| Day
1 |
Arrive Paro - Thimphu |
| |
On arrival at Paro airport, received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. |
| Day
2 |
Thimphu |
| |
Full
day city tour of Thimphu. Visit the Memorial Chorten, Tashichhodzong,
National Library, Painting School, Traditional Medicine Institute and
Handicrafts Emporium. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu. |
| Day
3 |
Thimphu - Punakha - Tashithang |
| |
Drive
to Punakha via Dochula pass (3100m), through magnificent forests of
rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass one can have the panoramic
view of eastern Himalayan peaks and enticing view of the Lunana route.
Picnic lunch at Punakha by the riverside. Enjoy the view of Punakha
Dzong, built in 1637 during the time of Shabdrung. 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 the Mo Chu
river. Camp at Tashithang at the end of road at an altitude of 1600m. |
| 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 of wild
orchids here. They days walk is fairly gentle climbing upto Damji
village. Camp at Damji at an altitude 2250m. Walking time 5/6 hours. |
| Day 5 |
Damji - Gasa |
| |
The
path continues through sub-tropical forests and villages upto Gasa
Tshachu (hot spring). The Tshachu is a famous place where people from
all over the country come to have bath, due to its curative powers.
Here there are four pools of different temperature from mild to hot.
Hot lunch will be served close to spring. After lunch two hours stiff
climb to Gasa Dzong. Camp below the Dzong at an altitude of 2900m.
Walking time 6/7 hours. |
| Day 6 |
Gasa - Chamsa |
| |
After
breakfast, visit the Dzong which was built in 17th century, to protect
the valley against Tibetan invaders. The path starts with stiff climb
upto Bele la pass (3700m) through bamboo, rhododendron, juniper and fir
forests. Then descend for about half an hour to camp at Chamsa at an
altitude of 3650m. Walking time 6/7 hours. |
| Day 7 |
Chamsa - Laya |
| |
The
trail starts by descending to the bank of Mo Chu river. Lunch will be
served at the side of bridge, across the river. After lunch climb up
gradually to Laya crossing the army camp. Overnight camp at an altitude
of 3800m. Walking time 8/9 hours. |
| Day 8 |
Rest day at laya for acclimatization |
| |
One
can go around the villages, visiting houses and the people. Laya people
are very friendly and will happily pose for photographs. Women of Laya
wear a special dress and typical bamboo hats decorated with turquoise
and silver ornaments. Cultural evening with dances performed by local
girls. |
| Day 9 |
Laya - Rhodophu |
| |
From
Laya we descend to army camp and continue following the river till the
turn off point to Rhodophu. After lunch continue the climb through
rhododendron bushes till we reach the camp at altitude 4,350m. Walking
time 8/9 hours. |
| Day 10 |
Rhodophu - Tarina |
| |
Today
is the longest day of the trip and it is important to start early.
Start at about 5 a.m. by climbing to Tsimola (4700m). After crossing
the first pass and the little summit, one can have superb view of
Lunana, Mount. Chomolhari and Mount. Jichu Drake. The path is flat for
another four hours till climb to Kangla Karchula pass (5080m) is
started. The view from the path is breathtaking and whole range of
mountains including Masagang, Tsendgang, Teri Gang can be seen. After
the path, it is very long descent to Tarina valley. Camp at an altitude
of 3980m. Walking time 10/11 hours. |
| Day 11 |
Tarina - Woche |
| |
The
walk leads down through conifer forests following the upper reaches of
the Pho Chu. The trail then climbs over a ridge and drops to Woche at
3,800m. Walking time is 6/7 hours. |
| Day 12 |
Woche - Lhedi |
| |
The
trek starts through juniper and fir forests and further ahead through
rhododendron bushes. Climb up to Keche la pass (4,480m) where one can
have the great view of mountains. After the pass, descend to the
riverside walking through the village with stunning view of table
mountains and others. Follow up the river till Lhedi village, which is
one of the main source of Pho Chu. Camp at an altitude of 3,650m. |
| Day 13 |
Lhedi - Thanza |
| |
The
trek continues following the river, rising gradually to Choejong
village. After lunch, visit the Choejong Dzong and continue walking
towards the wide valley. Cross the bridge to reach Thanza camp at an
altitude of 4,000m. Walking time is 7/8 hours. |
| Day 14 |
Rest Day At Thanza |
| |
One can walk around or climb up the ridge for fascinating view of lakes and mountains. |
| Day 15 |
Thanza - Tsorim |
| |
The
trek start by climbing the ridge, with great view of the table mountain
and Thanza valley below. The ridge altitude is 4,500m and it rises
gradually upto 4,650m. After lunch walk upwards the left side of the
bridge enjoying the view of snow capped mountains. Further after
climbing ridges, you reach the camp site of Tsorim at altitude 5,125m.
Walking time 8/9 hours. |
| Day 16 |
Tsorim - Gangkar Puensum Base Camp |
| |
This
is the highlight of the trip and day starts with a short climb to the
Tsorim lake. Walk on the side of the lake enjoying the panoramic view
of Gophula ranges. The last climb to the Gophula pass (5230m) is very
short. After the pass descend to the base camp, walking along the ridge
and enjoying the great view of Gangkar Puensum. If interested, one can
divert to the left side to climb up the pyramid peak for a better view
or you can go down to base camp nearby Sha Chu at the altitude of
4,970m. Walking time is 6/7 hours. |
| Day 17 |
Rest Day At The Base Camp Enjoying The Great View |
| Day 18 |
Gangkar Puensum Base Camp - Geshe Woma |
| |
Its
time to leave beautiful mountains, but the trek is not yet over. The
trail further follows the Sha Chu and descends gradually to Geshe Woma
at the altitude of 4200m. Walking time is 6/7 hours. |
| Day 19 |
Geshe Woma - Warathang |
| |
The
path continues following Sha Chu for two and a half hours until the
stiff climb to Sakala begins. Visibility along the Sakala trail is poor
so one must see top of the ridge for guidance. Lunch nearby a yak
herders camp. After that climb up to Sakala pass at an altitude of
4800m. Descends to the lakes and another short ascent leads to
Wartangle pass (4590m). Scenery once again is stunning with small lakes
and the mountain peaks. Camp at the altitude of 4,000m. Walking time is
8/9 hours. |
| Day 20 |
Warthang - Dur Tshachu |
| |
A
short half hour climb leads to Juelela pass (4400m). After the pass
descend to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper and
conifer forests. After the bridge a short climb leads to Dur Tshachu
hot spring, where Guru Padmasambhava is suppose to have taken bath in
8th hot spring. Walking time is 5 hours. |
| Day 21 |
Dur Tshachu - Tshochenchen |
| |
From
the pring it is a long and steady climb again with great views of the
mountains in Lunana. You also come across blue lakes and yak herders
camp at altitude of 3850m. Walking time is 8/9 hours. |
| Day 22 |
Tshochenchen - Dur / Bumthang |
| |
This
is the last day of the trek where you change from yak to pack ponies.
The path follows the Chemkhar Chu, descending gradually with few
climbs. The trek ends when you arrive at Dur village where our
transport will pick you up and drive to the lodge in Bumthang. |
| Day 23 |
Bumthang |
| |
Bumthang
valley is center of cultural wealth. The hills around valley are filled
with monasteries dedicated to Guru Padsambhava. Also it is home to one
of the great Buddhist teachers, Pmalingpa, to whose descendants the
present dynasty trances its origin. Explore valley visiting , Jakar
Dzong, Kurje Lhakhang, Jambet Lhakhang and Tamshing Lhakhanng.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang. |
| Day 24 |
Bumthang - Tongsa |
| |
Tongsa
is the ancestral home of Bhutan's royal family. The crown Prince of
Bhutan traditionally becomes Penlop, (Governer) prior to crowned as
King. Tongsa Dzong, built in the master piece of Bhutanese architecture
which has been traditional home of all four kings of Bhutan before they
crowned as King. Standing above this fortress is, Ta Dzong which once
guarded this place from internal rebellion and provides visitor more
insight into the historical significance of Tsonga in Bhutan's history.
Overnight at the lodge in Bhutan. |
| Day 25 |
Tongsa - Paro |
| |
After breakfast drive to Paro. Evening at lesiure or visit traditional farm house. Overnight at the hotel in Paro. |
| Day 26 |
Paro |
| |
Full
day sight seeing in Paro. Visit Drukgyel Dzong, Ta Dzong (National
Museum), Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang. Overnight at the hotel in
Paro. |
| Day 27 |
Paro Departure |
