Summarysam

The geography of Bhutan makes it a cultural treat with trekking trails passing from very low altitudes to the highest. This factor further makes trekking in Bhutan special, where anyone interested in trekking can go for the heights. There are different trekking routes; some made for experienced trekkers and others for anyone.

Duration : 11 days

This trek is also called the ‘thousand lakes treks.’ This mountain is home to hundreds of yak herders during the summer months. On this trek, you will see many lakes with different colours and sizes. This trek goes over 4,000m, where you get great views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains and nearby valleys.

Day 1 Paro

  • Enter Bhutan amidst its breathtaking landscape from Kathmandu, Kolkata or Bagdora – and have an enchanting view of some of the world’s tallest peaks, such as Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotshe and Jomolhari. You will be warmly received by our friendly, traditionally dressed representative with the offering of a white welcome scarf.
  • Drive to hotel, check-in and relax with a welcome tea offered.
  • Stroll around Paro town, which was developed after the airport was built in 1983.
  • Visit Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built in 1649 by Paro Governor Tenzin Drugda to protect the fortress below. It was almost destroyed in 1965 but was restored by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968.
  • Visit Paro Dzong which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung. It was built to protect Paro Valley from frequent Tibetan invasions. Today it serves as the administrative office of Paro district and houses the district’s monk body.
  • Visit Kyichu Lhakhang which was founded by Tibetan king Songtshen Gyambo in 659 AD. It was built to subdue the demon who had occupied lands all over the Himalayas and prevented the spread of Buddhism. The king built 108 temples in a day to overcome the demon.
  • Over night at hotel in Paro.

Day 2 Paro

  • Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, one of the holiest monasteries in the Buddhist World. Later drive to Thimphu.
  • Night halt at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3

Thimphu has lots to offer and the pick for you will firstly be the Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful stupas, built in memory of the Third King, Late His Majesty Jigmi Dorji Wangchuck, known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A short drive from there will take you to Buddha Point, where the statue of the World’s largest Future Buddha (Maitreya) will be seen.

From there we will move to the Handicraft’s Emporium, Weaving Centre and Changangkha monastery, one built in the 12th century. There will also be visits to the Takin zoo, Sangaygang, which offers a view point of Thimphu valley and a Nunnery.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, after which we visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved and the Wood Craft and Painting school.

In the evening, we will visit Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks.

Day 4 Thimphu

  • After breakfast drive along the Thimphu River for 25km to the Tango monastery. Be prepared for a steep climb from the open car park and 20-minute hike through the blue pine and oak forest to reach the monastery. The Tango Monastery was founded in the 12th century by Lama Gyalwa Lhananpa. Phajo Drugom Shipo also meditated here.

Day 5

The trek now begins

Paro – Gynekha – Gur

  • Distance seven km, five hours; 550m ascent, 210m descent; camp altitude 3,290m;
  • Trek begins from Gyenkha, an hour drive from the hotel, starting with a short descent to the river and then an up-hill climb to a huge rock platform from where we can enjoy a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours we will reach our camp site at Gur. We will come across some yak pastures near our main trail.

Day 06: Gur – Labatama

  • Distance 12km, six hours; 1,220m ascent, 110m descent; camp altitude 4,300m
  • We will be trekkinmg through ridges and beautiful, rugged mountain vegetation carpeted with wild alpine flowers. There will also be refreshing meadows. As soon as we cross the first pass, we will be greeted with a breath-taking view of the world’s third highest mountain, Kanjenjunga, and nearly all the Himalayan peaks in the Bhutanese territory. A short distance from the pass takes us to the Dagala range, interwoven with meadows and huts of yak herders. We will finally descend to our camp site nearby a tranquil lake called Uthso Tsho.

Day 07: Labatama halt

  • Enjoy and relish the beauty of the landscape and nature. You can undertake an excursion to any of three surrounding lakes – Reli Tsho, Hen Tsho and Jama Tsho and even try trout fishing.

Day 08: Labatama – Panka

  • Distance 8km, six to seven hours; 260m ascent, 520m descent; camp altitude 4,000m.
  • The trek starts with a little ascend taking the trail along the western side of Dala Lake up to a mountain saddle at 4,520m. From here you can  ponder and marvel at the beauty and might of nature, as you see an awe-inspiring parade of the Himalayan peaks, truly majestic and pristine, led by Everest and others like Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsende Gang and Gangche Ta in tow.
  • You then descend to Doccha Chhu (river), follow its course for a while and reach Panka. This trail consists of short but intermittent climbs and descents.

Day 09: Panka-Talakha

  • Distance eight km, five to six hours; 180m ascent, 110m descent; camp altitude 3,080m
  • A wonderful day, where you cross several mountain passes but without any major ascent involved. Along the trail, you can keep your eyes open for various species of Blue Poppy (June-July) and sightings of rare high altitude birds. Before you descent to Talakha monastery, you will cross the last pass, Tale La, located at 4,180 meters.
  • The night’s camp will be near the monastery. You will be woken up early morning by the chants of the monks and chimes of ritual bells. You could savor one last great panoramic view of Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu.

Day 10: Talakha – Chamgang – Thimhpu

Distance six km, three hours; 440m descent

  • A short walk will take you to a feeder road and to Chamgang village. You will then be driven to your hotel in Thimphu. You can relax for the rest of the day.
  • Halt at hotel.

Day 11

  • From Thimphu you will be driven to Paro for your departure.