15 Nights | 16 Days
A seven-day trek which is also the finishing end of the world’s most challenging Snowman Trek, the trek to this blessed hot spring will bring forth glimpses of nature in its pristine forms. You have opportunities to catch a sight of the Musk Deer, Blue Sheep and Himalayan Black Bear.
Other attractions include glimpses of culture, art, architecture, people interaction
Day 01: Arrive at Paro Airport:
The flight will be one you will remember forever, because of the adrenaline rush you will experience at the views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jitchu Drake. The landing at Paro, considered one of the most challenging is an enthralling experience.
Our company’s representatives will receive you at the airport. Following a brief stopover in a hotel, your Bhutanese expedition will begin with visits to places of historical importance in Paro. It will be the National Museum of Bhutan, the Majestic Paro Rimpong Dzong and Kyichu temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built by King Songtsen Gyempo of Tibet in 659AD.
Day 02: The Tiger’s Lair Expedition
After an early breakfast, we drive up to the Ramthangka (base camp) of Taktsang and then hike up to the most famous monastery Taktsang, the Tiger’s Lair. We follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the holiest Buddhist Shrine in Bhutan and the ultimate point of pilgrimage. A blend of the spiritual and architectural wonder, the monastery is perched on a 1000m cliff overlooking the valley. Legend has it that the great Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet to Taktsang on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D.
On the way back, we visit Drugyel Dzong,”Castle of the Victorious Drukpa,” located 16 kilometers from Paro town. In ruins now, this Dzong was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over the invading Tibetan forces in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Day 03: Paro – Thimphu:
After an early breakfast, we drive to Thimphu and on the way visit Tachogang Lhakhang, associated with the great Bridge Builder Thangton Gyelpo (1385-1464). We then continue driving to Thimphu and check in at a hotel.
We then begin visiting some of Thimphu’s landmarks, such as the Folk Heritage Museum, National Institute for Zorig Chusum, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Buddha Point/ Kuensel Phodang – where construction of the largest Buddha statue in the country is nearing completion. We can also visit the Memorial Chorten, build in memory of the Third King and Father of Modern Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck and Changangkha lhakhang, a 12th century temple, associated with Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Thimphu – Trongsa:
After an early breakfast, we drive to Trongsa. After about 45 minutes, we reach Dochula pass (3,100m), from where we get the first spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan ranges, consisting of snow-capped mountains, with heights ranging from 6000m to 7554m. The beauty of the pass is augmented by the spectacular 108 stupas (chortens), build around a mound.
From the pass, it is a gradual descend along outgrowths of rhododendron, short bamboo and other tress to the subtropical valley of Punakha and Wangduephodrang. We continue driving to Trongsa via Pele la pass( 3,150 meters). Upon reaching Trongsa, we check in to a hotel and then visit Trongsa Dzong , built in 1648 and Ta Dzong, formerly a watch tower, which is now a museum.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Trongsa – Bumthang
After breakfast, we drive to Jakar (Bumthang) and en-route stop to visit the Yathra factory in Chummy valley. We continue driving to Bumthang and after lunch visit the Jakar Dzong, Jampal Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and stroll around the town.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Bumthang – Lung sum:
We begin the trek, which is a distance of 18 km (about 6 to 7 hours) alt. 3,160 m. After breakfast the vehicle will reach you up to the trek point just below Kurjey Lhakhang, the holy temple that Bumthang is famous for. The trek route takes you along the Chamkhar-Chhu for a short while and follows the stream flowing from Dur village. The trek trail for Bumthang to Gorsum is rather gradual through dense forest of spruce, hemlock, cypress, juniper and maples. The trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradual till you reach to your campsite. Night will be halt in camp.
Day 07 Gorsum – Lungsum
Distance – 12 km, five hours; 40m ascent; camp altitude – 3,160m
From the river the trail enters the jungles and you walk through dense forests of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maple. Towards the latter part of the trail, you will need to ascend gradually till the campsite at Lungsum.
Day 08: Lungsum – Tsochenchen
Distance – 15 km, six to seven hours; 620 m ascent; camp altitude 3,780m
Your trail follows that of the other day until the final lap, wherein the vegetation thins out considerably. The campsite is located above the tree line.
Day 09: Tsochenchen – Dur Tsachu
Distance 18 km, eight to nine hours; 1,340m ascent, 1,530m descent; camp altitude 3,590m
The hardest part of the trek, where you could be pushed to the limits, the trail from Tsochenchen till Juli La which is located 4,700m above the sea level is all up-hill. However, consolation comes in the form of the stunningly beautiful surrounding mountains you can see on a clear day. Once you reach a pass, the trail descends to a lake at 4,220m. This is followed by an ascent to Gokthong La (4,640m). Before reaching the campsite, you will have to navigate through a steep descent. You may come across musk deer, herds of blue sheep and Himalayan Black Bear along the final stretch of the route.
Day 10: Halt at Dur Tsachu.
After a late breakfast, relax in the hot spring or hike to the surrounding areas.
Day 11: Dur Tsachu – Tsochenchen
Distance 18km, eight to nine hours; 1,530m ascent, 1,340m descent; camp altitude 3,780m
We follow the route taken on day 4.
Day 12: Tsochenchen – Lungsum
Distance 15 km, five hours; 620 m descent; camp altitude 3,160m).
We follow the same route taken on day 3.
Day 13: Lungsum – Gorsum
Distance 12 km, four hours; 40m descent; camp altitude 3,120m
From here, the trail will descend gradually and take you through a dense forest of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maple.
Day 14: Gorsum – Dur Village
Distance 18km, six hours; 380m descent
The trail continues to descend gradually till the bridge near Dur village, where you reach the road head. After lunch you can rest at your hotel in Bumthang.
Day 15: Bumthang – Wangduephodrang
After breakfast, we drive to Wangduephodrang, which will take about 7 hours. Lunch will be served at Chendebji, where a beautiful stupa resembling the Boudhanath in Nepal lies. In Wangduephodrang we will visit the ruins of the dzong (Fortress), which was razed to the ground by a tragic fire in 2012. The 17th century structure played a very important role in Bhutan’s history. Night halt will be in a hotel.
Day 16: Wangduephodrang – Thimphu:
After breakfast, we will drive to Punakha, Bhutan’s old capital and still the winter residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo.) Punakha Dzong (Fortress) epitomises the grandeur of Bhutanese architecture and from far looks like a giant ship perched on a mass of still water. The Dzong is very historic and important as it houses some of the most sacred treasures of Bhutan in the form of religious relics.
En-route to Thimphu, we will visit the 15th century Chhimi Lhakhang, dedicated to the Divine Madmonk, Lam Drukpa Kuenley. The monastery is a place where the Phallus is worshipped and barren couples from around the world visit the temple to receive blessings from the Phallus. We will lunch near the monastery and then head to
Thimphu for our night halt.
Day 17: Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast, we will drive around and visit places such as the Folk Heritage Museum, National Institute for Zorig Chusum, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Nunnery and Bhutanese paper factory. After lunch, we will visit the Trashichhodzong, Bhutan’s seat of polity, which houses the Throne room, King’s office, some government ministries and the summer residence of the Chief Abbot. Later in the evening we drive to Paro and halt the night in a hotel.
Day 18: Departure from Paro
After breakfast, our representative will escort you to the Paro international airport for your journey out of the country.