Description
Day 01: Arrival /Paro (by Flight)
On arrival in Paro international airport our Guide will receive you and transfer to your hotel. Check into your hotel, afternoon visit KyichuLhakhang, oldest temple in the country, further drive to north end of Paro valley and visit Drukgyel Ruin Dzong. Evening explore tiny Paro town.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day 02:Paro (Tiger Nest)
Morning drive north end of Paro valley and hike to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley at 900m above the valley. The hike will take about 2 hours uphill for an average hiker. Evening relax at your hotel.
Overnight: Paro
Day 03: Paro – Shana (17km, 5-6 hours)
Visit After breakfast, you will leave hotel with your trekking crews and drive to the trail head at Drugyal Dzong. The Dzong today exists only in ruins and has the glorious history of having fought the war against Tibetan Invaders in the 1600s. The trek begins, following the Paro River gently uphill through rice paddy terraces, apple orchards, and forest, passing the village houses. Overnight in Camp
Day 04: Shana – SoiThangthangkha (20km, 7-8 hours)
The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for a hot lunch. Then we continue along the river, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching our campsite (3,750m).
Day 05: SoiThangthangka – Jangothang (19km, 7-8 hours)
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herder’s camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040 m). From here, the view of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.
Day 06: Jangothang – Lingshi (18km, 7-8 hours)
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking view of Chamolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (4,700m). We descend gradually from the pass to our camp site at Lingshi (4,000m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong as we walk.
Day 07: Lingshi – Shodu (22km, 8-9 hours)
The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Chomolhari trek route here. Our trail climbs up towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chu valley. The trail stays on the west side of this largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli-la (4,820m). On a clear day you can see Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass. Descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4,100m), where we camp in a meadow with a chorten in it.
Day 08: Shodu – Barshong (16km, 6/-7 hours)
We are now back at the tree line, and our path follows the course of the Thimpu Chu, descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of rocky cliff faces and waterfalls along the way. We stop at the riverside for a hot lunch. Then the trail takes us gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3,600m), near which we camp for the night.
Day 09:Barshong -DolamKencho (15km, 5-6 hours)
The trail decends gently through a dense forest of rhodendron, birch and conifers, then drops steeply to meet the Thimpu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side streams run down into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the Thimphu Chu, coming out onto pastureland where we camp for the night at 3,600m.
Day 10: DolamKencho – Dodena – Thimpu (8km, 3 hours)
The trail winds in and out of side valleys above the Thimpu Chu, making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species to a pass at 3,510m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (2,600m). Norbu Bhutan Travel transport meets us here, and we drive to Thimpu. Overnight at hotel in Thimpu.
Day 11: Thimphu – Punakha
Morning enjoy the sightseeing of Thimpu Valley following, as time permits:
National Memorial Chorten; Tashichhodzong (‘the fortress of the glorious religion’); National Library; Institute for ZorigChusum (Bhutanese arts and crafts school); National Institute of Traditional Medicine ( outside only ); Handicrafts Emporium.
Drive east to Punakha, the old winter capital. En-route stops at DochuLaPass, 10,000ft/3,048m to view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan’s highest mountain, GangkarPunsum, 24,770ft/7,550m.Arrival in Punakha.Overnight in the hotel.
Day 12: Punakha – Paro
Morning visit Punakha Dzong and take a pleasant 20 minutes walk through the fields and village to visit ChimiLhakhang temple dedicated to Bhutan’s popular saint DrukpaKunley, also known as the “divine madman” ( 1455-1529).
Later on drive to Paro.Upon arrival check in the hotel.
Day 13: Paro – Delhi – Departure
Transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey.
