All
Bhutan Trek- 14 Days
Day 1: Arrive Paro
International Airport- During
the journey, one will experience breathtaking
view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and
other famous Himalayan peaks, including
the sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu
Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International
Airport, our representative, who will
escort you to the Hotel, will receive
you. Overnight: Paro
Day 2: Paro Sightseeing-
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined
fortress - 16 km. away from Paro Town).
Although in ruins, This Dzong is of great
historical importance. It was here that
the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading
Tibetans and drove them back. From here,
the peak of Chomolhari "Mountain
of the Goddess" can be seen on a
clear day (Alt. 7,329 m /24,029 ft.).
On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese
farmhouse. After lunch, at the hotel,
take a leisurely stroll around the compound.
Overnight: Paro
Day 3: Paro –
Thimphu- This morning drive along
the winding road along the Paro Chu (Chu
means water or river) down stream to the
confluence with the Wang Chu then turn
upstream and travel along the Wang Chu
to Thimphu, the Capital. Lunch will be
served at the Hotel. In the afternoon,
visit the Memorial Chorten, dedicated
to the Late Third King of Bhutan, His
Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Overnight:
Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu
Sightseeing- Tashichho Dzong,
the main Government Secretariat building,
where the government ministries, the Office
of His Majesty the King and the Throne
Room, and the offices and living quarters
of the monk body and the Chief Abbot are
housed. Wander in the town; visit shops
and the Handicrafts Emporium, where Bhutanese
textiles and other handicrafts are available.
Visit the workshop where the handicrafts
are made. Visit the painting and woodcrafts
schools where traditional painting and
other arts are kept alive. Visit the National
Library and see the ancient manuscripts
preserved there. Visit the Simtokha Dzong
(6 km. from Thimphu ), the oldest Dzong
in Bhutan built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
in 1629 AD. The Simtokha Dzong houses
the largest monastic school in the country.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 6: Thimphu-
Punakha/Wangdue- ter breakfast
transfer to Punakha/Wangdue. En route
stop at Dochula Pass (3150 m), 30 km from
Thimphu , for tea and biscuits and enjoy
a view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains
. From Dochula to Wangdue, it's another
two hours drive. After lunch in Lobesa,
visit the Punakha Dzong. This is the winter
residence of Bhutan 's spiritual leader,
the Head Abbot, and the Central Monastic
Body. The Dzong is built between two rivers
known as "Phochu" ( Male River
) and "Mochu" ( Female River
). After Punakha take a short hike to
Chhi-Med Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa
valley, to visit the temple of one of
Bhutan 's foremost saints, Lama Drukpa
Kunley, also known as the "Divine
Madman". Overnight: Wangdue
Day 7: Wangdue
- Bumthang - The journey to central
Bhutan begins today. The drive to Bumthang
takes about 7 - 8 hours from Wangdue.
Packed lunch will be arranged. Lunch stop
at Chendeji Chorten. From Tongsa, it's
a pleasant drive through scenic forests
and countryside. You also cross one of
the highest passes named Yotongla (Alt.
17,000 ft.) along the East - West Highway
on this drive. Bumthang (the "Plain
of Ghosts") is a land of mysteries
and mystics and tales of the great Guru
Padmasambhava who performed formidable
feats and miracles in historical time
in this place still hold sway. A beautiful
sighting of Jaker Dzong ("Castle
of the White Bird") can be had from
View Point. Lunch will be served in Hotel.
Afternoon, a hike up to Lame Gompa, a
temple built by the First King of Bhutan
for his two nun sisters. Outside Lame
Gompa one can see a workshop for traditional
Bhutanese papermaking. Overnight: Jaker.
Day 8: Bumthang
Halt - Visit the Dairy Farm,
Swiss cheese Factory and Apple Juice Factory.
Walk around Bumthang valley in preparation
for the excursion to Nganglhakhang.
Day 9: Bumthang
- Nganglhakhang [Start Trek]
- Distance - 20 Km. About 5 - 6 hours
journey. Altitude of Nganglhakhang 9500
ft. The route follows the Chamkharchu,
a river known for trout fish. Stop for
lunch at Thangbi Lhakhang. From here the
trek enters the Ngang Yul (Land of the
Swan) at the center of which lies the
Nganglhakhang (Swan Temple). In by-gone
days, the valley was populated by swans
whence the name Ngang Yul. Overnight:
Tented Camps
Day 10: Nganglhakhang
– Ugyenchholing- The trek
starts with a gradual climb to Phephela
Pass at an altitude of 3353 m, the highest
point of the trek route. The trail passes
through beautiful forested areas where
many stops can be made to enjoy the natural
beauty of the place. Along the way, the
Ugyenchholing Palace can be seen. Overnight:
Tented Camps
Day 11: Ugyenchholing
- Jaker [End Trek]- The trail
follows the Tang Chu, another trout-filled
river. On the bank of the river is the
Tang Rimpoche Lhakhang. The trek will
pass the Membar Tsho (Flaming Lake ).
From Panshing, the group will be picked
up by transport and driven to Jaker. Overnight:
Jaker
Day 12: Jaker –
Phobjikha- Phobjikha Valley is
the winter habitat for endangered black-neck
cranes (mid October to early March). This
area is known for its natural beauty and
is quite remote--photo ops are abundant.
The gravel road to Gangtey descends through
fields of bamboo, emptying into a lowland
valley of grass that falls within the
borders of the Black Mountain Natural
Park . To the Bhutanese, going to Gangtey
is like going back in time, an interesting
perspective given that they themselves
live in a country right out of the pages
of King Arthur's Court. In Gangtey visit
the carpet-weaving center and roam the
village of Gangtey perched atop a hill
surrounding the 17th century Gangtey Gompa
monastery. Most of the residents of this
village are the families of 140 Gomchens
(Laya Monks) who take care of the Monastery.
Overnight: Phobjikha
Day 13: Phobjikha
- Wangdue – Thimphu- Drive
back to Thimphu along the East - West
Highway Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Overnight hotel
Day 14: Thimphu
- Paro Departure- Drive to Park
International Airport.
