Unmissable Day Hikes

Day Hikes to Add to Your Bhutan Itinerary

Bhutan’s day hikes are perfect for adding to your itinerary, whether you’re looking for a short nature walk, a cultural exploration, or a challenging trek. These hikes can be easily integrated into your travel plans, offering a mix of adventure, spirituality, and stunning scenery. Here are some day hikes that can be added to your Bhutan itinerary:

Best Time for Hiking in Bhutan:

March-May: Spring blooms and pleasant weather.

September-November: Clear skies and vibrant autumn colors.

1. Tiger’s Nest Monastery Hike (Paro Taktsang)

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 4-5 km (one way).
• Duration: 4-6 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.

Highlights:

• Hike to Bhutan’s most iconic spiritual site, perched on a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains.
• Visit the monastery and participate in a guided meditation session.

2. Zuri Goenpa Hike

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 1.5 hours.
• Altitude: 2,600 meters.
• Elevation Gain: 300 meters.
• Difficulty: Easy.

Highlights:

• This gentle hike is perfect for acclimatization and offers spectacular views of Paro Valley, including the iconic Rinpung Dzong and the airport.
• The trail leads to ZuriGoenpa, a 17th-century monastery built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
• Witness the landing and takeoff of Druk Air flights, adding a unique touch to your hike.

3. Sangchokhor Hike

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 3 hours.
• Altitude: 2,700 meters.
• Elevation Gain: 400 meters.
• Difficulty: Hard.

Highlights:

• This hike takes you through lush forests, past grazing cattle, and up to the Sangchokhor Monastery, a monastic institute of higher learning.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Paro Valley and the majestic Rinpung Dzong.
• The trail is steep but offers a sense of tranquility and connection to nature that makes every step worth it.

4. Chelela to Kila Nunnery Hike

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 4 hours.
• Altitude: 4,400 meters.
• Elevation Gain: 500 meters.
• Difficulty: Medium.

Highlights:

• Starting at Chelela Pass, this hike takes you through rhododendron forests, alpine meadows, and past fluttering prayer flags.
• Enjoy breathtaking views of both Paro and Haa Valleys.
• The trail culminates at Kila Nunnery, a serene retreat for Buddhist nuns.
• Spot rare flowers like the blue poppy along the way.

5. Sagala Hike (Connecting Haa and Paro)

• Location: Paro and Haa Valleys.
• Distance: 7 hours.
• Altitude: 3,500 meters.
• Elevation Gain: 600 meters.
• Difficulty: Medium.

Highlights:

• This hike connects the lush valleys of Paro and Haa, offering a unique opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes of western Bhutan.
• Pass through dense forests, yak herding meadows, and quaint villages.
• Enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas, including Mount Jomolhari.

6. Tachog Lhakhang Hike

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 15 minutes from the roadhead.
• Altitude: 2,200 meters.
• Elevation Gain: 50 meters.
• Difficulty: Easy.

Highlights:

• This short but spiritually enriching hike takes you to Tachog Lhakhang, a 14th-century monastery built by the iron bridge builder, ThangtongGyalpo.
• The highlight of this hike is crossing the ancient iron chain bridge, a marvel of engineering and a sacred site that purifies all who walk across it.

7. Bumdra Camping (Overnight Hike)

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 4 hours to the campsite.
• Altitude: 3,800 meters.
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 meters.
• Difficulty: Medium.

Highlights:

• For those seeking an overnight adventure, the Bumdra Camping hike is a perfect choice.
• The trail takes you through pristine forests and meadows to a high-altitude campsite with breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
• Spend the night under the stars and wake up to a sunrise over the sacred Bumdra Monastery.

8. Chumbu Ney Hike

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 8-10 km (round trip).
• Duration: 5-7 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.

Highlights:

• Hike to Chumbu Ney, a sacred site believed to be blessed by Guru Rinpoche.
• Pass through forests, meadows, and traditional villages.
• Enjoy stunning views of the Paro Valley and surrounding mountains.
• Visit Chumbu Monastery and participate in a prayer ceremony.

9. Kuensel Phodrang Hike

• Location: Thimphu Valley.
• Distance: 5-6 km (round trip).
• Duration: 2-3 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Highlights:

• Start at the Buddha Dordenma Statue, a 169-foot bronze statue offering blessings and panoramic views of Thimphu Valley.
• Hike through the Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, a serene forested area with well-marked trails.
• Enjoy views of Thimphu city and the surrounding mountains.
• Spot local wildlife and birds along the trail.

10. Dochula Pass to Lungchuzekha Monastery Hike

• Location: Dochula Pass (between Thimphu and Punakha).
• Distance: 5 km (one way).
• Duration: 4-5 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Highlights:

• Start at Dochula Pass (3,100m) with its 108 stupas and panoramic Himalayan views.
• Hike through dense rhododendron and pine forests to Lungchuzekha Monastery.
• Enjoy stunning views of the Himalayas, including Gangkar Puensum, the world’s highest unclimbed peak.

11. Gangtey Nature Trail

• Location: Phobjikha Valley.
• Distance: 5 km (one way).
• Duration: 2-3 hours (one way).
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Highlights:

• Walk through the pristine Phobjikha Valley, a glacial valley known for its natural beauty and black-necked cranes (in winter).
• Pass through forests, meadows, and traditional villages.
• Visit Gangtey Monastery, a center of Nyingma Buddhism.

12. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Hike

• Location: Punakha Valley.
• Distance: 3 km (one way).
• Duration: 2-3 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Highlights:

• Hike through terraced rice fields and pine forests to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning temple with panoramic views of the Punakha Valley.
• Enjoy the serene ambiance and spiritual energy of the chorten.

13. Punakha Suspension Bridge Walk

• Location: Punakha Valley.
• Distance: 2-3 km (round trip).
• Duration: 1-2 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy.

Highlights:

• Walk across the Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan.
• Enjoy views of the Pho Chhu River and surrounding mountains.
• Visit Punakha Dzong, the "Palace of Great Happiness."

14. Talo Village Hike

• Location: Punakha Valley.
• Distance: 6-8 km (round trip).
• Duration: 3-4 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Highlights:

• Hike through terraced fields and forests to Talo Village, known for its traditional architecture and stunning views.
• Visit Talo Monastery and interact with locals.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the Punakha Valley.

15. Bumdra Trek (Short Version)

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 10 km (round trip).
• Duration: 6-8 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate to challenging.

Highlights:

• Hike to Bumdra Monastery (3,800m), also known as the "Cave of a Thousand Prayers."
• Enjoy breathtaking views of the Paro Valley and surrounding mountains.
• Combine the hike with a visit to Tiger’s Nest Monastery for a longer adventure.

16. Tango Monastery Hike

• Location: Thimphu Valley.
• Distance: 6 km (round trip).
• Duration: 3-4 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Highlights:

• Hike through lush forests to Tango Monastery, a Buddhist institute perched on a hill.
• Enjoy panoramic views of the Thimphu Valley.
• Visit the monastery and interact with monks.

17. Chele La Pass Hike

• Location: Paro Valley.
• Distance: 5-6 km (one way).
• Duration: 3-4 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Moderate.

Highlights:

• Start at Chele La Pass (3,988m), the highest motorable pass in Bhutan.
• Hike through rhododendron forests and enjoy stunning views of Mount Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake.
• Visit Kila Nunnery, a serene monastery perched on a cliff.

18. Bumthang Cultural Trek (Short Version)

• Location: Bumthang Valley.
• Distance: 10 km (round trip).
• Duration: 4-6 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Highlights:

• Walk through the Bumthang Valley, visiting sacred sites like Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang.
• Explore traditional villages and interact with locals.
• Visit MebarTsho (Burning Lake), a sacred site where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have hidden spiritual treasures.

19. Haa Valley Hike

• Location: Haa Valley.
• Distance: 6-8 km (round trip).
• Duration: 3-5 hours (round trip).
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate.

Highlights:

• Walk through the serene Haa Valley, known for its pristine beauty and traditional villages.
• Visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo, two sacred temples in Haa.
• Enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Book Your Bhutan Hiking Adventure Today!

Whether you’re a casual hiker or an experienced trekker, Bhutan’s day hikes offer something for everyone. Contact us to plan your hiking adventure and create memories that will last a lifetime.