Bhutan Trekking Tour - 10D/9N

Bhutan Monastery photo courtesy of Bhutan Tourist BoardBhutan is one of the most sought after travel destinations and is a trekker’s paradise and environmentalist’s dream. With 72 percent of the country under forest cover, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. This spiritual land is the last bastion of the Vajrayana school of Mahayana Buddhism which provides the essence of a unique identity for the 750,000 people. Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and new; a country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions.

Paro is the entry point for all visitors flying into Bhutan and lies at an elevation of 2,280 m. Places to visit include the Paro Dzong, the National Museum housed in a round fortress called the Ta Dzong, adn the ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, a 17th century fortress that was used to keep invading Tibetan forces at bay. The Tiger’s Nest or the Taktshang is one of the most popular spiritual heritage sites, locted on the rock face of a cliff 2,950 m above the ground. It is a short climb of 1.5 or 2 hours to reach the top.

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is the largest town in the country with a population of 100,000. The 1.5 hour drive from the airport in Paro takes you down Bhutan’s first 4-lane expressway, over 2 dramatic flyover bridges, and right into the heart of town. Places to visit in Thimphu include the Textile Museum, the Folk Heratige Museum, the Trashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Chorten, and the Centenary Farmer’s Market. On a clear day, you can see a panorama of the Himalayan mountain range.

Included: Accommodation in shared twin room. Meals as specified in the programme (fullboard). Tours and transfers by private car/van with English speaking guide. Tourism Development Fund. Visa fee.

Not Included: Airticket to/from Paro. Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.

Accommodations:
Paro: Kichu Resort

Bhutan Monks photo courtesy of Bhutan Tourist BoardItinerary

  • Day 01: ARRIVAL - PARO (L/D) - Arrival at Paro. Welcome by the representative of Asian Trails/Pristine Druk-Yul Tours & Treks at the Airport. Transfer to hotel and check-in at Kichu Resort. After lunch, visit National Museum, Paro Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang, Dungtse Lhakhang and the town of Paro. Dinner and overnight at the Kichu Resort.
  • Day 02: PARO – SHARNA (B/L/D) - Breakfast. The trek starts at the north end of the valley PARO-SHARNA. Following the river gently uphill through a narrowing agricultural valley. Village houses, kids and farm land on either side can be seen on the trail. The trail is gently uphill for a distance of 15kms. taking about 6 hours at slow pace. The camp is on a meadow for a half an hour walk above the army check post at an altitude of 2,800 metres. Overnight camping.
  • Day 03: SHARNA – SOITHANGKHA (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Continue uphill through the valley. The path narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Today is quite a long walk so, one has to start early to have enough rest on the way. Pack lunch will be served enroute. Camp in a meadow under a stone shelter. Distance today is 21 kms. and takes about 9 hours. at slow pace (altitude 3640 metres.) Overnight camping.
  • Day 04: SOITHANGKHA – JANGOTHANG (Base Camp) (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Up the Paro River, pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now the views of high ridges and snow capped peaks are all around. You begin to see yak herders in their tents. Hot lunch will be served on arrival at the base camp. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Jomolhari. Distance today is 14 kms. and takes 5 hours. (altitude 4120 metres). Overnight camping.
  • Day 05: JANGOTHANG – YAKSHA (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Continue uphill passing the Tsophu (Lakes) and Bhontela pass at 4500 metres. Then descend steeply downhill till you reach the camp site. If fortunate you can see herds of blue sheep grazing on an open pasture. The camp will be in a meadow at alt. 4100 metres. Distance today is 16 kms and takes about 6 hours. Overnight camping.
  • Day 06: YAKSHA – THONGBU (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Cross the Tagulinla pass at 4520 metres and descend down to the campsite at Thongbu (alt. 4100 metres). Distance today is 15 kms. and takes about 6 hours. Overnight in a tent (alt. 4160 metres)
  • Day 07: THONGBU – SHARNA (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Cross a small pass during a 50 minutes walk and then descend all the way downhill till you reach the camp at Sharna. Distance today is 16 kms. and takes 5/6 hours. Overnight camping.
  • Day 08: SHARNA – DRUKGYEL DZONG - PARO – THIMPHU (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Start the trekking downhill to Paro. The trail is all the way gently downhill. After arrival at Paro, have lunch at the hotel and continue by car to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan’ s mainroad a two-hour drive. Transfer to the Druk Hotel. Evening at leisure, wander along the town’s mainroad and do shopping as you like. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the Druk Hotel.
  • Day 09: THIMPHU – PARO (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Sightseeing of Thimphu Valley. Visit Tashichho Dzong, the biggest fortress and the administrative centre of Bhutan. 10.30 Drive to Paro. After lunch drive to north of the valley for about 10 kilometers and hike up through the pine trees for 1 1/2 hours at slow pace till the tourist Cafe’ offering close views of the Taktsang Monastery hanging on a cliff above the valley. Those who are energetic can walk up to the monastery, wheras entering inside is restricted. The main temple was burnt down in 1997 and the renovation project is going on. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. After a break and refreshment at the Cafe’, walk down where you will be picked and transferred to the hotel. Check-in at Kichu Resort. Dinner and overnight at the Kichu Resort.
  • Day 10: PARO – DEPARTURE (B) - Breakfast. Pick up from hotel and transfer to airport for your departure flight.

    • Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

    Insure My TripWe provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.

    Adobe PDF format
    US Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here

    Adobe PDF format
    Canadian Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here

    Also tagged with: Escorted Journeys, Independent Journeys, Asia, Trekking, Active Travel, Bhutan, Join-In Tour, Hosted Tours


    Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

    Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.