Itinerary in Detail
Day 01:
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro. You arrive Paro by Druk Air flight which will offer you great views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Tsrim gang and Jichu Drake. The moment you step out of the plane you will see the difference. Bhutan welcomes you with cool, clean fresh air. Peace and quiet is another bonus of this serene land. Our representatives will escort you to your resort. If time allows, you can visit the National museum and Rinpung Dzong. You stay overnight at a resort in Paro.
Day 02:
Paro valley sightseeing.
This day is planned for sightseeing in Paro. You visit the old fort ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong, which offers a very scenic drive through a typical Bhutanese landscape. The dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. On a clear day you can see Mt. Jhomolhari (7314 metres, 24,000 feet), the sacred summit, reaching skyward beyond the Dzong.
Afterwards, visit the Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This unusual round building is believed to be in the shape of a conch shell. The centerpiece of this Museum is a complex, four-sided carving depicting the history of Buddhism and its propagation. One side is Sakyamuni and the great teacher Atisha, representing the Sakya School. On the next lies Geylup, a disciple of Dalai Lama. Another is Nyingma lineage, the head is Guru Padmasanva, and the final is Drukpa Kagyu with the figure of Vajra Dhara. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning "heap of jewels.") Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it is the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. You can see the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture enroute to the near by Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demons that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighboring countries.
Along with these, you will be quite attracted to the Paro's market and farm houses. Overnight stay at resort in Paro.
Day 03:
Excursion to Taktsang Monastery. You go for hike to Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra US $5 The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 to 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 has taken immediate steps to restore the monastery to its original structure. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century 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 17 century, a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated. It is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to the resort for another overnight stay.
Day 04:
Drive from Paro to Shana (2,820 m). Your trek begins this day. Your trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong, following the Paro river and passing cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous birds and brightly colored butterflies. You stay overnight at camp near Shana.
Day 05:
Trek from Shana to Soi Thangthanka (3610 m) which takes seven and half hours. The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. You pass a junction en route, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. Camping in Soi Thangthanka.
Day 06:
The trek from Soi Thangthanka to Jangothang (4,115 m) takes about five and half hours. In the morning, after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of yaks will be seen today before you arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m.) High mountains overlook the camp, and also visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress that was used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions.
Day 07:
Rest day at Jangothang.
This is a rest day. It grants you a chance to walk up to the Jhomolhari glacier or to the Tsho Phu lakes on the opposite direction. You stay overnight in camp at Jangothang.
Day 08:
Trek from Jangothang to Lingshi (4100 meters), taking about six and half hours. The trail follows the stream for half an hour, and then crosses the bridge to the right side. Climb up the ridge and enjoy stunning views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tshrim Khang mountains. Then you walk through the wide open valley sometimes coming across herds of blue sheep. The climb up to the Nyele la pass 4700 meters is not too difficult, and the view is breathtaking. After the pass, it's a gradual descent through the valley with beautiful views on all sides. Nearing the camp, you will see the Lingshi Dzong perched on top of a hill with commanding view of the valley. Camping in Lingshi.
Day 09:
Rest day at Lingshi.Camping in Lingshi.
Day 10:
Trek from Lingshi to Shodu (3750m.) This takes almost seven and half hours. Today is the most difficult day so you start early. You begin walking opposite the dzong gradually through the valley until the stiff climb to Yale la pass (at 4950 meters), 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 3750 meters. Camping at Shodu.
Day 11:
Trek from Shodu to Barshong which takes five and half hours. 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 3500 meters.
Day 12:
Trek from Barshong to Thimphu. Your trek concludes here. 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 our coach will be waiting for your return.
Day 13:
Thimphu Sightseeing. You visit the Memorial chorten built in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, a 15 century Changangkha monastery, and drive further down with good views of the Thimphu valley. Next you visit the National Library, where ancient manuscripts are preserved and visit the Painting School, where traditional art is still taught. Here artists are taught to paint Thankas (sacred Buddhist scroll.) You then go to visit the Traditional Medicine Institute, where the ancient healing arts are still practiced and Tashichhodzong, the main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Along with these, you go to Handicrafts Emporium, where one can buy Bhutanese textiles, and other arts and crafts stores. Here you can buy stunning Kiras that can be used as bed covers or wall hangings, jewelry, and much more.
Day 14:
Thimphu, day of leisure. In the evening you drive to Paro for overnight stay. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 15:
Early morning drive to Paro Airport for departure.
Services Included
* A guide
* All meals
* Lodging in standard hotels
* Ground Transportation within Bhutan
* Pack animal for trekking
* Entry fees into monuments
Services Excluded
* Flight from Kathmandu to Paro
* Personal nature expenses and unforeseen events
* Airport Tax
* Travel Insurance
* Bhutan visa fee, which is US $20 per person. Please note no foreign office abroad grants - it has to be purchased through us. We need at least 5 working days to obtain the visa for you.
Note:
1. The flight from Kathmandu to Paro leaves every Monday, Thursday and Saturday only.
2. The flight form Paro to Kathmandu leaves every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday only.
Mailing Address:
First Environmental Trekking (P.) Ltd.
Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
P.O.Box : 8056
Tel : + 977-1-4417343
+ 977-1- 4424346
Mobile: +977-9851038817
+977-9851022303
Fax : + 977-1-4423855
E-mail : firstentrek@wlink.com.np
http://www.firstetrek.com
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