“Itinerary can be
customized based on your interest & time”
Day 01 : Arrive Paro
On arrival at Paro airport, received by our
representative and transfer to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital town. Overnight at the
hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02 : Thimphu
Full day city tour, visit to; Memorial
Chorten, Trashichho dzong, National Library, Art School, Traditional Medicine
Institute, Handicrafts Emporium and Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight
at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03 : Thimphu to Punakha / Tashithang
Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3,050m),
through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass one can
have the panoramic view of eastern Himalayan peaks and enticing view of Lunana
route, Picnic lunch at Punakha by the rivrside. Enjoy the view of Punakha
Dzong, built in 1637 during the time of Shabdrung. The Dzong is now used
as the winter residence of monk body and administrative centre of the district.
After lunch drive on to Tashithang following the Mo Chu river. Camp at
Tashithang at the end of the road at alt. 1,600m.
Day 04 : Tashithang to Damji
The trek starts by the riverside, following a
wellmade path through semi tropical forest. This part of the area is quite wet
and one has to be careful of leeches. Also for flower lovers there is abundant
on wild orchids here. The day walk is fairly gentle climbing upto Damji
village. Camp at Damji at alt. 2,250m, walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 05 : Damji to Gasa
The path continues through semi-tropical
forests and villages upto Gasa Tsachu (hot spring). The Tsachu is a famous
place where people from all over the country come to have bath, due to its
curative powers. Here there are four pools of different temperature from mild
to hot. Hot lunch will be served close to spring. After lunch two hours stiff
clib to Gasa Dzong. Camp below the Dzong at alt. 2,900m. Walking time 6/7
hours.
Day 06 : Gasa to Chamsa
After breakfast, visit the Dzong, which was
built in 17th century, to protect the valley against Tibetan invaders. The path
starts with stiff climb upto Bele la pass (3,700m) through bamboo,
rhododendron, juniper and fir forests. Then descend for about half an hour to
camp at Chamsa at alt. 3,650m. Walking time 6/7 hours.
Day 07 : Chamsa to Laya
The trail starts by descending to the bank of
Mo Chu river. Lunch will be served at the side of bridge, across the river.
After lunch climb gradually to Laya crossing the army camp. Overnight camp at
alt. 3,800m. Walking time 8/9 hours.
Day 08 : Rest day at Laya
One can go around the villages, visiting
houses and the people. Laya people are very friendly and will happily pose for
photographs. Women of Laya wear a special dress and typical bamboo hats,
decorated with turquoise and silver ornaments. Cultural evening with dances
performed by local girls.
Day 09 : Laya to Rhodophu
From Laya descend to army camp and
continue following the river till the turn off point to Rhodophu. After lunch
continue the climb through rhododendron bushes till reach the camp at alt.
4,350m. Walking time 8/9 hours.
Day 10 : Rhodophu to Tarina
Today is the longest day of the trip and it is
important to start early. Start at about 5 a.m. by climbing to Tsimola
(4,700m). After crossing the first pass and the little summit, one can have
superb view of Lunana, Mt. Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake.
The path is flat for another four hours till
climb to Ganglapachung pass (5,080m) is started. The view from the path is
breathtaking and whole range of mountains including Masagang, Tsendegang, Teri
gang can be seen. After the path, it is very long descent to Tarina valley.
Camp at alt. 3,980m. Walking time 10/11 hours.
Day 11 : Tarina to Woche
The walk leads down through conifer forests
following the upper reaches of the Pho chu river. The trail then climbs over a
ridge and drops to Woche at 3,800m, the first village after Gasa. Camp at alt.
3,800m. Walking time 6/7 hours.
Day 12 : Woche to Lhedi
The trek starts through juniper and fir
forests and further ahead through rhododendron bushes. Climb upto Keche la pass
(4,480m) where one can have the great view of mountains. After the pass,
descend to the riverside walking through the village with stunning view of
Table Mountains and others. Follow up the river till Lhedi village, which is
one of the main sources of Pho Chu river. Camp at alt. 3,650m.
Day 13 : Lhedi to Thanza
The trek continues following the river, rising
gradually to Choejong village. After lunch, visit the Choejung village walking
towards the wide valley. Cross the bridge to reach Thanza camp at alt. 4,000m,
walking time 7/8 hours.
Day 14 : Rest day at Thanza
One can walk around or climb the ridge for
fascinating view of lakes and mountains.
Day 15 : Thanza to Tshorim
The trek starts by climbing the ridge, with
great view of the Table Mountain and Thanza valley below. The ridge alt. Is
4,500m and it rises gradually up-to 4,650m. After lunch walk upwards the left
side of the bridge enjoying the view of snowcapped mountains. Further after
climbing ridges, you reach the camp site of Tshorim at alt. 5,125m, walking
time 8/9 hours.
Day 16 : Tashorim to Gangkar Puensum Base Camp
This is one of the highlights of the trip and
day starts with a short climb to the Tashorim Lake. Walk on the side of the
lake enjoying the panormic view of Gophula ranges. The last climb to the
Guphola pass (5,230m) is very short. After the pass descend to the base camp,
walking along the ridge and enjoying the great view of Gangkar Puensum. If
interested, one can divert to the left side to climb up the pyramid peak for a
better view or you can go down to base camp nearby Sha Chu at the alt. of
4,970m, walking time 6/7 hours.
Day 17 : Gangkar Puensum base camp
Rest day at the base camp enjoying the great
view.
Day 18 : Gangkar Puensum Base Camp to Geshe
Woma
The trek is not yet over. The trail further
follows the Sha Chu and descends gradually to Geshe Woma at alt. of 4,200m,
walking time 6/7 hours.
Day 19 : Geshe Woma to Warathang
The path continues following Sha Chu for two
and half hours until the stiff climb to Sakala begins. Visibility along the
Sakala trail is poor so one must see top of the ridge for guidance. Lunch
nearby a yak herder’s camp. After that climb up to Sakala pass at alt.
4,800m. Later descend to the lakes and another short ascent is stunning.
Scenery once again is beautiful with small lakes and the mountain peaks. Camp
at the alt. of 4,000m, walking time 8/9 hours.
Day 20 : Warathang to Dur Tshachu
A short half-hour climb leads the Juelela pass
(4,400m). After the pass, descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron,
juniper and conifer forests. After the bridge a short climb leads to dur
Tshachu hot spring, where Guru Padsambhava is supposed to have taken bath in
the 8th hot spring, walking time 5 hours.
Day 21 : Dur Tshachu to Tshochenchen
From the spring, it is a long and steady climb
again with great views of the mountain is Lunana. You also come across blue
lakes and yak herders camp at alt. 3,850m, walking time 8/9 hours.
Day 22 : Tshochenchen to Dru to Bumthang
(Jakar)
This is the last day of the trek where you
change from yak to pack ponies. The path follows the Chamkhar Chu descending
gradually with few climbs. The trek ends when you arrive at Dur village where
transport will pick you up and drive to Bumthang. Overnight at the lodge in
Bumthang.
Day 23 : Bumthang
Bumthang is the general name given to
combination of four valleys to Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude
varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples
and monasteries.Visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house
of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit, Jakar Dzong, the
administrative centre of the valley. Afternoon visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the
most sacred places. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating
from the introduction of Buddhism in the country.Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.Evening visit to local shops. Overnight at the
lodge in Bumthang.
Day 24 : Bumthang to Trongsa (68 km, 3 hours)
The crown prince of Bhutan traditionally
becomes the Penlop (governor) of Trongsa prior to crowned as king. Trongsa
Dzong built in 1648 is the master piece of Bhutanese architecture, which has
been traditional home of all four kings of Bhutan before they crowned as King.
Standing above this fortress is Ta Dzong, which once guarded this place from
internal rebellion and provides visitor more insight into the historical
significance of Trongsa in Bhutan’s history. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.
Day 25 : Trongsa to Paro (250 km, 7 hours)
Morning drive to Paro en-route visiting
Wangduephodrang and local market. This place is also famous for its bamboo
products, slate and stone carvings.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro..
Day 26 : Paro
After breakfast visit Ta Dzong, the National
Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is acting
as the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of
art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. Then
walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating
history.
After lunch drive north of Paro valley to
ruins of Drukgyel Dozng. From this fort Bhutanese repelled several invasions by
Tibetan armies. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good
insight into lifestyle of local people.
While return to Paro town visit enroute Kyichu
Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 27 : Paro depart
After breakfast drive to the airport for
flight to onward destination.