Madman's Winter Cultural Trek

13 KM | 6-7 HOURS | START ELEVATION 1,780M | END ELEVATION 1,770M | MAX ELEVATION 3,016M | 436M ASCENT | 1,400M DESCENT

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for Dochula Pass, situated at 3100 meters. As mountain passes are revered as sacred, you may observe locals offering incense and hanging colourful prayer flags as offerings to the Gods. Dochula is renowned for its breathtaking sunrises, so we suggest an early start to catch the stunning view. On clear days, you’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of the Himalayan range as the sun rises over the horizon. Be sure to visit the Druk Wangyal Chorten (stupa), also known as the ‘108 Chortens,’ as well as the nearby meditation caves.

After a brief rest at the Pass, embark on a historic journey through the valley and follow a section of the ‘Divine Madman Trail.’ This path traces the footsteps of Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman, who travelled from Tibet to Bhutan in the 16th century to banish evil spirits. Along the way, you’ll encounter significant cultural sites and hear fascinating stories from his remarkable life.

Pause for a picnic lunch at Lumitsawa before continuing your descent to Thinleygang Lhakhang (temple). Upon arrival, make your way to the campsite where you will enjoy a delicious dinner made from fresh, organic, locally-sourced ingredients.

14.7 KM | 6-7 HOURS | START ELEVATION 1,770M | END ELEVATION 1,288M | MAX ELEVATION 1,821M | 196M ASCENT | 777M DESCENT

After breakfast, begin your journey towards Toeb Chandhana to continue following the path of the Divine Madman. If time allows, visit the Toeb Chandhana Lhakhang, also known as the Chandhana Lhakhang, which translates to ‘where the arrow landed.’ According to legend, when Drukpa Kuenley shot an arrow from Tibet to determine his course, it landed in Toeb Chandhana. The temple, built in the 15th century, was originally constructed to dispel the evil energy of a demoness and later served as the religious seat of Ngawang Chogyal. The two hills flanking the temple are said to resemble knees, believed to be the knees of Ngawang Chogyal himself.

Next to the temple is the house of Toeb Tshewang, where Drukpa Kuenley’s arrow is said to have struck when it landed. The legend tells that Kuenley, disguised as a beggar, courted Tshewang’s wife, sparking a jealous rage in Tshewang. In his fury, Tshewang drew a sword, but Kuenley miraculously knotted it. Realizing Kuenley’s divine power, Tshewang offered his wife as a gift to help him fulfill his prophecies. The house still contains the eleven-step wooden ladder that Kuenley’s arrow is said to have struck, and it has been preserved by Tshewang’s descendants as a monument for fifteen generations.

After your visit, bid farewell to Toeb Chandhana and begin your ascent towards Sew Drangsa. In recent years, the central monastic body has occasionally used this route to travel to its winter residence in Punakha and return to Thimphu for the summer. At Sew Drangsa, you’ll reach a clearing marked with prayer flags, where monks traditionally stop for lunch, as you will do today. From here, the trail descends towards Punakha Dzong (fortress), offering stunning views of the Punakha Valley along the way.

After checking into your hotel, enjoy a delightful dinner with your guide at a local restaurant.

12 KM | 6-7 HOURS | START ELEVATION 1,288M | END ELEVATION 2,147M | MAX ELEVATION 2,147M | 948M ASCENT | 81M DESCENT

After breakfast at your hotel, you will journey east towards Lingmukha. The trail begins by winding through lush paddy fields before ascending steeply to a chorten (stupa), marking the highest point of today’s hike. Take a moment to enjoy a picnic lunch while soaking in the breathtaking views of the valleys to the north.

Following lunch, the trail leads you to the picturesque Lingmukha valley. The final stretch of today’s hike follows a feeder road. The valley is beautifully adorned with terraced paddy fields on both ridges, often referred to as the “golden bowl” due to its vibrant and fertile landscape.

Upon arrival, you’ll visit the Lingmukha Lhakhang (temple), a sacred site built by the renowned treasure discoverer, Terton Dorjee Lingpa. According to local legend, Dorjee Lingpa arrived in Lingmukha in the 4th century, constructed the Lhakhang, and settled there with his disciples. It is said that he uncovered numerous hidden treasures (ter) in the village.

After exploring the temple, you’ll make your way to the campsite, where a delicious dinner, prepared with fresh, organic, locally-sourced ingredients, will be waiting for you.

12 KM | 6-7 HOURS | START ELEVATION 2,147M | END ELEVATION 2,950M | MAX ELEVATION 2,462M | 935M ASCENT | 1,133M DESCENT

After breakfast at camp, continue your journey east towards Samtengang. This section of the trail was historically used by the people of Lingmukha and Phangyul, two villages separated by a steep ridge but deeply connected by shared cultural roots and a belief in their close blood relations.

The trail ascends from the heart of the Lingmukha Valley, climbing steeply through dense forest until reaching a rest stop at the ridge-top. From this vantage point, enjoy sweeping views of the Shar Valleys below. If time allows, make a stop to visit the Chungse Azhe Gyalzom Lhakhang (temple), which is built on the site where a Chan-do (a small, disc-shaped stone), thrown by the Divine Madman, Lam Drukpa Kuenley, is said to have landed after being tossed from Sha Kuenzangling across the valley. Nearby, in the village of Chungseykha, you’ll savor a hot lunch.

After lunch, the trail continues, passing through small farming villages nestled on steep slopes and passing the Lhakhang Thangkha (temple) as it ascends towards Samtengang. This temple is believed to be one of the eight lings (meditation and teaching sites) of the great master Longchen Rabjam.

Upon reaching your campsite in Samtengang, enjoy a dinner prepared from fresh, organic, locally-sourced ingredients.

16 KM | 7-8 HOURS | START ELEVATION 1,989M | END ELEVATION 2,798M | MAX ELEVATION 2,798M | 800M ASCENT | 855M DESCENT

After breakfast at camp, embark on a historically rich section of the trail, once traversed by the renowned messenger Garp Lunghi Khorlo and the esteemed Chamberlain Pemi Tshewang Tashi. This stretch is also wonderfully remote, passing through no human settlements, offering you a rare opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the tranquillity of nature for the day.

As you leave Samtengang, the trail begins with a steady ascent before levelling out, and eventually descending towards the village of Razawo by the day’s end. Upon arrival at Razawo, take a moment to visit the ancient chorten (stupa), believed to have been built during the time of Buddha Kashyapa, making it one of the oldest in Bhutan.

After exploring the chorten, make your way to your campsite, where a delicious dinner made from organic, locally-sourced ingredients will await you, allowing you to reflect on the day’s journey in peaceful surroundings.

16 KM | 6-7 HOURS | START ELEVATION 1,934M | END ELEVATION 3,147M | MAX ELEVATION 3,423M | 1,489M ASCENT | 249M DESCENT

After a hearty breakfast at camp, begin your journey along the trail, which follows the river for a short while as you leave Razawo behind. The path then begins its steady ascent towards the majestic Pelela Mountain Pass. Initially, the trail winds along a farm road, but soon it opens into expansive meadows and lush forests of oak and walnut, guiding you towards the peaceful village of Rida.

Rida is home to a sacred temple, where the most revered relic is the bronze statue of Sangay Tsepadme, the Buddha of Longevity, which gazes towards the Pelela.

From the temple, the trail climbs through a captivating rhododendron forest, leading you to the Pelela Pass. Standing at 3,413 meters (11,198 feet), Pelela is one of Bhutan’s highest passes and is traditionally regarded as the boundary between western and central Bhutan. At the pass, you’ll find local artisans selling finely crafted yak-hair products, a testament to the region’s rich cultural heritage. Take time to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch here, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the landscape.  Our car will be waiting here to transfer you to Phobjikha Valley. 

After lunch, you will drive for a while along the highway and a short detour of about 5 kilometers will lead you to this expansive glacial valley, known for its sweeping meadows. Phobjikha is not only a serene and picturesque destination but also the winter home of the rare black-necked cranes that migrate from the Tibetan Plateau. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for an overnight stay, where you can unwind and reflect on the day’s adventure in this tranquil and stunning valley.