Bhutan - Himalaya - Travel to the land of thunderdragon

Hikingtour for active people (18 days)

Duration 17 days

Overnight stay: Traditional 3-star Hotels

Highlights

• Weekend-market in Thimphu
• Punakha Dzong
• Talo Festival
• Monastery Tiger's Nest
• Sunrise on Dochula pass
• Hikes with beautiful views on Himalayan peaks

Summary

If you like hiking and you are interested in bhutanese culture but you do not want to go without a comfortable hotel a the end of the day, then this might be the right tour for you. Hikes lasts up to 5 hours and the paths are easy walkable. The tour can be done year round, with more likelihood of rain in summertime.

Day 1

Arrival in Paro - Thimphu

The first day to the land of thunderdragon 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 private temple built by the Thangthong Gyelpo. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2

Thimphu

Hike to Monastery Dodeydra (ca. 5hrs)

After breakfast we drive a bit outside of Thimphu, to the point of start of todays hike. Right after a small monastery behind the starting point the path is going uphill. The highest point is marked by prayer flags and on a small flat piece of land is a soccerfield for the monks. Still we have to hike some more time until we reach the monastery of Dodeydra. From Dodeydra you have a very nice view down the valley. Around 170 monks live in this peaceful place. Enjoy the nice garden and rest with a cup of tea. Afterwards we hike down to Thimphu. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3

Thimphu

Today we have time to do some sightseeing in Thimphu. We visit the Memorial Chorten and then we head to the small Takin zoo to see this rare national animal. The afternoon you are free to do some shopping or walk around town. Overnight in Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4

Thimphu - Punakha

Before we proceed to Punakha we shall drive up to see the impressive Buddha-Statue above the Thimphu-Valley. Then we go across Dochu-la pass (3'150m). The highest point on the road is marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and prayer flags fluttering on the hill. On a clear day, there is a spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas from this spot. On reaching Punakha visit Punakha Dzong that served as a capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still the winter residence of Je khenpo (the chef abbot). Later in the afternoon hike to Chimi Lakhang. Overnight in Hotel in Punakha.

Day 5

Punakha
Hike to monastery Khamsum Yuley Namgyel

The day in Punakha gives you the wonderful scenario on the Mochhu river surrounded by the paddy field. It is more interesting to hike up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, perched high on the hill on the opposite bank of the Mochhu river, built in 1999 dedicated to the present king and serves to protect the country. When you descend down from the chorten one can walk through the village where the trail lads to the Amankora hotel. Later in the evening stroll around the Khuruthang town. Overnight in Hotel in Punakha.

Day 6

Punakha – Trongsa

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 at Trongsa.

Day 7

Trongsa – Bumthang

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 in Bumthang.

Day 8

Bumthang

Hike in Bumthang Valley (4-5 hours)

We start after breakfast with a half day hike in one of the four Bumthang-Valleys. In the late afternoon we have time to visit the Swiss cheese factory and maybe also the brewery (Red Panda Beer). Overnight in Hotel in Bumthang.

Tag 9

Bumthang

Today we visit many of the valley's significant sites. We visit Jampa Lhakhang, where according to legend, it was one of 108 temples built in a day by Tibetan King Songsten Gampo to pin down an evil ogress (Jampa holds down the left knee.) In keeping with Bhutan's significant historical figures, we also visit the Kurjey Lhakhang where Guru Rimpoche came in the 8th century to settle issues with feuding local rulers. With a flash of his magic, the guru resolved the conflict and converted everyone to Buddhism, leaving his body imprint on a rock for which Kurjey Lhakhang is named. The Kurjey Lhakhang temple complex is made up of three buildings and the body imprint of the guru can be seen in the first and oldest of the temples, which was built in 1652. In Bumthang you can try a typical Bhutanese hot stone bath (not included, ca. 20 USD).

Tag 10

Hike from Jakar – Chumey Valley (4-5 hours)

There is a beautiful hike from Jakar valley to Chumey. Chumey is an idyllic valley of breathtaking beauty. Overnight in Chumey Nature Resort.

Day 11

Chumey Valley

Hike in Chumey Valley

We do some sightseeing in the beautiful Chumey valley. We can do it by hiking oder drive, it is up to you. Overnight in Chumey Nature Resort.

Day 12

Chumey – Gangtey (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 blacknecked cranes and visit the cranes information centre. Overnight in Hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 13

Gangtey - Dochula

Hike on Dochula-Pass (3-4 hours)

We proceed to Dochula pass. You can make a beautiful hike from the pass to a small monastery. Overnight at Dochula Hotel.

Day 14

Dochula - Haa

Sunrise above Himalaya peaks

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 Hotel in Haa.

Day 15

Haa - Paro

Hike to Nunnery 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). 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 in Hotel in Paro.

Day 16

Paro

Hike to Monastery 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 ofcourse 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 (1.5 - 2 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 in Hotel in Paro

Day 17

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

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