DAY 01: ARRIVE AT PARO - HALT :
The flight into Bhutan is a breathtaking one with views of Mt. Everest.
Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including sacred Jomolhari and
Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro Airport you will be
received by our representative. Check in at Hotel. After lunch you will
be taken for a visit to Ta-Dzong Museum. Overnight at Hotel Olathang.
DAY
02 : PARO - SIGHTSEEING :
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chu to the ruins of Drugyel
Dzong, now a burned shell was once strategic in Bhutan defence against
Tibetan invasion. On a clear day you can view the sacred summit of Mt.
Chomolhari which reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. On the way back visit
a typical Bhutanese farm houses. Overnight at Hotel Olathang.
DAY 03 : PARO - THIMPHU :
This morning follow the winding road beside the Pa Chu (chu means water
or river) downstream to it's confluence with the Wangchu then up valley
to Thimpu the capital. Lunch at hotel Taktsang. Afternoon visit the
Memorial Chorten (stupa), here the faithful circumambulate the shrine
dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, telling their prayer
beads as they walk. Overnight at Hotel Taktsang.
DAY 04 : THIMPHU - TONGSA :
The journey to Central Bhutan begins today. The drive to Tongsa takes
approximately 7 to 8 hrs. Packed lunch will be provided. Lunch stop at
Chendebji Chorten. Overnight at Tongsa Tourist lodge.
DAY 05 : TONGSA - BUMTHANG :
Drive to Jakar takes approx. 2 1/2 hrs. Tales of the great teacher Guru
PadmaSambhava dominates this holy valley. From the view point you can
see Jakar Dzong "Castle of the White Bird". Lunch at Tourist
lodge. Afternoon hike up to Lame Gompa, a place built by the 1st king
for his two nun sisters, outside of Lame Gompa one can see old style of
Bhutanese paper making. Overnight at Bumthang tourist lodge.
DAY 06 : BUMTHANG - GORSUM :
Distance - 18kms about 6/7 hrs. Alt. 3120m. After breakfast the
transport will reach you upto the trek point below Kurjey Lhakhang, the
holy temple that Bumthang is famous for. The trek route takes you along
the Chamkhar chu, a river known for it's richness in trout. The trek
trail for Bumthang to Gorsum is rather gradual. Overnight at camp.
DAY 07 : GROSUM - LUNGSUM :
Distance 12kms about 5hrs. Alt 3460m. Today you will be walking through
dense forests of spruce, hammock, cypress, juniper & maples. The
trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradually till you reach your
campsite. Overnight at camp.
DAY 08 : LUNGSUM - TSOCHENCHEN :
Distance 15kms about 6/7 hrs. Alt. 3900m. The vegetation from Lungsum
to Tsochenchen is more or less the same till you reach the campsite. The
camp will be above tree line. Overnight at camp.
DAY 09 : TSOCHENCHEN - DUR TSHACHU :
Distance 17kms about 7hrs. Alt. 3400m. The trek from Tsochenchen is
uphill till you reach the pass called Julila which is about 4700m. From
here if the weather is clear surrounding mountains can be viewed. After
crossing the pass the trek trail descends till you reach the campsite.
Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan bear seen enroute.
Overnight at camp.
DAY 10 : DUR TSHACHU - HALT (TSHACHU MEANS HOT SPRING) :
After a late breakfast relax in the hot spring or hike in and around
the camp. Overnight at camp.
DAY 11 : DUR TSHACHU - TSOCHENCHEN :
Distance 17kms about 7hrs. Alt. 3100m. The trek is all the way earlier
as the trek is quite long. The trek trail is all the way gradual down
for about 7hrs along the Dur Chu. Then ascends for about 2hrs till you
reach camp. Overnight at camp.
DAY 12: TSOCHENCHEN - GORSUM :
Dist. 27kms about 9 hrs. Alt. 3120m. Today we start a little earlier as
the trek is quite long. The trek trail is all the way gradual down for
about 7hrs along the Dur Chu. Then ascends for about 2hrs till you reach
camp. Overnight at camp.
DAY 13: GORSUM - BUMTHANG :
From Gorsum descend downhill till you cross a bridge near Dur village.
Then follow the new motor road till you meet your transport. Drive to
Bumthang tourist lodge. After lunch at leisure.
DAY
14 : BUMTHANG - WANGDI :
Drive to Wangdi takes about 7hrs. Picnic lunch will be provided. Lunch
stop on the way. Overnight at Wangdi tourist lodge.
DAY 15 : WANGDI - THIMPHU :
Drive to Punakha Dzong which was the Nation's capital until 1966. Visit
the Punakha Dzong when the monks are in Thimphu. The remains of
Shabdrung, the saint who unified Bhutan in the 17th century are interred
here. It is also the winter residence of the Je Khenpo, head abbott of
the country, and the monk body from Thimphu. Then drive to Thimphu over
Dochula pass. Overnight at Hotel Taktsang.
DAY 16: THIMPHU - SIGHTSEEING :
A full day of sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Wander in town,
visit shops and the handicrafts emporium. Afternoon drive north up the
valley to Dechenchholing (residence of the Queen Mother) to get a
wonderful down valley view of Thimphu and Tashichhodzong. Overnight at
Hotel Taktsang.
DAY 17 : PARO /EXIT :
Drive to Paro Airport for onward flight