Bumthang
Cultural Trek |
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Grade:
Moderate |
Altitude maximum:
11000 ft.. |
Season:
March - June & September - November |
Climate:
Days are normally warm and nights can at times be very
cold and in winter below freezing point. |
What to bring:
Warm woolen clothing, good walking boots, sun glass,
sun block
cream, head gear, rain gear, water bottle, rug sack,
sleeping
bag (medium to heavy). |
| Group
Condition: Minimum 01 pax |
Highlights:
This is the cultural heartland of the Kingdom. On this
trek you will see many temples and monasteries.
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Bumthang
is extraordinarily beautiful, even for Bhutanese. Its
four high valleys are covered in forests that embrace
small monasteries, chortens, traditional stone houses,
and markets. Elevations on treks stay below 12,000 feet,
and each day's walk is steadfastly unhurried. After
a couple of days in Paro we drive to Thimphu's crafts
centers and temples, and then over the splendid Dochu
La & Chelila Passes to Tongsa and Jakar, the Bumthang
Valley's main village. This is Bhutan's most sacred
valley, hallowed 1,200 years ago by the visits of Padmasambhava
(the great Buddhist master, called Guru Rinpoche or
the Precious Teacher). Our four-day trek will take you
through forests and farmlands, over trout streams to
remote villages in which the rest of the world's last
couple of centuries are dim and not particularly enticing
rumors. Few treks offer such a deep look into Bhutan's
delicate and charming daily life. (Our fall itinerary
coincides with a centuries-old festival in a remote
village where you will be welcomed as honored guests.)
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Itinerary |
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| DAY:
01: Your arrival at Paro Airport by Druk Air.
See flight details.
Sightseeing Paro and Overnight at hotel. |
Arrive Paro, Bhutan by Druk Air flight from Delhi, Kathmandu,
Bangkok or Calcutta. During this flight, one will experience
breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and
other High Himalayan peaks including sacred Mt. Jumolhari
and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at the Paro
International Airport, our Airport representative will
receive you with a warm welcome. After completing disembarkation
formalities at the airport, drive to hotel, which will
take about 20 minutes. Overnight Paro. |
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| DAY
2: PARO SIGHTSEEING |
Full day Paro Valley sightseeing. Visit Drugyel Dzong,
the ruined victorious fortress of the Drukpas, which
once defended Paro from Tibetan invasion. The Dzong
was built in 1649 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel to commemorate
the victory of Bhutan over Tibetan Invaders in 1644.
It was destroyed by fire in 1951. On a clear day you
can see spectacular view of sacred Mt. Jumolhari from
the vicinity of Dzong area. On the way back view Taktsang
Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery of Bhutan
perched on the side of a cliff at 900m above the valley
floor. The name Taktsang means Tiger's Nest. The Legend
has it that Guru Padmasambhawa, believed as the second
Buddha or Precious Teacher flew to the site of the monastery
on the back of tigress and then meditated there in the
cave for three months. The main building of the monastery
was destroyed by fire on 19 April 1998 and the Bhutan
Government's effort to re-construct it in its original
form is underway. Visit Kychu Lhakhang, one of the oldest
temples in the Kingdom built in 659 AD by Tibetan King
Songtsen Gampo. Visit National Museum popularly known
to the local Bhutanese as Ta Dzong or Watch Tower. Originally
built in 1656 as the Watch Tower (Ta Dzong) of Paro
Dzong and the Valley was renovated and converted into
National Museum in 1968. Evening stroll around Paro
town. O/n Paro. |
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| DAY
3: PARO - THIMPHU |
Follow the winding road beside Pa Chu river down stream
to its confluence with the Wangchu river then up to
Thimphu, the capital city. After lunch visit the Memorial
Chorten, where the faithful circumambulate the shrine
dedicated to the late third king of Bhutan chanting
their prayers and turning their prayer beads as they
walk round the chorten. O/n hotel. |
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| DAY
4: THIMPHU - SIGHTSEEING |
A full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the Traditional
Art and Crafts School National Library, Zilukha Nunnery,
Handmade Paper factory, the premises of Tashichodzong
and Handicraft Emporium. O/n hotel. |
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| DAY 5: THIMPHU
- TRONGSA |
The journey to the Central Bhutan begins today. The
drive to Trongsa takes approximately 8 hrs.. It takes
you across Dochula Pass (3000 m.) to the warm fertile
valley of Wangduephodrang (1250 m.). Lunch at Wangdue.
After lunch continue drive to Trongsa across Pelela
Pass (3300 m.). The famous Chendiji Chorten is situated
at the base of the hills. O/n hotel. |
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| DAY
6: TRONGSA - BUMTHANG |
Drive to Bumthang takes 2-3 hrs. Tales of great Guru
Padmasambhava dominates this holy valley. From the view
point you can see the Jakar Dzong "The Castle of White
Bird". Lunch at the hotel. After lunch Drive up to Lame
Gompa a place built by the 1st King for his two nun
Sisters. An old style of making Bhutanese Paper can
be seen outside of this place. O/n hotel. |
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| DAY
7: BUMTHANG - HALT |
Walk around Bumthang valley. Visit the Swiss Cheese
factory, premises of Kurje & Jambay monasteries.
A trout fishing can be done in Chamkhar river. O/n hotel. |
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| DAY
8: BUMTHANG - NGANGLHAKHANG (TREK BEGINS) |
The trek route takes you around the Chamkhar river known
for its riches in Trout. Lunch stop at Tangbi Lhakhang
then you enter to the swan land of Ngang Yul with its
centre swan temple Ngang Lhakhang . This part of valley
was at first inhabited by the swans who gave their name
Ngang. The lama Namkha Samdrup having dreamt a vision
of how to built a gompa shot an arrow and the spot where
the arrow landed Ngang Lhakhang was erected. Cultural
dance can be arranged in the evening. O/n camp. Distance
: 20 km. Alt. 9500 ft. |
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| DAY
9: NGANGLHAKHANG - UGYENCHOLING |
Climb gradually to Phephela Pass (11000 ft.) the highest
point on the trek route. The trail you follow until
the Pass takes you through one of the most beautiful
Frosted area of this region. O/n camp. |
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| DAY
10: UGYENCHOLING - BUMTHANG |
The trail follows through along the Tang river another
trout filled river. Along the banks of the river is
Tang Rimpoche Lhakhang whose first foundation is ascribed
to Guru Rimpoche and its second foundation to the "Treasure
Finder" Terton Pemalingpa. On the way to Bumthang visit
Mebar Tso "Burning lake". At Pangshing the transport
will be provided for onward journey. Distance : 10 km.
Alt. 9000 ft. O/n lodge. |
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| DAY
11: BUMTHANG - PUNAKHA |
Drive
to Punakha the old capital city of Bhutan. O/n hotel.
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| DAY
12: PUNAKHA - THIMPHU |
Morning
Punakha valley sightseeing. Afternoon drive to Thimphu
(3-4 hrs.). O/n hotel. |
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| DAY
13: THIMPHU - PARO FOR DEPARTURE. |
Early
morning drive to Paro Airport for departure. Tashi Delek!
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