Trek Duration: Six days,

Max. Elevation: 4,520m

Highest Camp: 4,300m

Standard: Medium

Best Seasons: April to June and September to October

Summary:

Although the trek leads up to plenty of beautiful high altitude mountain lakes and provides stunning views of the whole Bhutanese Himalayan range as well as Kanjenjunga (3rd highest mountain of the world, Sikkim) it is still not a very popular trek. You might not meet any other trekkers during the whole trek. It is also possible to start and end the trek in Gynekha. The optional route back to Gynekha leads through beautiful Bhutanese villages. Although most days are short, the day from Gur to Labatama involves a lot of climbing and is, therefore, pretty strenuous.

 

(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 1Arrival: Paro – Sightseeing

During your flight journey to Paro, if sky is clear, you will catch a glimpse of some highest peaks in the world such as Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. Other peaks include scared Mt. Jhomolhari, Jichudrake and Tserimgang in Bhutan.

Upon arrival in Paro, you will be received by Bhutan Agro Tours representative, who will be with you throughout your visit.

Check in hotel at Paro. Rest for a while and then 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. Kyichu Lhakhang- oldest temple built in 7th century by Tibetan Emperor,

4. Drukgyel Dzong- built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet. If the sky if clear, you can see Mt. Jomolhari,

5. Tachog Lhakhang- built in 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 2: Paro- day excursion to famous Paro Taksang( Tiger’s Nest) ( 5-6 hours)

Your visit to Bhutan is incomplete without visiting 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. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been restored in its original grandeur. Depending on how you walk, it can take about 4-6 hours or even more for slow walkers. Pony ride can be arranged, should you so desire.

Night halt: Paro

Day 3: Paro – Genekha (Sightseeing (Drive: 1 hour)

After early breakfast, drive to Genekha. On the way, you will be visiting Tachog Lhakhang. Further, you will come across beautiful confluence at Chunzom where Pa Chu and Wang chu meet.

Gynekha – Gur (Distance seven km, five hours, 550m ascent, 210m descent, camp altitude 3,290m). The trek starts from beautiful Gynekha village with a short descent down to the river. From here – after crossing the river – you start climbing till you reach a huge rock platform from where you have a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours you reach Gur, some yak pastures below the main trail.

Day 4: Gur – Labatama (12 km, 5 hours) (Distance 12km, six hours, 1,220m ascent, 110m descent, camp altitude 4,300m). While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. The path winds through flowers and wild asparagus (in spring). The meadows are refreshing and inspiring. The first pass symbolised by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of Kanjenjunga (Sikkim) and more or less all the Bhutanese Himalayan peaks. Dsecnding the pass one will see the whole Dagala range, meadows and yak herders camp. Once descended into the Labatama valley you ascend gradually through the valley passing some yak herder huts till you reach Uthso Tsho. The campsite is right next to the lake.

Day 5: Relaxation day at Labatama. This day is ideal for an excursion to any of three lakes: Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho. The day and place is also ideal for trout fishing.

Day 6: Labatama – Panka (Distance 8km, six to seven hours, 260m ascent, 520m descent, camp altitude 4,000m). The trail climbs along the western side of Dala Tsho up to a saddle at 4,520m from where you have again a majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent. This point is around 4,460m. The mountain peaks include Everest (Nepal), Kanchenjunga (Sikkim), Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsende Gang and Gangche Ta. If you want an even better view, you can climb a peak close to the saddle with an altitude of 4,720m. From the saddle the path descends, passing some yak herder huts to Doccha Chhu. You follow the river for a while, but stay higher up on the slope to reach Panka with some ups and downs on the way.

Day 7: Panka-Talakha (Distance eight km, five to six hours, 180m ascent, 110m descent, camp altitude 3,080m). This day entails the crossing of several passes, none of them affording a major climb. Search for different varieties of blue poppy (June-July) and mountain birds. After crossing the last pass, Tale La (4,180m) you start a long descent to Talakha Gompa. You will camp right besides the monastery and wake up with the early morning prayers of the monks. One has a great view of Bhutan’s capital Thimphu.

Day 8: Talakha – Chamgang (Distance six km, three hours, 440m descent). From the monastery it’s a short walk down to the feeder road which will lead you to the village of Chamgang. At Chamgang, pick up by car. Rest a while at the hotel

Night halt: Thimphu

Day 9: After breakfast start full day sightseeing in and around Thimphu valley, the capital city of Bhutan.

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. Kuensel Phodrang with one of the tallest Bhuddha statue in Bhutan.

Night halt: Thimphu.

Day 10: Thimphu – Punakha (drive: 2-3 hours)

  1. Dochula pass (3040 masl) where you will also find the 108 stupas built in 2004 war causalities.
  2. Lamperi Botanical Garden. If you are interested, enjoy sometime walking in the garden.
  3. Chimi Lhakhang- the seat of the divine madman alias Drukpa Kunley. Chimi Lhakhang is renowned for its fertility blessings, it also fulfills the other religious and spiritual needs of the Bhutanese.
  4. 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.
  5. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal chorten – a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and sculptures. : Night halt: Punakha

 

Day 11: Punakha to Wangdue Phodrang – 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 12: Phobjikha – Paro (Drive: 4-5 hours)

Day 13: Paro- day excursion to famous Paro Taksang( 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.

Day 14: 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.