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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 |
Start day with hike to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), which is the highlight of the tour. Reaching to the temple requires about two hours of hiking up. After visiting the temple, climb further up to Zangto Pelri lhakhang for bird’s eye views of Tigers Nest. ➜ Continue hiking up even farther to Ugyen Tshemo temple and Yoeseling monastery in 3320 meters. From here, the narrow trail descends through dense forest steeply down. ➜ On the way stop for Shama lhakhang, the temple just adjacent to Tiger’s Nets on the cliff face, but inaccessible from there. ➜ Finally, descend to join main trail near to the parking. This loop hike might require about 6 hours. ➜ Afternoon visit to Kiychu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan. ➜ Explore lively little Paro town with shops, cafés and local bars. ➜ Get ready for early start of next day's trekking. |
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3 |
Trek: Gunitsawa – Thangthangkha |
Trek 16 km, 7-8 hours, ➚ 770 m, ➘ 10 m, camp altitude 3610 m. ➜ Start from hotel early in the morning and drive to Gunistawa in 2890 meters. Drive will take about 1.5 hour and upon reaching, the trekking will commence. ➜ 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 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 |
Trek 10 km, 5-6 hours, ➚ 480 m, camp altitude 4080 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 |
Halt: Jangothang |
Enjoy the sunrise and first rays of sun on the majestic Jomolhari mountain. Calling Jangothang one of the most beautiful campsites in the Himalayas is no exaggeration! ➜ Today we will make beautiful hike to Tshophu lakes in 4450 m altitude. Start going from camp further north along the few hamlets and then turn to the steep ascend towards the east. ➜ Finally, you will reach long deep valley hidden from below and see the two spectacular ice lakes hidden at it's bottom. Walk to the first or even second lake since it offers great views back towards the summits of Jomolhari I, Jomolhari II, and Jichu Drakye. Herds of blue sheep are also common sight. If you are strong, you can even continue to the Bonte-la pass (4850 m) but not further. The trail ultimately leads back to Gunitsawa after two days trekking (is so called Jomolhari Yaksa trek). ➜ After enjoying the views around the lakes, descend back to Jangothang. |
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6 |
Trek: Jangkothang – Thangthangkha |
Trek 10 km, 4 hours, ➘ 480 m, camp altitude 3610 m. ➜ Today, you can start from the Jangkothang in leisurely pace since you will only be going back to Thangthangkha, the first camp. ➜ If you are feeling strong, you might like to make hike to the Jomolhari viewpoint above the campsite. This hike also offers a lot of nice views, even though you should be careful not to exhaust yourself. ➜ Take a rest upon reaching the camp or you can explore further, descending to the junction with chorten below campsite and hike towards Yaksa valley. This is alternative end of Jomolhari loop trek. |
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7 |
Trek: Thangthangkha – Gunitsawa, drive to Paro |
Trek 16 km, 4-5 hours, ➘ 770 m, ➚ 10 m. ➜ Start trekking back to Gunitsawa where the vehicle will be waiting for you. Part goodbye to your trekking team and drive to Paro. ➜ After getting refreshed in the hotel, you can make some additional sightseeing in Paro, like visiting the National Museum in castle watchtower or Kiychu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest temples in the country. ➜ Optionally, you can consider hot stone bath, the traditional Bhutanese treat. |
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8 |
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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9 |
Thimphu – Paro, departure |
Early morning drive to Paro and departure by flight or all day drive to Indian border in Phuentsholing. |
