Visit Bhutan with its unique cultural heritage, a place where only a lucky few get to explore
its incredible trekking routes. Our journey gives us an insight into Bhutanese life by visiting
attractive towns with their splendid dzongs (monasteries/forts) and easy trekking along a
classic Himalayan route. The four day trek follows the ancient high level route between Paro
and Thimpu. We trek through splendid rhododendron forests, crossing several passes including
the Phume La. En route we pass yak herders settlements and camp beside clear blue mountain
lakes with splendid views of the peaks which border Tibet including Gangar Punsum and Jichudrake.
In Paro we visit to Takstang Monastery and in Thimpu we visit the impressive Tashichodzong.
The spring and autumn departures visit the Paro or Thimpu festivals respectively

Day 1     Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel. The evening is free to relax.

Day 2    We fly to Paro today. If the weather is clear, we should get a fantastic
              view of much of the eastern half of the Himalaya, including Everest, Kanchenjunga
              and Chomolhari (Jhomolhari). After completing visa formalities in Paro, we transfer
              to our hotel. The Paro valley is considered to be one of the most beautiful in
              Bhutan. Its blue pine-covered hills and attractive, solidly built farmhouses among
              the paddy fields are dominated by the massive dzong, or fort. This afternoon we
              aim to visit the Paro Dzong and the National Museum above it. Paro Dzong is one
              of Bhutan's most impressive, and the finest example of Bhutanese architecture you
              will see. The inward sloping walls form a massive structure that towers over the
              town. Built in the 17th century it was one of Bhutan's strongest and most important
              fortresses and it was used on several occasions to defend the Paro Valley from
              invasions by Tibet. Formally the meeting hall for the National Assembly, the dzong
              now houses a monastic school and district government offices. Scenes from the 1995
              film 'Little Buddha' were filmed in the dzong. West of the dzong a traditional wooden
              covered bridge called Nyamal Zam, a reconstruction of the original bridge, which was
              washed away in a flood in 1969. The most famous pictures of Paro Dzong are taken
              from the west bank of the river, just downstream from the bridge. At the top of
              the hill above the dzong is the old watchtower known locally as Ta Dzong. Originally
              built in 1656, it was renovated in 1968 by King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to house the
              National Museum. This round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell
              and there is a specific route to follow throughout the entire building, which ensures
              that you walk clockwise around important images. Inside the museum there is a spectacular
              collection of thangkas, an extensive philatelic collection, a temple, which depicts
              the history of Buddhism, ancient bronze and stone objects and displays of weapons
              captured during the Tibetan invasions. (Please note that if there are flight delays
              we have time tomorrow to visit the dzong and museum).

Day 3    Today we will have the chance to hike to the Takstang Monastery. The Takstang, or
              'Tigers Nest' Monastery, is perched on the ledge of a cliff high above the Paro Valley.
              Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, it has now been completely restored to its former
              magnificence. We hike to a viewpoint where there is a small cafe for the classic views
              of the monastic buildings which cling almost impossibly to the cliff wall opposite.
              For the energetic there is the chance to walk even higher to the actual monastery.

Day 4    We spend all of today at the spectacular Paro festival. This is the most famous
              festival in Bhutan and thousands of people gather to see the monks dressed in
              colourful brocade, silk costumes and wearing painted masks re-enact the story
              of the gompa's particular divinity though music and dance. For several days
              there are masked dances, prayer meetings and a general carnival atmosphere
              prevails as many villagers arrive to meet old friends.

Day 5   Today we start our trek. After breakfast we have a short drive to the road
              head at the ancient Ta Dzong watchtower (2510m). The first day's trekking is
              quite hard as we gain quite a lot of height and it's all the way uphill. From
              Ta Dzong it is a gentle one hour climb to a fork in the trail. The trail then
              climbs steeply up to our camp just below Jele Dzong (3450m). If the weather is
              clear we can the whole of the Paro Valley below and in the distance is Chomolhari.
              4 to 5 hours walking.

Day 6    After breakfast we have time to explore the Jele Dzong and we may be lucky to be
              allowed inside. Our days walk begins with a climb through thick rhododendron forest
              to the Jele La (3490m) and onto a saddle at 3590m. We may even see yak herders here
              and there are great views of Chomolhari. Look out for the colourful Monal Pheasants
              which inhabit the forests. Our camp tonight is the yak herders' camp called Jangchu
              Lakha. Approx 5 to 6 hours walking.

Day 7    After breakfast we descend for a couple of hours to the Jimilang Tsho stream - look
              out for blood pheasants. Crossing the stream the trail zig zags to Janye Tsho from
              where we start to climb again all the way to our camp at Janya Tsho (3780m). There
              are many different paths today - some only suitable for trekkers and not for pack
              animals. We leave the main trail and take a shorter route to Janya Tsho, where
              there are several yak herders huts. From camp we should have wonderful views back
              to Jel dzong and the mountains ahead. Look out for Blue Sheep at the campsite.
              Approx 4-5 hours walking

Day 8     A fairly easy day to day with great mountain views. The trail undulates all day
              through the forest and past Simtoka Lake to our camp at Labana (4130m). Far below
              us is the Thimpu Valley. Approx 4-5hours walking

Day 9    The trail today climbs gradually up to the Labana Pass at 4210m
               (the highest point of this trek) from where we traverse the hillside with
               great mountain views. On a clear day we should see Gangar Punsum, the highest
               mountain in Bhutan and Kanchenjunga. A long descent through forests of blue
               pine brings past Phajoding monastery to the end of our trek at Motithang, just
               above Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. We should reach our hotel by mid afternoon.
               The evening is free to explore Thimpu. Approx 4 – 5 hours walking.

Day 10   We spend most of today visiting the main sights of the town including the
               Tashichodzong, which is the centre of the Bhutanese Governement, the Memorial
               Chorten, which was built in 1974 to honour the memory of the third king, Jigme
               Dorji Wangchuk, Simtokha dzong and a painting school. In the late afternoon we
               have a short drive back to Paro.

Day 11   Today we fly back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free to explore the
               temples and markets of Kathmandu or go shopping.

Day 12   A free day in Kathmandu for sightseeing or shopping. We have several sightseeing
               tours on offer (see the notice board in the hotel in Kathmandu), or you may want
               to explore Kathmandu on your own. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is full of ancient
               temples and palaces. You may want to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath or
               the largest Hindu temple in Nepal at Pashupatinath or the one of the largest
               Buddhist stupas in Asia at Bodnath. Once you have had your fill of culture the colourful
               markets of Thamel are great for souvenir hunting.

Day 13   The trip ends after breakfast.


 

 23rd Feb 2011