicle behind we strike off along the ridge to the summit (almost 4200 m ) before plunging back into the primeval forest reaching the nunnery after around two to three hours. Having paid our respects at the temple and maybe even received a blessing it is time to say farewell to the nuns and drop further into the valley and back to our waiting vehicle.

• Duration: 7 – 9 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate to hard
• Guided with picnic lunch
• Overnight: Paro (Alt; 2,280 m)

Druk Air departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged for depending on the flight schedule and your destination.