Trekking
Cultural tour with Drukpath Trek (5 days 4 nights) with flight from Bumthang to Paro
Day 1. Arrival at Paro Airport (2,200m/7,218ft)
Day 2. Full day in Paro - Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
Day 3 to Day 7 – Druk Path trek from Paro to Thimpu in 5 days -
Day 3. Trek from Paro to Jele Dzong
Day 4. Trek JeleDzong to Jangchulhakha
Day 5. Trek Jangchulhakha to Janetso
Day 6. Trek Janetso to Phajoding
Day 7. Trek Phajoding to Thimpu Distance 5km, three hours, 1,130 m descent.
Day 8. Thimphu
Day 9. Thimpu To Punakha
Day 10. Punakha to Gangtey
Day 11. Gangtey to Bumthang
Day 12. Bumthang full day exploration and hike
Day 13. Fly to Paro from Bumthang
Day 14. Paro – leisure day
Day 15. Fly out of Paro. Today we check out after breakfast and fly out from Paro to Delhi in India.
Day 1. Arrival at Paro Airport (2,200m/7,218ft)
Fly into the Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan's National Carrier. The green wall of hills known as ‘Dooars’ or gateways to Bhutan rise ever higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibet border. Silvery rivers rush along the valleys, waterfalls plunge down forested mountainside, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens. Farm houses dot the hillsides on either side of the plane. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it. Our representative will be waiting for you at Paro airport with the car. After completion of airport formalities, you will drive through the lovely Paro valley to your hotel. This beautiful Paro valley encapsulates a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, the country's only airport, and the National Museum. Mt. Chomolhari (7,300m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chu (Paro river). The Paro valley is one of the Kingdom's most fertile, producing the bulk of Bhutan's famous red rice from its terraced fields. We assist you to check in at your hotel. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon with the warmth of Bhutanese hospitality.
Day 2. Full day in Paro - Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Drive cum Trek 5hrs in total)
After early breakfast we take you to an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998. It is a place really worth visiting in the Paro Valley. It needs a 3-hour trek from the road head. You first drive from Paro on the road to Drugyel Dzong for about 8 km and then commence your trek to the monastery. The monastery from the road head appears as inaccessible but it lures you can't stop yourself from reaching there. The monastery structure is a man made wonder and it is difficult to believe that how could this structure be built on such a location. On our way back we will have a picnic lunch organized among the woods and then visit Drugyel Dzong that is where the road ends. On a clear day the towering peak of Mount Jomolhari, (7,314 m / 24,000 ft) appears as a backdrop. This mountain marks the frontier with Tibet, and is regarded as sacred. Drukyel Dzong, with a delightful village at its foot, is built on a rocky spur that blocked the Paro valley & protected it from invasions from the north - it means "fortress of the victorious Drukpas". In 1951 a butter lamp fell & started a terrible fire. Only the walls remained and Drukyel Dzong became no more than a dramatic silhouette falling into ruins. On reaching at your hotel you have a free evening. You can go for a short stroll in the down town market to observe the city life of Bhutan.
Day 3 to Day 7 – Druk Path trek from Paro to Thimphu in 5 days –
This 5 days trek popularly known as Druk Path Trek is considered as one of the finest short trek in the country. Passing through a gorgeous natural landscape of blue pine forests, high ridges and pristine lakes this trek combines some ancient Buddhist Temples, dzongs and scenic villages. The Druk Path Trek is relatively easy trek with short and comfortable walking distances between the camping destinations. You can feel the change in the vegetation as you climb higher from 2400m to the highest point at 4200m with pristine lake and dwarf rhododendron bushes. This trek also offers hikers stunning views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest unscaled peak in the world. The best times to embark on the Druk Path Trek are between March-June or September-November.
Trek from Paro to Jele Dzong Distance 7 km, 4 to 5 hours, 1,090m ascent, camp altitude 3,480m.
The first day is a long day as you have to climb more than 1,000m elevation. You start from the Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro. The trek follows a gravel road past a few farms for about 30 minutes and then climbs up a steep ridge before leading through blue pine and fir forests to Damche Gom. Once you reach the ridge below Jele Dzong you descend about 100m to the campsite below the Dzong. – We stay tonight at camp
Day 4. Trek JeleDzong to Jangchulhakha Distance 10 km, 4-5 hours, 310 m ascent, 50 m descent, camp altitude 3,770 m.
You begin with a steep climb for about an hour and a half, then the slope evens a bit and the ascent is more gradual. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron tress. You may see herders and their yaks around your campsite.
Day 5. Trek Jangchulhakha to Janetso Distance 16 km, 6 hours, 230 m descent, 330 m ascent, camp altitude 3,870 m.
Today the trail follows a ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are simply stunning. We will see Jimgelang Tso Lake which is known for its giant sized trout. The trail continues through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life.
Day 6. Trek Janetso to Phajoding Distance 14 km, three to four hours, 130m ascent, 680m descent, camp altitude 3,750m.
The trek begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount GangkarPuensum, the highest un-scaled mountain in Bhutan and other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill to Phajodhing for a nights halt. The camp is above Phadjoding.
Day 7. Trek Phajoding to Thimpu Distance 5km, three hours, 1,130 m descent.
After passing Phadjoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu (Mothitang) is all the way downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. Trek end in Mothithang and from here we drive to our Hotel. You will have the opportunity of a nice traditional spa (optional) followed by dinner.
Day 8. Thimphu Today we will explore the Thimpu City.
Thimphu sightseeing will include visit to National Memorial Chorten: The building of this chorten was originally the idea of Bhutan's third king, H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (“the father of modern Bhutan”), who had wished to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity, but was unable to give shape to his idea in his lifetime due to pressures of state. Tashichhodzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion”, was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters in Punakha. We will take you to the local traditional market where all village people assemble to sale their products – vegetable, fruits etc. We will have lunch at a local town restaurant with typical Bhutanese red rice and curry. Later we take you to the city center to have your own time to explore. There are several Handicrafts shops: A wide assortment of colorful, hand woven textiles and other craft products is available for purchase at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and many smaller crafts shops around the town. Back to hotel for freshen up and later in the evening we take you to a Bhutanese farm house where you can interact with the local host and experience a traditional folk show. After Dinner drive back to hotel and enroute see the beautiful illuminated Dzong of Thimpu from a distance. It is a good opportunity to take some nice night shot with a tripod.
Day 9. Thimpu To Punakha Drive to Punakha (70 Km) via Duchula pass.
An hour and drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3050 meters), from here one can have superb view of the Mountain ranges on a clear day. Drive on to Punakha which served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Blessed with a temperate climate and fed by the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers, Punakha is the most fertile valley in the country. Enroute we will have lunch near Chimi Lathnag and explore the possibilities of some village life photography with lush agricultural field on terraced land and harvesting. Continue driving to Punakha Dzong. Placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the Dzong was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch. Later we take you to your hotel to have a relaxed evening followed by dinner.
Day 10. Punakha to Gangtey
Today after breakfast we take you up the Punakha Valley for some stunning rural landscape of Bhutan. Then drive back to Punakha and have lunch at Wangdue. Wangduephodrang is like an extended village with a few well-provisioned shops. The higher reaches of the Wangduephodrang valley provide rich pastureland for cattle. This district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and slate which are mined up a valley a few km. from the town. Throughout your journey you will come across the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road. We drive about an hour towards Pelela pass (11,000ft) and retrace our Steps and take a road that heads to Gangtey Gompa over Tashi La pass. Descend about an hour to Phobjikha Valley. It is a wide open valley, where Gangtey Gompa is ideally located on a hill over looking the valley. It is the winter habitat for the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from Tibet early November till mid March. Gangtey Gompa is institute for monks following the Nyingmapa sect in the country. After visiting the Gangtey monastery and the surrounding village drive back to your hotel.
Day 11. Gangtey to Bumthang
After breakfast we take a stroll in the surrounding area to capture some village life image in the soft morning light. Later we drive back over the Pelela pass to Bumthang in the Central Bhutan for about 5hrs over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft). Descend through the open meadows and valley of yak herders and several villages via Chendeji Chorten built in a form of Nepalese style in 15th century. We drive for another 2 hours passing through several villages like Tsangkha, Tashicholing. The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28 km. from Tongsa, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open, cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley.Picnic lunch will be served enroute or at the restaurant at Chendebji. Enroute stop at the viewpoint of Trongsa Dzong. Continue drive to Bumthang. Dinner and stay overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 12. Bumthang full day exploration and hike
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. In the morning we hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration). In the afternoon, hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century, dinner and overnight at hotel or drive to Ura another beautiful village in a valley. Back to Hotel in the evening.
Day 13. Fly to Paro from Bumthang
Today we take a morning flight to Paro from the small air field at Bumthang. This 30min flight is an alternative to 8 to 9hrs long journey through the same road. We reach Paro airport and transfer to Hotel. We take early lunch and then go for a short village visit and interact with some village family and see their house hold activity. In the afternoon we visit a farm house and try a unique traditional Bhutanese Hot stone Bath. The stones are especially collected from the river which has medicinal value and is very relaxing and beneficial for authorities, blood circulation, skin diseases etc. This will be followed by a traditional Bhutanese dinner with the head of the family of the farm house.
14. Paro – leisure day
Have the entire day free at the town for your personal activity. The town of Paro has unique character with traditional shops, emporium, eateries, and coffee center. Take your time to laze around this beautiful town along the Paro River. You can also spend time in your hotel spa. This is also a buffer day in Paro just in case the flight from Bumthang to Paro does not operate in bad weather etc – which is a common phenomenon in Bumthang.
Day 15. Fly out of Paro.
Today we check out after breakfast and fly out from Paro to Delhi in India.