DAY 01 ARRIVE PARO & DRIVE TO THIMPHU
Your flight from Bangkok will depart at 5:50 AM and arrive Paro airport at 9:00 AM. From a window seat on clear days you can experience a spectacular view of Bhutan’s snow capped peaks as you approach Paro. On arrival you will be received by our representative, and then drive to Thimphu the capital city (2500 meter / 8200 ft), which will take you about two hours. Check in to Hotel and lunch will be served here. After lunch we will have sightseeing around the valley which will include visit to the memorial Chorten, Drupthob Lhakhang (Nunnery) and other places of interest as per the time available.
DAY 02 THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING
Today after breakfast at the Pedling hotel we will start our day by visiting the institute of Traditional medicine, here we will observe the youngsters learning the skill of traditional healing and treatment. Continuing our visit at the institute we will observe the Traditional doctors diagnosing and prescribing medicines to the patients and the museum on herbal medicine, we will have a herbal expert to explain you on various use of the medicines and how it is collected etc. Next we will drive little further down and visit the Art and craft School, popularly known as the painting school, in this institute the students are taught on traditional painting, sculpture, tailoring, and wood carving. We will continue our drive south to visit the Museum of Folk heritage where you will be able to learn how a Bhutanese in the nineteenth century have lived their life. If time permits we will visit other places of interest. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 THIMPHU – PARO
After breakfast we will start our drive to Paro the drive will take about two hours, we will drive straight to the the starting point of excursion to Taktsang Monastery.
The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop at the cafeteria for a rest and refreshments and continue our hike for short while until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the remains of Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. The history states that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, had taken the wrathful form of Guru Dorje Droloe to subdue the evil and demon that were obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas. Return to Hotel for preparation of your trek. Overnight at hotel. After the hike we will do some sightseeing if time permits. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 04 DRUKGYAL DZONG - SHANA ZAMPA, 17KMS, 5-6 HOURS.
After breakfast we will drive to Drukgyal Dzong (2,580m / 8,591 ft) 16 Kms from Paro town built in 1647 by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyal, 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, village and on a clear day experience the spectacular view of Mt. Chomolhari (7,314 m / 23990ft).
The trek starts from here with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. After descending about 100 m, you reach the river where a primitive stone bath has been carved into the bank. Look back and see how well positioned the Dzong was to keep watch over this valley. Continue your trek upriver through a narrow agricultural valley. Your overnight camp will be at Shana Zampa, Alt 2,870 m /9,557 ft, Overnight at camp.
DAY 05 SHANA ZAMPA - THANGTHANGKHA, 22 KMS, 6-7 HOURS.
The trail continues its gradual climb alongside the Paro Chhu through conifers and rhododendron. In places it is quite close to the river; if the water is high you might have to climb over a few small hills to get around places where the water has flowed onto the trail. About 15 minutes beyond Shana Zampa are the remnants of an old bridge with a house and a Chorten on the other side. At this point the route enters Jigme Dorji National Park.
The trail makes continuous, but gentle, climb on a rocky trail through Oaks, rhododendron and ferns, crossing several small streams. Your camp for tonight will be at Thangthangkha, elevation 3,630 m /12,088 ft. There is a small stone shelter and a Bhutanese style house in a cedar grove at the edge of the meadow.
DAY 06 THANGTHANGKHA - JANGOTHANG, 19 KMS, 5-6 HOURS
This is not a long day, but there is 450 m /1,498 ft elevation gain, and you will be comfortably worn out when you reach camp. Chomolhari was probably covered with clouds when you arrived last night. Be sure to get up early for a view. Your camp will be at Jangothang, Chomolhari base camp, alt. 4,090 m /13,415 ft.
DAY 07 A DAY HALT & EXPLORATION IN JANGOTHANG.
Trek up to Tsophu Lake for trout fishing or there is stupendous day-hike in three directions-Chomolhari and its subsidiary is directly west, Jichu Drake to the north, un-climbed summits and ridges to the east.
DAY 08 JANGOTHANG - DHUMZO 16 Kms about 5-6 hours
The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu, crossing it on a wooden bridge. Switchback up the side of the hill to a large cirque and the lake of Tshophu (4380m / 14,367ft). Stay on the easterb side of the lake, passing a second lake as the trail gets steeper climbing to Bhonte La (4890m /16,040 ft). From the pass the route winds down a ridge with alot of crisscrossing yak trails. It finally switchbacks down to a stream. Trek downstream to a bridge, cross to the south side of the stream and continue a short distance to your camp at 3800m / 12464 ft.
DAY 09 DHUMZO - THOMBU SHONG 11 Kms 4-5 hours
The trail climbs 100m over a ridge, then drops to another stream. Crossing that stream, the trail heads up the hillside, dropping into a small side valley before emerging onto a ridge. Here the route turns south, ascending past a few huts to Thombu La (4520m / 14,826ft). A steep descent leads to Thombu Shong (4180m / 13,710ft). Cross the river and go upstream to camp at the same place as trek day 1.
DAY 10 THOMBU SHONG - SHANA
Climb out of the valley to a crest at 4360m / 14300 feet, then make a steep descent along the ridge, finally reaching the helipad at Gunitsawa (2730 m / 8955 feet. Cross the river and go upstream to camp at the same place as trek Day 1.
DAY 11 SHANA - PARO 17 Kms 5-6 hours
Follow Trek day 1 in reverse to Drukgyal Dzong and drive to Thimphu, capital city at 2500 m / 8200feet. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 12 DEPART PARO BHUTAN
After breakfast transfer to airport for your flight to onward destination. |
This
trip allows the travelers to enjoy the daily lives of friendly
Bhutanese people by visiting villages, temples, monasteries,
and gigantic fortresses. It gives you a chance to meet people,
enjoy the pristine forest with rare glimpse of wildlife and observe
the ancient old traditions of arts and crafts. We would be traveling
through the less frequented areas of Bhutan. Our journey starts
from Paro Valley where our flight from Bangkok will land and
continue by road through the lush valley of Thimphu the Capital
city. After touring through this tiny no traffic light
Capital city we will return to Paro and take an excursion to
the famous Tiger’s Nest locally known as Taktshang Gompa,
this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock
cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. And finally
we start our 8 days trek to the Base camp of Mount. Chomolhari.
A medium duration trek that is probably the most trekked route
in Bhutan due to its easy access, beautiful terrain and spectacular
views of the majestic snowcapped mountains. Locally known as
Chomolhari (The Mountain of Goddess Chomo), believed to be the
abode of Chomo goddess is one of the most beautiful and imposing
mountains in the entire Himalayan region. Located at the
northwestern border with Tibet, the trek to the base camp of
this dome shaped mountain provides an opportunity to experience
the panoramic views of some of the world's highest peaks. 
