Bird watching is another colorful experience that the tourists will find after seeing some of the rare species of birds in Bhutan that includes white-bellied heron, blood pheasants, wren-babblers, Himalayan monal, yellow-throated fulvetta, rufous-necked hornbill, and fire-tailed Myzornis. The rich biodiversity of Bhutan is habitat to some of the rare wild animals too. Bhutan has many national parks which expands across the country and are open to tourists visits.
Distance 7 km, 4-5 hours, 1,090 m ascent, camp altitude 3,480 m. The first day can be quite arduous as you have to climb more than 1,000m elevation. You start from the Ta Dzong (National Museum) in Paro. The trek follows a gravel road past a few farms for about 30 minutes and then climbs up a steep ridge before leading through blue pine and fir forests to Damche Gom. Once you reach the ridge below Jili Dzong you descend about 100m to the campsite below the Dzong.
Distance 10 km, 4-5 hours, 310 m ascent, 50 m descent, camp altitude 3,770 m. You begin with a steep climb for about an hour and a half, then the slope evens a bit and the ascent is more gradual. The trail takes you through thick alpine forests and dwarf rhododendron tress. You may see herders and their yaks around your campsite.
Distance 11 km, 4 hours, 230 m descent, 330 m ascent, camp altitude 3,870 m. The trail follows a ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are simply stunning. The campsite is close to the Jimgelang Tsho Lake. This lake is known for its giant sized trout.
Distance 11 km, 4 hours, 820 m ascent, 400 m descent, camp altitude 4,110 m. The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and past Janetso Lake. You may come across some yak herder camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomad’s life. The campsite is close to Simkotra Tsho Lake.
Distance 10 km, 3-4 hours, 130 m ascent, 680 m descent, camp altitude 3,750 m. The day begins with a gradual climb. If the weather permits, you will have a spectacular view of Mount Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and several other Himalayan peaks. From this pass, the trek takes you downhill towards Phajodhing where you will halt for the night. The camp is located just above Phadjoding Monastery.
Distance 4-5 km, 3 hours, 1,130 m descent. After passing Phadjoding monastery, the trek to Thimphu (Mothitang) is downhill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about three hours. The Druk Path finishes at the Bhutan Broadcast Service (BBS) Telecommunication Tower, offering great view of the city of Thimphu.
Your excursion will start after we receive you at the Paro International Airport. We shall make visits to so many places of interest within short distances. You will get to see the magnificent fortress, the Paro Dzong. You will be taken to Drugyel Dzong which is in ruins perched on a hilltop. This dzong was built a symbol of victory of Bhutanese forces against Tibetan armies in 1649. You will also witness breathtaking beauty of Jhomolhari Mountain which is one of the highest peaks in Bhutan. You will then visit temples and culture sites where you will see the people deeply absorbed into spirituality and Buddhism.
On the second day we shall climb up to visit a monastery built on a high rocky cliff. It was built to honour the place where a great Buddhist saint, Guru Padmasambhava, flew on a back of a tigress to subdue demons rising here and meditate thereafter. That’s why the monastery is called Taktshang meaning Tiger’s Nest. Guests who can’t walk uphill can hire horses. After we return from the cliff, we shall head to the National Museum at Paro. It houses some of the most sacred, precious, and exquisite art and artifacts of Bhutan.
On the third day we travel to capital city – Thimphu. It the city where you will witness the touch of modernization and changing lifestyles. In the midst of such events, we will take you around to see some of the old monuments and wonders that the city embraces. You will also get to see the national animal of Bhutan along with various other wildlife in the zoo above the city. The great fortress of Tashichodzong which is the office our King can also be visited on this day.
Punakha is two hours away from the capital city. On the way you will enjoy natural scenic beauty traveling through the highest pass between Thimphu and Punakha. On this pass are built 108 temples as a tribute to brave King and his armies who drive away the foreign militants residing in within our borders. In Punakha you will see the magnificent Dzong with a male and female rivers flowing on either sides of dzong. Other attractions include the famous temple of Chimi Lhakhang where a Buddhist saint nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ subdued the demon who was in the form of a dog. This temple can bless you with special powers especially women who suffer from infertility and needs a child. Talo is another place to visit were you will see traditional farm houses with villagers leading a rustic and undisturbed lives.
This day will take you to see the longest dzong in Bhutan: Trongsa Dzong. This dzong was used as the central administrative building before formal monarchy was instituted in the country. The governor of the dzong called Trongsa Penlop was considered most powerful authority in the country then. Today every crown prince should assume the post of Trongsa Penlop before he is crowned the king. Above the dzong is Ta Dzong which is museum housing the old treasures and artifacts. We can also visit the Thruepang Palace which was residence to first and the second kings.
The next stop is at Bumthang, the most beautiful and flat valley in Bhutan. It is said to be the land of beautiful girls since the name ‘Bum’ means ‘girl’ and ‘thang’ means ‘flat land’. But more than this myth, the land bear numerous religious legends with so many ancient monuments and places to see. On the first day tourists will visit nearby places like Jambay Lhakhang, the old monastery built by the Tibetan king in 7th century. Near this monastery are three monasteries that make Kurje Lhakhang built on sacred places where Guru is said to have meditated and left his imprints. Jakar dzong is nice treat for visitors which is built in 16th century.
The second day in Bumthang will take the tourists on short excursions around the valley. The first trip will be to visit The Burning Lake at a place called Tang. This is the lake from where the great Buddhist saint, Pema Lingpa, discovered treasures hidden under the water. Around Tang, we can also see Ugyenchioling Palace that once belonged to Trongsa Penlop (governor) Tshokey Dorji. Tourists can see amenities and provisions of the powerful people back then. The next trip will be to go and see Ura valley which is 48 kms away from Bumthang. On the way tourists will get the view of the highest peak in Bhutan, Gangkar Puensum. Tourists can witness the evolving community of Ura and the highland lifestyles of the people there.
Tourists will go drive back from Bumthang to Phobjikha valley. Known for its tranquility and welcoming ambience, the place is habitat for the black-necked cranes that fly in from Tibet during the winter season. People in this valley live in harmony with nature by carefully developing their community. The cranes spend the winter here and go back flying with elaborate patterns of dance showing gratitude to the place. Gangtey Goemba is breathtaking monastery which is a central view at Phobjikha valley. It is the seat of Gangtey Trulku, the reincarnation of Pema Lingpa.
The final day of the excursion will be journeying back to Paro valley. In the evening tourists can get a relaxing traditional hot stone bath. Tourists can also scan through Paro town to buy some nice souvenirs to your loved ones back at home.
Tourists will be seen off at Paro airport. We shall offer you traditional scarves as good wishes and to be kept as mark of memories of Bhutan tours to be cherished in your life.
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