TRIP LENGTH:11 Days
LEVEL: Moderate
SEASONS: February to March & October to December
Day 1: Arrive Paro
On arrival at Paro airport, received by Bhutan Travellers representative and transfer to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2: Thimphu
Full day city tour visit; Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, National Library, Art School, Traditional Medicine Institute, Handicrafts Emporium and Textile and Folk heritage Museum. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu-Punakha/Tashithang
Drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3,100m), through magnificent forests of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass one can have the panoramic view of eastern Himalayan peaks. Picnic lunch at Punakha at the riverside. Enjoy the view of Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong is now used as the winter residence of monk body and administrative centre of the district. After lunch drive on to Tashithang following Mo Chhu River. Camp at Tashithang at the end of the road at altitude of 1,600m.
Day 4: Tashithang-Damji
The trek starts by the riverside, following a well-made path through semi tropical forest. This part of the area is quite wet and one has to be careful of leeches. Also for flower lovers there is abundant wild orchids here. The day’s walk is fairly gentle climbing up to Damji village. Camp at Damji at an altitude of 2,250m, walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 5: Damji – Gasa
The path continues through sub-tropical forests and villages up to Gasa Tsachu (hot spring). The Tsachu is a famous place where people from all over the country come to have bath, due to its curative powers. Hot lunch will be served close to spring. Camp below the Dzong at an altitude of 2,900m. Walking time 6/7 hours.
Day 6: A Day at Gasa Tsachu
You can either laze around in the hot spring or take a pack lunch and climb about two hours to visit Gas village and the Dzong.
Day 7: 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 hours.
Day 8: Geon Damji - Tashithang
The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu ( 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 hours.
Day 9: Tashithang –Punakha-Thimphu
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 mean ‘Male River and Female River’. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal 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 Namgyal. 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 hours. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 10: Thimphu-Paro
After breakfast drive Paro visiting Simtokha Dzong enroute. Check into hotel. After lunch visit Drukgyal Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Museum and Kichu Lhakhang. Evening stroll freely in Paro town.
Day 11: Depart
Drive to Paro Airport. Be seen off by the representative of Bhutan Travellers.
