9 Days Paro Tour with Haa Valley Sagala Tour

Highlights: Arrive in Paro and visit the National Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, and the local Crafts Bazaar in Thimphu.

Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”.

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will meet your local travel guide and driver at the airport’s Arriving Hall.

Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of around 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

After arriving in Thimphu, your guide will assist you in checking into the hotel.

Later, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974 in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan.

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 can 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: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like the National Textile Museum and the Traditional Paper Making Factory, etc.

After breakfast, you will first visit 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 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 the 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 can 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.

Finally, you will end today’s sightseeing with a visit to Simtokha Dzong. Built by Zhabdrung in 1629 to consolidate his domain and subdue a demon, it is often regarded as the first dzong ever built in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Visit the Takin Preserve

Highlights: Driver from Thimphu to Haa Valley and visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo.

After breakfast, you will start your trip to Haa Valley, which is 104 km away from Thimphu. It takes about 4 hours to drive from Thimphu to Haa.

After arrival in Haa Valley, you will visit Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple) at the mountain foot.

Then, you will move on to the Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple), which is located a little north of the white temple. It is said that the locations of these two temples were selected by a white pigeon and a black pigeon, which the King Songtsen Gampo released.

Stay overnight in Haa.

Lhakhang Nagpo

Highlights: Trek 8 km from Yangtong Village to reach the camp at 3,235 meters in Khadey Gom.

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, which is dedicated to ‘Guru Rinphoche and his Eight Manifestations’.

Then, you will follow the trekking trail to Talung Village and reach Khadey Gom after crossing a bridge.

Camping at Khadey Gom (3,235m).

Camping at Khadey Gom

Highlight: Trek across the stunning Sagala Pass and reach Dongney Tsho

After breakfast, you will trek across the Sagala Pass (3,550m), where you can enjoy a stunning view of the Paro Valley with Mount Jomolhari and Jo Drake on a clear day.

After that, you will hike down to Drugyel Dozong. Looking east, you can see the mountain peaks forming the border with China.

Camping at Dongney Tsho (3,200m).

Saga La Pass

Highlights: Trek downhill to Drukgyel Dzong and back to Paro City.

Today, you will first trek downhill to Drukgyel Dzong, the glorious fortress and Buddhist monastery in ancient time.

After arriving at Genchu Zam (bridge), you will pass hrough 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.

After reaching the main road, you will meet your driver, who will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Haa Valley Sagala Trek

Highlight: Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro Rinpung Dzong, and Ta Dzong.

After breakfast, you will head to the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo like the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa.

Then, you will visit the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks.

You will visit Ta Dzong, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, textiles, jewelry, etc. You can get a glimpse of Bhutan’s rich history, culture, and religion.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Kyichu Lhakhang

Highlight: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it.

After breakfast, you will start your hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (also known as Taktsang Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. It was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.