БУТАН 10 дней
DRUK PATH TREK
DAY 01: (DELHI) - PARO
Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national airline to Paro, the country’s only airstrip. The flight into the Kingdom of Bhutan gives spectacular breath-taking views of Himalayan peaks including Bhutan's sacred Mount Jhomolhari and Jichu Drake and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing.
On arrival at the airport, our representatives will meet and transfer to hotel. Check in at hotel and this morning sightseeing includes the visit to National Museum (Ta Dzong) which was once used as the watch tower for the Dzong.
Visit Paro Rimpung Dzong, one of Bhutan's most impressive and well-known Dzong. Walk from Dzong to the old traditional covered wooden bridge and stroll along the west bank of the river. Downstream from the bridge, you can get a spectacular view of the Dzong.
Afternoon at leisure in the hotel. Overnight in Hotel.
DAY 02: PARO - Taksang Monastery HIKE
This morning we hike up to Taksang, popularly known as tiger’s nest. This would be the hike which would also help you to acclimatize before the start of the trek.
It is perched some 2,000ft/610m up on a cliff overlooking the valley and was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padmasambhava, flew from the region of Tibet on the back of the tigress and converted Paro valley into Buddhism. It takes approximately 4 hours round trip & if special permit is granted we may be able to enter the monastery.
Afternoon’s visit is to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined fort towards the north of the valley, which once defended the valley from further attacks. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance that Bhutanese forces have defeated the Tibetan invasions. On a clear day, one can get a spectacular view of Mount Jhomolhari, the sacred summit (24,000ft). Overnight in Hotel.
DRUK PATH TREK
This is a short five to six days trek which leads from Paro to Thimphu or vice versa, crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys. Although the route is sparsely inhabited, there are wonderful lakes teeming with fish and the area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests which bloom in May. In the clear weather of late autumn and winter there are great views of the Himalayas including the highest mountain.
DAY 03:
Time: 4-5 Hours
Distance: 5 Miles / 8 Km
Altitude Gain: 3503 Ft / 1068 m
Altitude Loss: 269 ft / 82 m
National Museum (8036 ft / 2450 m) to campsite below Je Dzong (11,270 ft, 3436 m)
At the Museum you will meet your trekking staff, the horsemen and pack animals. Today’s trek climbs non-stop for over 1065m, before dropping down over 80m to camp. This is a major effort at this altitude, so take your time and drink as much as possible.
The trail winds its way up steeply through blue pine forest and around several farm house and fenced apple orchards.
After 1hr or so or steady climbing there will be nice views over the Paro valley. Visible above is Jele Dzong, located on the top of the ridge and surprisingly nearby. At 9825ft/2995m, after 2 hours trekking, the route passes a long Mani wall in a big flat grassy land called Damche Gom. This is where most of the trekkers stop for pack lunch.
The trail continues through the forest of blue pine, fir and bamboo; at around 3235m a gigantic hemlock tree, over 600 years old, overshadows the trail.
Just before reaching a small pass (11,540ft/3518m) below the Dzong, the route opens up, and there may be some Yaks with their herders and dogs. Tonight’s campsite (11,270ft/3436m) is a little way down from the pass. You may be able to hear the monks playing instruments in the Lhakhang during one of their prayer sessions.
DAY 04:
Time: 5-6 Hours
Distance: 5.5 Miles / 9 Km
Altitude Gain: 1726 ft / 526 m
Altitude Loss: 0 ftft / 0 m
Campsite below Dzong (11,270 ft / 3436 m) to Jangchulakha (12,995 ft / 3962 m)
From camp, climb back to the ridge and the small pass leading to the Dzong 11,790ft/3595mt). The valley to the east of Jele Dzong is Gidakom or Bemang Rong Chu. The Dzong is worth a visit; it’s a very impressive fort, surrounded by many prayer flags. It has been renovated recently. The views are great, looking towards Paro far below, while in the distance stand snowy peaks on the border with Tibet, including Jhomolhari (23,995ft/7315m) in the centre.
Leaving the Dzong walk north for about 10min on the ridge - with a beautiful view before - disappearing into forest, which look rather bleak as a result of damage by bark beetles.
Go up and around a small peak, a steep 100m ascent to an altitude of 12,300ft/3750m. Looking back you see a part of Paro valley and the large Doo Chu side valley. To the south, Dagala range is visible. After 3hr pass a campsite at Tshokam (12,995ft/3962m), is reached, just after a small saddle.
DAY 05:
Time: 6-7 Hours
Distance: 6 miles /10 Km
Altitude Gain: 700 ft / 213 m
Altitude Loss: 965 ft / 295 m
Tshokam (12,995 ft / 3962 m) to Jimilang Tsho (12,726 ft, 3880 m)
Once again, we proceed in a northerly direction most of the day. Looking east tonight’s camp, as well as some of tomorrow’s route is visible.
Climb gently for several hours to reach a small pass at about 13,350ft/4070m. Continue along the ridge to the next pass wit the view north to Jhomolhari and down below several monasteries are visible at the far end of the valley. On the opposite side there is a view of Jimilang Tsho.
At 13,695ft/4175m a small stone shelter next to a small lake is reached (a nice possible campsite). At the east of the lake is a good campsite (12,726ft/3880m) where the camp is. The lake has plenty of trout and they may be possible to catch some fish for the dinner if the fishing gears are with you.
DAY 06:
Time: 3-4 Hours
Distance: 4.5 miles / 7 Km
Altitude Gain: 700 ft / 213 m
Altitude Loss: several small ups & down
Jimilang Tsho (12,726 ft / 3880 m) to Simkota Tsho (13,415 ft / 4090 m)
Walk around the lake to its far (western) end. There is some steep climbing through bushes, but later good views will open up. An exposed cliff trail leads to a small saddle (13,450ft/4100m). From here you can se the next lake below Jane Tsho; 12,975ft/3956m; 1.5.2hr, a nice campsite which may be occupied by Yak herders.
From the lake a white stone path between rhododendron bushes traverses a valley with a small lake below. There are several lakes just above, Dungtsho & Dungtsho Sama, regarded as male and female. The local people believe that the second (female) lake has powerful spirit, who gets easily provoked if anything dirty gets near the lake. If this happens, bad weather will ensure, which only can be stopped by endless prayers.
Climb up a ridge and look for a cairn. After 1hr a viewing point at 13,610ft/4150m is reached, with a lake below, Simkotra Tsho (13,415ft/4090m), which has some stone ruins nearby. This is tonight’s camp.
DAY 07:
Time: 5-6 Hours
Distance: 6 miles / 10 Km
Altitude Gain: 755 ft / 230 m to the view point
Altitude Loss: 12,103 ft / 3690 m to Phojoding
Simkotra Tsho (13,415 ft / 4090 m) to Phojoding (12,103 ft / 3690 m)
The trail is good, but there are several minor climbs to small passes before you finally look down to Phojoding monastery and Thimphu. Monks frequently pass here on their way to meditate at the sacred lake Jimilang Tsho. If you are lucky with the weather Gankar Punsum and other Himalayas can be visible. From the pass, climb 250m up to a small rocky outlook (14,170ft/4320m) on the left side wit prayer flags and traces of fires.
The place was formerly used for sky burials, and has an incredible view over the whole of the Bhutan Himalayas. Camp site at above the monastery formally used as tea house but now dismantled. Yak herders used to occupy this place during winter months.
DAY 08:
Time: 2-3 Hours
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 Km
Altitude Gain: 0 ft / 0 m
Altitude Loss: 2860 ft / 872 m to Phojoding
Phojoding (12,103ft/3690m) to radio tower (9245ft/2818m) or Motithang (8395ft/2560m)
From Phojoding monastery there are three different trails to Thimphu.
One stays high and climbs to pass, Pumo La (12,170ft/3710m). From Pumo La a trail leads down to the Motithang youth centre.
The other two trails starts with the same steep descent. At 10,965ft/3710m you arrive at a big split in the trail.
- Straight down is a steep route past to the queen’s compound, continuing on to the Motithang Youth centre. The trail descends 250m more than the alternate route b).
- The other route goes left at the split, and follows a gentler trail descending slowly through thick forest until Chhokhortse Gompa (9870ft/3010m) in a clearing.
A steep, 200m descent leads to the radio tower, past hundred of prayer flags put up by people from Thimphu. This is the transmission tower for Bhutan’s only radio station, BBS. From here, drive down to Thimphu, passing the Zoo, where some Takins, the National animal of Bhutan can be seen.
Check in at the hotel and make a good rest and shower after the trek.
DAY 09: THIMPHU
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu includes a visit to King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the Motithang zoo, which has the national animal of Bhutan; the Takin. Visit the nunnery temple, the School for Arts & Crafts (also known as the painting school), National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts), traditional Paper making factory and Handicraft Emporium to see & buy the different product sold.
You may also visit Post office and textile museum. Overnight in Thimphu
DAY 10: THIMPHU – PARO – DELHI
After breakfast, drive to Paro & transfer to airport for your onward departure to Delhi or another destination.