Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Trekking
Destinations
Bhutan

A Himalayan trek is the ultimate travel experience, and this six-day itinerary allows you to traverse some of Bhutan's most breathtaking terrain. The climb starts in Paro, with a few hours' of trekking per day until you reach Simkota at more than 12,500 feet above sea level. End your journey in a luxury hotel in Thimphu.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Glacial Lakes: Pass by many glacial lakes, big and small, teeming with brown trout. Bed down under the stars next to Simkota Lake, with views of Jumolhari in the background.
  • Alpine Forests: Make your way through serene forests of fragrant pine and dwarf rhododendron that bloom brilliantly in spring.
  • Phajoding Monastery: This trail passes by Phajoding, a monastery that is typically a challenge to reach for many visitors. Founded in the 13th century, this monastery is now a refuge for underprivileged boys.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Paro

You'll start this amazing Bhutan trek in Paro. Here, check into your luxury resort then spend the afternoon acclimatizing and sightseeing. Paro is impossibly picturesque and you have today to relax and enjoy this Himalayan setting.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Spa: The Aman spa contains private saunas, steam rooms, a yoga studio and private treatment rooms with showers and outdoor stone baths.

Accommodation: The hotel has just 24 select suites featuring traditional Bhutanese wood-burning stoves and generous terrazzo-clad baths.

Location: The resort overlooks a 17th century Drukyel Dzong and snow-capped Mt. Jumolhari.

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Amankora Paro Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The resort is located in the beautiful natural wilderness of the Paro Valley, local activities include camping, trekking, walking, biking and trips to local festivals, monasteries, markets and museums.

Cuisine: Guests may choose from authentic Bhutanese or Indian food cooked in a charcoal tandoor oven.

Peace: The resort hosts yoga courses throughout the year and the spa offers Ayurvedic treatments from trained therapists.

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COMO Uma Bhutan Paro Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Forest-covered mountains, tiny villages and terraced crop fields, valley rivers and rich history. One of the most scenic locations in Bhutan, Six Senses Paro is perched at an altitude of 2,250 meters, putting the spotlight on its epic views.

Sustainability: Six Senses Paro is committed to low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community - befitting Bhutan, the world's only carbon-negative country.

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Six Senses Paro Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Paro

Start off your morning with a brisk walk to Taktsang Monastery, the famous "Tiger’s Nest" perched on a cliff 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. This half-day hike takes you through fragrant pine forest and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the Himalayas. At night, relax and get a good night's sleep at your luxury resort in preparation for the upcoming treks.

Paro
Paro

Day 3

Jangchula Camp

Today, you'll walk through beautiful apple orchards and forest, ascending to the fortress of Jili Dzong, at an elevation of 10,300 feet. This 16th-century fortress has long been a resting spot for travelers making their way between Paro and Thimpu. After a break, you'll trek onwards to Jangchula Camp, where you'll spend the night.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Simtoka Lake

Continue your ascent today, covering 11 miles on the way to Simkota at an altitude of 12,700 feet. The trail traverses ridges with an average elevation of 10,000 feet, with some challenging rocky areas. By lunch time, you’re trekking party will break above the tree line to the alpine Jimi Langtso Lake. From here it's onwards another two hours to the smaller, but no less beautiful, Simkota Lake, where you'll camp for the night.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Simtoka Lake
Simtoka Lake

Day 5

Phajoding

Today you'll cover 11 miles, starting from Simkota and ending the day's journey in Phajoding, a downward trek of about five or six hours. The trail will lead you through dwarf rhododendron trees and past the glacial Lake Janye. On the way, there's a good chance you'll meet yak herders, and on a clear day, you'll be able to see Mount Gangkar Punsum, at more than 24,000 feet – the highest unclimbed peak in the world. The campsite is close to the monastery of Phajoding that overlooks the Thimphu Valley.

Hotel Options
About

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Thimphu

It's all downhill today as you make your way to the capital of Thimphu at 7,500 feet. You'll trek through beautiful blue pine and rhododendron forests. On the way, take time to see the national animal – the takin – at the Motithang Takin Preserve. Proceed to Paro for your final night in Bhutan and enjoy a nice hot shower at your luxury resort. This late afternoon, you have free time to explore the charming narrow streets and shops of Paro.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Tranquility: The resort has a relaxed pace of life, residing in a pine forest in the upper Thimphu Valley away from the lively Bhutanese capital.

Location: The resort is an ideal retreat from the capital city of Thimphu, yet within easy reach to the city’s main attractions.

Library: In the evenings guests may get cozy with a hot drink or glass of wine in the on-site library which boasts a collection of literature on Bhutanese culture and art.

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Amankora Thimphu Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Secluded between apple orchards and young pine forest, Six Senses Thimphu is a "Palace in the Sky," perched 2,650 meters up in the hillside. From here, you can peer down at Thimphu Valley and across to the giant Buddha, but you're still close to all of the capital's main attractions.

Sustainability: Fitting with the other Six Senses' Bhutan properties and Bhutan's reputation as the world's only carbon-negative country, Six Senses Thimphu aims to have a low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community.

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Six Senses Thimphu Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: An ideal base from which to explore the hustle and bustle of the Kingdom’s capital city.

Size: The Taj Tashi is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the country.

Facilities: The hotel has a wide range of world-class facilities, including restaurants, bars, a spa, swimming pool, fitness center and Jacuzzi.

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Taj Tashi Preferred Hotel
Thimphu
Thimphu

Day 7

Departure

On your final day of your journey, prepare for your departure from this beautiful kingdom. Dependent on your flight time, it may be possible to squeeze in some activities such as taking part in Himalayan singing bowl meditation or a visiting a local market for last minute shopping before concluding your tour.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–2

Amankora Paro
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Paro

Amankora Paro is located just outside of town and features sweeping views of the Paro valley and snow-capped mountains. The hotel, just 30 minutes from Paro airport, has 24 spacious suites designed to evoke a contemporary and minimalist vision of traditional Bhutanese style, incorporating local wood, stone and terrazzo tile. Each suite has a bukhari, or wood-burning stove, and a luxurious bathroom complete with soaking tub. Bhutanese cuisine and international fare are served in the hotel’s great room lounge, dining room, and terrace. The two-level spa contains private areas for massage and treatments, a glass-walled sauna, hot stone baths and a yoga room with a relaxation area. Fax services are available, as is Internet. There is no fitness center or pool, but the Amankora’s idyllic surroundings are perfect for hiking and mountain biking.

COMO Uma Bhutan Paro
Preferred Hotel

COMO Uma Bhutan Paro

COMO Uma Bhutan Paro is a 29-room hotel set in Paro Valley with breath-taking views of the Himalayas. The Bukhari restaurant, set amid pine trees, uses mostly organic food from the surrounding area for Bhutanese delicacies such as pakshee paa, a sliced pork dish with chilies and radishes; ema datsee, a chili and cheese dish, or hewa datsee, a combination of potatoes, cheese and chilies. Uma by COMO, Paro is home to the COMO Shambhala Retreat, a holistic health spa with an open-air yoga pavilion overlooking the Paro Valley. Additional facilities include a business center, fitness center and swimming pool. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the airport in Paro.

Six Senses Paro
Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Paro

With sacred sites, traditional architecture, and historical buildings, a trip to Paro, Bhutan, is like taking a trip back in time. Nestled in a scenic river valley, the town is the first stop to Bhutan for many, as it is home to the country’s sole international airport. Six Senses Bhutan Paro is perched directly above Paro National Museum, offering incredible views of the valley. Built in the midst of old stone ruins, charming interiors of hewn stone walls and working fireplaces will contrast mid-tone vertical timbers. Community gathering sites such as an open fire pit are available, and all resources used in the construction of this resort are sustainably sourced. The property offers 16 suites, two one-bedroom villas, one two-bedroom villa, and one three-bedroom villa that is perfect for families. Other facilities and services include an all-day dining restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a bar, banquet facilities, Spa and Wellness Center with gym, outdoor sauna, yoga room, relaxation and private meditation areas, indoor pool, library, and boutique. The Six Senses Bhutan Paro is one node of the collective Six Senses Bhutan hotels, meaning that guests can conveniently travel to Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, or Bumthang assured of the consistent quality of the Six Senses brand throughout their trip.

Suggested Hotel For Day 3

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Day 4

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotel For Day 5

Camping

Camping

Enjoy close commune with nature by setting up camp in the great outdoors as part of a Bhutanese Himalayan trek. Surrounded by forests, travelers fall asleep under the stars and wake up to glorious mountain views each morning – campsites really allow travelers to connect with their environment and enjoy the serenity of the Himalayas. Accompanied by guides and horses or yaks transporting camping equipment, you will stay at established campsites with all food and drinks provided, with meals prepared by an experienced chef. In some places around Bhutan, our recommended camps share sites with yak herders, giving travelers the chance to learn about this traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle first-hand. Camping in the oak forests, peaks and valleys of Bhutan also puts campers in close contact with a diverse array of wildlife, including the chital, deer, langur, and different species of Northeast Himalayan birdlife.  

Suggested Hotels For Day 6

Amankora Thimphu
Preferred Hotel

Amankora Thimphu

Amankora Thimpu is located on a hillside in a verdant pine forest far above Bhutan’s capital city. The hotel’s architecture is reminiscent of Bhutanese temples, or dzongs, and incorporates white-washed stone buildings around an enclosed courtyard. Sixteen suites are composed of living and sleeping areas, with views of the forest and nearby streams. The spacious terrazzo-tiled bathrooms have soaking tubs and twin vanities. Guests may dine either in an elegant dining room or on the adjacent terrace, both of which serve Bhutanese and international cuisine. Steam and sauna rooms are available, and massage and spa treatments are offered in private rooms nearby. Traditional hot stone baths can be scheduled. There is no fitness center. Fax and Internet are available. The resort is approximately 30 minutes from the airport in Paro.

Six Senses Thimphu
Preferred Hotel

Six Senses Thimphu

The capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Thimphu sits at around 8,000 feet above sea level and is 34 miles from the nation's international airport in Paro. As the nation's cultural heart, people venture to this remote capital to catch glimpses of rare Buddhist scriptures at the National Library or marvel at the Buddha Dordenma's 149-foot bronze statue. The Six Senses Thimphu is situated on the valley hillside just south of the town with spectacular views of Thimphu Valley and across to the giant Buddha. The hotel's décor has been designed to reflect the city's cultural dominance. Beautiful cultural items, handcrafted objects, and intricate weavings are abundant throughout the hotel, and modern interiors feature clean lines, wood paneling, whitewashing, and natural stone. Buildings are constructed from rust-colored bricks, and old solid wood has been repurposed into table and bench tops. The property offers 20 suites, 3 one-bedroom villas, 1 two-bedroom villa, and 1 three-bedroom villa. Facilities and services include a Living Room, all-day dining restaurant, private dining room, bar and lounge, banquet facilities, indoor pool, boutique, prayer pavilion, business center, sunken outdoor performance deck, and a Spa and Wellness Center with manicure and pedicure room, and a gym. A branch of the Six Senses Bhutan hotel, guests will be able to easily move on to Paro, Punakha, Gangtey, or Bumthang while still enjoying the comforts offered by the Six Senses brand.

Taj Tashi
Preferred Hotel

Taj Tashi

Situated in the Thimphu Valley, this new property seamlessly blends Bhutan’s Dzong architecture and modern design. Adorned with classical hand-drawn Buddhist murals, its 52 deluxe rooms, 5 luxury rooms, 3 deluxe suites, 2 duplex suites and 4 luxury suites all afford guests an authentic peek into the region’s art and color. All accommodations have wired and wireless Internet access. Food and beverage options include an all-day, international cuisine restaurant, Ara Bar, an authentic Bhutanese restaurant, and a tea lounge. The Taj Spa is equipped with single and double treatment suites and has a menu featuring Indian holistic and signature treatments, specially designed to maintain physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium. There is a fitness center and a heated indoor swimming pool. The property is a two-hour drive from the airport in Paro, which is the only airport in the country. It is a six-hour drive to Phuntsholing and a 3.5-hour drive to Punakha.

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