9 Days Paro Tour with Haa Valley Sagala Trek

Highlights: Visit National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong and local Crafts Bazzar in Thimphu.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport by Druk Air, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves. Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel. And you can have a brief rest at your hotel if you need. Later, you will pay a visit to National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memorial of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan in 1974.

After that, you can visit Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

In the evening, you are able to take a stroll in the town or visit the Local Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar is full of hand-woven textiles, thangka paintings, masks, ceramics, etc. If you like, you can choose some gifts for your friends and relatives here.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Visit National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

Today’s tour will first bring you to the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.

Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu city, and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree, and Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

You will end today’s sightseeing after visiting Simtokha Dzong. It was built by Zhabdrung to consolidate his domain and subdue the demon in 1629. Nowadays, it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Highlight: Visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo in Haa valley.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will start your trip to Haa, which is 104 km away from Thimphu. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Thimphu to Haa. After arrival, you will visit the white temple, Lhakhang Karpo at the mountain foot. Then you will move on to the black temple, the Lhakhang Nagpo that located a little north to the white temple. It is said that the locations of these two temples were selected by a white pigeon and a black pigeon, which were released by the King Songtsen Gampo.

Stay overnight in Haa.

Lhakhang Nagpo

(Trek distance: 8km; Time: 4-5 hours; Camp Altitude: 3235m)

Today, first you will go to Yangtong Village where the trek starts from.  The first section of today’s trek is an uphill road through a blue pine forest and farmland to Yangtong Goemba that dedicated to ‘Guru Rinphoche and his Eight Manifestations’. Then you will follow the trekking trail to Talung Village and reach Khadey Gom (3235m) after crossing a bridge.

Camping at Khadey Gom.

Camping at Khadey Gom

(Trek distance: 8km; Time: 5-6 hours; Camp Altitude: 3200m)

Today you will trek cross the Saga La Pass (3550m), where you can enjoy a stunning view of the Paro valley and the Mount Jomolhari and Jo Drake on a clear day. After that, you will hike down to Drugyel Dozong and Taktshang monastery. Looking east, you can see the mountain peaks forming the border with Tibet.

Camping at Dongney Tsho.

Saga La Pass

(Trek distance: 7km; Time: 3 hours)

Today's hike will first go through a steep downhill. After arriving at Genchu Zam (bridge), you will pass through the dense forest to the small village of Lom Bjara. Along the way you have the opportunity to see different birds such as thrushes, magpies and pheasants. From the village at the foot of the mountain, you can walk to the main road for an hour.

When you get to the main road, you can see your driver, who will take you to your hotel in Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Haa Valley Sagala Trek

Higlights: Visit the major sites in Paro including Ta Dzong, Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang.

Today, you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Kyichu Lhakhang

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.

Today, we will leave for Paro to enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

After the trek, we will head back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.