Masagang Trek

After breakfast, Start the day from the National Memorial Chorten; Probably one of the most popular Thimphu points of interest, this chorten features as a daily place of worship in many natives’ lives.  Dordenma Buddha statue: Atop a hill in Thimphu, the capital and largest city of Bhutan, is a massive, golden Buddha.

Royal Takin Preserve, also known as the Mini Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin – Bhutan’s national animal. Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory is reputedly the best place that manufactures traditional paper. You can buy this unique paper here which will make for interesting souvenir gifts.

After lunch, The Centenary Farmers Market (Now Kaja Throm) is a vibrant and dynamic space, offering a diverse range of products and experiences.

Later, enjoy some free time to explore Thimphu town at your own pace. Stroll along Norzin Lam Street, the lively heart of Bhutan’s capital, and continue to Clock Tower Square—a prominent landmark adorned with intricate Bhutanese designs. From there, walk towards the city’s iconic traffic junction, often referred to as the main traffic circle, where there are no traffic lights. Instead, a white-gloved traffic officer skillfully directs vehicles in a graceful, almost choreographed manner, making it a unique attraction in itself.

Later visit Tashichho Dzong (Fortress) known as “fortress of the glorious religion,”. It houses the main secretariat building and the central monk body.

Overnight in Thimphu 

In the morning drive less than one hour till Trashigang monastery From there it takes about 1 hour gradual climb through thick forest of spruce and juniper till Lungchutse temple built on a peak at 3400 meter above sea level. If the weather is good one can have spectacular mountain views starting from Chomolhari till Gangkharpunsum. After visiting the temple descend for one hour to Dochula passDochula Pass is a mountain pass located in the Kingdom of Bhutan, a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas. It sits at an elevation of around 3,100 meters (10,200 feet) above sea level. The pass is renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges, including the majestic peaks of the snow-capped Himalayas. Once here, you will witness 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens.

After that drive to Punakha (45 minutes). In Punakha, visit Chimi Lhakhang, temple of Fertility blessed by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, who is known as the Divine Madman for his eccentric behaviors. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and many childless couples go to his temple for blessing.

After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong  in local attire (can be optionally, depending on the price), one of the majestic fortresses that sits at the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Female) and Pho Chhu (Male) rivers. To access the dzong, you’ll need to cross the Bazam Bridge, originally a bridge built in the 17th century.. Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. Its magnificent structure showcases the world-class architecture of Bhutan and finest Bhutanese craftsmanship. Punakha Dzong is truly one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and one of the most visited places by tourists.
Then visit the longest suspension bridge across the dzong.

Overnight in Punakha

In the morning drive through several villages with beautiful rice fields and orchards till Tashithang primary school. From there the car road gets narrow and steeper through dense subtropical forests till Damji village and further up to Gasa. It takes approximately 3-4 hours to reach Gasa Dzong. Gasa Dzong has a circular shape with three towers at strategic points, which proves that it was a defense Dzong. After lunch, we transfer on the 4×4 jeep pickup truck and drive for 2 hours on a very rough road till Jim  thang or also called Tongchudrak and camp there. Alt. 3460m.   

After breakfast we continue gradually climbing up, following the river for more than 2 hours to the Military Checkpost at Takse Makhar where we need to show some documents.  From here we climb steeply up 2 hours to Omtsa yak herders camp. Mt. Tsendegang can be seen from here. It takes another half hour walk on a straight trail till the old abandoned army post called Tashi Makhar few kilometers before Kullu Khar yak herders camp. Alt. 3780m.

Short distance to cover today. We pass through high meadows used by Layaps as winter pastures till you reach Somji yak camp at the foot of Mt. Masagang (7,000m). After crossing the River (Nule Rongchu also called Tokserkhagi chhu we reach Nulithang camp site at the base of Mt. Tsendegang (6,900m) facing the peak of Mt.Masagang. Alt 4150m. In the afternoon explore in the vicinity.

It is another short days walk following the river left till the ruined fortress and after crossing the stream and past 2 yaks herders camps we reach the river junction called Phue Dong which offers superb view of Mt. Masagang  and we  put up the camp here. Alt. 4,260m. 

Today you have options to rest at the camp site or trek towards the north side of Mt. Masagang near Dromo Yala border pass  OR   In the morning climb 1.5 hours to Gikula pass at 4, 700 meters  which is 4 kms. before Wakila pass that Lama Shabdrung had to cross to come to Bhutan through Nulethang valley to Laya and to Gasa region. From the pass you can have very good views of Mt. Masagang, Teri Gang and Tsendegang. Return to the valley floor called Sinta phu and walk to the  lake. From there you can hike above the lake to see and feel the glaciers.

Descend all the way down to Nulethang and further down to Kullu Khar and the old abandoned  army post called Tashi Makhar and camp there. Alt 3480m.

After breakfast start on a straight trail back to Omtsa yak camp and further down till the trail junction that one goes down to the army camp and the other that stays up which we follow to go to Lungu village. From this junction it takes 1.5 hours to reach Lungu village. Besides the beautiful village houses there is also a very old temple which dates back to the 7^th century AD. From Lungu descend 1 hour till the river Zamdo Rong Chu and climb 1 hour till the level of Lungu and follow the straight trail for another 2 hours to Laya the semi nomadic village so unique from rest of Bhutanese villages. Laya consists of five villages including Lungu, (Pashi, Tongu, Lubja-Nilo, Tongra). People are called Layaps and women wear thick skirt type costume from yak hair and small pointed conical bamboo hat with colorful jewelries and what makes you feel special of them is their disposition and willingness to talk to visitors and invite to their houses. Their main economy is cattle and Yak herding. They also do trade across the border unofficially. Overnight stay in camp. Alt. 3780 meters. 

In the morning visit a family home. Then, trek downhill 2 hours to the army camp and another 2 hours till the car road and drive to Gasa and further down to the Hot spring. After dinner dip into several hot spring pools with various water temperatures for various ailments. Overnight stay in simple guest houses or if not available in tents. Alt. 2300m.

In the morning drive through several villages and descend into lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, ferns, creepers and occasional white monkeys to Punakha. After lunch drive to Thimphu .  Overnight stay in hotel. Alt 2,200m.

In the morning visit to Simply Bhutan and textile museum. Then drive to Paro and on the way visit Drak Karpo temple. This site founded as early as the 8^th century AD is so sacred that if one can complete going around the site 108 times in one day, all your sins so bad as killing your own parents can be cleansed. After lunch, visit the National Museum and Kyichu temple founded by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7^th century AD. Overnight stay in hotel. Alt 2,200m 

Taktsang Monastery: The wooden structure built amazingly, stands bravely on a cliff. It is said that the great Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress and set up this monastery when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. From the road, the hike toward Taktsang follows an uphill route and returning back takes approximately 5-6 hours at an average walking pace on a clear, sunny day.

Later we welcome you to visit Bhutanese homes for Hot Stone Bath. A Bhutanese hot stone bath is the perfect way to relax and wind down after a long day of sightseeing and is also believed to have numerous health benefits. Practice archery at the farmhouse. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan. With our archery lessons, your guide will set up the targets and teach you the rules, as well as how to correctly hold the bow.
Namgay Artisanal Brewery: Did you know Bhutan has some of the most reputed and highly enjoyed brews? Well, if you are a beer lover and want to taste some of the finest brews, you must visit the Namgay Artisanal Brewery in Paro Valley.

Overnight in Paro

In the morning drive to the Airport for flight to your onward destination.