Day 01 : Arrive Paro International
Airport
During the journey to Paro, one will experience
breath taking views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga
and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the
sacred Chomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan.
On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will
be received by representatives our tour operator,
who will escort you to the hotel where arrangements
have been made for two night’s halt.
Day 02 : Paro - Sightseeing
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (a ruined fortress - 16km
away from Paro Town). Although in ruins, This Dzong
is of great historical importance. It was here that
the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans
and drove them back. From here, the peak of Chomolhari
"Mountain of the Goddess" can be seen
on a clear day (Alt. 7,329 m / 24,029 ft.). On the
way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.
After lunch, at the hotel, take a leisurely stroll
around the compound. Overnight in Hotel
Day 03 : This morning drive
along the winding road along the Paro Chu
(Chu means water or river) down stream to the confluence
with the Wang Chu then turn upstream and travel
along the Wang Chu to Thimphu, the Capital. Lunch
will be served at the Hotel. In the afternoon, visit
the Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the Late Third
King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Overnight in Hotel.
Day 04 : Thimphu - Tongsa
The journey to central Bhutan begins today. The
drive to Tongsa takes about 7 - 8 hours from Thimphu.
Packed lunch will be arranged. Lunch stop at Chendeji
Chorten. Overnight at Hotel in Tongsa.
Day 05 : Tongsa - Jaker (Bumthang)
Drive to Jaker which takes about 2 1/2 hours from
Tongsa is a pleasant drive through scenic forests
and country side. You also cross one of the highest
passes named Thrumsingla (Alt. 17,000 ft.) along
the East - West Highway on this drive. Bumthang
(the "Plain of Ghosts") is a land of mysteries
and mystics and tales of the great Guru Padmasambhava
who performed formidable feats and miracles in historical
time in this place still hold sway.
A beautiful sighting of Jaker Dzong,
"Castle of the White Bird," can be had
from View Point. Lunch will be served in Hotel.
Afternoon, a hike up to Lame Gompa, a temple built
by the First King of Bhutan for his two nun sisters.
Outside Lame Gompa one can see a workshop for traditional
Bhutanese paper-making. Overnight halt in Hotel.
Day 06 : Bumthang - Gorsum
Distance 18km, About 6-7 hours journey, Alt. : 3120m
After breakfast transport will reach the group to
the trek starting point just below Kurjey Lhakhang,
the famous holy temple. The trek route follows the
Chamkhar Chu, a river known for its wild trout.
The trail from Bumthang to Gorsum is gradual climb.
Overnight halt in camp.
Day 07 : Gorsum - Lungsum
Distance 12kms, About 5 hours journey, Altitude
of Lungsum 3160m. The trail leads through
dense forest of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper
and Maple. The trail ascends gradually till the
camp site. Overnight halt in camp.
Day 08 : Lungsum - Tsochenchen Distance
15km, About 6 - 7 hours, Altitude 3100 m.
The vegetation along the trekking route is similar
to that in places crossed the previous day. Near
the camp site the vegetation thins out and camp
is made above tree line. Halt in camp.
Day 09 : Tsochenchen - Dur
Tsachu Distance 17kms, About 7 hours journey, Altitude:
3400 m. The trek from Tsochenchen is uphill
all the way till Julila Pass is reached which is
about 4700m. From the pass, if the day is clear,
surrounding mountains can be seen. After crossing
the pass, the trail descends till the camp site.
Musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan bear
is sometimes seen along the route. Halt in camp.
Day 10 : Halt at Dur Tsachu
( Hot Spring)
After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring
or hike the surrounding areas. Overnight in camp.
Day 11 : Dur Tsachu - Tsochenchen
Distance - 17 Kms. About 7 hours journey.
The route from Dur Tsachu is uphill till the Julila
Pass followed by descent to Tsochenchen. Overnight
halt in camp.
Day 12 : Tsochenchen - Gorsum
Distance - 27 Kms. About 9 hours journey.
The trek must start early because the distance is
longer than usual. The trail leads gradually down
hill.
Day 13 : Gorsum - Bumthang
From Gorsum the trail descends gradually till the
bridge near Dur village. Here the motor road is
reached and transport will pick you up to take you
to the Bumthang Tourist Lodge.
Day 14 : Bumthang - Wangdi
The drive to Wangdi takes about 7 hours. Picnic
lunch will be arranged along the way. Halt in Wangdi
in Lodge.
Day 15 : Wangdi - Thimphu
Visit Punakha Dzong enroute. Punakha used to be
the Winter Capital of Bhutan until 1966. It is a
place of great historical significance. The mortal
remains of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is kept in
a shrine in the Dzong. Punakha is also the winter
residence of the Je Khempo (Head Abbot) and the
Central Monk body. Drive to Thimphu. Halt overnight
in Hotel.
Day 16 : Thimphu - Sightseeing
Visit Tashichho Dzong, the main Government Secretariat
building, where the government ministries, the Office
of His Majesty the King and the Throne Room , and
the offices and living quarters of the monk body
and the Chief Abbot are housed.
Wander in the town, visit shops and
the Handicrafts Emporium, where Bhutanese textiles
and other handicrafts are available. Visit the workshop
where the handicrafts are made. Visit the painting
and woodcrafts schools where traditional painting
and other arts are kept alive.
Visit the National Library and see
the ancient manuscripts preserved there.
Visit the Simtokha Dzong (6 Kms. from
Thimphu), the oldest Dzong in Bhutan built by Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyel in 1629 A..D. The Simtokha Dzong
houses the largest monastic school in the country.
Evening : Relax at
Thimphu's modern health club and beauty parlour,
"Sakten Health Club & Salon," where
sauna, steam and gymnasium facilities are available
as well as full beauty treatment, including hair
dressing, skin care (with pure herbal products)
and body massage services. For our guests, the Health
Club facilities are free and beauty services will
be at concessional rates.
Day 17 : Thimphu - Paro International
Airport
Drive to Paro International Airport