Day 1 – Arrive at Paro Airport and then drive to the capital city Thimphu. Altitude: 2320m/ 7656ft above sea level.(1 hour 30 minutes drive)

The flight into the Himalayas reveals scenic and breathtaking views of Himalayan Mountains of the world. If weather permits you will be able to see Mt Everest (8848m, 29,198ft) and other Himalayan mountain ranges. After checking into the hotel later visit,

Zorig Chusum Institute: The 13 arts and Crafts institute. The two main objectives of the institute are a) to preserve and promote the traditional arts and crafts and b) to create job opportunities for the underprivileged group of the society.

Textile museum: It was established with the aim of preserving and promoting Bhutanese textile arts.

Paper factory: The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8^th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes as valuable National heritage of Bhutanese cultural identity and is preserved through all the ages. The Traditional paper is recognized and held high esteem both in home and outside world.

Memorial Chorten: This particular chorten was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of the country, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan.

Mini zoo: Here you can see just one animal – Bhutan’s national animal- the Takin. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo.

Sangaygang View Point: The view point is also the perfect place to take in some truly breathtaking views of the entire city of Thimpu and also later visit Kuenselcholing hilltop where the largest Buddha in the world is being built.

Tashichho Dzong : The names means – Means Fortress of Glorious Religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

In the evening if you wish, Raven Tours and Treks can make arrangements under your request to take you to enjoy the recent trends of the younger Bhutanese, who  spend their evenings  in the discotheques, or in the entertaining hubs where there are live performances of Bhutanese songs and dances (traditional and modern) by the best Bhutanese bands. If you wish you can even test your singing talents in the bars that offer Karaoke.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day 2 – In Thimphu

Morning visit the weekend market: Held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the people crowd the stalls every day, dressed in full colour and gathered to meet and to barter, much like the street markets in London!

Later take a hike to Cheri Monastery(Includes Dodina and Jigme Dorji Wild life Sanctuary): Hike about 1hrs(to and fro) leds to Cheri Goemba (Cheri Dorji Dhen). Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built this monastery in 1620 and established the first monk body here. A chance to spot birds such as Mrs Gould’s Sunbird, Yellow-browed Tit, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Long-billed Thrush, Ultramarine Flycatcher.

After that we follow riverside trail via Begana to Cabesa, home to the Choki School of Arts. The Choki School is private and provides free skills-related education in the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan to Bhutanese children who are unable to attend or complete their formal education. After visiting the school we continue along the riverside trail and pass through small rural villages before returning to Thimphu.

Folk Heritage museum: It was inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, who is the founder and patron of the Museum, on 28^th July 2001.It is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of its items and artifacts used in rural households.

Thangtong Dewachen(Nunnery): It was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel, who is considered as emanation of Thangthong Gyalpo(1363 – 1485), the builder of numerous iron chain bridges across the Himalayas.

Later just stroll around the city and see how local live and do some shopping.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 3 – Trek Begins.(Dagala Thousand Lakes Trek)

Duration: 6 Days(Dagala Thousand Lakes)
Max Elevation: 4,520m
Highest Camp: 4,300m
Standard: Medium
Season: April to June and September to October
Start: Gynekha (Thimphu)
Finish: Chamgang (Thimpu)

Trek Summary: Although the trek leads up to plenty of beautiful high altitude mountain lakes and provides stunning views of the whole Bhutanese Himalayan range as well as Kanjenjunga (3rd highest mountain of the world, Sikkim) it is still not a very popular trek. You might not meet any other trekkers during the whole trek. It is also possible to start and end the trek in Gynekha. The optional route back to Gynekha leads through beautiful Bhutanese villages. Although most days are short, the day from Gur to Labatama involves a lot of climbing and is, therefore, pretty strenuous.

Start: Gynekha
End: Gur
Walking Distance: 7 km
Walk Time: 5 hours
Ascent: 550m
Descent: 210m
Camp Altitude: 3,290m

Day 4 –

Start: Gur
End: Labatama
Walking Distance: 12 km
Walk Time: 6 hours
Ascent: 1,220m
Descent: 110m
Camp Altitude: 4,300m

Day 5 –

Relaxation day at Labatama.

This day is ideal for an excursion to any of three lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. The day and place is also ideal for trout fishing.

Day 6 –

Start: Labatama
End: Panka
Walking Distance: 8 km
Walk Time: 6-7 hours
Ascent: 260m
Descent: 520m
Camp Altitude: 4,000m

Day 7 –

Start: Panka
End: Talakha
Walking Distance: 8 km
Walk Time: 5-6 hours
Ascent: 180m
Descent: 1,110m
Camp Altitude: 3,080m

Day 8 –

Start: Talakha
End: Chamgang
Walking Distance: 6 km
Walk Time: 3 hours
Ascent: 0m
Descent: 440m

From the monastery it’s a short walk down to the feeder road which will lead you to the village of Chamgang.

Later on drive to Punakha valley directly: Altitude: 1350m/4455ft above sea level(3 hours drive)

Overnight in Punakha.

Day 9 – Punakha to Paro. Altitude: 2280m/ 7524ft above sea level(4 hours drive)

Morning visit, Punakha Dzong (fortress): Built in 1637 by Zhabdrung which is remarkably located between the rivers of Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu. Until the time of second king it served as a seat of the king.

Chimi Lhakhang(Temple of fertility): This Temple was built by lam Drukpa Kuenley (The Divine Madman) in 1499. It is about thirty minutes hike across fields from the road –Wooden phalluses are often found hanging in the four corners of the houses and also phalluses are painted on the walls of houses. It is the common belief that this helps in driving away evil spirits.

Later drive to Paro valley

Later visit, Ta Dzong: This means – watch tower, which it served as during the 17th century to guard the region from the Tibetan invasion. It was converted to the National Museum in 1968.

Rimpung Dzong: Means fortress of the heap of jewels. It was built during the time of Zhabdrung (deeply revered to this day as dynamic political and spiritual leader) in 1644It is also the venue for the Paro festival (Tsechu.

Kichu Lhakhang(Monastery): It is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan. It was built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Overnight in  Paro.

Day 10 – In Paro

Hike to Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s nest): This is Bhutan’s most recognizable cultural icon perched 800m/2640ft up a seemingly sheer cliff. Although it was tragically and mysteriously consumed by fire in April 1998 it has now been restored to its former glory. It is believed that in the 8^th century, the great tantric master Guru Rimopche/ Padmasambhava (2^nd Buddha) flew on the back of a tigress to the site where the monastery now stands. Three hours hike(to and fro)

Visit Farmhouse: Eating, taking bath and staying for a night at a local farmhouse gives a different variation, and a chance to see the inside of such a home, rather than just the brightly decorated exteriors.

Later stroll around the town and see how locals live.

Overnight in Paro

Day 11 – Depart from Paro.

Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport. Your escort from Raven Tours and Treks will assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.