Sinchula Trek

Upon arrival drive to Thimphu. On the way visit Tamchog Lhakhang located right across Paro chu. The temple is 30 minutes drive from Paro Airport. Further drive spends some time at Chudzom the meeting of 3 rivers from Haa, Paro, and Thimphu. Upon reaching Thimphu check into the hotel and relax.

After breakfast, visit the Folk Heritage Museum (an old farmhouse showing the rural life of Bhutanese) and the National Painting School to see how the amazing traditional sculptures and paintings are made. Next come to Bhutan Post Office Headquarter where you can make stamps with your own photos (USD 4 for 12 stamps, at your expense). After lunch, visit National Institute of Traditional Medicine; the National Library, stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Art & Craft School, where children still learn the ancient art of Buddhist painting. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Drive north up the valley towards Dechencholing Palace, following the Thimphu Chhu, crossing the bridge after the army camp and before a beautiful monastery. Follow the unsealed road just above Chamina village. The hikes starts here.

From this point, if the weather is clear, you can see Phajoding monastery, which is located just above Thimphu. After 2 km, you can see Thinleygang village, Talo Monastery, and the motor highway towards the ancient capital of Bhutan, Punakha. The trek from the pass is more or less downhill until you reach the campsite.

From camp, it’s all the way down to the village through the mixed forest. Just before you reach the river.

Breakfast served at camp site and then the trail gradually descends mainly through the densely forested areas until you reach the motorable road where you will be picked by your car and drive to visit the Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, drive towards Paro. On the way spend your time at Dochula pass for some tea/coffee. On arrival at Paro, visit the recently restored Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1647 by the Great Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. The dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.

Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang, built-in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, the trail climbs through a beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery.

The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.

Our Guide and driver will be there to see you off from your hotel to Paro airport.