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The capital city of Bhutan is never like anywhere. Thimphu is home to almost one third of Bhutanese population and most developed Dzongkhag in Bhutan. With a total area of 1,748.590 square kilometers. The city lies in the western part of the country. It is located at an altitude of 2,330 meters above the sea level. The Dzongkhag has 42.9% of its area under forest cover. There are countless beautiful hiking trails in and around Thimphu, mostly to beautiful ancient temples and recently developed mountain biking trails and hiking trails
This hike will start from Buddha Point towards Debsi. The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. Hikers can enjoy the panoramic view of the Thimphu Valley and enjoy the hike amidst fluttering colorful prayer flags and enjoy the beautiful sky while heading up the hill.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 3.3 km
Walking time: 1.5 hrs
Attraction: Buddha Dordenma Statue, Simthokha Dzong and View of Thimphu city.
The hike takes us through populated blue pine forests, with the perfect view of Thimphu Valley. It was initially intended to be a cycling trail, but it is excellent for hiking as well. You can do the hike either way. The hike will take about 2 hours. The hike is through pine forest. This trail is part of the 60th birth anniversary celebration of the fourth king of Bhutan.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 5.10 km Walking time: 2 hrs (one way).
Attraction: Buddha Statue, Thimphu view, Landscape Photography & Changangkha Lhakhang.
Drive above Thimphu city, pass Mothitang area and drop by the Takin Reserve century to see our national animal called ‘Drong Gemtse’, an animal supposed to have the body of a cow and head of a goat, believed to have been created by Buddhist Master popularly known as Divine Mad Man. The peace road finishes at Sangay Gang where we have the BBS tower and many prayer flags fluttering.
The trail leads up through many hanging prayer flags making the place beautiful and if you look back you will find a good view of Thimphu city. At first, the trail seems to head up into the mountain towards Phajoding. But after 10 minutes of abrupt climbing you will take the side footpath to right and the trail gets gentler and easier. You will find an apple orchard and a few farmhouses above the trail. From here the trail drops down gently through oak, blue pine and rhododendron until you will reach Wangditse monastery. The view of Tashicho Dzong, Thimphu city, and the Buddha statue is stunning from here.
In 1627 the first Buddhist Monastic School for Bhutan was started by Zhabdrung in Cheri, which to these days has become a Meditation Centre for higher level Buddhist studies. The Monastery buildings are old and still contains many sacred relics from the past. Definitely, visit this place is more purifying and refreshing. From the road head at Dodayna it will take about 40 minutes hike to reach Cheri Monastery. The trail leaves Dodeyna bride and gently goes up through woods of blue pine, Oak trees and with lots of Rhododendron undergrowth.
Tango is the highest level of Buddhist studies in Bhutan. The qualification after you finish Tango is equivalent to Master Degree in Academy studies. Tango is also the seat of our renowned Buddhist Master known as Gyelse Tenzin Rabgay. The young reincarnation of the master still resides at Tango. We also have many other young reincarnated masters studying there. The road head at Dodayna is about 30 minutes’ drive from Thimphu city.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 2.5 km
Walking time: 1 hr (one way)
Attraction: Stupa, Tango Monastery
This is one of the most rejuvenating and picturesque hikes in the Thimphu region. It can be done as a loop starting from Dochula and finishing at Hongtsho village with Lungchutse Gomba and Trashigang Gomba visit. At Lungchutse one can enjoy a 360° view of the Himalayan mountain range. You will start your hike from the large Chorten in the middle of Dochula, the pass between Thimphu and Punakha at 3140 meters (10300 feet) above sea level. From here the trail slowly climbs a ridge through a forest of hemlock, birch and rhododendrons until reaching an open meadow. Again, you will enter into a forest of moss-covered rhododendrons, gigantic hemlocks, junipers, and bamboo undergrowth. A small trail leads you the last 50 meters past a row of fluttering prayer flags up to Lungchutse temple.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 10 km Walking time: 2.5 hrs (one way)
Attraction: Dochula Pass, View of snowcapped mountain rages & Lungchutse Goenpa
Phajoding Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Bhutan. Phajoding Monastery is a 3-4 hours hike from the nearest road and is located above Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. It was once one of the richest and most decorated monasteries in the country however due to years of neglect and the encroachment of development, it was watchlisted in 2010 by the World Monuments Fund as one of five endangered cultural monuments that need the most help in the world.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 7 km Walking time: 4 hours (one way)
Attraction: View of the Thimphu city, 13th century old monastery
If you are an avid adventure seeker, you should hit the Taba-Lungtenphu trail. The real adventure begins after an hour or so into the hike.
The hiking trail is well built and the real adventure begins after an hour or so into the hike. The trail is a little tricky in between but since your guide will be there with you, he will guide you very well.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 7 km Walking time: 3 hrs (one way)
Attraction: Thimphu view, Bird watching & Landscape Photography
High above Simtokha Dzong at 3080m, this 15th-century Goemba offers spectacular views over the peaks to the north and south of the capital and along the Thimphu valley. Hikers who reach the peak on a clear day are rewarded by the best mountain views in the entire Thimphu area; virtually all mountain peaks between eastern Nepal and central Bhutan can be seen from here.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 8km
Walking time: 4 hrs
Attraction: Simthokha Dzong, View of Thimphu city, Buddha Statue & Talakha Monastery
High above Simtokha Dzong at 3080m, this 15th-century Goemba offers spectacular views over the peaks to the north and south of the capital and along the Thimphu valley. Hikers who reach the peak on a clear day are rewarded by the best mountain views in the entire Thimphu area; virtually all mountain peaks between eastern Nepal and central Bhutan can be seen from here.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 8km
Walking time: 4 hrs
Attraction: Simthokha Dzong, View of Thimphu city, Buddha Statue & Talakha Monastery
This beautiful monastery school hidden in the valley above Thimphu town is an excellent half-day hike option. Apart from the main temple with interesting mural paintings, there is also a small museum with unusual artifacts. Monks speak good English and will be happy to show you around. The view of Thimphu valley from this Monastery is stunning.
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 5.2 km
Walking time: 2.5 hrs (oneway).
Attraction: Tashichho Dzong, Wangditse Lhakhang, Dechen Phodrang Monastery & Thimphu city
Bhutan is more than a destination—it’s a journey into a world where happiness, spirituality, and nature exist in perfect harmony. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to explore more, B' Expeditions is here to craft a travel experience that exceeds your expectations.
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