9-Day Bhutan Trek from Paro to Thimphu with Tiger's Nest

• The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan.

• On arrival, you will be greeted by your Bhutanese guide and transferred to the hotel.

• After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, once a fortified lookout tower and now the National Museum.

• Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels".

• Next, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country.

• From there, you will be taken to Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan's victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s.

• On a clear day, you can see Mount Jumolhari, Bhutan's second-highest mountain at 7,314 meters.

Overnight hotel in Paro.

• After breakfast, you will take a pilgrimage hike up to the most famous Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. All Bhutanese Buddhists desire to make this pilgrimage at least once in their lives, and each step they take along the trail counts as merit points toward their future. The trails pass through meadows of pines, rhododendrons, and oaks.

• Choose between a 2-hour round-trip hike to the cafe for a good view of the monastery or a longer, more strenuous 5-hour hike to the monastery itself. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress, meditated here for 3 months, subdued the local deities, and converted them to Buddhism. Later, in the 17th century, the 4th Desi or temporal ruler of Bhutan, Tenzin Rabgye, built a temple here in 1692 in its present form, thus fulfilling the wishes of Shardrung Rinpoche, who died before he could build this temple.

• Enjoy lunch at the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley.

• After exploring the monastery, you will hike back down to Paro.

Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

• After breakfast at your hotel, you will drive to the road head at the National Museum, from where you will start the trek.

• The trail is rather gradual up to the camp, and if the weather is clear, Paro Valley can be seen with snow-capped mountains behind, including Jumolhari in the distance. Above the camp is Jele La Dzong (3,400 m). Jele Dzong is mostly in ruins, and there is a Lhakhang with the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni.

• Overnight camp.

• Before your trek, you can explore Jele Dzong, which sits at 3,570 m.

• Begin the trek with an hour-and-a-half climb and then continue with a gradual ascent. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and rhododendrons, crossing Jele La (3,490 m). You may see yak herders around your campsite. There are fascinating views of Jumolhari and other snow-capped mountains, and you can also hear some Monal pheasants during the day.

Overnight camp.

• The trail climbs steeply to Jangchulakha (4,180 m). On a clear day, the views of the mountains and valleys are sensational.

• Descending from the pass, you arrive at your camp beside the Jimilangtsho lakes. These lakes are famous for their giant-sized trout. There are also great views of 6,989 m Jichu Drake, the peak representing the protective deity of Paro, and Gangkar Puensum (7,497 m), Bhutan's highest mountain.

Overnight camp.

• The trail climbs up from the lower end of the lake and traverses along the side of the ridge, then descends to a single stone shelter.

• You will then ascend again to a summit at 4,050 m overlooking Janetsho Lake. Today, you may come across some yak herders' camps and get an idea of how these people live.

• The camp is close to Simkota Lake.

Overnight camp.

• Begin today with a gradual climb, and if the weather permits, you will enjoy majestic views of Mount Gangkar Puensum and the other peaks. The trail then slowly descends through juniper trees to a community hall near Phajoding.

• From Phajoding, the trek to Thimphu is downhill all the way, passing through a forested area of mostly blue pine.

• On arrival, check into a hotel in Thimphu.

Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

• After breakfast, drive to Dochu La Pass. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear winter days, with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquillity of the 108 Chortens gracing the mountain pass, known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens. The construction of these 108 Chortens was commissioned by the eldest Queen Mother, Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. The pass is also a popular spiritual destination for both locals and tourists because an important temple is located on the crest of Dochula Pass.

• The Druk Wangyal Lhakhang was built in honour of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The past and future appear to merge in the details of the Lhakhang. Its structure tells the story of a supreme warrior figure whose vision pierces the distant future in a fine blend of history and mythology.

Overnight in Paro hotel.

• Today you bid farewell to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and its friendly people. Druk Air generally departs early in the morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in the morning, depending on the flight schedule and your destination. The representative will bid you farewell. Tashi Delek!