Outline itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Paro (By Druk Air)
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk
Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular
beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent
views of the world's highest peaks, give way to the
lush green Paro valley as you land. Our office
representative will greet you on arrival, then drive
you the short distance to the Hotel.
Day 02 : In Paro
Your journey into the Thunder Dragon kingdom will
truly begin with a drive in the morning to the ruins
of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in
1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father
and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was
destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an
evocative reminder of the great victories it was built
to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear
day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari
(7,314 m). Our next visit is Ta Dzong, an ancient
watchtower, which now houses the National Museum.
Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center
of civil and religious authority in this valley. A
short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and
across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A
short distance further is one of the innumerable
archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of
Bhutan). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in
action. The evening ends with a walk through Paro's
main shopping district.
Day 03 : Paro - Shana -2,820 m/14 Km O/N
Camp- 5 - 6 hours.
Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following
the Paro River and we pass cultivated fields and tiny
picturesque villages. The forests are alive with
numerous birds and brightly colored butterflies.
Day 04 : Shana - Soi Thangthangka- 3610 m;
21 Km;7 - 8hrs O/N Camp.
The trail follows the river through a heavily
forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It
narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down
along the drainage. We pass a junction enroute, where
another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet.
Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Day 05 : Thangthangka - Jangothang at 4,115
M; Dis 15 Km; 5 - 6 hrs O/n Camp. In the morning after
passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the
forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful
valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak
herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts.
Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at
the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains
overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of
an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan
invasions.
Day 06 : Jangothang (Halt) O/N Camp.
A rest day. A chance to acclimatize and walk up to
the Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite
direction.
Day 07 : Jangothang - Lingshi Alt 4000m;
Dist 17 kms; Time 6 - 7 hours. O/N Camp. A good day's
walk today with spectacular views of the Jhomolhari,
Jichu Drake and the Tserim Gang. We start climbing
straight away and after some 3 to 4 hours reach the
Nyelela pass (4,700 m) . After the pass we descend to
a circular hut just below Lingshi, where we camp.
Coming down from Lingshi we obtain our first views of
the truly mystical Dzong atop a high hill.
Day 08 : Lingshi - Chebisa Alt 3,780m; Dis12
kms; Time 4 - 5 hours. O/n Camp. This is a magical
day. Leaving Lingshi behind we gently climb gently to
reach another delightful village, Gom Yu, which is set
right below a 300 m cliff. Another hours walk brings
us to a lovely little valley with a huge waterfall at
one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa, where we
camp by the side of the river. The walk is very
leisurely with plenty of reasons and opportunities to
linger.
Day 09 : Chebisa - Shomuthang, Alte 3,890 m;
Dis 17 kms/6 - 7 hrs trek.
We start with quite a stiff climb through high
pastures up the Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop
through forests of dwarf rhododendron. We climb
gradually and head down to the camp near a riverbed.
Day 10 : Shomuthang - Robluthang alt.
4,100m/ Dis 22 kms/ 7 - 8 hrs trek..
A long haul over the Jarela pass at 4,640 m where we
once again get stunning views of the Himalayan above
us. We drop steeply down a forest trail to the
Tsarigathang valley, where herds of Takin roam, then
cross a knee deep river before climbing up Robluthang
where we camp.
Day 11 : Robluthang - Lemithang Alt 4,040m;
Dis15 kms; 6 - 7 hours. O/n Camp. This is one of the
hardest days of the trek. We climb slowly up to
Shinchela pass at 4,870 m. and are rewarded with
stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular
Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. On a clear day
practically all the mountains on the northern border
are visible. Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep and
yaks abound in this area. We descend down to camp on a
lovely spot by the riverbank.
Day 12 : Lemithang - Laya Alt 3,880m; Dis 10
kms; 4 - 5 hours. O/n Camp.
We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of
the Mochu and through a forest of rhododendron and
silver fir and then enter the village of Laya. The
people of Laya are famous for they're vertical stripe
yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo
hats. The women wear their hair long and with great
deal of turquoise and jade jewelry. The features of
the people are even more Tibetan/ Mongolian than the
Bhutanese who live in the central valleys The rest of
the day is spent at leisure or visiting village houses
and mixing with the villagers. Good views of the
Masagang and the other peaks.
Day 13 : Laya - Koena Alt 3,300m; Dis19 kms;
Time 6/7 hours,O/n Camp. The trail winds along the
river valley offers breathtaking views of the crashing
river, feeder streams and waterfalls. Over night at
camp.
Day 14 : Koena - Gasa Tsachu Altitude
2,638m; Distance 15 kms; Time 6/7 hours. We gradually
climb up to Balela pass at 3,740 m and then descend to
Gasa village. The first sight of the Gasa Dzong
perched on the hillside over the village is one of the
sights of the trip. We then drop steeply down to the
river for an hour and camp near the Hot Spring - a
chance for a good, hot bath!
Day 15 : Gasa Tsachu - Goen Damji at2,280
m;Dist 21kms;7-8 hrs trek O/N camp. After the climb
away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds through rolling
hillsides with the vista of fields, villages and
forests of oak and pine. Gasa Dzong will be visible
behind you glued to the valley wall, seeming afloat in
space. Overnight in camp.
Day 16 : Goen Damji - Punakha (End Trek) O/n
Hotel.
The trail descends from the high agricultural
benches above the Mochu into a lush semi-tropical
gorge filled with banana trees, creepers and the sight
of an occasional monkey. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 17 Punakha - Thimphu,O/n Hotel.
In the morning visit the Punakha Dzong, the ancient
capital of Bhutan built in 1637. In the winter the Je
Khenpo, Head Abbot of Bhutan, moves to Punakha with
about 1000 monks This Dzong is open to visitors only
in summer when the monk body is in Thimphu. A 3-hour
drive takes us to the capital, Thimphu.
Day 18 Thimphu - Paro O/n Hotel.
After breakfast we visit at the Dupthop Lhakhang,
one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan, and the
National Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and then. After lunch we
stop at the Handicrafts Emporium following which we
leave for Paro.
Day 19 Paro - Airport
In the morning our NEPAL TRAVELS GROUP
representative will bid you farewell at Paro airport.
Good-bye and happy journey back home.
Tour Cost & Inquiry:
askinfo@enet.com.np
info@nepaltravels.com
Individual Prices:
High Season: US$ 190.00 PP, Low Season: US$
180.00 PP
Price Feature:
Not included in the package tariff are :
Flight ticket costs, visa fees (US$ 20), airport tax
(US$ 10), drinks, personal expenses and laundry and
emergency evacuation.
General Information, Price,
Departure Dates and Make reservation
Thing to bring
Personal Clothing : Practical and
comfortable clothes are appropriate (according to
season). Preferably cotton for summer. Woolen clothing
for the evenings and winter
For Trekking : Warm sleeping bag, strong
comfortable trekking boots, several pairs of socks and
vests, warm clothing (especially a down jacket for
higher altitudes) for the evenings, rain coat or
umbrella, torch (flashlight), water flask, a hat or
head scarf, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, disinfectant
tablets for water, insect repellent, antibiotic
ointment and antihistamine cream for insect bites
(summer).
Climate : Days are normally warm. Nights can
at times be (general) very cool and in winter even
below the freezing point. Monsoon showers in summer
(heaviest in July, August) and sometimes even in
spring and Autumn
