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In this five-night individual package, experience complete immersion in Bhutan’s extraordinary landscape and cultural heritage. Using Uma Paro as your comfortable base – accommodation is included on a full-board basis, excluding beverages – our experienced guides lead guests through the Paro valley on two separate day walks, incorporating Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery, the National Museum, Drukgyel Dzong and a visit to the ancient temple of Kyichu Lhakhang. Guests may enjoy morning puja, or worship, in a local monastery and also spend a day exploring the remote Haa valley, carpeted in flowers and pine, where the Bhutanese continue their age-old rural existences beneath dramatic, changing skies. Combine with a free day to either relax at Uma Paro, enjoying the peace, views, pool, and a COMO Shambhala massage per person, or perhaps visit the capital city, Thimpu.
DAY 1
Arrival, check-in, show round & easy walk 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 2
Day walk Zurig Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong, Paro Town & Kyichu Lhakhang Wind through pine forests high above Uma Paro to the pretty grounds of the fortress-like monastery of Zuri Dzong. Traverse across to Ta Dzong, housing Bhutan’s National Museum (open Tuesday-Saturday) with magnificent views over Paro, and on down to visit 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. A few kilometers north of Paro, we pay our respects at Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temples in Bhutan with its magic orange tree which bears fruit all year round.
Duration: 5 - 7 hours (depending on time spent in National Museum and Paro)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Guided with picnic
DAY 3 A Day Out in the Haa Valley Day (optional bike descents) Start early for the drive to Haa via Chele La (pass) which at 3810m is the highest road pass in Bhutan, snaking upwards through blue pine and rhododendron (Etho Metho) forests for 35km. On a clear day the view sweeps away to snow-dome of Bhutan’s highest peak Mt Jhomolhari (7314m). After a bracing walk along the prayer flag bedecked ridge it is down into Haa (by bike if you prefer) – thewhole drive should take no more than 2.5 hours. Wangchulo Dzong is presently occupied by the Indian Army, howeverthis makes for a quirky experience. Having visited the bazaar it is a short walk (or bike ride) along the Haa Chhu (river) to a picnic spot. At Lhakhang Karpo (the White Temple), many young monks await to offer a warm, noisy welcome and may accompany us to the nearby Lhakhang Nagpo (the Black Temple). The Haa valley 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. For those who would rather a walk than to visit Haa we recommend a 3-4 hour hike up to Kili Goemba an ancient nunnery, topping out at Chele La. A further option, once back (by vehicle or bike) in the Paro Valley, time permitting, is a 20 minute walk out to the dramatically positioned Dzongdrakha Goemba complex.
Duration: 7 – 9 hours
Difficulty: Easy
 Guided with picnic, KONA Cinder Cone mountain bike, helmet, gloves
DAY 4
Free Day For relaxing around Uma Paro enjoying the facilities or perhaps trying some other activity like the Bhutanese national sport of archery, or maybe a therapy such as the traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath.
DAY 5
Highlights of the Paro Valley - Taktsang Walk & Drukgyel Dzong 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, via the cafeteria, to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Descend steeply, then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall (visit monastery if it is open – with sufficient notice Uma Paro can arrange a permit). We retrace our steps or alternatively (time permitting) head further up to several remote temples and monasteries. Drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1644 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control northern route to Tibet. The route is picturesque, and the site of dzong magnificent (from here, only two-day hike to the border with Tibet, dominated by Mt Jhomalhari).
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (ascent should not be attempted until at least third day in Bhutan, after acclimatization has occurred, riding ponies are available at an additional charge). Guided with picnic.
DAY 6
Depart Druk Air departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to airport will be arranged for between 5am and 9am depending on the flight schedule and your destination.
INCLUSIONS
- Accommodation on a full-board basis (excluding beverages)
- Two 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 and a visit to the temple of Kyichu Lhakhang.
- A morning Puja (pilgrimage) to a local monastery
- A day out in the remote Haa Valley
- The services of an experienced English-speaking Bhutanese Uma Paro Guide
- One COMO Shambhala massage 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 1 hour daily yoga class whilst at Uma Paro (except Sundays)
- Complimentary use of the swimming pool, library, steam room and gym at Uma Paro
Uma Paro provides complimentary drinking water for all guided itineraries. If you have any special dietary requests, please let us know in advance. Where stated, trips include lunchtime picnics prepared by Uma Paro’s chefs. Please place your picnic order the day before departure via your Guide or the Activity Desk on extension 3308.
| w.e.f. 21 Dec ’09 to 31 Dec’10 |
| Room type |
Single |
Double, sharing p.p. |
Superior Room |
USD2,653 |
USD2,593 |
Deluxe Room |
2,953 |
2,893 |
One Bedroom Suite |
3,403 |
3,343 |
One Bedroom Villa |
4,303 |
4,243 |
Two Bedroom Villa** |
- |
3,718 |
** Two Bedroom Villa is based on four people sharing
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