EXTREME TREK - This journey across the top of eastern Bhutan follows what used to be an important trade route before completion of the national highway. The trek is tough, and involves a tremendously long, steep descent. Few groups take up the challenge which this long and demanding journey presents. The account below is incomplete as Etho Metho guides are still researching alternative routes/night halts, etc. for some sections of the trek, which we hope to be able to offer on a regular basis within 2-3 years. Best time to travel: April, May, September, October & early November.
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel after completion of arrival formalities. Evening visit to Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Morning take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). Legends says that Guru Padma sambhava came here flying on the back of a tigress and landed at the spot where monastery was later built. The monastery was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been fully restored in its original grandeur. Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, built in 17th century, as watch tower to defend Paro Dzong and valey. This fortress was later converted into the National Museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and Bhutan's renowned postage stamps. Below the Ta Dzong, is fascinating Rinpung Dzong meaning 'fortress of the heap of jewels', which has a long and interesting history. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Morning drive to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetan armies. Also visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Then drive to Thimphu visiting en route Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627 which now houses the School for Buddhist Studies. Evening visit to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's Third King followed by visit to Trasichhodzong, beautiful medieval fortress/monastery. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Morning visit in Thimphu, National Library, Arts & Carfts School, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. Then drive to Trongsa, across Dochula pass (3,050m) and Pele la pass (3,300m). Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.
Morning visit to striking Trongsa Dzong, ancestral abode of Bhutan's Royal family. Then visit Ta Dzong, built as watch tower to guard Trongsa Dzong. After that proceed to Bumthang and in the afternoon, visit here ; the Jakar Dzong built in 17th century during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first religious and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Then visit the Kurjey monastery where Guru Padsambhava left his body imprint in the 8thcentury. The temple was later built in 17th century. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
The trek begins today. Trek route follows the Chamkhar Chhu river, coming across many villages and temples, meadows, forests of blue pine and scrub bamboo. Today is very relaxing and easy day. Arrive at the village camp at the altitude of 2,900m. Walking time about 6 hours.
The trail ascends gradually towards the Phephe la pass, walking through the forests of junipers, until you arrive at the pass at an altitude of 3,340m. After the path descend to Tang valley, finally arriving at Ugyenchholing village. Camp by the side of the river at the altitude of 2,850m. Walking time 7 / 8 hours.
The beginning of trek is muddy and slippery. At about 3,000m it become a small footpath through muddy fields and dwarf bamboo. At about 3,400m the route crosses a meadow with more dwarf bamboo. Climb through the meadow and traverse through forest to another steep, high meadow. The trail leads to a summer pasture surrounded by forests and the ground is dotted with tiny blue alpine flowers.
Continue ascending for half an hour until you reach Rodungla (4,100m). Then it is a steep descent to the valley floor. There are few small meadows en route. After a short wander through dwarf bamboo you meet pine trees near campsite.
This trail like a wave, wins up and down till Drula village and Khaine Lhakhang en route. It is one of the oldest temple in existence today, built in mid 7th century by the King Songtsen of Tibet to subdue demons.
Proceed to Lhuntse guest house for lunch, followed by leisure time.
Arrive to Kuri Zam and the trek from here is gradually up through the paddy fields and villages. Camp is at 1,850m near Menji village, besides the Darchu Pang Lhakhang situated amidst garden full of flowers of marigold, geraniums, dahlias and nasturtiums.
Continue uphill through the thick, humid forest packed with dense foliage of ferns and creepers and a constant whistle of cicadas. The trail is narrow and steep. Climb steadily for two ours to a ridge top meadow, then plunge back into the forest to reach the camp at Pemi (2,400m) on a narrow ridge top clearing with a view out to a forested gorge and mountains.
Continue upwards till Dong la (3,900m) which present enchanting mountain views. On the opposite side of the pass the trail traverses nine passes, called as nine sisters of Dong la. Finally descend steeply through thick evergreen forests on a trail strewn with rocks, logs to a ridge top meadow. The camp is at Taupang (2,460m), a clearing in the forest with a cowherds wooden shelter.
Today en route you will encounter huge ferns, red-berried palms and occasional leeches. Two hours of trek brings you to the village of Shukshing, a cluster of bamboo huts on the hillside, surrounded by corn fields, banana trees and grazing cows. The trek ends at Trashi Yangtse Dzong.
Morning drive to Trashigang. Vist Trashigang Dzong and local market. Overnight at the lodge.
After breakfast drive back to Bumthang en route visit Mongar Dzong and town. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Punakha . Lunch would be served en route at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town. En route at Wangduephodrang take a short break for tea / coffee and then proceed to Punakha hotel for overnight stay.
Morning free time in Punakha. After lunch drive to Paro for overnight stay.
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
INCLUSION
EXCLUSION
Starts from US $ 4750/- per person
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In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Where as in case of Cancellation before the commencement, it will take atleast two weeks time to refund the said amount.
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All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort & general well being.
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