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Bhutan: The Land of Thunder Dragon Trek
Bhutan is known the world over as "The Last Shangri La". A visitor to this land of incredible natural beauty can sense the serenity and harmony of the country and its people as soon as you land.
The Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a worldwide phenomenon and an important means of achieving socio-economic development. However, it also understands that the indiscriminate growth of tourism would be a disaster both environmentally and socially. Therefore the Government has adopted a very cautious approach to growth of tourism since 1974, when Bhutan was opened to tourists. The Bhutanese tourism industry is based on principle of sustainability and on the principle that tourism must be environmentally and ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and economically viable.
Grade : Easy
Altitude : 3500 m(Simkota)
Season : Late February to June & September to December
Travel Date : 10/ 20 June, 2011
Trip Duration : 11 Days & 10 Nights
Day 1/ June 10, 2011 (Friday): Delhi-Paro
Morning board the flight to Bhutan. The flight to Bhutan takes you over the Greater Himalayas and offers views of world's highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the silvery Paro River meandering down the valley.
Meet and greet by Snow Leopard Adventures Team members at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Post lunch, we shall explore Paro and take a visit to Ta Dzong (watch tower).
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2/ June 11, 2011 (Saturday): Paro
Today morning after breakfast, we go for a hike to Taktshang monastery (approx 5 hrs walk)
Post excursion, we drive back to the hotel. In the evening we take a tour around this picturesque valley and stroll around the Paro market.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
Day 3/ June 12, 2011 (Sunday): Paro- Jele Dzong (Trek 8 km/ 3 hrs)
Today after breakfast, we embark on our first day of trek to Jele Dzong. It's a short trekking day with gradual ascent to the campsite for the day. As we climb up the trail and if the weather is clear, we get to see the Paro valley with snow capped mountains in the background. Above the camp is Jele-la-pass (3400 m) and Jele Dzong (mostly in ruins). There is also a lhakhang containing a statue of Buddha Sakyamuni.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 4/ June 13, 2011 (Monday): Jele Dzong- Jangchulakha (Trek 10 kms/ 4 hrs)
Today after breakfast, we begin with 1½ hrs steep climb followed by gradual ascent
through thick alpine forest and rhododendrons. As we continue, we get to see the views of
Chomolhari and other snow capped peaks. Not to be missed, we may see yak herders and hear some monal pheasants calling on the way.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 5/ June 14, 2011(Tuesday): Jangchulakha- Jimilang Tsho (Trek 11 kms/ 4 hrs)
Today after breakfast, our trail follows the ridge with magnificent views of the snow capped mountains and the valley. En route we get to enjoy great view of Jichu Drake (6989 m), the peak representing the protective deity of Paro. Our campsite for the day is near the Jimilang Tsho Lakes which are famous for their giant sized trouts.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 6/ June 15, 2011 (Wednesday): Jimilangtsho- Simkota (Trek 11 kms/ 4 hrs)
Today after breakfast, our trail takes us through dwarf rhododendron trees and passes by the lake of Janetsho. Occasionally, we may come across some yak hearders' camps and get an idea of how these people live. Our campsite for the day is close to Simkota Lake. If lucky, we may get to catch trouts from the lake for dinner.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 7/ June 16, 2011 (Thursday): Simkota- Phajoding (Trek 10 kms/ 4 hrs)
Today after breakfast, our trail begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, we get to enjoy majestic views of Mt. Gangkar Puensum and a host of other peaks. Once we reach the top of a ridge, the trail slowly descends through juniper trees to our campsite for the day besides a community hall near Phajoding cafeteria.
Dinner and overnight in tents/ cafeteria, depending on weather conditions.
Day 8/ June 17, 2011 (Friday): Phajoding- Thimpu (Trek 5 kms/ 3 hrs)
Today after breakfast, our last day of the trek to Thimpu is downhill all the way passing through a forested area of blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace, we reach Thimpu in about 3 hrs and and check in at our hotel.
In the evening, we take visit to the National Memorial Chorten.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 9/ June 18, 2011 (Saturday): Thimpu – Punakha (Drive 70 km/ 3 hrs)
Today after breakfast, we drive to Punakha via Duchula pass (3050 m). The pass is about an hour's drive from Thimphu and offers superb view of the mountain ranges on a clear day. After a brief stopover, we continue our drive to Punakha (1,300m/ 4,265 ft).
Here we shall visit Punakha Dzong (Fortress).
In the evening, we explore beautiful Punakha valley and later take a stroll around town's main street visiting shops and local market.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 10/ June 19, 2011 (Sunday): Punakha- Paro (Rafting & drive 125 ks/ 5 hrs)
Today after breakfast, we indulge ourselves in an exhilarating session of rafting on the Mo Chu River.
Later, we drive back to Paro and check in at our hotel.
In the evening, if time permits, we may visit Rinpung Dzong or go for shopping in the local markets.
Cultural evening follwed by dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11/ June 20, 2011 (Monday): Paro- Delhi
Early morning transfer to Paro airport to board the flight back to Delhi.
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