DAY 01 ARRIVE PARO
Arrive Paro by Druk air BAe 146-100 series, the only national carrier of Bhutan. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by our Bhutanese representative and transfer to hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at resort. LD.
DAY 02 HIKE TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY
Day hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra US $ 5/- or so.
The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery which clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley was devastated by fire in 1998 but the Royal Government of Bhutan has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7thcentury on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17th century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated, and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. BLD.
DAY 03 DRIVES TO DRUGYEL DZONG AND TREK TO SHANA CAMP. 5/6 hours
Drive to Drugyel Dzong where the trek begins. The path goes upstream of the Pachu River through villages gradually ascending to 2800m at Shana camp. BLD.
DAY 04 TREKS FROM SHANA TO SOI THANTHANGKHA. 7/8 hours
Shana to Soi Thangthangkha. The trail again follows the Pachu River ascending through pine, oak and spruce mixed forest. Lunch will be served near a wooden bridge. The camp is at an altitude of 3800m near a stone shelter. BLD.
DAY 05 TREKS FROM SOI TO JANGOTHANG. 4/5 hours
Soi to Jangothang. Climb slowly for a while till you reach an army camp. Then follow the river above tree line with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside a Yak herder’s camp. An easy walk will reach you to Jangothang at an altitude of 4050m. The view of Chomolhari (7320m.) and Jichu Drake (6900m.) is superb. Both the mountains are still virgin peaks. BLD
DAY 06 A REST DAY AT JANGOTHANG
Halt at Jangothang. Explore the surrounding areas like Tshophu Lake, visit Yakherders or simply relax. BLD.
DAY 07 TREKS FROM JANGOTHANG TO LINGSHI. 6/7 hours
Jangothang to Lingshi. The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Climb up the ridge and enjoy stunning views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshrim Khang mountains, and than walking through the an wide open valley sometimes coming across herds of blue sheep. The climb up to the Nyele la pass 4700m is not too difficult and the view is breathtaking. After the pass it’s a gradual descend and through the valley with beautiful views on all side. Nearing the camp you will see the Lingshi Dzong perched on top of a hill with commanding view of the valley. Arrive camp at 4100m near a stone shelter. BLD
DAY 08 TREKS FROM LINGSHI TO SHODU. 7/8 hours
Lingshi to Shodu. Today is the most difficult day so need to start early. Begin walk opposite side of the Dzong gradually through the valley until the stiff climb to Yale la pass at 4950m the highest point of the trip. The panoramic view of Mt.Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshrim Gang is breathtaking. After the pass it’s a long descent to the camp at 3750m. BLD.
DAY 09 TREKS FROM SHODU TO BARSHONG. 5/6 hours
Shodu to Barshong. The path follows the Thimchu River descending through rhododendron, Juniper and pine forests. The view of the cliff facing rocks and water falls are stunning. The trail gradually ascends after 3/4 hours to the ruins of Barshong Dzong reaching the camp at 3500m.BLD.
DAY 10 TREKS FROM BARSHONG TO DODINA AND DRIVE TO THIMPHU
Barshong to Dodina. The path descends for a while joining the Thimchu river and gradually ascending and descending through thick bamboo and pine forests. From Dolemkencho the trail descends all the way to Dodina where the transport will be waiting for return trip. Walk 7/8 hours. Drive 1 and half hour to Thimphu (capital city of Bhutan). Overnight at Hotel. BLD
DAY 11 SIGHTSEEING IN THIMPHU AND DRIVE TO PARO
Morning stroll around the market and drive 2 hours to Paro. Sightseeing around Paro during the afternoon. Overnight at resort. BLD.
DAY 12 TRANSFER TO AIRPORT FOR DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for final departure. |
This trek gives you with great variety of Bhutanese landscapes and is without doubt one of the most beautiful and unspoiled trekking areas in the entire Himalayas. The trek begins at Drugyal Dzong passing through beautiful villages, scattered hamlets and farmland. Vegetations are different, from richly forested valley to high alpine pastureland where the Yak herders graze their animals. Trout fishing in the sky blue lake with magnificent view of three majestic peaks, other activities also can be done on a rest of day. You might also encounter rare species like the blue sheep & snow leopard.
