Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 01 / Arrive Paro
Uma Paro staff will welcome you at the airport for the 10-minute transfer to the property. We invite you for a short guided walk in the afternoon in and around Uma Paro for orientation and acclimatisation purposes.

Day 02 / Daywalk to Zurig Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro town, Kyichu Lhakhang and Drukgyel Dzong
Wind through pine forests high above Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zurig Dzong. Traverse across to Ta Dzong, housing Bhutan’s National Museum with magnificent views over Paro, and on down to Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on a Heap of Jewels). The trail then leads across Paro Chhu (river) via a traditional covered bridge (Nyamai Zam) and then past the main archery ground, Ugyen Pelri Palace and into Paro town. Drive a few kilometres north of Paro, and we pay our respects at Kyichu Lhakhang; this is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magic orange tree that bears fruit all year round. Time permitting, we drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1648 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control the northern route to Tibet (from here, it is only a two-day hike to the border with Tibet, dominated by Mt Jhomalhari).

Duration of drive: 5 – 7 hours (depending on time spent in National Museum and Paro)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Guided with picnic or lunch at local restaurant

Day 03 / Chele La Pass and hike to Kila Nunnery (optional bike descents)
Start early for the drive to Chele La Pass which, at 3,988m(12,499ft), is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking upwards through blue pine and rhododendron (Etho Metho) forests for 35 kilometres. On a clear day the view sweeps away to the snow-dome of Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari (7314m or 23,996ft), and down to the Haa Valley, which only opened to foreigners in 2002 due to its proximity to the border with Sikkim and Tibet. This unspoilt valley harks back to a simpler, more traditional time. Striding out along the Edelweiss-covered ridge (Edelweiss flowers during the summer months only), we pass a sky burial site. Descend for the two-hour hike through dense rhodendron forest, possibly sighting shaggy yaks, to Kila Goemba, an ancient nunnery nestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside below. Kila Goemba is a serene retreat for 32 Anim (Buddhist nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer and meditation. The nunnery is one of the seven oldest nunneries in the Kingdom. Dupthob Chhoeje Norbu and Dupthob Temba initially established it in the early ninth century as a place for meditation. After being destroyed by fire, the Lhakhang was reconstructed by the 25th Je Khenpo, Sherab Gyaltsen and in 1986, the Government officially established Kila Goemba (monastery) as an Anim Dratshang (nunnery). This sacred place has a timeless quality which is ample reward after the effort of the hike and is about as far off the beaten path as you can get.
Having made our offerings and perhaps been blessed, it is time to descend further. An hour later and we are back at the road where we can saddle up on a mountain bike freewheeling down to Paro Valley. For those who would rather a leisurely sightseeing day there is the option to drive from Chele La Pass down the other side to the Haa Valley. In case Chele La Pass is not accessible during the winter months due to ice or snow, your guide will propose an alternative for this day excursion.

Duration of drive: 7 – 9 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Guided with picnic, Kona Cinder mountain bike, helmet, gloves

Day 04 / Drakhapo Monastery and Adventure Cave
After a short drive from Uma Paro start your 1½ hour easy acclimatisation walk to Drakhapo Monastery which has a small community of monks living nearby. The main temple room is precariously perched on the edge of a rock cliff and there are some sacred sites not to be missed such as the body-imprint of Vajrayogini or a stone boot of Guru Rinpoche’s. The monastery is built on a mountain which is dotted with underground caves. Nearby, one of these caves has a small ladder for the not-so-faint-hearted to climb down into a large cavern that soon turns into a very narrow crevasse. In the afternoon there’s time to relax and enjoy the facilities at Uma Paro.

Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Guided with picnic

Day 05 / Tshering’s Farmhouse Visit, Paro Town tour and Archery Lesson
Down in the valley nestles Tshering’s farmhouse—a friend of Uma Paro’s. We call on him for a look around his traditional homestead before taking tea with the family in his shrine room. Paro town lies just downstream so it is a good opportunity for a wander around and perhaps some shopping. Archery (datse) is the national sport of Bhutan, and every village has it own archery range (bha cho). The high-spirited competitions are colourful, noisy affairs with two teams in traditional dress shooting at small targets between 120 and 140 metres apart. The guides at Uma Paro run lessons in the traditional Bhutanese form of archery on Uma Paro’s range. The lessons include an insight into the murky worlds of ‘jeer leaders’ and mystic rituals involved in every tournament.

Duration: 1-2 hour lesson

Day 06 / Thimphu Day Trip
The capital of Bhutan sprawls up the wooded western hillside of the Wang Chhu. The centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a bustling town where traditional ways mingle with modern introductions. The drive from Uma Paro to the capital takes about one hour and sights worth seeing include the following, time and local conditions permitting…

Market Days
Thimphu’s main market days are Friday, Saturday and Sunday. You can easily lose a couple of hours wandering amongst the colourful stalls before heading into town for more shopping opportunities.

BBS Tower Viewpoint & Takin Compound
On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, a strange looking beast some say looks like a beestung moose.

National Memorial Chorten
Bhutan’s third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity; he died before his plan came to fruition. However, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would perpetuate his memory and also serve as a monument to peace.

View of Trashi Chhoe Dzong
‘Fortress of the Glorious Religion’ was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashi Chhoe Dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Entrance may be granted to guests only after 5pm but the nine-hole golf course alongside makes for a quirky photo opportunity.

National Institute of Traditional Medicine
This Bhutanese institution is still dispensing traditional herbal and other medicines, made from plants, minerals, animal parts, precious metals and gems. A working facility for research and the treatment of local people, the tour is fascinating.

National Textile Museum
Providing an insight into the living national art of weaving, this museum exhibits fine
examples of all the major weaving techniques and the changing styles of ‘gho’ and ‘kira’ over the years, with weavers demonstrating their skills on traditional back looms.

National Institute of 13 Arts & Crafts (Zorig Chusum)
Watch the rows of young students at the Institute where the 13 traditional arts and crafts are cherished and fostered in Bhutan. They include carpentry, masonry, carving, painting, sculpture, casting, weaving, bamboo work, embroidery, woodturning, papermaking, blacksmithing and gold and silversmithing.

Folk Heritage Museum
If there is still time, we may visit this replica of a traditional Bhutanese house as it would have looked 100 years ago and as many Bhutanese families still live to this day.

Please note museum, monastery, temple and dzong opening days and times can and do vary with national holidays and events such a visit by a member of the Royal Family or auspicious ceremonies.

Duration: 7 – 10 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Guided with picnic or sample typical Bhutanese fare in local restaurant

Day 07 / Day hike from National Museum (2,450 m) to Jele Dzong (3,450m)
This is the first day hike of the famous Druk Path Trek and it starts from above the National Museum, winding gradually uphill through apple orchards, smallholdings and ancient pine forest to a whaleback ridge. The altitude gain is significant so it is recommended that you walk at a slow and steady pace. Jele Dzong is perched on the ridge itself and the resident monks are always happy to welcome visitors. The dzong was the former residence of Ngawang Chhogyel (1465-1540), cousin of the famous saint Lama Drukpa Kinley with the colourful moniker, the Divine Madman. The views of Paro town far below and of mount Jhomalhari (7314m) are breathtaking on a clear day. There is the option to retrace your steps and return on the same trek; for those looking for an extended day hike it is a beautifully remote experience to cross the alpine meadows and return with a long descent along a ridgeline back to Uma Paro.

Duration: 4 – 6 hours (6 – 8 hours if choosing the extended return hike)
Difficulty: Hard
Altitude gain: 1,068 m Altitude loss: 1,068 m
Guided with picnic

Day 08 / Free Day
Relax around Uma Paro, perhaps trying the Bhutanese national sport of archery, or maybe a wellness therapy such as a traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath.

Day 09 / Mountain Biking Paro Valley and the Do Chhu Trail
Riding out from Uma Paro, descend to Paro Town then turn north past Dungste Lhakhang (a chorten-like temple built in 1433 by Thangtong Gyalpo) up the Do Chhu Valley past archery grounds, large prayer wheels and houses, heading for Aotsho Lhakhang (temple). From here leave the graded track and head upwards on a logging trail reaching the trailhead deep in the forest after a challenging ride. Returning to Aotsho we make our way through the village and on to another track for a fun descent back to Paro. From here we can either head home or up the Paro Valley towards Kyichu Lhakhang on road before returning to the hotel on a track where the last steep ascent awaits our tired legs.

Duration: 5 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (depending on guests’ preference)
Guided with picnic, Kona Cinder Cone mountain bike, helmet, gloves

Day 10 / Highlight of the Paro Valley – Taktsang Walk
One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba defies logic, gravity, and reason. Legend has it that this cliffside was where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. To avoid the hot sun an early start is advisable for the two-hour climb to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint.

Descend steeply, then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates which are filled with murals. Retrace our steps or alternatively (if time and energy levels allow) head further up to several remote temples and monasteries. Return to Uma Paro in the afternoon for some time to rest and relax and enjoy the facilities such as the steam rooms, swimming pool or a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath followed by a soothing massage. In the evening you are invited for a firelit farewell dinner either in the courtyard at Uma Paro or at our Bukhari restaurant.

Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (riding ponies are available at an additional charge)
Guided with picnic or taktsang cafetaria

Day 11 / Depart Paro
Druk Air departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged for between 5am and 9am depending on the flight schedule.

Note

This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the programme and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described.
Be aware that all times stated are approximate, and may vary with individual and group fitness, inclinations and interests.

Package Cost

Package Cost

Superior Room

• USD $8,440 Double Occupancy
• USD $5,496 Single Occupancy

Deluxe Room

• USD $9,280 Double Occupancy
• USD $6,336 Single Occupancy

COMO Suite

• USD $11,128 Double Occupancy
• USD $8,184 Single Occupancy

One-bedded Villa

• USD $13,696 Double Occupancy
• USD $10,752 Single Occupancy

COMO Villa (sleeps up to 4 persons)

• USD $23,672

Terms & Conditions

• Full payment is required on booking.
• Deposit is refundable, less USD $200 service fee, if written cancellation is received 45days prior to arrival date.
• The offer is subject to availability and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. All stays to be
  completed by 20th December 2011.

Inclusions / Exclusions

Package Includes

• Accommodation on a full-board basis (excluding beverages)
• Four privately guided one day walks with picnic lunch taking in the highlights of the Paro Valley, including
  Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, the National Museum, Drukyel Dzong, traditional villages and a visit to the
  temple of Kyichu Lhakhang
• A privately guided day out to Chele La, Bhutan’s highest road pass (weather and road conditions permitting)
• A privately guided day out in Thimphu
• One day sightseeing by mountain bike
• A visit to a traditional Bhutanese farm and a private archery lesson
• The services of an experienced English-speaking Bhutanese Uma Paro Guide
• One free day
• One COMO Shambhala Massage (60 mintues) per person
• Private airport transfers and transport in Bhutan
• Inclusive of 10% service charge and 10% sales tax
• All Bhutanese Government visa fees and royalties
• Complimentary scheduled one-hour daily Yoga class whilst at Uma Paro (except Sundays)
• Complimentary use of the library, internet facilities, swimming pool, steam room and gym at Uma Paro

Package Excludes

• All airfare & airport taxes in/out Paro
  • Please check with us for attractive Druk Air airfares from connecting cities
• Personal expenditure such as phone bills, laundry, hard/soft beverages, optional tours, tipping for guides/drivers, etc.

Terms & Conditions

• Full payment is required on booking.
• Deposit is refundable, less USD $200 service fee, if written cancellation is received 45days prior to arrival date.
• The offer is subject to availability and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer. All stays to be
  completed by 20th December 2011.