Day 01: Bangkok – Paro
Flying into the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression.

On arrival at Paro airport, after immigration and custom formalities, your guide from Phuson Travel for the trip will receive you and transfer you to the hotel.

This beautiful valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, the country’s only airport, and the National Museum. Mt. Jomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro River). The Paro valley is one of the kingdom’s most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan’s famous red rice from its terraced fields.
What to see in Paro?
Ta Dzong: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong.  (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a Dzong is always called a “Ta Dzong”).   On account of their function, watchtowers are always round in shape.  In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.
Rinpung Dzong: Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the “fortress of the heap of jewels” stands on a hill above Paro Township. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls. The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the Dzong and on the dance ground on the hillside above.
Kyichu Lhakhang: The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emporer Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the 108 border taming temples he built.
In 1971 HM Kesang Choden Wangchuck, the Queen of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, built a Guru Temple next to the old Jowo Temple which was consecrated by HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Since then, the annual rites of great accomplishment for the deities Vajrasattva, Palchen Heruka, and Vajrakilava have been held in this temple for the well being of the country under the patronage of HM Kesang Choden Wangchuck.
There is a belief that the two orange trees in the courtyard of Kyichu Lhakhang bear fruit throughout the year.

Altitude at Paro: 2300m
Overnight- Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar

Day 02: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Today, we will hike to the famous cliff-hermitage called Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” This monastic retreat is built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro valley. Legend has it that the Tibetan Buddhist saint Padmasambhava flew across the Himalayas on the back of a tiger and landed here, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.

After visiting what is known as one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the country, we will go off the beaten track further up to the temples that are on the hill tops above Tiger’s Nest. It’s so peaceful and you can really communicate with nature as you enjoy the views from the top, be it that of mountains or the valley. No wonder that some monks have chosen this place to meditate for the rest of their lives!
Coming back, we are following a different path that takes us through the pristine thick forest of oaks and rhododendrons festooned with Spanish mosses.
Altitude at Paro – 2300m
Overnight- Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar

Day 03: Paro - Haa - Chuksapang
This morning, we will take a drive towards west to Haa Valley via Chele La (3750m), the highest motor able pass in the country from where if the weather permits, we will enjoy the breathtaking views of the snowcapped mountains.
We will meet our horse and the camping crew at Talung Village (2800m), a trailhead of the Ha planter’s trail, back to the time when it was used by rice planters from Ha on their way to help people in Paro who relied heavily on their labor during the planting season.

Soon after having a lunch at the trailhead, we will set off on our horse to the first camp at Chuksapang which is a small patch of meadow in the middle of conifer forest. The trail goes gradually up along the small stream through all these beautiful meadows which are being used as pastures for the cattle from Haa.
Approximate driving time – 02 hours. Approximate riding time – 02 hours
Overnight – Camp at Chuksapang (3235m)

Day 04: Chuksapang – Ningung La (05-06 hours)
We ride further up following the planter’s trail to Saga La (3720m) for about an hour, and then we are off the beaten track as we leave the planter’s trail along the ridge that runs south east from here. Continuing our ride, we soon get above the tree line and the views are majestic, be it of snowcapped mountains or the valleys beneath. We will make as many stops as possible to take pictures or simply to contemplate if there’s any other place like this on this earth.  I have no words to describe this place and its beauty, so I leave it up to you.
Overnight – Camp at Ningung La (3750m)

Day 05: Ningung La -   Kung Karpo (04-05 hours)
The way from here is no less striking with views of the entire Bhutan Himalaya. In May and June when the flowers are in bloom it is a magical ride amidst the various hues of white, red, pink and purple.

The sunset from Kung Karpo with different colors playing against the sky is a splendid spectacle. The view from the ridge as the sun sets over the rolling hills remains etched in mind for a long time. They say heaven is a place on earth – perhaps this is one such place. Anyway, it is as close as you can get to in a day!
Overnight – Kung Karpo (4116m)

Day 06: Kung Karpo – Chele La (02 hours)
Today, we will start the day off with a short downhill ride through dwarf rhododendrons to a yak pasture, and then traverse the eastern side of Chele La Ridge to the roadside where we finish this segment of our horseback riding holiday. This is also where our car will be waiting for us to be transferred down to the hotel in Paro for a nice shower.

Altitude at Paro – 2300m
Overnight – Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar

Day 07: Chuzomtoe – Tsendu La (04-05 hours)
We will take a drive to Chuzomtoe (3310m) taking about 02 hours, the starting point of the second segment of our horse riding trip – The Juniper Trail.

The trail runs gradually up along the ridge for over two hours till the base of a treeless peak, occasionally passing by beautiful meadows that are being used by the yak herders to keep their yaks in winter. The trail then traverses for sometime before you make your way up through the thick alpine forest of firs, rhododendrons and junipers to Tsendu La (3775m), a beautiful meadow on top of the ridge.

Overnight – Tsendu La (3775m)

Day 08: Tsendu La - Pangka La (04-05 hours)
After breakfast, we will trek down the hill till we get to Dongle La pass (3565m) which is marked by an old two legged Chorten. This pass is along the forsaken ancient mule track between Paro and Ha valleys. This route was like the present day highway not so long ago, with traffic of mules and people being the beast of burden in the same way. From here, the trail goes gradually up through the conifer forest till you get above the tree line in the vicinity of huge meadow of Pangka La.

Overnight - Camp at Pangka La (4150m)

Day 09: Pangka La - Chele La (05-06 hours)
It is worth rising up early in the morning to see the sun rise over the eastern Himalayan mountains or just to experience the solitude of this heaven like place on earth.

We start the last day of our horseback riding, sliding down slowly along the wide and well used yak’s trail for a while till it gets level. Along the ridge, we will come across some yak herder’s camps and then we have a short climb before we make our way down to yet another abandoned mule track at Dzongle La (3565m). From here, the path goes down into the woods and then up again to Chele La, where our car will be waiting for us to be transferred to Paro yet again.

Altitude at Paro - 2300m
Overnight – Tenzinling Resort in Paro or similar

Day 10: Paro – Bangkok
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Phuson Travel will bid you farewell and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.
         

•    Transfer and tour with English speaking guide (Other languages are subject to availability and can be to surcharges).
•    Accommodation in twin shared room 3 stars hotel and resort
•    Entrance fees, service charge, baggage handling,
•    Ground transportation
•    Meals on packages trip
•    Travel insurance in Bhutan
•    Visa to Bhutan

•    Personal expenditure, such as laundry, souvenirs, etc. 
•    Tips & Gratuities
•    International airticket round trip from Bangkok airport

Health & Fitness required:

There is easy to moderate suitable for all travelers, no requirement on this trip.

Meeting point:

You will be welcomed at Paro airport and transfer to hotel.

Finishing point:

Transfer to Paro airport.

What to take:

We suggest you to take suitcase and day bag. Take long paints, long sleeve, shorts, T-shirt, first aid.