Email: bhutanagrotours@gmail.com
Mobile: +97517816047 / 17141867
Po Box: 967 Olakha Lam 4, Chang Jalu, Olakha Thimphu, Bhutan

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Trek Duration: Four days,

Max.Elevation: 3,400

Highest Camp: 3,360

Standard: Easy

Best Seasons: September to May but possible throughout the year

Summary:

The best seasons for this trek are March to May and September to November. But due to the low altitudes, the trek is possible throughout the whole winter. The trek is the old walking route from Thimphu to Punakha.

 

(The itinerary can be revised in feasible order, to incorporate local events or celebrations depending on your interest. Please revise in consultation with your guide)

Day 1: Paro - Thimphu: Sightseeing (Drive: 1 hour)

Some of the attractions and visits include

  1. Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.
  2. Handicrafts Emporium; it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products and many more.
  3. KuenselPhodrang with one of the tallest Bhuddha statue in Bhutan.

Night halt: Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu - Dechencholing – Chamina (four to five hours, ascent 860m, camp altitude 3,360m). Drive north - up the valley towards Dechencholing Palace, following the Thimphu Chhu. The transport will reach you up to Pangrizam, the last road point. From here the trek starts towards Shong Pang, and leads you through some beautiful villages. The camp will be just above Chamina village.

Day 3: Chamina – Dopshing Pang (seven to eight hours). The trek trail ascends gradually up till you reach the pass called Sinchula (3,400m). From this point, if the weather is clear, one can see Phajoding monastery, which is just above Thimphu. After two km, you can view Thinleygang village, Talo Monastery and the motor highway towards the ancient capital of Bhutan, Punakha. The trek from the pass is more or less downhill till you reach the campsite.

Day 4: Dopshing Pang – ChortenNingpo (eight hours, camp altitude 2,700m). The trek to ChortenNingpo is rather gradual and will take trekkers through thick forests, villages and rice fields. ChortenNingpo is linked to DrukpaKuenley, better known as the “divine madman”. The campsite is right in front of the temple.

Day 5: ChortenNingpo – Zomlingthang - Punakha (two to three hours). For about two to three hours, the trek trail will lead you through several villages until you reach a motor road. From the motor road, you will follow the road towards Punakha. Check in to your hotel and rest for a while.

Other attractions:

  1. Chimi Lhakhang- the seat of the divine madman alias Drukpa Kunley. Chimi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings; it also fulfils the other religious and spiritual needs of the Bhutanese.
  2. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. And it is still the winter capital or residence of the Central Monastic Body. Punakha dzong (fortress) is strategically located between Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers. Night halt: Punakha

Day 6: Punakha to WangduePhodrang – Phobjikha (drive: 3 hours)

  1. Wangduephodrang. Wangduephodrang dzong:  constructed in 1638 after a boy named Wangdue- which also means bringing power under ones control. This magnificent dzong was gutted down by fire 24th June 2012. It is now in ruins. You may want to walk through the town and also visit the ruins.
  2. Phobjikha (2900 masl) is a beautiful valley. It is winter home for black necked cranes (grus nigricollis).
  3. Gantey Gomba monastery is also the only Nyingmapa monastery (the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Western Bhutan). Enjoy nature – morning or evening walks.

Night halt: Phobjikha

Day 7:Phobjikha – Trongsa

  1. Pele-la pass (3300 masl) conventional division point between the East and the West Bhutan. A beautiful pass with many prayers flags worth a stop for a walk around and pictures, if the sky is clear.
  2. Kathmandu's Swayambhunath Stupa in Bhutan. It is called Chendbji Chorten- built in 18th century by Lama Shida of Tibet. : Night halt: Trongsa

Day 8: Trongsa – Bumthang (Drive: 3 hours)

  1. Trongsa Dzong;  The dzong was built in 1648.
  2. Drive to Bumthang : Night halt: Bumthang

Day 9: Bumthang (daylong in Bumthang)

  1. Bumthang (2600 – 4000 masl) is known an cultural capital of Bhutan.
  2. Places of interest and to visit are: Kurje Lhakhang – where Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body mark on a rock. Also visit Jambay lhakhang, Tamshing lhakhang and the Jakar Dzong.
  3. One popular site to visit is the Membertsho or the Burning Lake – not that the lake is burning but Pema Lingpa – treasure discoverer of Guru discovered important relics from this lake. : Night halt: Bumthang or try farm house lodging at Ura.

Day 10: Bumthang – Paro(7-8 hours)

Start your journey early. Since you have travelled through the same route, you wold have seen them all till Punakha. When you start heading towards Thimphu or Paro from Punakha, your journey will pass through Dochula pass (3040 masl) where you will also find the 108 stupas built in 2004 war causalities. If the sky is clear not only will you enjoy the grandeur of these temples but also spectacular view of the snow-capped eastern Himalayan Mountains.

Night Halt: Paro

Day 11: Paro

Start sightseeing in Paro. Some of the attractions in Paro are 1. National Museum- ancient watch tower, 2.Rinpung Dzong – the fortress of the heap of jewels built in 1646, 3. KyichuLhakhang- oldest temple built in 7th century by Tibetan Emperor, 4. DrukgyelDzong- built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. If the sky if clear, you can see Mt. Jomolhari, TachogLhakhang- builtin 14th century by son of the builder of Iron chain bridges in Bhutan; if you visit coincides on weekends, try going around to the Sunday market.

Night halt: Paro

Day 12: Paro- day excursion to famous ParoTaksang( Tiger’s Nest) ( 5-6 hours)

Short hike to Paro Taksang- popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. The monastery is perched on a rocky cliff. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche – Popularly regarded as the 2nd Lord Buddha and founder of Mahayana Buddhism, rode on a tigress and meditated in this cave. Night halt: Paro

Day 13: Departure

Drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Your guide and driver will be through and through till you leave the airport and have bid you farewell with onward journey wishes.

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