360 Degree Sagala Trek

On arrival at the Paro International Airport you meet your tour guide and driver. Check into your hotel and after a brief rest, start your magical experience of Bhutan by first visiting the impressive Rinpung Dzong/Fortress of Heaped Jewels a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. The Dzong is located in the heart of the town and a few minute walk through Nyimazam, one of the few last remaining traditional cantilever bridges in Bhutan. Dzongs serve as both monastic institutions and district administrative offices.

Located above the Dzong is the National Museum that houses various antiques and artifacts of Bhutan and provides a glimpse into Bhutan’s cultural and religious history.

Visit the 3 storied Dungtse Lhakhang/temple, built in the mid 1430’s by Thangtong Gyalpo, an iron bridge builder, to subdue a demon and the temple is believed that it is firmly chained to the ground. The three floors of the temple represent hell, heaven and earth and house some of the finest murals in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

After a sumptuous breakfast, you will hike to Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. Riding ponies are also available if you think the hike is a bit daunting. Located around 900 meters above the Paro valley on a precarious almost vertical mountain cliff, Taktsang Monastery is truly a wonderful and spectacular sight in terms of its location, setting and history. In the 8th Century this was one of the major sites where Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism in Bhutan meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery. It is one of the holiest site in the Buddhist arena and the most important cultural icon in Bhutan.

You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.

Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.

In the evening, enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub which is supposed to be very curative with numerous medicinal and healing properties and has been the practice since the ancient times in Bhutan.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

From your hotel, drive for a few minutes till you reach the road-end at Talung village from where you start your trek. Today the walking distance is only about 3 hours however you can explore the villages enroute and acclimatize to the altitude. The hike is through the remote villages, farmlands, meadows and bridges till you reach your campsite. Your campsite is at Khadey Gom a beautiful meadow located below the Sagala Pass

The highlight of this day will be the spectacular sunrise and 360 degree views of the snow capped mountains, Drugyl Dzong and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery from the top of the Sagala Pass. The walking hours is about 5-6 hours till you reach your campsite at Ningula Pass.

Today you will be walking along the mountain ridges and through the forests of Rhododendron, fir and pine tress till you reach the Chelela Pass which is above the tree line. You can view the Haa valley on one side and the Paro valley on the other with the snow capped Himalayan Ranges in the distance. If you are up for it you can also visit the sky burial ground.

Your driver and vehicle will be waiting for you at the roadpoint below the Chelela Pass, and another 2 hours drive will bring you to your hotel in Paro.

After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.