We’ll meet at 4 p.m. at our hotel in Luzern (Lucerne) for a “Welcome to Switzerland” meeting. Then we’ll take a meandering evening walk through Switzerland’s most charming lakeside town, and get acquainted with one another over dinner together. Sleep in Luzern (2 nights). No bus. Walking: light.

Morning – Hike to the spectacular Tiger’s nest monastery (Paro Taktsang). This trail is also a part of the beautiful Bumdra trek on the second day.

Afternoon – Visit Drugyel dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.

On the way back, visit Kyichu lhakhang built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongtsen Gampo.

In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Damchena and start the short trek in Bhutan, Tshaluna.

We start the walk from Damchena to Jele dzong. It is an uphill walk for 3-4 hours. You can see the great view of Paro valley below.

Just above the camp are the Jele La pass (3400 m) and Jele dzong.

Trek distance 8 km, 3 hours. 1090 m ascent.

Dinner and overnight in camp. (Campsite altitude: 3480 m).

A short climb through the Rhododendron forest with great views of Mt. Jomolhari and other peaks.

Walking distance: 10 km, 3 – 4 hours, 310 m ascent, 50 m descent):

Dinner and overnight in camp. Campsite altitude: 3770 m.

Today, half of your trek will be up hill and another half will be downhill. After a short descent, we arrive at Jimilangtsho lake (3700 m).

Distance 11 km; walking time 4 hours, (330 m ascent, 230 m descent).

Dinner and overnight in camp. Campsite altitude: 3700 m.

We walk downhill today following and criss-crossing a stream till Tshaluna (End of this short 4 days trek in Bhutan). 

Packed lunch will be served. Your vehicle will pick you up at Tshaluna and drive you to Thimphu. Relax in the hotel.

In the evening, explore Thimphu market.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Morning sightseeing includes:

• National memorial chorten (1974) built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
• Dupthop lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
• National library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
• Painting school where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting thangkas.

Afternoon, visit to:

• Tallest statue of Buddha in the world (51.5 m).
• Witness archery match at Changlimithang.

In the evening, visit Tashichho dzong, seat of the national government and the central monastic body. The grand annual Thimphu festival is celebrated here every Autumn.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Morning – Drive to Punakha valley via Dochu La pass (3140 m). A short stop at the pass to view higher Himalayas. If the weather is clear, you can see the beautiful Laya – Gasa dzong in the distance.

Drive further to Punakha. On the way, visit to:

• Chimi lhakhang built in 1499 to honor lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as “The divine madman”. The temple is also known as “the temple of fertility”.

Afternoon – Visit to Punakha dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The famous annual Punakha tshechu festival is held here in early spring.

In the evening, drive back to Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and farewell (End of Tshaluna trek itinerary).