Bhutan - Druk Eye Special with Bumthang Trek

Duration: 15 days, therefrom 3 days trek

Difficulty level: Easy

Overnight stay: During trek in tents, one night farm- or homestay, otherwise in comfortable traditional hotels

Optional: River-Rafting in Punakha (price on request)

Optional: Hot Stone Bath in Bumthang (US$ 20 per person)

Recommended season: year-round, with more likelihood of rain in summertime

Highlights

• Biketour around Thimphu
• Dzong in Punakha
• optional: River Rafting
• Trek in Bumthang
• Sunrise on Dochula Pass
• Tiger's Nest

Short summary

This tour often allows you to stay in the heart of the most breathtaking natural scenery, away from fast food outlets and the encroaching development. This tour provides you more possibility to experiences the daily life of the local people and to discover more on Bhutanese cultural and the history.

Nearly all of our local campgrounds provide conveniences and on special occasions, our groups may utilise rustic, wilderness sites in order to fully appreciate more remote areas natural surroundings.

All you need to bring is a warm sleeping bag and a sense of adventure and you will be sure to enjoy the trip of a lifetime!

Day 1
Paro – Thimphu (2380m)

The first day to the land of thunder dragon brings you with a fresh air in Paro valley. The joy of Bhutan creeps into your mind with lots of colourful buildings and the prayer flags around you. Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan, with the outmost scenery along the Paa chu (river) and Wang chu (river). About 5km before Chuuzom, the road passes Tamchhog Lhakhang, a privat temple built by the Thangthong Gyelpo. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2
Thimphu - Biketour to Dodena

Time to get used to biking at altitude with a leisurely cycle to Dodina north of Thimphu, past small villages, farmlands and dense forests. In the afternoon we visit the National Memorial Chorten, within which there are finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues which provide deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. In late afternoon we go to see the Tashichhodzong, the seat of the government. You may also be able to catch a game of archery in progress at the Changlimethang sports ground. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3
Thimphu (2380m) - Punakha (1250m)

The first of many hills - 18 km up to Dochula pass (3150m). 108 chorten and prayer flags fluttering on the hill mark the highest point on the road. On a clear day, there are spectaculars view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from this spot. We hike from the pass up to a small monastery. The hike takes about 2hrs each way. Descend down to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still the winter residence of Je khenpo (the chef abbot). Overnight in Hotel.

Day 4
Punakha

Option: River-Rafting or Hike

After the breakfast we visit the Punakha Dzong that was built in 1637 and the capital of Bhutan till 1955. One of the most impressive Dzongs in Bhutan, uniquely located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and the Mo Chu. After visiting the Dzong we drive towards the village Samdingkha where we normally start our rafting or do a hike.

Day 5
Punakha - Trongsa (2180m)

Drive to Trongsa across Pele-la pass 3420m (Black Mountain range) which gives you a magnificent view on the valley of Rukubji. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further down the road, stop to visit Chendebji Chorten erected in the 19th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and its impressive dzong, stretched along a ridge above a ravine, first comes into view about an hour before the winding road suddenly leads you into the town. And if the weather is good walk up to Dzong, the only trail between eastern and western Bhutan still leads straight through Trongsa Dzong. Overnight in hotel at Trongsa.

Day 6
Trongsa - Bumthang (2580m)

In the morning visit the Tower of Trongsa, this watchtower, or Ta Dzong, on the hill above the Dzong has been converted into the excellent Tower of Trongsa Museum by Austrian-financed team. The state of the arts displays focus on Buddhist art and the history of the monarchy. The drive between Trongsa to Yotongla-La pass (3425m) gives you the most enthralling view of rhododendron during the month of April and May. The road then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley where you can see the distinctive strip of woven woollen fabric called yathra. The short climb to Kiki-la (2860m) and then descend into the Chokhor Valley and do some cultural sightseeing. Overnight in hotel.

Day 7

Start Bumthang Cultural Trek

Thangbi Goemba – Sambithang (2800m)

Distance 10 km / Hike 2-3 hrs

Although it is strenuous in sections, and packs in a tiring 500m climb to Phephe La at 3360, this trek is usually possible from March to May and again from September to November. The start of the trek is a 3 km drive up the unpaved road from Kurjey Lhakhang to Toktu Zampa at 2540m, then a short drive to Thangbi Goemba. Your packhorses will be waiting and you can start walking with minimal delay. Follow the left bank of the river through pleasant meadows and forests of the blue pine and scrub. After an hour, you pass the Zangling lhakhang on the hill to the right. From here it’s 15 minutes to a trail junction next to a chorten and prayer wheels. Fifteen minutes down the right branch is the campsite at Sambithang. Overnight in the tent.

Day 8

Sambithang – Ogyenchholing (2760m)

Distance 18 km / Hike 6-7 hrs

The days walk starts out across the meadows, with lot of dwarf bamboos and several little streams to cross. Soon the trail starts climbing through a rhododendron forest in a dry gully to a rock cairn and a little stone shrine with prayer flags stretch across the path atop Phephe La 3360m, on a forested ridge with big birch and fir trees. Breaking out into broad meadows full of grazing yaks and cows, it continues through ploughed fields into a broad valley, surrounded by rounded treeless hills. Take the most prominent trail downhill to a large stream and a wooden bridge at 2790m near the village of Tahung. Behind Tahung is the Australian assisted Wobthang sheep development project. Cross the Tang chu near Gamling, a large, wealthy village noted for its Yathra weaving, about 45 minutes downstream and then climb onto a ridge at Ogyen Chholing. You can camp near the place or splurge on a room in the guesthouse. Overnight in tent or guesthouse.

Day 9

Ogyen Chholing – Kizum (2630) then ride to Jakar

Besichtigung Red Panda Brauereri und Käserei

It’s a short walk downhill to Kizum where your vehicle will be waiting to pick you up. Drive to Jaker, leftover time take a rest or visit the Red Panda beer factory and the cheese-processing (Swiss) centre and in the evening visit a farmhouse for the hot stone bath (20 US$ per person). Overnight in Hotel.

Day 10

Bumthang – Phobjikha (2900 m)

Hike in Phobjikha-Valley

Drive back to the Glacial Phobjikha valley with elevation of (2900m) famed for the migratory blacknecked cranes that make it their winter home. This cranes arrive from Tibet towards the end of the October, marking the end of the harvesting season and the time for the cattle and their herder to move down to warmer climes. Visit the Gangtay Monastery and Hike about 2 hours from the base of the Gangtay Monastery along the natural trail, a footpath encircling the roosting ground of Black Necked Cranes and visit the cranes information centre. Overnight in guesthouse or farmstay.

Day 11

Phobjikha – Dochula (3050)

Hike Shashi La Nature Trail

When you proceed to Dochula, you can make a beautiful half-day shashi La Nature Trail. Follow the trail behind the Amankora Hotel which takes you around 4-5 hours walk. The trail leads through rhododendron forest to the village of Ramgokha and then Shashi La Pass, later you descend to the Kalekha on the main wangdi road. This is the traditional route taken by the Gangtay trulku and local farmers when they leave the valley for the winter. After the picnic lunch drive to Dochula pass. Overnight at Dochula Hotel.

Day 12

Dochula – Haa (2670m)

Sunrise at Dochula

In the morning it is nice to make a short walk from hotel to Druk wangyel chorten, with the morning sunrise casting over the Himalayan range. The hundred and eight stupa built to commemorate victory over Indian insurgent and as well as the person who had been the victim during the course of the war. Drive to Haa valley following the same way to Paro till Chuzom. Overnight in Haa.

Day 13

Haa – Paro (2280m)

Hike on Chele La Pass

Back to Paro is the one of the most beautiful journey driving over almost 4000m Chele La Pass, the highest point on the road in Bhutan, if the weather is good you could have a spectacular view on the Mt. Jhomolhari (7314m) and the Jichu Drakey (6989m). And if you walk further up on the south hill you have a great view on Mt. Kanchenjunga (Sikkim). From the Pass you can walk down to nunnery that takes you around one and half hour and then drive down to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 14

Paro

Tiger's Nest

Taktshang is the most famous of the Bhutan’s monasteries, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of wind and the water and the chanting of monks. And of-course the whispering tourist overwhelmed by the beauty of the Taktshang. The only way up to the tiger’s nest is to walk, ride a horse or fly on the back of a magic tiger. The trail (4-5 hours hike) climbs through blue pines, once you reach the ridge there are excellent views across the valley. A climb from the Cafeteria will bring you to a spectacular lookout at 3140m that puts you eyeball to eyeball with the monastery, which looks like it is growing out of the rocks. Once you are in the monastery you will find that it is worth a visit. After lunch we drive to National Museum, which houses a huge collection of ancient artifacts. With this we let you free in Paro town and evening we move back to the hotel to hare one last dinner together, celebrating our journey through the magical Kingdom of Bhutan. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 15
Departure from Paro

Depending upon our flight timing we say farewell to Bhutan and have a safe journey home or to other exciting destinations. Tashi Delek.