Arrive Paro by Druk
Air (it is recommended to fly from Delhi or Kathmandu as this flight
provides fascinating view of eastern Himalayan peaks. The peaks visible on
this flight are ; Mount. Everest (8,848 m), Kanchenjunga (8,534 m),
Shishapangma (8,013 m), Gauri Shankar (7,185 m), Cho Oyu (8,153 m), Nuptse
(7,906 m), Lhotse (8,501 m), Chamlang (7,319 m), Jannu (7,710 m), Chomoyummo
(6,829 m), Pauhunri (7,125 m), Shudu Tsenpa (7,032 m), Chomolhari (7,314 m),
and Jichu Drake (6,974 m).
On arrival at Paro airport,
received by local representative with traditional welcome and drive to the
hotel. Evening presentation with slide show / video show and talk by an
expert.
Overnight at
the hotel in Paro.
Day 02 :
Paro/Thimphu
Morning sightseeing in
Paro visiting ruins of Drukgyel Dzong followed by visit to Ta Dzong
(National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong.
After lunch, start biking to
Thimphu (54 km, approx. 4 hours) passing through the confluence of Paro and
Thimphu rivers. The route follows the valley of Thimphu river through an
arid landscape.
Overnight at the hotel in
Thimphu.
Day 03
:
Thimphu/Punakha
Morning sightseeing
in Thimphu with visit to Memroial Chhorten, Trashichhodzong and Government
Handicraft Emporium.
After early lunch biking to
Punakha (70 km, approx. 4.1/2 hours) ascending enroute at Dochula pass
(3,050m) and later continue descent to Metshina. Punakha is about 12 km from
this place at the altitude of 1,250 m so in about 3.1/2 hours biking the
total descent from Dochula to Punakha is about 1,800 m.
Overnight at the hotel in
Punakha.
Day 04 : Punakha/Wangduephodrang
Morning visit to 17th
century Punakha Dzong followed by visit to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten.
Then continue biking to Wangduephodrang (21 km, 1.1/2 hour). Evening visit
to Wangduephodrang Dzong and interesting local market.
Overnight at the hotel in
Wangduephodrang.
Day 05 :
Wanguephodrang/Gangtey
Morning commence biking
to Gangtey (68 km, approx. 4.1/2 hours) gaining altitude of about 1,800 m.
Afternoon excursion to Phobjikha valley which is a designated conservation
area and famous for black-necked cranes.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 6
:
Gangtey/Trongsa
Morning
proceed to central Bhutanese town of Trongsa (125 km, approx. 6 hours)
crossing 3,300 m high Pelela pass en route. From Pele la pass proceed to
Chendbji Chhorten at altitude of 2,400 m (27 km, 1.1/2 hour), the stupa
patterned on Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. Chendbji to Trongsa is about 41 km,
approximate two hours of biking on almost flat land.
Overnight at the lodge in
Trongsa.
Day 07
:
Trongsa/Bumthang
Morning sightseeing
with visit to Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong and then proceed to Bumthang (68
km, approx.4.1/2 hours) crossing Yotongla pass (3,400 m) and then descend to
Gyetsa valley (2,700 m). Later cross 2,900 m Kiki la pass while reaching to
Jakar.
Overnight at
the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 08
:
Bumthang
Day for
relaxation and sightseeing in one of the most beautiful valleys and also the
religious heartland of the nation, visiting Tamshing Lhakhang, Jakar Dzong,
Kurjey and Jambay Lhakhang.
Overnight at the lodge in
Bumthang.
Day 09
:
Bumthang/Ura
From Bumthang Ura
camping site is about 60 km and time taken is approximate 4 hours. Enroute
cross 3,300 m high Shertang la pass and then descend to Ura village situated
at the altitude of 3,000 m. Later explore pleasant Ura village.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 10 : Ura/Limithang
Proceed to
Limithang (80 km, approx. 6 hours) crossing 3,750 m high Thrumshingla
pass, the highest point during this trip. From Thrunshingla it is all the way
downhill (about 700 m) descent till the camp at Limithang.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 11
:
Limithang/Mongar
It is one of the
shortest trip on this itinerary (27 km, 1.1/2 hours) with a total descent
of about 1,400 m. Evening visit to Mongar Dzong and local market.
Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.
Day 12
:
Mongar/Gom Kora
Morning
proceed to Gom Kora (80 km, approx. 5 hours). The Kori la pass en route is
at 2,450 m. The road later descends rapidly till sheri Chhu river.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 13
:
Gom Kora/Trashi Yangtse
Proceed to Trashi
Yangtse (65 km, approx. 5.1/2 hours). 2 km ahead of Gom Kora, the road
reaches to Doksum, a village where two valleys meet. This place is also
known for its weaving. Later arrive at Trashi Yangtse Dzong, situated at
altitude of 1,850 m. Heading further northwards in the gorge for about 4 km,
the route leads to gigantic Chorten Kora, the stupa built in Nepalese style
of architecture.
Overnight tented accommodation.
Day 14
:
Trashi Yangtse/Trashigang
Morning biking to Trashigang (65
km, approx. 5 hours). The trail is gradual up and down till 55 km and later
about 10 km upwards the Trashigang. Evening explore the town area, which is
the biggest urban centre in Bhutan after Thimphu.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 15
: Trashigang / Mongar
(91 km, 3 hours)
After breakfast drive back to Mongar. Afternoon exploratory tour to Mongar
town, local market.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 16
: Mongar /
Bumthang (198 km, 7 hours)
Morning drive to Bumthang
arriving there by lunch time. After lunch, visit to Yatha weaving centre and
local market.
Overnight at the lodge.
Day 17
: Bumthang /
Thimphu (268 km, 8 hours)
After breakfast, drive
to Thimphu enroute visiting village houses and mingling with local people.
Lunch break at Wangduephodrang which is known for its majestic Dzong and its
bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu
for overnight stay.
Day 18
: Thimphu / Paro
Airport (55 km, 1.1/2 hours)
Morning drive to Paro airport
for flight to onward destination.