| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, Paro | Arrival to Paro. ➜ Drive to Paro airport viewpoint. Depending on schedule, you might see planes landing and taking off. Runway in Paro is famed as one of the most demanding of all World's International airports. ➜ Visit to Rinpung dzong, the castle where the Bernard Bertolucci’s Little Buddha film was shot. ➜ Walk in lively little town packed with interesting shops, cafés, and bars! ➜ Sightseeing is subject to arrival time. |
| 2 | Paro – Dochu-la | Today we will hike to Taktsang gomba (Tiger’s Nest), the most famous monument of Bhutan. Monastery in perched on the rock cliff in 3015 meters is not only beautiful place to visit, but also it makes nice acclimatization hike before you trekking. For even better experience of high altitude, you might climb above the main temple to Zangtopelri Lhakhang in 3350 meters. After visiting the temples, descend back to parking. ➜ Drive to Dochu-la pass (3010m) with stop at Tachog lhakhang to see traditional bridge made using ancient iron chains. ➜ Accommodation in hotel. In clear weather you might see panorama of snowy peaks including Gangkhar Punesum (7540m), the highest mountain of Bhutan which was never summited by man. You can also see the Masagang (7194m) towards which we will be trekking. ➜ Overnight in higher altitude will help with your acclimatization in coming days. |
| 3 | Dochu-la – Gasa, drive, trek to Koina | Trek 3km, 1.5h, ➚40m, ➘300m. ➜ Wake up early for the sunrise on the mountain peaks. Mountain views, if the weather permits, should be quite stunning. ➜ Start early drive to Gasa district, which was just recently connected by road. First descend to Wangdue and again start ascending along the Mo Chu river through the dense forest. ➜ Reach to Gasa town with monumental castle. You will visit there at the trek end. ➜ Last stretch of the road is very rough, so you will need to use hardy 4WD vehicle. Cross Bari-la pass (3740m) and finally reach trail head. ➜ From here you’ll start trekking, quite short for this day. You need just to descend to Koina camp along the road in construction. Be careful on ice which might plague the path in colder season. ➜ In Koina, you can either stay in tent or sleep in the small rest house. Given that the campsite is usually muddy, staying inside is recommended. ➜ Overnight in 3200m. |
| 4 | Trek Koina – Lungu | Trek 15km, 6-7h, ➚1100m, ➘500m. ➜ Today will be long day, ascending to higher elevation. ➜ Trek along the Mo chu river with some gentle or not so gentle ups and downs. ➜ After few hours you’ll reach to Takshikha military camp where you get your permits checked. ➜ From here there is final climb of approximately 300 meters to Lungu village, inhabited be Layap people. ➜ Layaps, also living in nearby village of Laya, are yak herders, who recently they became prosperous thanks to harvesting of yarsa-gumba (cordyceps) fungus. ➜ Layap woman are famous for their bamboo antenna hat. ➜ You have option to stay in basic local house instead of camping if you like. There is also the shop here, which is the last one for a couple of days. ➜ Overnight in 3740m. |
| 5 | Trek Lungu – Nulithang | Trek 10km, 5-6h, ➚550m, ➘300m. ➜ Trail from Lungu will be gently ascending, offering nice views of the village with the snowy peaks at the back and birds-eye perspective of Takshikha military camp. Later, the trail will connect to another path leading from Takshikha to Masagang BC. ➜ Hike along some hamlets and through the ruins of the old military camp. Cross the creek and continue hiking gently up, getting more views of the surrounding hills. ➜ Finally the stunning sight of Tsenda Kanga peak to the right and top of Masagang summit on the left will open in front of you. This is Somji camp, also called Masagang Base Camp. Unfortunately the place can sustain only few tents, so bigger groups need to continue some 30 minutes down to Nulithang. ➜ By evening enjoy the last touches of light on Tsenda Kang! ➜ Camping in 4010m. |
| 6 | Nulithang explore |
Today you have three options for day hike. ➜ Possibly the most rewarding trip is to climb to five thousand meters high “Chethola’s view point”. This is very steep climb with no proper trail. You need to start in Somji and climb the hill by your right side. It will take some 3 to 4 hours to reach summit. The effort will be rewarded by undisturbed view of Masagang and 360° degree panorama of the high snowy peaks all around. Then you have to descend the same way. ➜ Another less demanding option is to climb the other hill, just above Somji. Partly slided trail will ascend on the hill ridge. The view of Masagang will be gradually opening. In some 2 hours you will reach to herders' campsite with undisturbed view of Masagang, Tsenda Kang, Kang Bum and other peaks around. From here you shall continue to the valley below the Masagang glacier. If you feel strong, you can even try to reach ice lake from which mighty stream flow. Descending from here offers nice views. There are a lot of rhododendrons which will blossom in the spring. The trail is sometimes difficult to follow so advance carefully. Whole trip might take about 4 hours. ➜ Finally, you can also hike north of the Nulithang to Phongme. Going there by the right side of the river and walking back by the trail leading on the left side. This 8 hours long round trip offers quite pleasant views of the mountains and landscape without too much climbing. Going just halfway to the ruined castle or monastery is good and relaxing possibility if you don't feel too strong.
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| 7 | Trek Nulithang – Taksikha | Trek 12km, 4-5h, ➚150m, ➘750m, overnight in 3440m. ➜ Today you don’t need to hurry as the trek is not that long and goes mostly downhill. You can even make some hiking around the Nulithang before you start. ➜ Climbing some way above Somji or brief exploration in the direction of Phongme as described above are the viable options. ➜ You will follow the same way you reached, but instead of going to Lungu village, you will take direct path to Tashikha military camp, where you will sleep. ➜ This place doesn’t get too much sunlight so be prepared for cold night. You might be invited by the Indian or Bhutanese soldiers to join them for tea or drink. |
| 8 | Trek Taksikha – Gasa | Trek 12km, 6-7h, ➚710m, ➘860m. ➜ This is the last day of the trek, following the same trail as the first day. You will reach to the road by the afternoon and continue drive to Gasa hot springs. ➜ Taking a bath in the pools of hot sulfurous water together with your trekking staff or visit a numerous local bars will be great conclusion of the trek! ➜ Overnight camping by the hot springs or staying in local guest house with very simple facilities. |
| 9 | Gasa – Punakha | Visit the Gasa dzong (castle) in the morning. There are nice views from there and few interesting chapels to visit. ➜ Then start drive to Punakha. ➜ Visit of Punakha dzong, dubbed as “Palace of the Great Happinnes” which counts as the most intricately decorated castle in the kingdom and used to be winter seat of the Bhutanese rulers. ➜ Optionally you can consider rafting on the Mo Chhu (easy) or Pho Chhu (thrilling) river. ➜ Relax and enjoy the warm climate after the trekking. |
| 10 | Punakha – Thimphu |
Morning walk to Chhimmy lhakhang temple, devoted to the 15th century saint Drukpa Kunley, known as “Divine madman”, who allegedly taught Buddhism by singing, drinking and scandalous sexual exploits. Way to temple is perched by houses decorated with phallic symbols, as commemoration of the saint's antics. Temple is also known as fertility booster, attracting childless couples from all over the Bhutan and foreign countries as well. ➜ Drive to Thimphu and visit Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha overlooking the valley and walk to striking city viewpoint. ➜ Drop to central Clock Tower square and 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. ➜ Optionally celebrate conclusion of your Bhutan trip in famous Mojo Park music club or other Thimphu's popular venues.
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| 11 | Departure | Drive to Paro and departure from Bhutan. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Extend stay in Nulithang/Somji (+1 day): If you can afford to stay on the trek one more day, you can cover the both possible options: Climb to high viewpoint and do the round trip hike to Phongme.
- Explore Phongme valley (+2 day): If you have even more days available for trekking, you can trek further to Phongme and camp one night there. There is possible day hike from there to Masagang glacier or to ice lake on the other side.
- Extend cultural sightseeing (+1 and more days): This tour is quite quick in the sense of cultural sightseeing so additional day or two or even more might enhance your experience if you're interested in Bhutan's original culture.
- Visit Laya village (+1-2 days): Instead of going to Taksikha camp on day 7, you can go to Laya village. This is similar to Lungu but much larger. Another extra one day can be utilised by scenic hike to ice lakes above the Laya village.