Punakha Trek - 12 Days - 12 Days

Punakha trek is categorized as easy to moderate and is suitable for all travelers, including beginners. Discover amazing scenery and trek through the beautiful, unspoiled landscape during this 12-day, guided tour. Starting from Paro, where we will receive you at the airport on arrival, this tour will take you through Bhutan’s mountainous terrain comprising of oak and rhododendron forests and past tiny villages that seem frozen in time while allowing you to discover the best of Bhutan’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. In addition to this, you will also get the chance to explore both Paro and Thimphu, two of its major cities, during this tour and appreciate the rich architectural beauty of its dzongs and monasteries. We recommend travelers carry out Punakha Trek between early March to June and late September to November. However, since you will not be traveling to high-altitude areas, you can undertake this trek even in the winter months of December, January and February.

Day 1: Arrive in Paro
We will meet you upon arrival at Paro International Airport and escort you to your hotel. You are free for the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Tiger's Nest hike
Time to visit one of the most famous Bhutanese landmarks, Tiger’s Nest monastery. Start hiking to the monastery where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated for three months. The climb is steep but the view is rewarding.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Paro - Thimphu
Leave early for Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Visit the ancient fortress of Simtokha Dzong. Despite being a capital city, Thimphu is quiet and peaceful. The total distance takes around two hours to cover by vehicle. You are free for the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Thimphu - Shong Pang
Your trek starts today. Take the road north of the valley and travel toward Dechencholing Palace (the residence of the queen mother). Hop off the vehicle upon reaching Pangrizam, where the road ends.

Start hiking next. The final destination of the day is Shong Pang, where you will reach after trekking for four to five hours. We will camp near Chamina village tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Shong Pang-Dopshing Pang
The trail gradually ascends until you reach the Sinchula Pass. In case the weather is good you will see Phajodhing Monastery, located above Thimphu, from the pass. Walk two kilometers more to reach Thinly Gang village, home to Talo Monastery. The journey from Sinchula is more or less downhill till you reach Dopshing Pang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Dopshing Pang-Chorten Ningpo
The trek to Chorten Ningpo is rather gradual. You will be traversing thick forests, traveling past villages and through rice fields today. It is worth noting that over 70% of Bhutan is blanketed with virgin blue pine forests.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Chorten Ningpo-Zomlingthang
Trek for two to three hours to reach the road that takes you to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. Punakha Dzong (which translates as the “palace of great happiness”) is the former winter capital of the country and today hosts the administrative seat of the district.

The Dzong lies between two rivers, Pochu and Mochu, and was built in 1637 AD. Continue your trek to reach Zomlingthang for your stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Zomlingthang-Limukha
Leave for Limukha after breakfast, following the motor road to Punakha Dzong and crossing the Pochu River thereafter. Enjoy a steady, half-day climb through a forest of long-needle chir pines. Enjoy wonderful views of the Punakha Valley and the dzong. If the weather is clear, you will also get to see some mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Limukha-Chungsaka (trek)-Wangdiphodrang (drive)
Leave Limukha after breakfast and head for Chungsaka. The trail ascends gradually through forests thickly populated with oaks and rhododendrons. Cross the Dochula Pass. Enjoy spectacular mountain views from the pass before descending down a thick forest and past the monastery dedicated to the Divine Madman.
End your trek on reaching the road down below from where you will drive for about half an hour to reach Wangdiphodrang, where you will stay tonight in a guesthouse.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10: Wangdiphodrang-Thimphu (drive)
Head for the capital today, stopping en route at Punakha Dzong. Explore the dzong and marvel at its architecture before continuing your journey. Drive over the Dochula Pass and down toward Thimphu.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Thimphu-Paro
Take the winding road to Paro. See three different types of chortens built according to Tibetan, Bhutanese, and Nepalese styles.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Paro departure
After breakfast, we will drive you to the airport from where you will catch the flight home. We hope you enjoyed your Bhutan tour.
Meals: Breakfast

Cost Include

Bhutanese visa charges
Pickup and drop-off from and to the airport in Paro
Accommodation as per the itinerary
All meals
Transport during the tour in comfortable, private vehicles
An experienced, English-speaking tour guide
Entrance fees to monuments and museums as per the itinerary
Bhutanese government taxes/royalties

Cost Exclude

Airfare for international flights to and from Bhutan
Expenses that are personal in nature, for example, personal trekking gear, telephone calls, and the internet, beverages, laundry, etc
Travel insurance
Tips for staff (guide and driver)