Trek and Tour in Bhutan
2007
October 3, 2007 Arrival in Paro from Bangkok. Photos of my guide, Pasang, and of Bhutanese Chilis
Bhutan's National Spoort, Archery (in Paro)
Oct 3 & 4, 2007
October 4, 2007 Hiking to Taktsang Monastery: The Tiger's Nest
Note Pasang’s hiking boots, the automatic prayer wheel and the tea house stove.
October 5, Trek Day 1, Start of Chomolhari trek: Drugyel Dzong to Shana
Drive to Drugyel Dzong where the trek to Shana begins. Our trek follows the cultivated fields and tiny picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous birds and brightly colored butterflies. Overnight camp at Shana. Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
October 6, Trek Day 2 Chomolhari Trek: Shana to Soi Thangthangkha.
The trail follows the river through a heavily forested area with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows >and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. We pass a junction en route, where another path leads north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Overnight at Camp Thangthakha. Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 8 - 9 hours.
October 7, Trek Day 3 Soi to Jangothang.
In the morning after passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful valley, passing Tekethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). The view of Chomolhari (7320 meters) and Jichu Drake (6900 meters) is superb. Both the mountains are still virgin peaks. High mountains overlook the camp and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Your campsite is at the Chomolhari base camp, where one can see the massive snow capped Mt. Chomolhari (7315m), considered as sacred - the deity Jomo dwells on it. Overnight at the base camp. Altitude 4,115 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
October 8, Trek Day 4 Rest and acclimatization at Jangothang.
Day-hike - Chomolhari and its subsidiary is directly west, Jichu Drake to the north, un-climbed summits and ridges to the east.
October 9, Trek Day 5 Jangothang to Dhumzo
The trail leads north to the last settlement in the valley and drops to the Paro Chhu, crossing it on a wooden bridge. Switchback up the side of the hill to a large cirque and the lake of Tshophu (4380m / 14,367ft). Stay on the eastern side of the lake, passing a second lake as the trail gets steeper climbing to Bhonte La (4890m /16,040 ft). From the pass the route winds down a ridge with a lot of crisscrossing yak trails. It finally switchbacks down to a stream. Trek downstream to a bridge, cross to the south side of the stream and continue a short distance to your camp at 3800m / 12464 ft
October 10, Trek Day 6 Dhumzo to Thombu Shong
The trail climbs 100m over a ridge, and then drops to another stream. Crossing the small stream the trail heads up the hill side, dropping into a small side valley before emerging onto a ridge. Here the route turns south, ascending past a few huts to Thombu La (4520m / 14,826ft). A steep descent leads to Thombu Shong (4180m / 13,710ft).
October 11, Trek Day 7 Thombu Shong. to Shana
Climb out of the valley to a crest at 4360m / 14300 feet, then make a steep descent along the ridge, finally reaching the helipad at Gunitsawa (2730 m / 8955 feet. Cross the river and go upstream to camp at the same place as trek Day 1.
October 12, Trek Day 8 Shana to Paro
Follow Trek day 1 in reverse to Drukgyal Dzong meet your transport and drive to hotel.
October 13, Paro to ThimphuIron chain bridge built in 15th century by Lama Cha Zampa
and
Hand Made Paper Factory in Thimphu
October 13, Thimphu Sight Seeing
Watch for the The Takin, Bhutan's National Animal and The famous traffic circle where once was the traffic light.
and..
Thimphu Weekend Market
October 14, Hike to Tango and Cheri Monasteries
This morning drive north of Thimphu to Dodena for half an hour and hike up to Tango. The large Tango monastery was built by Tenzin Rabgye in 17th Century and it’s the main center for Buddhist College. You may be able to meet the young incarnation today. If your time permits, visit the great Chari monastery on the other side, originally called as Chari Dorji Den. Shabdrung the first ruler of Bhutan established the first monk body in 1630. Walk back to the road point, meet your transport and drive back to your hotel. Overnight at hotel River View, Thimphu.
October 15, Thimphu to Punaka
In the morning visit the Traditional hospital and the school for arts and crafts and the Bhutan post office to see the good collections of Bhutanese colorful stamps and drive to Punakha, an old winter capital of Bhutan . En - route stop at Dochu La Pass for lunch, 10,000ft/3,048m to view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan 's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft/7,550m. The road then drops down through varied – ever changing forest, finally emerging into the highly cultivated Punakha valley. Before reaching Punakha visit Chimi Lhakhang (the fertility temple) built by lama Drukpa Kunley (Divine madman) in 1499. He subdued the demo ness of the Dochu la with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom.’ A wooden effigy of the Lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the Lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing) from the saint. It’s a 20-minute gentle walk across the rice fields from the road at Sopsokha to the temple, which is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels and some very beautiful slate carvings. Overnight at hotel Meri Puensum.
October 16, Chimi Lakhang
October 16, Punaka
October 16 Wangdu Phodrang