Bhutan Horse Riding Adventure - 12 Days

Arrive by flight to Paro. Greet by our representative and drive to hotel for check in and for lunch. Later visit the National Museum and Paro dzong, one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs, and perhaps the finest example of Bhutanese architecture.

This morning we will walk up to the Taktsang Goemba, known as the Tiger’s Nest monastery, a quintessential Bhutan experience. Lunch will be served in teahouse on your return and later visit ancient ruins of Drukgyel Dzong situated at the end of the Paro valley. If time permits visit 7th century Kyechu Lhakhang and Dungtse Lhakhang.

We will take the early morning domestic flight to Bumthang, after arrival drive to Tang Valley where we will access the horses. After lunch we will have an afternoon ride to the nearby village, where we will have a chance to meet some locals and visit their homes before returning to the guesthouse for the night.

After breakfast we’ll head to the stables to start our ride. Today we’ll pass through the villages and open fields before riding up into the pine forests. There might be a few places where we’ll need to dismount and leave our horses, depending on the terrain. We’ll have a picnic lunch along the way before reaching our campsite near Kunzangdra. There is a temple and hermitage on the cliff (Kunzangdra Monastery), founded by Pemalingpa in 1488, which we’ll have time to explore before dinner.

Today we will ride through the forests and hillsides as we make our way towards Padselling. Tonight we will spend the night in a Buddhist Monastery, which is set high up in the mountains, next to a village, with incredible views. We’ll have the chance to explore the local village before returning to the monastery for dinner

Today’s ride will be very relaxing as we make our way downhill. We’ll be mainly following village roads and trails, provide ourselves ample opportunities for some canters. After visiting Dorjibi village, we’ll leave our horses behind and take a short drive to our hotel in nearby Jakar. In the evening we can wander around and explore the town of Jakar with our guide.

Today we’ll ride through some of the local villages, giving us the chance to meet and talk to the very friendly local people as we pass by their homes. As we ride between the villages we are likely to see the farmers ploughing and tending their potato fields. As we meander through the countryside,opportunity to trot and canter as well. We will visit the village temples and farmhouses, one of which will be our home for the night

Today’s ride, will be a long ride as we head out for our final day on the saddle. We will follow a mountain trail crossing a 3000m pass as we head back towards the stable. Today, we’ll ride through some of the local villages, giving us the chance to meet and chat to the very friendly local people as we pass by their homes. Once back at the stables we’ll say goodbye to the horses before heading back to our guesthouse. You can relax in a traditional hot stone bath over a glass of local wine.

After breakfast we’ll drive to Punakha, the old capital city, passing through the Trongsa valley. We’ll stop in Trongsa and visit the National Museum and the magnificent Trongsa dzong, the birthplace of Bhutan’s hereditary monarchy. We’ll continue on, crossing Pele La pass at 3400m, before descending down to valley floor at 1200m in Punakha.

This morning we will visit Punakha dzong, The Place of Great Happiness, built in between two rivers. Later drive north to make short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten and after lunch drive to Thimphu, the capital city and visit Tashi Chodzong, the seat of government and monastic body and Memorial chorten.

This afternoon we head back to Paro. Visit sights of Thimphu such as largest Buddha, paintingschool, Indigenous hospital, vegetable market, etc. Afternoon drive back to Paro.

After breakfast drop to airport for flight to onward destination.