Royal Heritage Trek
Posted by: Bhutan Incredible Tours / Category: Trekking Tours / Posted On: 9th Dec 2018
Summary
Entry : Paro
Exit : Paro
Duration : 12 Days, 11 Nights (4days trekking)
Max Elevation : 4039m
Highest Camp : 4039m
Difficulty : Moderate
Best Season : March, April, May, September, October & November
Start : Wangduecholing Palace (Bumthang)
Finish : Kuenga Rabten Palace (Trongsa)
Day 01: Arrival
The flight to Paro international airport will be one of the most exciting, offering you spectacular glimpses of the Himalayas, including Mt Everest. As the plane descends to land, views of the Bhutanese foothills, including Paro valley will be enthralling. On your arrival at the airport, our representative will welcome and escort you to the hotel.
After lunch you will be taken to visit the cultural and historic facets of Paro district, including the Ta Dzong, which was originally built as a Watch Tower and later transformed as the country’s national museum in 1967. The museum holds a fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The next visit will be to Rinpung Dzong, a hub for spiritual life and community events with a long and exciting history. You will also get a chance to stroll around the small township of Paro. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: Paro to Thimphu
After breakfast we will drive towards Thimphu and will be visiting places of historical importance and landmarks of the capital. The Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third king of Bhutan Jigmi Dorji Wangchuck, Changangkha monasterybuilt in the 12th century, statue of the world’s largest futuristic Buddha,Maitreya, Takin zoo, a Nunnery and Sangaygang, from where you can catch Thimphu in a celluloid form are some of the places you can visit in the morning. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Wood Craft and Painting school and seethe wonders of Bhutanese art and craft in the making. Take a stroll around town and visit the Post Office if you are an enthusiast of postal stamps. If time permits, we will also witness an archery match (Bhutan’s national game) in session. In the evening, we will be visiting Thimphu’s most important landmark,the Tashichho Dzong (Fortress), the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks, apart from other Ministerial offices.
Overnight at a local hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha
We begin our journey to Punakha. After about 45 minutes, we reach Dochula pass (3,100m), from where we get the first spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan ranges, consisting of snow-capped mountains, with heights ranging from 6000m to 7554m.The beautyof the pass is augmented by the spectacular 108 stupas (chortens), build around a mound. From the pass, it is a gradual descend along outgrowths of rhododendron, short bamboo and other tress to the subtropical valley of Punakha and Wangduepho drang. We then move to Chimey Lhakhang, built in the 15th century and associated with Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the “Divine Madmonk.” It isjust an hour walk (back and forth) from the road point. After lunch at the Lhakhang, we move to Punakha. As we reach Punakha, we can see the Dzong (Fortress), resembling a giant ship bed rocked on a mass of still water fromfar. Built by the Shabdrung in 1637, it is an architectural icon, located at the confluence of two rivers – the Pho (male) and the Mo (female) chus(rivers). The winter residence of the Chief Abbot and the clergy, it housesmost of Bhutan’s sacred relics and treasures. A visit will also be made to Khamsumyulley Namgyal chorten. Over night at a hotel.
Day 04: Punakha to Bumthang
After breakfast, we will begin the 7 hours drive via Wangduephodrang to Bumthang. The drive takes us through Pelela pass (alt. 3,300m), the traditional boundary between eastern and western Bhutan. The pass is marked by large prayer flags. Few minutes descend from the pass will take us to Chendebji Chorten, which was built in 19th century by a lama named Shida. It resembles the Boudhanath stupa in Nepal,with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Lunch will be at Trongsa, after which we visit Trongsa Dzong, another majestic architectural masterpiece and once ancient Bhutan’s capital. It is very historic and every King, before ascending the Throne must, as the Crown Prince serve as the Penlop (Governor)of Trongsa. From Trongsa, we drive for 68 kms and reach Bumthang.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 05: Wangdichholing Palace – Domkar Tashichholing Palace (trekking)
Starting from Wangdichholing Palace (2600m), in Bumthang, the trek begins with a gradual ascend towards Jakar Dzong, and further to Kikila pass (3948m). You could make a visit to the historical Wangdichholing Palace and Jakar Dzong, depending on time at your disposal. After about four and a half hours trek fromWangdichholing, you will reach the lunch spot (Seou Zheysa), which was the actual lunch spot used by the Royal family in the past.
The campsite (Makhagthang) on the banks of Duegang Chhu is a three hour downhill walk from Kikila and stands at an elevation of 2908 m. It is just about half a kilometer from Domkhar Tashichholing Palace.
Day 06: Domkar – Jamsapang (trekking)
The hike begins with the crossing of the Duegang chhu after which the trail is mostly uphill. A climb for about three and a half hours will take you to Dungmai Jab,located at an altitude of 3678m. This will be your lunch spot. After walking for about two hours uphill from the lunch spot, you will reach Jamsapang, which stands at an elevation of 4019m. Tungli La (pass) is just a few minutes away from the campsite.
Day 07: Jamsapang – Bjobshisa (trekking)
The day begins with about an hour’s walk, involving a slight ascend towards Tungli La(4039 m). From here, one can feast on the beauty of the snow peaked Black Mountains sandwiched between Bhutan’s southern foothills at the left and the greater Himalayan range at the right. The trail from Tungli La is a gradual descend and after about two hours, one will reach the lunch point. Another 2 hours brings you to the third campsite, Bjobshisa, a place used by local cattle herders during the summer/monsoon season.
Day 08: Bjobshisa – Kuenga Rabten Palace (trekking)
Descending all the way, the trail from BJobshisa to Kuenga Rabten Palace takes about four hours. The palace was the royal winter residence of the Second King and his junior consort and stands at an elevation of 1774m. At the back of the palace is an ideal camping ground overlooking the valley and Mangdue River.
Day 09: Kuenga Rabten Palace to Bumthang
After Breakfast we will drive towards Bumthang and spend day sightseeing and visiting various Temples.
Day 10: Bumthang to Gangtey
After breakfast, we begin the 188km drive to Gangtey. It will take us about 5-6 hours with the road gradually ascending till Lawala pass(1100 feet). Passing through Nobding village, the vegetation consists of high altitude dwarf bamboo, rhododendrons flowers, Magnolia, fir and pine trees. We will reach Phobjikha valley at 3,000m, in the Black Mountain Ranges. Phobjikhais one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and home to the very rare black necked crane. The birds migrate from Tibet to Bhutan in winter (from October-March). We will be visiting Gangtey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingmapa monasteries that look like a small Dzong. In what will be a spectacular Day, you can hike around the beautiful Phobjikha valley. This valley is mostly covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo and pine trees. There are impressive carvings of art and wood on farm house.You could interact with the people and get to know more about their way of life
Overnight at Farm house or hotel
Day 11: Gangtey to Paro
We will be driving for six hours to Paro and on the way; we will take a short stroll through Wangdue town and have lunch there. On the way, there will be a stopover at Dochula pass.
Overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast you will be driven to Airport for your onward destination.
