Hiking- and Cultural tour in Bhutan - 10 days
Price on request
Included
Transport, english speaking tourguide, 3 meals per day, overnight stay in 3-star-Hotels (double room), entrance fees according program, visa
Not included
Flight, beverages, tips for guide and driver
Duration: 10 days
Overnight stay: Traditional 3-star Hotels
Highlights
- Beautiful hike to monasteries
- Punakha Dzong
- Phobjikha Valley
- Sunrise on Dochula Pass
- Monastery Tiger's Nest
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 - Drive to 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 (2380m)
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 - Punakha (1250m)
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 4
Punakha (1250m)
After breakfast we will visit a nunnery in Punakha. Afterwards we hike to the monastery Chimi Lhakhang and later to Khamsum Yuley Namgyel 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 5
Punakha - Phobjikha (2900m)
Drive to Phobjikha, on reaching Pele La Pass take a side diversion road to the hidden and beautiful Phobjikha valley, a protected wildlife conservation area within Jigme Singaye National Park. From October till March, it is also the roosting ground for Black Necked Cranes. Hike about 2 hr from the base of the Gangtay Monastery along the natural trail, a footpath encircling the roosting ground of Black Necked Cranes and visit cranes information centre. Overnight in hotel in Phobjikha.
Day 6
Phobjikha - Dochula (3050m)
We proceed to Dochula pass. You can make a beautiful hike from the pass to a small monastery. Overnight at Dochula Hotel.
Day 7
Dochula - Haa (2670m)
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 8
Haa - Paro (2300m)
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 9
Paro (2300m)
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 10
Departure airport Paro
Depending upon our flight timing we say farewell to Bhutan and have a safe journey home or to other exciting destinations. Tashi Delek.
(subject to change)