ROYAL REALM LEGACY TRAIL (4 day trek / 11 days total)
Enjoy a 4-day moderate hike exploring historical sites of the Monarchy's Royal Heritage on trails between the Bumthang Valley and Trongsa. Visit palaces in Bumthang of the 1 st and 2 nd Kings, Domkhar Tashichholing, Tang Ugyen Chholing and Wangdichholing en-route to the winter residence of the 2 nd King, Kuenga Rabten Palace in Trongsa. Other highlights along this trek include ancient monasteries and sacred Buddhist sites. The trail also offers an abundance of flora and fauna including of 40 species of unique birds such as yellow and black billed magpies, spotted nut crackers and fields of violet primula, bamboo groves, oak and rhododendron forests. This tour also visits some of the many highlights of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa and Bumthang.

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan Travel Bureau representative will meet you at Paro airport. After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the National Museum, Ta Dzong. This museum houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan's historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong's are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. The Rimpong Dzong is one of Bhutan's most impressive and well known Dzong's and amongst the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture you will see. Afterwards walk to the beautiful cantilever wooden bridge that is still in use. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

DAY 02: PARO - THIMPHU
After breakfast, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. At the confluence where the Thimphu River meets the Paro River, we will stop to look at three stone chortens (monuments) built in Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese style. Chortens are built to ward off and subdue evil spirits and are also used as trail markers. After checking into your hotel and enjoying some lunch, enjoy a half day of sightseeing in Thimphu beginning with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in the year 1972. You will also visit the 12th century Changangkha Temple, the Handicrafts Emporium and Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha Nunnery. If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan and Tashichhodzong, 'the fortress of the glorious religion'. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan's third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty's secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 03: THIMPHU-TRONGSA
Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100m), which on a clear day offers incredible views of Himalayan peaks, then descend into the balmy Punakha valley (about 2 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. Continue on to Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large white Chorten and prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop en route at Chendibji Chorten, patterned on Katmandu's Swyambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at the four cardinal points. Chendibji Chorten was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida from Tibet, to cover the remains of evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.

DAY 04: TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. Trongsa is the largest Dzong in Bhutan and the location where the institution of monarchy in Bhutan began. The foundations of Trongsa Dzong were laid in the 16th Century and there are now 22 temples in the complex. The view from the Dzong is spectacular and one can see across the impressive landscape for many miles. In the old days, it was the vigilance point for both the eastern and western trade routes, thus a strategically important Dzong. Also visit the imposing Ta Dzong located on the hill overlooking the Trongsa Dzong. It is currently being renovated into a National Museum.

Depart for Bumthang (2.5 hrs), one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the spiritual and historical heartland of the country. The road winds steeply up to Yo Yutung La Pass (3,400m) before descending down through dense coniferous forest to Chummey valley. From here it is about an hour to Jakar, Bumthang's main township.

Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan's oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples and monasteries. The valley's barley fields, apple groves and meadows lay below huge hills which climb up towards the Himalayan mountain wall separating Bhutan from Tibet. The beautiful architecture unique to Bhutan is evident in the many large farmhouses and temples. Bumthang is associated with Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) and with Terton Pemalingpa. On arrival visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan's patron saint Guru Rimpoche meditated and 7th Century Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pemalingpa and containing interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Pemalingpa's heavy coat of nails is kept in the Vestibule and people are permitted to try it on. It is said that if they can walk around the inner sanctuary three times with it on some of their sins will be forgiven. Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang.

DAY 05: JAKAR DZONG - DOMKAR TASHICHHOLING PALACE (16km, 7-8hrs)
(Day 1 of the trek)
In the morning visit historical sites including Wangdichholing Palace, built by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel in 1857 and later restored by his son, the first king Ugyen Wangchuck. It was the first palace to be built in Bhutan. The Palace served as the summer residence of the second King, whilst the third king spent much of his youth there. Located in the valley beside the Chamkhar River, the Palace presents the true aesthetic Bhutanese architecture.

The trek starts from Jakar Dzong before ascending towards Kikila pass (3948m). The Lunch spot (Seou Zheysa) is 4 ½ hrs walk from Wangdichholing Palace. This was the actual lunch spot used by the Royal family. The campsite ( Makhagthang ) on the bank of Duegang Chhu is 3 hrs downhill from Kikila and stands at an elevation of 2908m. It is about .5km away from Domkhar Tashichholing Palace, formerly the summer residence of the second king Jigme Wangchuk who had it constructed in 1937. The Palace is a fine example of authentic Bhutanese architecture. Located on a gentle slope, the Palace overlooks the villages of Chumey and its quaint landscape and fields. Overnight at the camp.

DAY 06:   DOMKHAR TO JAMSAPANG (8.8 km, 5-6 hrs)
(Day 2 of the trek)
The hike begins with the crossing of the Duegang chhu. The trail is mostly uphill and after climbing for about 3.5 hrs you reach a place called Dungmai Jab at an altitude of 3678m which can be used as the lunch spot. The campsite (Jamsapang) is about 2 hrs ascend from the lunch spot and stands at an elevation of 4019m. Tungli La (pass) is just a few minutes away from the campsite. Overnight at the camp.

DAY 07: JAMSAPANG - BJOBSHISA (10km, 5 hrs)
(Day 3 of the trek)
The day begins with a slight ascend towards Tungli La which is about 1 hr walk away from the campsite. One can enjoy the majestic view on the snow peaked Black Mountains sandwiched between Bhutan's southern foothills at the left and the greater Himalayan range at the right. Tungli La stands at an elevation of 4039m from where the trail descends and takes about 2 hrs to reach the lunch spot. Another 2 hrs brings you to the third campsite, Bjobshisa. During the summer/monsoon season, this place is used by the local cattle herders. Overnight at the camp

DAY 08:   BJOBSHISA - KUENGA RABTEN PALACE
(Day 4 of the trek)
The trail from Jobshisa descends on its way to Kuenga Rabten Palace. It takes about 4hrs from the campsite and stands at an elevation of 1774m. Constructed in 1928, Kuenga Rabten Palace is the former winter residence of the second king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Located on a slope overlooking the mighty Mangdue River, Kuenga Rabten is surrounded by stone walls with spy-holes. A gallery runs around the courtyard on all four sides. The three-storey central tower ( utse) features finely decorated woodwork, as well as two Lhakhangs (temples). Sangye Lhakhang contains images of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Twenty-one Aspects of Tara, whilst Kangyur Lhakhang houses part of the National Library of Bhutan, to which the Palace is presently affiliated. There is an ideal camping ground at the back of the palace overlooking the valley and Mangdue River. Overnight at the camp.

DAY 09: TRONGSA - PUNAKHA
Depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the 'Unifier of Bhutan' as predicted by the great Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. The Punakha Dzong also features "The Coronation Room". It was here that the Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Wangchuck was presented with the insignia of Knight of Commander by the British and also the location where in 1907 the Bhutanese people unanimously crowned Sir Ugyen Wangchuck as the first king of Bhutan and thus started the monarchy system. He was enthroned in the coronation room on 17 th December, 1907. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.

DAY 10: PUNAKHA/WANGDUEPHODRANG - PARO
After breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang to explore this bustling market town and visit Wangduephodrang Dzong. Built in 1639 the strategically located Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. Return to Punakha to enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it's not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Commence the drive back to Paro, stopping in Thimphu on the way where you will enjoy lunch and afterwards proceed to Paro. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

Tashi Delek!

For more information, please email tours@btb.com.bt