The focus on this trip is cultural discovery. It's suitable for anyone in good health and normal fitness who's used to regular walking. Bhutan has a very limited tourist infrastructure and western expectations should be left behind. Please also note that not all dzongs allow visits by tourists.

Layers, layers, layers – the weather in the Himalayas is changeable so you can expect to experience four seasons in one day. Make sure you have plenty of warm layers which you can shed or add as required.
SOME INTERESTING READING:
Bhutan: Himalayan Mountain Kingdom - Francoise Pommaret
Buttertea at Sunrise: A Year in the Bhutan Himalaya - Britta Das Dreams of the Peaceful Dragon: Journey into Bhutan - Katie Hickman and Tom Owen Edmonds
Himalaya – Michael Palin
Living in the Clouds – Eva Kipp
SOME USEFUL PHRASES:
Kuzo zangpo la – Hello
Kadinchey – Thank you
Tashi Delek – Good Luck
Ing - Yes
Me - No

We offset the carbon emissions associated with the in-country travel on all of our trips by supporting a solar stove and clean energy project in Madagascar. However, it is your flight that will have the largest environmental impact on your holiday. We offer you the opportunity to offset your carbon dioxide emissions with a donation to our solar stove and clean energy project in South Africa. The project is run by the non-profit organisation Blue Ventures Carbon Offset and validated by the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS) as delivering measurable carbon reduction and wider sustainable development benefits for local people. We strongly encourage you to donate to our project, so if you would like to offset the carbon emissions generated by your flight, please contact us. Offsets start from as little as £4. Since the increase in popularity of bottled water, many countries are experiencing a problem of litter especially where adequate recycling is not available. Please could you try, where possible, to use purification tablets or filters for water or buy bigger bottles of water between group members and decant into your individual water bottles. Visitor numbers to Bhutan are strictly limited by the government and the revenue generated by tourism is proactively used to preserve the country’s landscapes and heritage. During your travels in Bhutan you’ll spend time in a family home, eat a meal with local people and be joined in an archery competition by local archers.

Although western standards of dress are becoming more accepted, the Bhutanese remain very traditional in what they wear. Out of respect, both men and women should dress conservatively – no sleeveless/halter-necked tops please. Whilst shorts are acceptable they should be modest and reach to just above the knee. Below is a suggestion of what you might find useful to take on trip. It is not an exhaustive packing list. If you need further advice, please call us or consult your nearest outdoor clothing and equipment store.

• 3 season jacket,
• waterproof walking boots (worn in),
• waterproof jacket and trousers,
• trainers/sandals for the evening,
• warm hat,
• warm gloves,
• several pairs of walking socks,
• tracksuit/thermal underwear for autumn/winter,
• warm mid layer (fleece),
• light weight trousers ,
• t-shirts/ shirts,
• shorts or skirt for women,
• sunhat,
• sunglasses,
• sunscreen and lip salve with sun protection

• 3/4 season sleeping bag (3 season spring, 4 season autumn and winter),
• Thermarest, daypack,
• head torch,
• water bottle (minimum 1 litre),
• purifying water tablets,
• towel,
• plastic bags (bin liners) to line daypack and for packing clothing in the kitbag,
• toilet paper,
• small personal first aid kit,
• trekking pole(s),
• hand washing gel,
• biodegradable soap/shampoo

For your comfort we recommend you travel as light as possible; many airlines impose a maximum weight limit of 20kg – we advise you to take 10kg as you will be on the move a good deal! For domestic flights using light aircraft the usual weight limit is 15 kg.
One main piece (a soft bag or rucksack, not a hard suitcase).
A daypack (25-30 litres), large enough to carry what you need for the day including camera, water, etc.

Overnight flight to Kathmandu.

Following your flight, you transfer to your first night’s accommodation and check in. You have time to freshen up before your Group Leader meets the group to run through the days ahead. Hotel - 1 night

If the weather is clear, you should get a fantastic view of much of the eastern half of the Himalaya, including Everest, Kanchenjunga and Chomolhari (Jhomolhari). After completing visa formalities in Paro, you will be on your way to your hotel. The Paro valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Bhutan. Its blue pine-covered hills and attractive, solidly built farmhouses among the paddy fields are dominated by the massive dzong, or fort. If there is time in the afternoon you will have a walk around the pretty town centre where there are shops selling some beautiful Bhutanese clothes and souvenirs. (B,L,D)

You will spend the day sightseeing in and around Paro. You aim to visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum above it. Paro Dzong is one of Bhutan’s most impressive, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you will see. The inward sloping walls form a massive structure that towers over the town. Built in the 17^th century it was one of Bhutan’s strongest and most important fortresses and it was used on several occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet. Formally the meeting hall for the National Assembly, the dzong now houses a monastic school and district government offices.

Scenes from the 1995 film ‘Little Buddha’ were filmed in the dzong. West of the dzong a traditional wooden covered bridge called Nyamal Zam, a reconstruction of the original bridge, which was washed away in a flood in 1969. The most famous pictures of Paro Dzong are taken from the west bank of the river, just downstream from the bridge. At the top of the hill above the dzong is the old watchtower known locally as Ta Dzong.

Originally built in 1656, it was renovated in 1968 by King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to house the National Museum. This round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell and there is a specific route to follow throughout the entire building, which ensures that you walk clockwise around important images. Inside the museum there is a spectacular collection of thangkas, an extensive philatelic collection, a temple, which depicts the history of Buddhism, ancient bronze and stone objects and displays of weapons captured during the Tibetan invasions. Whist in Paro you will also have the chance to hike to the Takstang Monastery. The Takstang, or ‘Tigers Nest’ Monastery, is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former magnificence. You hike to a viewpoint where there is a small cafe for the classic views of the monastic buildings which cling almost impossibly to the cliff wall opposite. Hotel – 2 nights (B,L,D)

You spend most of today at the spectacular Paro festival. This is the most famous festival in Bhutan and thousands of people gather to see the monks dressed in colourful brocade, silk costumes and wearing painted masks re-enact the story of the gompa’s particular divinity though music and dance. For several days there are masked dances, prayer meetings and a general carnival atmosphere prevails as many villagers arrive to meet old friends. (B,L,D)

After breakfast you have a short drive to the road head at the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower. The first day’s trekking is quite short but you do gain quite a lot of height. From Ta Dzong it is a gentle one hour climb to a fork in the trail. The trail then climbs steeply up to our camp just below Jele Dzong (3450m). If the weather is clear you can the whole of the Paro Valley below and in the distance is Chomolhari. 4 to 5 hours walking. Camping - 1 night (B,L,D)

Another fairly short trekking day. After breakfast you have time to explore the Jele Dzong and you may be lucky to be allowed inside. Our days walk begins with a climb through thick rhododendron forest to the Jele La (3490m) and onto a saddle at 3590m. You may even see yak herders here and there are great views of Chomolhari. Look out for the colourful Monal Pheasants which inhabit the forests. Our camp tonight is the yak herders’ camp called Jangchu Lakha. Approx 3 to 4 hours walking. Camping – 1 night (BLD)

Leaving our camp the trail climbs steeply to the Jangchu La (4180m). Descending from the pass you arrive at our camp beside the Jimilangtsho Lake, which is famous for its giant trout. From our camp (3880m) there are stunning views of Jichu Drake, the peak which is home to the protective deity of Paro. Approx 4 to 5 hours walking. Camping - 1nt (B)

You head off early as it is a fairly long day. The trail climbs through dwarf rhododendron forest to a small lake calledJanye Tsho. From there youe continue climbing to the high point of the trek, the Phume La (4210m). The top of the pass is decorated with colourful prayer flags and if the weather is clear the views are stunning; the peaks on Bhutan’s northern border are visible including distant Gangkar Puensum, the highest unclimbed peak on earth. Below you is the Thimpu Valley. You begin our descent into the valley, passing Thujidrag Gompa, a meditation centre which clings to the side of a rock face, and continue our descent through juniper trees to our camp near Phajoding Gompa (3870m). Camping - 1 night (BLD)

The trail today traverses pine forest and it will take around 3 hours to reach Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. You should reach our hotel by lunchtime and in the afternoon you will visit the main sights of the town including the Tashichodzong, which is the centre of the Bhutanese Governement, and the Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Hotel – 1 night (B,L,D)

Visit the main sights of the town including the Tashichodzong, which is the centre of the Bhutanese Government, and the Memorial Chorten, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. From here, you’ll drive back to Paro. Hotel – 1 night (B,L,D)

You will fly back to Kathmandu. You'll have plenty of free time to explore the temples and markets of Kathmandu or go shopping. You may like to visit the Durbar Square in the heart of the old city. Here is the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving and four fine towers. Outside is Kumari Chowk, home of the Kumari, the young girl who is revered as a living goddess. Leading away from the square in all directions are narrow alleys, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. Other places of interest are the monkey temple at Swayambunath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world at Bodnath, and the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath. Hotel – 2 nights (Bx2)

You’ll transfer to the airport for your international flight home. (B)