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1 |
Arrival, Paro |
Arrival by plane to Paro or crossing border from India in Phuntsholing/Jaigon and drive to Paro. ➜ Visit of National museum of Bhutan and Paro dzong, castle where Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha film was shot. ➜ Sightseeing subject to the arrival time. |
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2 |
Paro – Gunitsawa |
Morning visit of Kyichu lhakhang, the temple built in 8th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. ➜ Climb to Taktsang gompa (Tiger's Nest), most venerated and holy place in Bhutan overlooking valley from the steep cliff. ➜ After lunch drive to Drukyel dzong. This used to be a place where the trek started before. See ruins of the old dzong (castle) and continue further to military camp of Gunitsawa on the new built road. ➜ Possibility to make detour to Lhadi Gompa just before military camp. ➜ First night camping just above military camp at the elevation of 2890 m. |
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3 |
Trek: Gunitsawa – Thangthangkha |
Distance 16 km, 7-8 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent, camp altitude 3,610 m. ➜ On this long day there are a lot of up and downs, mostly through the forest along the Paro chhu river. ➜ Finally, you will reach to large chorten on the junction, where you will need take trail to the left. After about half hour, you will reach to Thangthangtha campsite. The place is equipped with dilapidated toilets, kitchen house and caretaker's dwelling. If weather permits, you might glimpse the first great view of Jomolhari, best photographed right from the toilets. Camp is cold and it gets dark early. |
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4 |
Trek: Thangthangkha – Jangothang |
Distance 10 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent, camp altitude 4,080 m. ➜ If you did not see Jomolhari peak in the evening, you still have a chance to get a great view this morning. ➜ The trek continues up the Paro chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. ➜ Passing the villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another asset on this day. ➜ After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you can enjoy most spectacular view of Jomolhari over the ruins of ancient temple or fortress. |
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5 |
Trek: Jangothang – Sie Makha chorten with excursion to Thophu lakes |
Trek: 17 km, 7-8 hours, 400 m ascent, 700 m descent. In the morning wake up early to see the Jomolhari getting the first rays of sunshine. ➜ Then hike to the Tshophu lakes. From here you can see the aerial view of summits all around and possibly also herds of blue sheep. ➜ After reaching to Tshophu you will need to turn back, descend to Jangothang and continue backstep until you reach the chorten above the military camp (Sie Makha) around which you passed previous day. This will be your camp for today. |
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6 |
Trek: Sie Makha chorten – Gunitsawa, drive to Paro |
Trek: 18 km, 7-8 hours, 350 m ascent, 1.280 descent. ➜ Today is long and a bit exhausting day, going all the way back to Gunitsawa. We will go the same way we ascended so at least we will go most of the time gently down. It's better to start early, so we reach Gunitsawa by mid-afternoon. ➜ Here the vehicle will be waiting to take us to hotel in Paro. You may consider taking traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath after the trekking (need to be ordered in advance). |
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7 |
Paro – Thimphu |
Morning drive to Thimphu with stop at Tachog lhakhang to see the bridge reconstructed with old chains smithed by ancient saint and bridge builder Thangton Gampo. ➜ Drive to Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha overlooking the valley and walk to striking city viewpoint. Walk in Norzin lam street and see the traffic police signaling in junctions. Thimphu is only capital in the world without the traffic lights. ➜ Finish walk at handicraft market where many interesting Bhutanese souvenirs can be seen and bought for reasonable price. ➜ Visit of Tashichho dzong, the castle, which serves as seat of the king and government. ➜ Or instead, we can spend afternoon with drive to the north of Thimphu valley and do rewarding hike to Cheri monastery, school for higher Buddhist education. |
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8 |
Thimphu – Paro, departure |
Early morning drive to Paro and departure by flight or all day drive to Indian border in Phuentsholing. |
