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Day 01. Arrive Paro (By
Druk Air):
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air,
is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our
country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world's
highest peaks, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you
land. Your Bhutanese escort will greet you on arrival, and
then drive you the short distance to the Hotel.
Day 02. Paro:
Your journey into the Thunder Dragon kingdom will begin
with a drive in the morning to the ruins of the Drukgyal
Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval
Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left
in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it
was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a
clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari
(7,314 m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang that was
built in 659 by the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. Visit is Ta
Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National
Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the
center of civil and religious authority in this valley. A
short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a
traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance
further is one of the innumerable archery grounds (Archery
is the national sport of Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may
catch a match in action. The evening ends with a walk
through Paro's main shopping district
Day 03. Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery:
A very special day, with an excursion to view the
spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery - After
breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten, from
there a 2 hour horse ride till the viewpoint point of the
monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest,
many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an
occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a
rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang
(cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see,
clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery.
Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the
edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 m into the
valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the
tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here
on the back of a flying tiger. Lunch will be served at the
cafeteria, followed by a short walk to Satsam Chorten for
the drive to the hotel.
Day 04. Paro - Shana (Start of Trek):
Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the
Paro River and we pass cultivated fields and tiny
picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous
birds and brightly colored butterflies. Overnight at camp
Shana. Altitude 2,820m; Distance14Km; Time 5-6hours
Day 05. Shana-Thangthangka:
The trail follows the river through a heavily forested
area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes
in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We
pass a junction enroute, where another path leads north over
the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone
shelter. Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7-8hours.
Day 06.Thangthangka-Jangothang:
In the morning after passing a small army post, the
trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs
into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of
yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts.
Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the
Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the
camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress
used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude
4,115 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
Day 07. Jangothang (Halt):
A rest day. A chance to acclimatize and walk up to the
Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite
direction.
Day 08. Jangothang - Lingshi:
A good day's walk today with spectacular views of the
Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang. We start
climbing straight away and after some 3 to 4 hours reach the
Nyelela pass (4,700 m). After the pass we descend to a
circular hut just below Lingshi, where we camp. Coming down
from Lingshi we obtain our first views of the truly mystical
Dzong atop a high hill. Altitude 4000m; Distance 17 kms;
Time 6 - 7 hours.
Day 09. Lingshi - Chebisa:
This is a magical day. Leaving Lingshi behind we gently
climb gently to reach another delightful village, Gom Yu,
which is set right below a 300 m cliff. Another hours walk
brings us to a lovely little valley with a huge waterfall at
one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa, where we camp
by the side of the river. The walk is very leisurely with
plenty of reasons and opportunities to linger. Altitude
3,780m; Distance 12 kms; Time 4 - 5 hours.
Day 10. Chebisa - Shomuthang:
We start with quite a stiff climb through high pastures
up the Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop through forests
of dwarf rhododendron. We climb gradually and head down to
the camp near a riverbed. Altitude3, 890m;Distance17kms;
Time 6-7hours.
Day11. Shomuthang - Robluthang:
A long haul over the Jarela pass at 4,640 m where we
once again get stunning views of the Himalayan mountains
above us. We drop steeply down a forest trail to the
Tsarigathang valley, where herds of Takin roam, then cross a
knee deep river before climbing up Robluthang where we camp.
Altitude 4,100m; Distance 22 kms; Time 7 - 8 hours.
Day 12. Robluthang - Lemithang:
This is one of the hardest days of the trek. We climb
slowly up to Shinchela pass at 4,870 m. and are rewarded
with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular
Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. On a clear day
practically all the mountains on the northern border are
visible. Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep and yaks
abound in this area. We descend down to camp on a lovely
spot by the riverbank. Altitude 4,040m; Distance kms; Time
6-7hours.
Day 13. Lemithang - Laya:
We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of the
Mochu and through a forest of rhododendron and silver fir
and then enter the village of Laya. The people of Laya are
famous for they're vertical stripe yak hair clothing and
their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear their hair
long and with great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry. The
features of the people are even more Tibetan/ Mongolian than
the Bhutanese who live in the central valleys The rest of
the day is spent at leisure or visiting village houses and
mixing with the villagers. Good views of the Masagang and
the other peaks. Altitude3, 880m;Distance10kms;
Time4-5hours.
Day 14. Laya (Halt):
We have a rest day at Laya and an opportunity to meet
the local people.
Day 15. Laya - Koena:
The rail winds along the river valley offers
breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams and
waterfalls. Over night at camp. Altitude3,
300m;Distance19kms; Time 6/7hours.
Day 16. Koena - GasaTsachu:
We gradually climb up to Balela pass at 3,740 m and then
descend to Gasa village. The first sight of the Gasa Dzong
perched on the hillside over the village is one of the
sights of the trip. We then drop steeply down to the river
for an hour and camp near the Hot Spring a chance for a
good, hot bath! Altitude: 2,638m; Distance 15kms; Time:
6/7hours.
Day 17: Gasa Tsachu - Goen Damji:
After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds
through rolling hillsides with the vista of fields, villages
and forests of oak and pine. Gasa Dzong will be visible
behind you glued to the valley wall, seeming afloat in
space. Overnight in camp. Altitude: 2,280 m, Distance 21 kms;
Time 7/8 hours.
Day 18. Goen Damji - Punakha (End of Trek):
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches
above the Mochu into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with
banana trees, creepers and the sight of an occasional
monkey. Over night at the hotel.
Day 19. Punakha-Thimphu:(72 Kms)
After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu
(Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). For many years until
the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the
Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by
Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, "…a person named Namgyal will
arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant". There was a
smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that
housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered
the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue,
while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his
dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru
Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the
design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the
tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named
Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness).
The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans
are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of
Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new
national Assembly here in 1952.After lunch, drive to Thimphu.
Enroute visit Chimi Lhakhang also called Temple of Fertility
built by Lama Drukpa kuenley in 17th century.
Day 20. Thimphu -Paro:
After breakfast we visit at the Dupthop Lhakhang, one of
the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan, and the National
Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuk. After lunch we shop at the Handicrafts
Emporium following which we leave for Paro.
Day 21. Paro - Airport:
In the morning our Bhutan Travel representative will bid
you farewell at Paro airport. |
