Trip Length: 14 Days / 13 Nights.
Costs: 1 person US $3770, 2 persons US $3640 each, 3 persons & more US $3250 each.
Cost includes: Government royalty, all meals, tea and snacks, accommodations, transport, entrance fees, guide services and sightseeing. On trek cost includes sleeping tent, sleeping mats, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, trekking chef, assistant and pack animals to carry food supplies and equipment.
Cost does not include: Drukair fares, visa fee, drinks & beverages, sleeping bag (on trek), biking & rafting fees, insurance, tips and other personal bills. |
Day 1 (7 May, Monday): Arrive Paro
During the flight, if weather permits, you can see breathtaking views of Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. In the evening you can stroll through the Paro market and town. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 2 (8 May, Tuesday): Tiger's Nest Monastery Hike
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan 's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch would be served in the Cafeteria on the way. Hike back to Paro and in the afternoon and visit Kichu Lhakhang and Drugyel Dzong. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 3 (9 May, Wednesday): Paro - Punakha
After early breakfast you will drive or ride on bikes on several stretches of road till you stop en route for lunch at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayan Mountains. Start biking downhill from the Dochula Pass till you reach Punakha. It is an exhilarating ride through mixed forests of hemlock, fir, oak, magnolias and rhododendrons. Check into hotel in Punakha. Overnight at hotel in Punakha.
Day 4 (10 May, Thursday): Punakha Rafting
After breakfast, hike through a forest of pines and farmlands along the bank of Pho Chu River for about 2 hours till you reach Samdhingkha (put in). Your rafting crew will be waiting here for you. Then start rafting along the Pho Chu River coming across stretches of Class II and IV rapids. Upon arriving at a beach-like stretch of sand, some distance from a Chorten, you will be served lunch on the sandy embankment. The post-lunch rafting session will continue till you reach the relatively placid section of the river below the Punakha Dzong. After tea, drive to Gangtey through the forests of oak, rhododendron, and bamboos. Overnight at hotel in Gangtey.
Day 5 (11 May, Friday): Gangtey - Gogona (15 km, 6/7 hours) Trek begins
Trek commences today. The trail winds up on a slow climb through meadows and fields and then ascends the Tselela pass (3,400m), which is also your lunch stop. Then it descends gradually for some time through forests of junipers, bamboo, magnolias and rhododendrons. After the last short climb, you reach Gogona village. The people of Gogona were originally nomads and they speak a language called Bjopkha (language of nomads). Overnight: Camp.
Day 6 (12 May, Saturday): Gogona - Khotokha (16 km, 6/7 hours)
The trail winds up gently above Gogona village, climbing into a forest of firs, oaks, spruce, rhododendron, cypress and junipers. Along and gradual climb leads to Shobjula pass (3,400m), later the path leads down to a wide valley of Khotokha, a summer place of people of Sha (Wangdiphodrang district). Overnight: Camp.
Day 7 (13 May, Sunday): Khotokha - Chazam (12 km, 5 hours) Trek ends
A short ascend leads to a pass then the path descends steeply through ever changing vegetation till the bridge in Wangdiphodrang. Your trek ends here. Your car will be waiting here for transfer to Trongsa. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.
Day 8 (14 May, Monday): Trongsa - Bumthang
In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, through lush valleys and hilly forests. After crossing a high pass, you can bike all the way to Bumthang. The road is broad and all downhill after the pass. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 9 (15 May, Tuesday): Bumthang
Day excursion to Tang Valley. Tang valley is the most remote valley in Bumthang, and this will make a nice enjoyable excursion. You'll make a stop in Tang valley for lunch and will have a chance to visit the Ugyen Chholing Palace and explore the village. On the way back to town, you will see Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche's treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It's a good place to meditate. You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. In the evening you can visit local shops. Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 10 (16 May, Wednesday): Bumthang - Punakha
Morning visit to Jambay Lhakhang, the monastery built in 7 th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Then drive to Punakha with lunch en route. Overnight at hotel in Punakha.
Day 11 (17 May, Thursday): Punakha - Thimphu
After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong, the former capital of Bhutan. After that ride on bikes for about 12 km to reach Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is situated on a beautiful hillock, called Nizergang. It houses the paintings that belong to Nyingmapa Traditions. Ride back to Punakha for lunch. After lunch drive to Thimphu. In the evening stroll freely in Thimphu town. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 12 (18 May, Friday): Tango Moanstery Hike
In the morning you can hike to Tango Monastery, which was built by the "Divine Madman" in the 15th century. It's a center of study for monks, and it affords a great view of the Thimphu Valley. After lunch, hike back to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 13 (19 May, Saturday): Thimphu - Paro
You can spend morning shopping. Then you can stroll through the weekend market to see the variety of food of the country and to mingle with the local people who have come here to sell their farm products. In the afternoon, you will drive to Paro. You will tour the National Museum, which was formerly the watchtower for the Paro Dzong. It now houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thangkas, statues, and antiques. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a typical Bhutanese dinner. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 14 (20 May, Sunday): Depart Paro
After breakfast drive to the airport for departure. Our representative will bid you farewell. |
