The Royal Heritage Trek traces the historical route travelled by the Royal Families when moving between their summer and winter residence in Bumthang and near Trongsa. In 2007 the Monarchy was 100 years old and to commemorate this fact the old route was rediscovered. The Trek includes two long climbs to passes of around 4000m on the day 1 and 3 and one long descent.

Arrive at Paro International Airport by Druk Air. On arrival at Paro International Airport, your tour representatives will receive you. Check in hotel/lunch. Start the day by visiting the National Museum (Ta- Dzong). Once the watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Fortress), it was converted into the national Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory.Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and buttressed by two guardhouses of the Dzong.Today, this massive fortress built in 1646 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in Bhutan.

DAY 2 : Hike to Tiger’s NEST (800 m from Paro valley)

Drive up to Ramthangkha (10 Km from Paro Town) and walk to the Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest’’ The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000ft overlooking the Paro valley.

Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. However, most people can only visit the main site called Taktsang Pel-phu. According to legend Padmasambhava founded Taktsang Monastery in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated here for three months in a cave before converting the Paro valley to Buddhism.

DAY 3: Paro – Thimphu. (65 km. 2 hours. 2350 m)

Drive to Drukgyel Dzong (a ruined fortress – 16 kms away from Paro Town).

The Dzong, although in ruins today, holds historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means “The victorious Bhutanese”.

This spot also offers a magnificent vista of Mount Jomolhari, “Abode of the Goddess Jumo” (7315m).On the way back you will have the pleasure of visiting one of the oldest monasteries we have in Bhutan, The first King of Tibet; Songtsen Gampo built Kichu Lhakhang in the 7th century to introduce Buddhism to our country, when our country was still influenced by the Bon beliefs.In the late afternoon two hours drive will take you to Thimphu (7,700 feet), the only Capital City in the world without traffic lights. Drive through the Paro Valley, which lies beneath chomolhari, one of Bhutan’s “Mountain Goddesses.” The drive from Paro to Thimphu is spectacularly scenic. Especially in April (spring season in Bhutan), as you will find nature in it’s festive mood with rushing turquoise rivers which can be heard from miles away and mountains transformed into a Master artist’s palette- brilliant vermilion, yellows, purples, pink, oranges and reds to dazzle your senses.Wild cherry, mountain ((s) without s) plums, cotton silk and forests of rhododendron trees bloom with astonishing beauty and abundance. Magnificent monasteries, stupas in the valleys and mountains tops. Experience the “Last Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom” on earth.

DAY 4: Thimphu sightseeing.

After breakfast visit the National Memorial chorten (built in memory of the late king). We will encounter lots of interesting people circumambulating the chorten. We then drive to the Changangkha Temple via the R.I.C.B housing colony, which offers a good location to photograph the temple. Drive to Takin National Animal sanctuary to photograph the Takin (Bhutan’s National Animal). Drive to the National Library to see the collection of old manuscripts & then visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Lunch in town.Afternoon: we visit the Institute of Arts & Crafts, where young artists are trained in the traditional ways of painting & statue making. Drive to Zilukha Nunnery & on to a viewpoint to photograph the city at sunset. If the time permits, we will visit a traditional hand made paper factory & goldsmiths workshop. Visit Trashi Chhodzong. This old fortress now serves as the center of administration, housing His Majesty the King of Bhutan’s office, the central Monastic Body as well four branches of administration.

DAY 5: Thimphu - Punakha. (77 km. 3 hours. 1350 m)

Early rise and drive to the Dochula (3150m pass) for breakfast. If the weather is clear, the Dochu- la pass offers the most spectacular views of the eastern Himalayas mountain ranges.  Then we drive to Punakha for lunch at hotel.After lunch we visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful in Bhutan. It was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong is located at the convergence of two rivers, the Pho-chu & Mo-chu. After Dzong we drive further to take a small hike to Nyzergang to visit the Khamsum Yuelly Namgyal Temple. Night Punakha  

DAY 6 : Punakha – Trongsa. (128 km. 5 hours. 2200 m)

We will drive to Trongsa. It is 128 kilometers and 5 hours drive from Punakha. Wangdue is another District and is only a half hours drive from Punakha. In 1638 wangdue was Dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal one year after the Punakha Dzong.The road will climb all the way to Pele-la pass at 3300m. It is main landmark between east & west and from here we will drive all the way down to Trongsa. On the way we will come across Yak herder’s camps and encounter Yaks especially during the winter, we will also see high Himalayan villages like Rukubji and Chendebji. All the houses cluster together separate from the fields.

DAY 7: Trongsa - Bumthang. (68 km. 2 hours. 2600-+m)

Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s Royal Family. Both the First and Second King ruled the Kingdom from  this ancient seat. All the Kings of Bhutan have to become Trongsa’s Penlop (Honorary post of Governor) prior to being crowned as the Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan). Trongsa Dzong (Fort), is one of the largest & most impressive in the country. It was first built in 1648 and later enlarged many times. Because of being situated on a high commanding position on the only connecting route between the eastern and western sectors (where the trail actually runs through the Dzong), the Trongsa Penlop was able to control the whole of the eastern region very effectively for many centuries. Visit the ancient watchtower (Ta- Dzong), which is situated above the town.About three hours drive from Trongsa; we will reach to the famous valley of Bumthang. Bumthang is made up of four main valleys, Chummey, Tang, Ura and Choskhor (Jakar). A few miles after crossing Yotong La Pass (3400m), you will encounter buckwheat fields and the only straight road in the country entering the first valley of Bumthang, Chummey. The main development center of the province is situated in Choskhor commonly known as the Jakar valley where you can see a little bit of the modern touch with Swiss influence. On the way one can see girls weaving Yathra the traditional woolen materials used for different purposes on a traditional handloom. The finished products are all displayed in a shop outside in the open & on sale. Over night in Bumthang

Day: 8 Bumthang – Duegang Chhu Via KiKi La- (12841Ft/3915) (16km, 7-8hrs)

Wangdichholing Palace located in the Jakar town, is the starting point of a long day trekking on a good trail climb up to Jakar Dzong and onwards KiKi La pass. Camp site is (makhang thang) is located along DueGang Chhu (9538ft/2908m)

Day: 9 Duegang Chhu – Jamsapang (14km, 6-7hrs)

Cross the Duegang  Chhu, pass the guest house and continue up to Domkhar Tashichholing Palace (9742ft/2970m) The campsite is Jamsapang (13182ft/4090m) 

Day: 10 Jamsapang – Kuengarabten Via Tungi La (13248ft/4039m) (15km, 8-9hrs)

Start with the small climb of 66ft/20m to a chorten at Tungi La with some of great views of Bumthang and Trongsa area and the Black mountain range. Descent follows, some times parallel to a stream called Nikaha Chhu through forest of Oaks and Rhododendrons. It leads finally to Kuengarabten Palace (5819ft/1774m) The Campsite is on the Archery field.

Day: 11 Kuengarabten – drive back to Trongsa

After visiting the Palace either drive back to Trongsa or Hike for some hours from the Palace to Samchholing on the Motor road, it is a easy hike with the beautiful view over Dakten geog, Kela village and Mangduechhu.

Day: 12 Trongsa – Thimphu

Early in the morning drive back to Thimphu and over night halt at Thimphu Hotel.

Day: 13 Thimphu - Paro

Drive Early morning to Paro Airport to depart to Bangkook