Tour Category: bhutan

PUNAKHA WINTER TREK

Duration: Four days

Max. Elevation: 3,400m
Highest Camp: 3,360m
Standard: Easy
Best Seasons: September to May
Start: Dechencholing (Thimphu)
Finish: Zomlingthang (Punakha)

 

Summary:
Experience the journey taken by people in the past, as they traversed from Thimphu to Punakha. See rural Bhutan and marvel at its glory, augmented by the scenic landscape, flora and fauna.

 

Day 1: Dechencholing – Chamina (four to five hours, ascent 860m, camp altitude 3,360m).

Highlights: Thimphu chhu (river), Pangrizampa, rural life.

After a short drive from Thimphu to Pangrizampa, along the banks of the Wangchu river, you will start the trek. It is a leisurely hike traversing through some traditional and beautiful villages. You will reach Shong Pang and then Chamina village, your camp for the night.

 

Day 2: Chamina – Dopshing Pang (seven to eight hours).

Highlights: Sinchula Pass (3,400m), views of Phajoding monastery, Thinleygang village, Talo monastery, flora and fauna

A fairly harder trek, today you will need to make a gradual ascend until Sinchula (Pass, 3,400m). On a clear day, you can Phajoding monastery, located just above Thimphu from here. After about another two kilometers walk, you reach another pass, from where Thinleygang village, Talo Monastery and the motor highway towards the ancient capital of Bhutan, Punakha, is visible. Once you cross the pass, the trek is a gradual descend, until the campsite at Dopshing Pang.

 

Day 3: Dopshing Pang – Chorten Ningpo (eight hours, camp altitude 2,700m).

Highlights: Flora, fauna and Chorten Ningpo

It is an easy trek that will take you through thick forests, villages and rice fields. Chorten Ningpo is linked to Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as the “divine madman”. You will be camping right in-front of the temple.

 

Day 4: Chorten Ningpo – Zomlingthang (two to three hours).

Highlights: Rural Bhutan, people, flora and fauna

Today too, you will be trekking through several villages until you reach a motor road. It takes about two to three hours. From the road, you walk till Punakha following it.

 

Glimpse of Bhutan- 5 nights 6 days

Day 01: Arrival – Thimpu (LUNCH/DINNER)
Arrive Paro, meet by local guide. Then drive to Thimpu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. In Thimpu visit
Trashichhodzong/ Thimpu Dzong. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 02: Thimpu (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
Visit The Changangkha Lhakhang temple is an early medieval Buddhist temple in the capital city Thimpu. Visit Buddha Point,
Takin Mini Zoo and Post office for Stamp, the Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory.
Day 03: Thimpu to Punakha (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
Drive towards Punakha via Dochula Pass. We will stop over for tea at Dochula (3,100 m), visit the ChimiLhakang a Buddhist
monastery located in the Punakha and Punakha Dzong
Day 04: Punakha to Paro (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
After early morning breakfast we will be driven towards Paro. Continue with tour of Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong).
Day 05: Paro (BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER)
Early breakfast in the Hotel. Morning hike to Taktshang Monastery perched giddily on a rocky ledge, with a waterfall
cascading as if from the blue. Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Visit to Kyichu temple which dates back to the 7 th century.
Visit a Bhutanese farm house to see how a Bhutanese farmer lives. At the hotel typical Bhutanese cultural show will be
shown. Overnight in Hotel
Day 06: Paro to Onwards (BREAKFAST)
In the morning after early breakfast we will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.

Bhutan Highlights- 5 days 4 nights Bhutan

Day 1 ARRIVAL IN PARO- THIMPU (LUNCH, DINNER)

Arrive Paro, meet by local guide. Then drive to Thimpu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. In Thimpu
visit Trashichhodzong/ Thimpu Dzong. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2 THIMPU-PUNAKHA (BREAKFST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Morning sightseeing of Thimpu valley includes visit to National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point, Takin
mini Zoo, Post office for stamp. Then drive to Punakha. On the way, stop at Do Chula Pass (Alt. 3050m.)
Visit Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang in Lobesa, a temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley.

Day 3 PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING-PARO (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

After breakfast drive back to Paro for another 3 hours. Tour of Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong). Check in at
your Hotel.

Day 4 PARO (BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER)

Early breakfast in the Hotel. Morning hike to Taktshang Monastery perched giddily on a rocky ledge, with
a waterfall cascading as if from the blue. Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Visit to Kyichu temple which
dates back to the 7 th century. Visit a Bhutanese farm house to see how a Bhutanese farmer lives. At the
hotel typical Bhutanese cultural show will be shown. Overnight in Hotel

Day 5 PARO- DEPARTURE (BREAKFAST)

After breakfast transfer to the airport for flight back home.

Jomolhari trek

Duration: Nine days

Max. Elevation: 4,930m
Highest Camp: 4,080m
Standard: Medium
Best Seasons: March to June & September to November
Start: Gunitsawa village (Paro)
Finish: Dodena (Thimphu)

 

Summary

Experience the excitement of trekking to heights with altitude differences of 2,500m up-to 5,000m along breathtaking views of landscapes, fauna and flora.

Be one of the very few to get a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari (Mountain Goddess) from Jomolhari basecamp (Jangothang).

 

Day 1: Gunitsawa village- Sharna Zampa

Highlights: Flora, fauna, landscape

This trek begins at Gunitsawa Village where you pass the army post. At the army check-point your trek permit (provided by your tour operator) will be checked and endorsed. The campsite is on the opposite side of the river, not far from Gunitsawa.

 

Day 2: Sharna Zampa – Thangthangkha

Highlights: Flora, fauna, landscape

On this long day, the trail continues with several ascends and descends. After an uphill trek through the river valley, the trail narrows gradually to a mere path and then descends to a meadow. This will be your camp for the night.

 

Day 3: Thangthangkha – Jangothang

Highlights: Flora, fauna, landscape, view of Mt Jomolhari

If you did not see Mt. Jomolhari the previous evening, you will still have a chance to get a great view early this morning. This morning the trek continues up the Paro Chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scenic beauty.

 

Day 4: Jangothang halt

Highlights: Flora, fauna, landscape, views of lakes and snow capped mountains. You could spot blue sheep

The rest day in Jangothang provides plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views of lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization.

 

Day 5: Jangothang – Lingshi

Highlights: Flora, fauna, landscape, lake

The trail leads to a last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu. Passing the lake of Tshophu (4,380m) you will climb up steeply to Bhonte La pass at 4,890 m, the highest point of this trek route.

 

Day 6: Lingshi-Shodu

Highlights: Flora, fauna, landscape, views of Majrstic mountains

The trail climbs up to the Yelila pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, on a clear day you will get an excellent view of Jomolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang.

 

 

Day 7: Shodu – Barshong

Highlights: Flora (Rhododendron), fauna, landscape, waterfalls

The trail follows the Thimphu Chhu through rhododendron forests, past beautiful waterfalls along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong.

 

Day 8: Barshong- Dolam Kencho

Highlights: Flora (rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos), fauna, landscape, Barshong Dzong

The trail descends down to the Thimphu Chhu river valley, through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos and then ascends to pasture lands. The camp is in a meadow.

 

Day 9: Dolam Kencho – Dodena

Highlights: Flora, fauna and landscape

The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. In Dodena, you will exit the Jigme Dorji National Park and drive to Thimphu.

Overnight at the hotel.

 

Bhutan trekking itinerary

Trek 1:

Duration:  7 days
Start:  Chaling
End:  Phongmey
Difficulty rating:  Moderate
Maximum elevation:  3480m

Season:  Mid March – May, September – October

 

Summary

Explore one of Bhutan’s latest trekking routes opened to tourists in eastern Bhutan and visit the nomadic villages of Merak and Sakteng, bordering Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh, India. Trek through the beautiful valleys and interact with the people of the two villages, who still lead a life belonging to the past.

In your travel from western Bhutan to the east, see Bhutan’s diverse ethnic groups, flora, fauna, art and architecture.

 

Day 1: Trashigang-Chaling-Donmang Chu 

19KM / 6-7 HOURS / 2000M ASCENT 230M DESCENT

Highlights: Towns of eastern Bhutan, people, culture, flora and fauna

On the first day, you will take a scenic drive through Rangjung town and Radhi village from Trashigang for about ninety minutes to Chaling. Your trekking crew and pack animals will join you at Chaling.

At the onset, the trek is a gradual climb towards Shaktimi meadow. Along the trail, you will see huts of yak herders dotted along the hill side and yaks and sheep grazing. As you ascent further, you will reach Mendula Pass, at an elevation of 3354m. After you cross this pass, the trek for the rest of the day is a gradual descend through forest filled with rhododendron trees till Donmong Chu, your camp for the night at 3124m.

Day 2: Donmong Chu-Merak 
14KM / 4-5 HOURS / 396M ASCENT

Highlights: Gangu village, Merak, people, culture, landscape, flora and fauna.

Your destination is Merak, and the trail follows the river. Apart from the final leg of the trek, it is a fairly easy hike along flat landmass. Right after you ascend, you will reach Gangu village. In another 45 minutes you reach Merak, located at an altitude of 3520m. From your campsite located before the village, you can have a spectacular view of the nearby mountains and village. You have sufficient time to visit the village and interact with the people.

Day 3: Merak-Miksateng 
16KM / 5-6 HOURS / 633M ASCENT 1074M DESCENT

Highlights: Nachungla Pass (4153m), Flora (Rhododendron, Juniper), landscape.

In what is the toughest day of the trek, you will need to ascend until you cross the Nachungla pass, the highest of the trek at 4153m. The trek begins with a gradual uphill climb as you move from Merak, until the first pass at 3900m. A spectacular view of the entire Merak valley can be seen from here. It is also the pass from where you see Merak for the last time. Having crossed the pass, you will be trekking through outgrowths of juniper and rhododendron forests, finally reaching Nachungla pass. You will then descend to Miksateng at 3079m, your camp for the night.

Day 4: Miksateng-Sakteng 
14KM / 4-5 HOURS / 80M ASCENT 310M DESCENT

Highlights: Flora, fauna, Sakteng village. You may spot some red pandas.

The trek starts with a gradual descend till a river. You cross the river and follow its banks for a few hours, before gradually climbing to a hill adorned by a small Chorten (Stupa) overlooking Sakteng valley. From this ridge, you will be descending and camp on the outskirts of Sakteng village, at an elevation of 2950m. You may spot red pandas along the trek, if you are lucky.

Day 5: Discovering Sakteng

Highlights: Sakteng village, people, culture, flora, fauna, landscape

It is a priceless day for you as you avail the opportunity to visit Sakteng village, interact with the people and get to know the lifestyle and unique culture of this ethnic group. The people are a friendly lot and would willingly pose for photographs.

Day 6: Sakten-Joenkhar Teng
17KM / 6-7 HOURS / 75M ASCENT 130M DESCENT

Highlights: People, culture, flora and fauna

It is a slightly longer journey today and thus, you will be leaving the camp early. You climb up to a small hill at the western end of the village and then descend to the river, after which you will be walking alongside the river through forests filled with broad leaf trees. We will arrive at our camp for the night at Joenkhar Teng village (1733m), situated on a hillside. The village comprises of people belonging to the Brokpa tribe as well as people of eastern Bhutan (Sharchopas).  It also has a community school and an outreach clinic.

Day 7: Joenkhar Teng-Phongmey-Trashigang 

12KM / 5-6 HOURS / 350M ASCENT 950M DESCENT

Highlights: Phogmay village, Rangjung Monastery and town, people, culture.

The last day of the trek begins with a short climb through Joenkhar Teng. You will need to cross few suspension bridges and take short up-hill walks, until you reach Phogmay. Your vehicle will be waiting there and you will be driven to Trashigang. On the way, you will visit the Rangjung Monastery, founded by His Eminence Garab Rinpoche.

After reaching Trashigang, you can take a stroll along the town. The night halt will be at a hotel in Trashigang.