|
Bumthang
cultural trek
Day 1 Arrive Paro
Representative agency of Eco-friendly Treks & Expedition
Pvt. Ltd. will be at the airport to receive you. To give you the
first feel of the country we will welcome you with a traditional
welcome ceremony, which will be held at a farmhouse nearby.
After the ceremony you will be transferred to the hotel. In the
evening visit Paro town. Night halt at Paro in a hotel.
Day 2 Paro
In the first half of the morning, visit Ta Dzong, the
National Museum. It was originally built as a watchtower,
strategically located overlooking the Rimpung Dzong and the Paro
valley. Then visit Rimpung Dzong, the administrative and
religious centre of Paro Dzongkhag (district). Drive 14 km up
north of the valley to visit Drugyel Dzong. The dzong, now in
ruins, defended the Tibetan invasions centuries ago and aptly
named “the victorious fortress”. On the way to Drugyel Dzong,
view the Taktsang monastery and Kyichu Lhakhang, both renowned
pilgrimage sites for Buddhists all over the world. After lunch
drive to Thimphu (2 hrs). Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3 Thimphu
Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu visiting Memorial Chorten,
National Library, the Institute of Zorig Chusum, Tashichhodzong,
Handicrafts Emporium and the weekly market. Overnight at hotel
in Thimphu.
Day 4 Thimphu – Trongsa
After breakfast proceed to Trongsa. After 45 minutes of
drive from Thimphu you will reach Dochula pass at an altitude of
3100m. After crossing Dochula pass, another 2 hours of descend
on the winding road will reach you to Punakha, the old capital
of Bhutan. In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong and then a short
drive will reach you to Wangduephodrang. Visit Wangduephodrang
Dzong and have lunch in a hotel at Wangduephodrang. After lunch
drive further east on the east-west lateral highway with a short
stop at Chendbji Chorten after descending from the Pelela pass
at an altitude of 3300m. In the evening, visit Ta Dzong and
Trongsa town. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.
Day 5 Trongsa – Bumthang
After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress
of the country. The grandfather of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
laid the foundation of the Dzong in 1543, however the real Dzong
was complete in 1648 by the Shabdrung. The first king, Sir Ugyen
Wangchuck, was Trongsa Penlop before he was unanimously
appointed as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December
17, 1907. Trongsa Dzong played an important role in the history
of Bhutan as an administrative base controlling both the eastern
and the western part of the country. Drive to Bumthang, which
will take about 2 hrs. In the afternoon take a walk around the
Bumthang valley; visit some of the holy places like Jampa
Lhakhang, Kurjay Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, Kencho Sum
Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. Overnight in hotel in Bumthang.
Day 6 Bumthang – Ngang Lhakhang (20 km 5/6 hours)
The trek route follows along the Chamkharchu (Bumthang
river). You will stop at Tangbi Monastery for a lunch. After
sometime, you will enter the “Swan valley” known as Ngang valley
with its Ngang Lhakhang (the Swan Temple) at the center of the
valley. Overnight at camp.
Day 7 Ngang Lhakhang – Ugyencholing (12 km 3 / 4 hours)
A gradual climb to Phephela pass at an altitude of 11000 ft,
which is the highest point of the trek. The trail from the pass
takes you through one of the most beautiful forests of the
region. Along the way you can see the view of the Ugyencholing
Palace. Overnight at camp at an altitude of 9000 ft.
Day 8 Ugyencholing – Trongsa
On the way back to Bumthang, visit Membar Tsho (the Burning
Lake), from where Terton (treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa
discovered religious texts and artifacts.
Lunch at Bumthang. After the lunch drive to Trongsa. Over night
halt in Trongsa.
Day 9 Trongsa – Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha. On the way, visit
Wangduephodrang Dzong, built in 1638. After lunch drive to
Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong and the new Chorten, few
kilometers from Punakha town.
Day 10 Punakha – Paro
Drive back to Paro. Lunch at Dochula pass. Overnight at
hotel in Paro.
Day 11 Departure
After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport. The
representatives of the company will see you off.
TASHI DELEK !!!
Bhutan
TREKKING Home Page
Bhutan
Home Page |