Trekking Bhutan: The Dragon Trail

• Trekking in one of the most closed countries in the world, where the well-being of the country is measured by the happiness of residents
• Fantastic monastery Tiger's Nest, as if floating by a rock
• See the highest unconquered mountain of the planet Kankar Punsu
• Legendary ancient Buddhist temples and famous dzongs
• The cleanest mountain lakes with splashing trout
• Takinas in the natural environment in the Motithang Reserve
• The world’s highest statue of a giant Buddha
• Moderate route complexity along the most accessible slopes of the Himalayan ridge

Bhutan trekking programme: The Dragon Trail

Day 1. Paro - Ta-Dzong and Rinpung Dazong. We fly to Paro, the only airport in the Kingdom of Bhutan. In good weather, the mighty Everest greets us through the window, and the plane begins to descend, effectively flying between 4,000-meter mountain ranges. At the airport, you will be met by a representative of our company and on a comfortable transfer will take you to the hotel through the colorful Paro Valley, similar to small Switzerland, where thick grass turns yellow from the bright sun and herds of yaks graze. The Paro Valley is home to many of Bhutan's oldest monasteries and temples, and in its northern part you can see the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7300 m), the melting glacial water of which forms the Pacha River, flowing through the entire length of the valley. After accommodation in the hotel, the group is instructed and we go to Ta Dzong - an ancient watchtower above the city of Paro, which has six floors spiraling and stone walls two and a half meters thick. Ta-Dzong was founded in the XVII century to protect against the invasion of Tibetan troops from the north, and now is the National Museum, which exhibits samples of ancient weapons, dishes, national costumes, many Buddhist relics and two altars of value to pilgrims. After visiting the National Museum, we go down the mountain slope and get to the second pearl of the Paro Valley – Rinpung Dazong, which translates as “fortress of a heap of jewelry”. Rinpung Dazong is a large monastery built in the XVII century by Zhabdrung, the founder of the state of Bhutan, an active political and spiritual leader, deeply revered to this day. Inside the monastery there are 14 temples and altars, as well as administrative buildings. A bridge leads to the fortress, which is beautifully illuminated in the dark, the courtyard is occupied by a wooden gallery, and the walls of the monastery are decorated with skillful paintings illustrating the wisdom of Buddhism. Return to the city and stay in the hotel, anticipating the upcoming adventures. Night at the Paro Hotel.

Day 2: Paro – Taksang-Lakhang (Tiger's Nest) and Kiichu-Lakhang. In the morning, we go on an acclimatization hike along a trail that winds along pine trees covered with fluffy moss and colorful prayer flags that give the path a special charm. The road leads us to the famous Taksang Lakhang Monastery, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, a national shrine and Bhutan’s most revered temple. His intriguing name is due to the legend that Guru Padmasambhava flew here on the back of a tigress, which became his wife Yeshe Tsogyal, and meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours to defeat the demons living in the cave. The location of the monastery is striking in its unusualness and isolation, the temple seems to hover over the abyss at an altitude of 900 meters, then hiding in dense fog clubs, then revealing the green landscape of the Paro Valley. By noon, we return to Paro and approach the legacy of the oldest legend of Bhutan – the monastery of Kiichu Lakhang, which in the VII century founded the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, in order, according to legend, to defeat the giant demonitsa that covered the entire territory of Tibet and the Himalayas and prevented the spread of Buddhism. 108 monasteries, built by order of the king, were to nail to the ground various parts of the body of the demonitsa. Kiichu-Lakhang, in turn, held her sole. After an impressive day, we return to Paro and gather strength for tomorrow’s hike in the cozy atmosphere of the hotel. Night at the Paro Hotel.

Day 3. Paro - Jele-dzong - Jangchulakha. After an early breakfast, we go to the starting point of the hike, which is located above the already familiar Ta Dzong, the height at the start is 2487 m. We meet with our team of escorts and begin the path, smoothly climbing the mountain. We pass through dense pine forests, cozy farms, extensive apple orchards and after an hour and a half we enter a dense protected forest, where the road takes a steeper slope. We reach the Jele Dzong Monastery and make a stop overlooking the mountain peaks of the Himalayas to feed and get used to the height (3490 meters). The monastery of the beginning of the XVI century was recently renovated, and we can meet hospitable monks, if desired, asking for their blessing. After a short rest, we continue the way, the trail leads down for some time, but then again takes an upward direction, and, passing through the thickets of huge rhododendrons, we reach the emerald meadows of the Jangchulakha Pass (3780 meters), where in the winter season there is a parking lot of shepherds. We camp at the slope and stay overnight surrounded by a fascinating panorama of the Himalayan ridge. Travel time is 6 hours. Night at camp.

Day 4. Jangchulakha by Jimilang Tsho. We wake up in the mountains from the best alarm clock in the world – the sounds of nature slowly waking up. After a hearty breakfast, we begin the path surrounded by juniper and dwarf rhododendrons, running up the ridge, and under us are the grass canvases of the Paro and Thimphu valleys, separated by a mountain range. Looking around the expanses of the virgin beauty of Bhutan, we descend from the ridge to the pure as a tear Lake Jimilang (3870 meters), which translates as “lake of the sand bull” – according to legend, a huge bull came out of the depths of the reservoir and joined the herds of cows grazing in its vicinity. From the banks of Jimilang Tsho, you can see the Dragon Peak Jichu, representing the protective deity Paro, and in the clear water there is an incredible array of giant trout, which can be caught with permission. In this secluded abode, we set up camp, if you wish, you can go fishing or meditate, looking at the mirror surface of the sacred lake. Travel time is 7 hours. Night at camp.

Day 5. Jimilang Tsho is Fajoding. We are going to have the longest transition in the whole tour, so we get up early, have breakfast and go right away. Ahead we are waiting for two more beautiful mountain lakes - Janye at an altitude of 3956 meters, which is a favorite place for nomad shepherds and camping tourists, and Simcotra, located south of Jimilang Tsho at an altitude of 4110 meters surrounded by the ruins of ancient buildings - a real "place of power" for every traveler passing this trail. Here, every step offers unforgettable views of the mountains and valleys, the air is crystal clear and saturated with the spirit of freedom, and only nature rules. After passing the second lake, we gradually climb to the peak point of the ridge and from the height of the flight of the Himalayan falcons enjoy the sight of the monumental mountain Kankar Punsum (7,570 meters), the highest unconquered peak of the planet. After a short halt, we begin a gradual descent through the juniper forest to the Fajoding Monastery, proudly sitting on the mountainside, built in the XIII century. at an altitude of 3650 meters and still operating. Fajoding was once one of the richest monasteries in Bhutan, but today it is endangered, although the spiritual traditions of 40 monks and orphans still live here. From the observation deck at the monastery, its surroundings are visible as if in the palm of your hand, and in the evening the city of Thimphu is perfectly visible, sparkling in the darkness of the bowl-shaped valley. Travel time is 7 hours. Night at camp.

Day 6. Fajoding to Thimphu. Today is the easiest day of our trekking, because we have to go down the hill through the amazing blue pine forest. We reach the Motithang Reserve, where the protected natural environment contains takines, zambaras and muntjaks, and then transfer to jeeps and reach Thimphu – the capital of Bhutan, a unique city without traffic lights, where literally every house is a work of art of architecture and painting, and serenity reigns. We check in at the hotel and after soft drinks and lunch we start a familiarization tour around the city. We visit the School of Painting and the Textile Museum, where you can try on national costumes, get acquainted with manual paper production at the manufactory, study the farmer's market, where you can buy interesting Bhutanese souvenirs and local products. Travel time is 3 hours. Night at the Thimphu Hotel.

Day 7. Thimphu, Paro. We devote the whole day to sightseeing Thimphu at a comfortable pace. At the top of the Changri Kensel Phodrang mountain among the ruins of the palace of one of the rulers of Bhutan is a giant 51-meter Buddha Dordenma - the largest Buddha statue in the Kingdom and the highest Buddha statue in the world (2500 m). Inside it is a temple and more than 120,000 small bronze buddhas covered in gold. In the northern part of the capital on the banks of the river Vang-Chu there is a magnificent complex Tashincho-Dzong, which is the summer capital of the country and the location of the throne of Dharmaraji. Be sure to visit the Chorten Memorial (Stupa), built in memory of the late third king of Bhutan, Jigmi Dorji Wangchuk. Chorten is considered the most notable religious site in Bhutan, with numerous pilgrims coming daily to its walls to pray and pay tribute to the departed king, who is said to have magical powers. Here we perform the traditional “koru” (a roundabout of the stupa) and recite mantras. We also pay due attention to the Changangkha-Lakhang Monastery, a compact temple complex of the XIII-XIV centuries, which is popular with parents who come here for a blessing for their children from Genien Domtsangpa, the temple deity and patron of children. There is a legend that a huge bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara arose spontaneously in the temple, in a sitting position with eleven heads and many hands. In conclusion, we visit the new temple of Druptob Monastery and arrange shopping in the local market in a free format. Closer to sunset, we gather in the agreed place and move to the final point of our trip - the city of Paro, which is already familiar to us, where we spend a warm evening in the company of newfound friends, sharing impressions of the trip and exchanging spectacular shots of the impressive landscapes of Bhutan. Night at the Paro Hotel.

Day 8. Departure from Paro. On a comfortable transfer with an experienced driver, we get to Paro International Airport accompanied by a representative of our company.

Tour dates:

March 23, 2024 - March 30, 2024

27 September 2025 - 4 October 2025

• Experienced Russian-speaking guide (in groups of 4 people)
• Local guide assistant
• Meeting/conference at the airport
• Hotel accommodation, 4 nights
• Accommodation in camps on the track
• Horses for transportation of camp, personal luggage
• Cook services on track
• Group equipment (first-aid kit, satellite navigation)
• Registration of all necessary permits for trekking (permit for trekking / permit / entrance to the national park, etc.) in accordance with the legislation of Bhutan