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| SUMMARY |
| Duration
of Trip |
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22 Days / 21 Nights |
| Main Activities |
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Paro River, Jhomolhari
Mountain, Tsharijathang valley, Laya village, Wood Craft
and Painting school where traditional arts and crafts. |
| Key Places |
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Paro, Shana, Thangthangkha, Jangothang,
Lingshi, Chebisa, Shomuthang, Robluthang, Lemithang, Laya,
Koeina, Gasa Tsach, Tashithang
– Punakha. |
| Airport assistance
and transfer to hotel. |
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DETAILED
ITINERARY |
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Day - 1 Arrive Paro by Druk-Air
Upon
arrival at Paro Airport transfers to hotel. Check-in hotel.
Over Night:
Overnight in Hotel.
Day
2: Visit Drukgyal Dzong
(A
ruined fortress - 16 Kms. 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 Jhomolhari “Mountain of
the goddess” can be seen on a clear day Alt.
7,314m/24,029ft.). Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong.
This massive fortress is located on a small hill
just above the Paro River (Pa-Chu) in the Paro valley.
You have to walk about 15 minutes by crossing an
ancient wooden bridge built in typical Bhutanese
architect. The Dzong houses the District Administration
office and the District Monk Body. It was built
in 1646 AD. After lunch, visit the National Museum
(Ta-Dzong). This was actually the Watch Tower of
the Dzong. It was converted to the National Museum
in 1968. Visit Kyichu Lhakhang (Lhakhang means Monastery).
Kyichu Lhakhang was built in 659 AD by the King
Songtsen Gempo of Tibet as one of the 108 such Monasteries
which he built in various places to spread Buddhism.
It is located between Paro Town and Drugyal Dzong.
It is one of the holiest places in Bhutan as it
marks the advent of Buddhism in the country.
Over Night:
Overnight in Hotel. |
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Day 3: Trek begins:
Paro – Shana
Drive
up to Drukgyal Dzong where the road ends and start the
trek by following the river gently uphill through a narrowing
valley of paddy fields. You will find plenty of traditional
farm houses in a purely rural setting. The camp site is
just beyond an army outpost. Alt. 2800m, Distance - 17
km and time 5-6 Hr.
Day 4: Shana
– Thangthangkha
Continue uphill through the river valley which narrows
and closes in after some distance. The trail then winds
up and down along the drainage. Most of the trail actually
is down hill after the initial climb. The camp site is
located in a meadow with stone shelter. Alt. Approx. 3400m,
distance 15 km, time 4-5 Hr.
Day
5: Thangthangkha – Jangothang
Walk up along the Pachu (Paro River), pass a small army
outpost where the valley begins to widen again. You can
now clearly view the high ridges and the snow capped mountains
all around and also sees the yaks and the yak herders’
winter homes. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base
of the Jhomolhari Mountain. Alt. 4240m. , Distance 19
km and time 5-6 Hr.
Day
6: Jangothang – Lingshi
Walk up toward the pass through a wide pasture land. Depending
on the season you are there, you might find some yak herders
in their camping tents along the way. As you come down
after the pass to the Lingshi basin, you will see some
beautiful views of the Lingshi Dzong and the valley and
also Tserim Kang (mountain) and its descending glaciers
at the north end of the valley. Camp in a stone shelter
with a built-in fire pit or in the tent. Alt. 4150m. Distance
19 km. Time 5-6 Hr.
Day
7: Lingshi – Chebisa
Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take
it easy. On reaching the camp site at Chebisa, you can
visit the village houses if you feel up to it. Alt. 3850m.
Distance 12 km. Time 3-4 Hr.
Day
8: Chebisa – Shomuthang
You walk through a wide pasture land towards Gugu-la (pass).
On the way, you will see few people herding the yaks.
After crossing the Gugu -la (Alt. 4350m ) descend down
to the valley. The camp site is on a bench above a river
which is a tributary of the Mochu River. Alt. 4260. Distance
17 km. Time 5-6.
Day
9: Shomuthang – Robluthang
As the walk is little strenuous, it is advisable to start
a little early. After crossing the Jerela (pass) Alt.
4600m you come down to Tsharijathang valley where you
can normally see herds of Takins. Camp at Tsharijathang.
Alt.4390m. Distance 15 km. Time 6-7 Hr.
Day
10: Robluthang – Lemithang
After crossing the Shingela pass, alt. 4900m., you come
down and follow the valley. Lemithang is under the Laya
District and you will see people dressed in typical Laya
costume with long pointed bamboo hats on their head. Camp
at Lemithang. Alt. 4140m. Distance 19 km. Time 6-7 Hr.
If you have time, it would be advisable to spend a day
here exploring the valley and meeting the people who have
a different and unique culture.
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Day
11: Lemithang – Laya
Today, you walk all the way downhill along a narrow
winding river valley. The trail leads you to the
west side of Laya village. Camp site is on a high
flat bench above the Laya village. Alt. 3850m. Distance
10 km. Time 3-4 Hr.
Day
12: Halt in Laya for rest and to explore the Laya
village.
Day
13: Laya – Koeina
The trail winds up and down along the river valley
avoiding natural obstacles and affording breath-taking
views of the crashing river, feeder streams and
water falls. Camp. Alt. 3800m. Distance 19 km. Time
6-7 Hr.
Day
15: Gasa - Gas a Tsachu (hot spring)
After a late breakfast, trek to Gasa Tsachu. After
lunch relax in the hot spring. The Gasa Tsachu is
one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. Camp
at Gasa Tsachu. |
Day 16: Gasa Tsachu - Geon Damji
After a short climb, the trail winds through the rolling
hills and passes through the pine and oak forests, villages
and wheat fields. You will also see a beautiful view of
the Gasa Dzong glued to the valley wall seeming to float
in space. Camp. Alt. 2280m. Distance 21 km. Time 6-7 Hr.
Day 17: Geon Damji
– Tashithang
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches
above the Mo-Chu ( Chu means River ) into a lush semi-tropical
gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and various tropical
vegetation. You will also see monkeys and few other animals
occasionally. Camp at Tashithang. Alt. 1700m. Distance
17 km. Time 6-7 Hr.
Day
18: Tashithang – Punakha
After a short walk to the motor road, drive down to Punakha
valley. Stop at Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong. Punakha
was the former capital of Bhutan. The Dzong lies between
two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means ”
Male River and Female River “. It was built by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyel the founder of Bhutan in 1637 AD and is
one of the most important and historical Dzongs in Bhutan.
In the Dzong are kept the sacred remains of Pema Lingpa
and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong now houses the
District Administration office and the winter residence
of the state Monastic Body and its Chief Abbot. Lunch
in Punakha. After lunch, drive to Thimphu . 77 km. Time
approx. 3 Hr.
Over Night:
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 19: Punakha
– Thimphu
Visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge stupa ) built in memory
of the third king of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from
1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts
are preserved. Visit the Wood Craft and Painting school
where traditional arts and crafts are still kept alive.
Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles
and other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased.
Visit Simtokha Dzong. This is one of the oldest fortresses
in Bhutan. It was built in 1629 AD. It houses the largest
monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong,
the main secretariat building. This massive structure
houses part of the government Ministries, the office of
the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State
Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot
and the senior monks. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 20: Thimphu –
Paro
Drive to Tango visit the Buddhist College. Picnic Lunch
served. Drive to Paro. 65 km. Time 2 Hr drives.
Over
Night: Overnight
in Hotel.
Day
21: Paro – Paro
Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and
from there walk up to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang
means “Tiger’s Nest “. The Monastery
is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly
4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river.
It is said that in the second half of the 8th century,
Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan,
meditated in the spot where the Monastery is situated
having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.
Picnic lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip
hike takes about 4 Hr.
Day
22: Drive to Paro Airport
Transfer for your onward Journey.
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| TOUR END |
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