Best time: Mid-March to November

Duration: 14N/ 15D

Entry: Paro Exit: Paro

 

 

 

 

ITINERARY DETAIL

Day 1: Arrival: Paro halt

On arrival, guests will be received at the airport by 1-derful Bhutan Tours’s guide who will orientate you on the driving rules and regulations of Bhutan.

Drive to your hotel to check-in. You can freshen yourselves up before having lunch. After lunch, visit the National Museum and Paro Rinpung Dzong, the District Administrations’ and Religious activities’ centre.

Later, you can go out in town to mingle with the locals.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Day 2: Paro – Punakha

Have breakfast and drive towards Thimphu. Just before you enter Thimphu town you will have to take a diversion to go to Punakha. On the way you will cross Dochula Pass (3000m) and stop for a view of the snow capped Himalayas. Continue drive towards Punakha. Stop at Lobesa village and have lunch before going for a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility), it is dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley (Divine Mad Man) and is the place from where Phalluses originated as the symbol of fertility and protection and can be seen everywhere in Bhutan, on house walls and roofs and altars. After that drive to your hotel and relax for the day.

Overnight at a hotel in Punakha/ Wangdue Phodrang

 

 

 

 

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Day 3: Punakha – Thimphu

Retrace the road back to Dochula Pass. You can have lunch either at the hotel at the pass or drive down to Thimphu.

After lunch drive to the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s National animal, a weird one that looks like a mix between a cow and a goat, then drive to Kuensel Phodrang to see the world’s tallest ‘Sitting Buddha’ at a height of 167 ft. Drive back down to town and you are done for the day.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu

 

 

 

 

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Day 4: Thimphu excursion

Have breakfast at the hotel and start off the day by driving towards north of Thimphu to Tango/ Chari Monastery, the drive is about half hour up and once you are there you can hike up the to Tango monastery (45 mins up). It is one of the renowned Buddhist colleges in the country and also the residence of a high Lama (reincarnated). Come back down to town for lunch and then visit the School of 13 Arts and Crafts and the Folk Heritage Museum.

Later, around evening time (after 5pm), visit Tashichhoe Dzong, the Center of Administrations and Religious activities of the country. This Dzong houses the King’s and Chief Abott’s office.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu

 

 

 

 

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Day 5: Thimphu – Haa

Have a leisurely breakfast and then start driving toward Haa, follow the same road you came from Paro until you reach a confluence/ bridge, from there you will have to take a right and then a left for Haa. From the confluence it’s about 3.5 – 4 hours drive to Haa, the valley is small and beautiful and is said to be a Hidden Land, a valley protected and blessed by Guru Rinpochhe. This valley wasn’t open to tourists until a decade ago. The Indian Army’s base HQ is Bhutan is in this valley. If you feel like it you can go visit Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple).

Overnight at a hotel/ camp in Haa

 

 

 

 

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Day 6: TREK STARTS Haa – Tshokam camp (3536m)

If you are staying in a hotel, drive to Katsho village from Haa town and start climbing to Dranag Dingkha Lhakhang. Continue walking to Tshokam where today’s camp is located. The total walk for today is about 5-6 hrs long.

 

 

 

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Day 7: TREK: Tshokam – Wanjithang camp (3688m)

A gradual ascent on a good trail leads to the passes of Chozu-La and Tsabjo-La. The route passes near a huge meadow called Yulo, this is the last camp on the way back to Haa. At Yulo meadow several trails come together. To the west lies the pass for today, Tsabjo-La (4170m) which leads to the second camp, Wanjithang, in a huge pasture area. The total walk for today is about 6-7 hrs.

 

 

 

 

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Day 8: TREK: Wanjithang – Nub Tshonapata (4076m)

It’s a 6-8 hr walk today. Cross more high pasturelands with yaks to reach Gongche-La, the first pass, and then follow a steep descent to the meadow of Chhosho Lumpa. Ascend again via Ghoom Maru to Tsejay-La (4237m), the second pass for today with excellent views of Kanchenjunga (8536m), the third highest mountain in the world, Gangkar Puensum (7541m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world, Jichu Drakey (6850m), and nearer by, Mount Chundu Gang (protector of Haa valley).

Descend to a swampy area called Tshew then follow another ascent to Dangkha Bjido ridge (4120m). The final descent is to Lura camp, located above the holy Nub Tshonapatta Lake.

 

 

 

 

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Day 9: TREK – Halt at Nub Tshonapata, explore the area

Today is a day to rest and also a day to explore the surrounding areas near the Nub Tshonapatta Lake.

 

 

 

 

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Day 10: TREK: Nub Tshonapata – Rigona Tsho (4090m)

Today, you walk in the northern direction on a very nice trail crossing Dong Kacheydo-La, with views to Kanchenjunga, and descending to the camp. It takes about 5-6 hrs to reach the camp.

The walk is about 2 hours till the top through wide pathways which was built during the restoration works. One hour into the climb there is a tea point from where you get a very good view of the monastery, they also serve lunch here. From there it’s about another 45 minutes climb to the 2nd view point and the highest point in the hike.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro

 

 

 

 

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Day 11: TREK: Nub Tshonapata – Rigona Tsho (4090m)

It’s about 6-7 hrs walk to the next camp, and the route now takes an easterly direction. There is a hard start to the day, climbing on rocks to the pass Bjara-La (4256m), the highest pass of the trek, and descending on rocks for about ½ hr, after that the trail is fine, from the pass Mt. Jumolhari (7315m) and Jichu Drakey are visible to the north. After some hours the day‘s second pass is reached, Tsabjo-La. The camp is at Yulo Meadows, the same meadows that you crossed on day 2 of the trek.

 

 

 

 

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` Day 12: END OF TREK: Yulo Medows – Haa town

Today’s a long day of descent through silver fir and pine forests, finally reaching the village of Lukha near Haa town where you will be picked up by your driver and taken to your hotel.

Overnight at a Hotel/ Guest house in Haa

 

 

 

 

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Day 13: Haa – Paro

After a leisurely breakfast start driving towards Paro. First half of the drive will take you towards Chelela Pass, at 3800m, it is the highest paved road point in the country. If the day is clear, you can go for a short hike up the mountain to get spectacular views of Paro valley below. From there it’s all downhill till Paro town, the road may be a bit slippery depending on when you are travelling. Have lunch in town and go to check-in at your hotel and relax.

 

 

 

 

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Day 14: Paro – Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Hike

Have early breakfast and drive up to the base of Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The most famous and sacred site among all the places in Bhutan. Guru Padmasambhava is said to have come riding on a flying tigress to this place and meditated in a cave for 3 months, it wasn’t until Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal came to this place and meditated that it gained the popularity that it has now. The present structure is said to be built in the 15th century but was destroyed by fire in 1998 and has been restored.

The walk is about 2 hours till the top through wide pathways which was built during the restoration works. One hour into the climb there is a tea point from where you get a very good view of the monastery, they also serve lunch here. From there it’s about another 45 minutes climb to the 2nd view point and the highest point in the hike.

Overnight at a hotel in Paro

 

 

 

 

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Day 15: Depart

 

 

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