Welcome to Bhutan 2023

DAY 01 | MON, OCT 16, 2023

Dinner

Namgay Heritage

ARRIVE TO PARO, BHUTAN

Arrive at Paro International Airport from Delhi, Calcutta, Kathmandu or Bangkok. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at 7,480 feet and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide will meet you and take you on a short one-hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu River valleys to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, at 7,612 feet. You can stop on the way to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Depending on flight timing, we may be able to visit the weekly market. Take a late afternoon walk around town and soak in the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.

DAY 02 | TUE, OCT 17, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Namgay Heritage

THIMPHU

Early in the morning you will have a meditation session for one and half hours or so before you visit the Memorial Chorten and the huge statue of Buddha Dordenma, which commands a tremendous view of Thimphu valley.  The impressive 3-storey throne holds several chapels and the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. Then we will arrange a meeting with local women (to be confirmed) at RENEW (which stands for Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women), an NGO dedicated to ensuring a gender-based violence-free happy society and that the rights of women and families remain a priority.

In the afternoon drive about 25 minutes to Kabesa and visit Choki Traditional Art School which is the only private institution that offers training of traditional arts and crafts in Bhutan. In addition, the school serves as an orphanage providing free tuition, food and lodging to the most disadvantaged youth of the region. The limited resources make it difficult for students to continue their training. In consequence, some of them cannot pursue their education and strive to pursue their dreams.

On the way back visit Pangri Zampa Bhutan’s Royal Collage of Astrology (it is possible to get a blessing and a reading from the astrologer on payment of a fee).

DAY 03 | WED, OCT 18, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Meri Puensum

THIMPHU PUNAKHA

Early this morning we will drive from Thimphu to just above Hongtsho below Dochu La where we will turn off along a farm road and drive about 30 minutes to Tashigang Gompa.  Here you can visit the Gompa – about 30 monks live here during the warmer months. From the monastery walk up towards Lungchotse Gompa which will take about 2 hours.  It is a perfect place to enjoy the bounties of nature. On a clear sunny day one can see the entire Bhutan Himalaya with its snow-covered peaks.  Normally there is no caretaker at the Lhakhang, so you may not be able to go inside.  From here you will walk down another 1.5 hours or so to Dochu La pass at 10,007 feet, where we will stop for a hot drink.  The route is well shaded with rhododendron trees growing in abundance. The path is well padded with fallen leaves. In May and June when the flowers are in bloom it is a magical trek amidst the various hues of white, red, pink and purple.  Then continue your drive approximately 2 hours to the old capital, Punakha, and you will notice the change of climate and vegetation as we approach low-lying Punakha at 4,101 feet.  Here we can visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu.

DAY 04 | THU, OCT 19, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Namgay Heritage

PUNAKHA THIMPHU

Take a hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten via the village of Yebisa. The walk starts from the suspension bridge below Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Hike at a gentle pace for around 10 minutes from the bridge through the paddy rice fields of Yebisa village. Then continue the hike for around 40 to 50 minutes up to the temple. The walk is still fairly gentle but there are some steeper parts. From the top you will see a beautiful view of the valley and surrounding villages. The temple is 98 feet tall and is dedicated to the fifth King. After visiting the temple descend for around 30 minutes until you reach the suspension bridge where you will be picked up by your car. In the afternoon take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across the terraced fields of Sopsokha village to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Then we will return to Thimphu.

We will arrange a visit to Bhutan Herbal Tea, owned by a woman entrepreneur, Sonam Choden, producing tea that uses the unique ingredients from the topical zones of Bhutan and blends them with ingredients from the higher alpine zones.

This evening you can sort out your luggage for the trek. Anything you don’t need to carry with you will be kept safely in Thimphu to await your arrival.

DAY 05 | FRI, OCT 20, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Camp at Gur

TREK DAY 1: THIMPHU GUR

The trek begins with a 2-hour drive from Thimphu to Genekha where you start walking at an altitude of about 9,186 feet. Abundant alpine flora and fauna is a feature of today’s walk.  After two hours’ gradual climb we take a rest at a huge rock platform, overlooking the valley below.  Two hours later we reach the camp at Gur, famous for its spring flowers, at 10,991 feet.

Time: 4 hours
Distance: 9.3 miles
Ascent/Descent: 9,186 feet start; 10,991 feet end

DAY 06 | SAT, OCT 21, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Camp at Labatama

TREK DAY 2: GUR LABATAMA

This is a day to enjoy the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation, amidst flowers and wild asparagus.  The first pass at 13,681 feet, crowned with a huge cairn, allows a spectacular view of the whole Daga La range, meadows and a yak herders’ camp.  After lunch the walk continues through hills and meadows to camp at 13,287 feet.

Time: 6 hours
Distance: 7.5 miles
Ascent/Descent: 10,991 feet start; 13,287 feet end

DAY 07 | SUN, OCT 22, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Camp at Panka

TREK DAY 3: LABATAMA PANKA

The day begins with a 20-minute climb to the pass at Labajong La (14,436 feet), after which we descend with majestic views of Himalayan peaks (including Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsendegang and Gangche Ta) to the camp at 13,123 feet.

Time: 4 hours
Distance: 4.97 miles
Ascent/Descent: 13,287 feet start; 14,436 feet; 13,123 feet end

DAY 08 | MON, OCT 23, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Namgay Heritage

TREK DAY 4: PANKA THIMPHU

We traverse several passes, each more impressive than the last. This is a place to search for different varieties of blue poppy, especially in June and July, and spot mountain birds.  After lunch, an hour’s gradual climb leads to the tip of the last Daga La range above the Thimphu valley.  Another hour of walking through alpine and mixed vegetation including bamboo thickets and wild flowers brings us to the Talekha monastery and village, with amazing views of the Thimphu valley.  We continue to walk through mixed vegetation with apple orchards until reaching the main road where a vehicle will be waiting to take us to Thimphu.

This evening we can find some entertainment – perhaps a karaoke bar or a local nightclub, depending on what interests the group.

Time: 8 hours
Distance: 9.94 miles
Ascent/Descent: 13,123 feet start

DAY 09 | TUE, OCT 24, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tenzinling

THIMPHU GANEKA PARO

In the morning we will drive 1.5 hours to the small village of Genekha to visit the Genekha local festival. You will see locals dressed in their finest clothes who have walked from miles around to attend the festivities. You will see masked dances performed by demons and animals and be captivated by the sound of cymbals, drums and horns and the unforgettable chanting of Buddhist monks who perform religious dance of purification. Arrays of colourful brocades whirl through the air as the dancers spin and dance the “thunderbolt step”. Watch for the Atsara or clown. This dancer, unique in his own style, mimics the other dancers and entertains onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction and luck is increased and misfortune banished.

Late afternoon, drive about 45 minutes to Paro for the night.

DAY 10 | WED, OCT 25, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tenzinling

PARO

Start your sightseeing in the Paro valley with a visit to Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. Next, we will drive about 10 minutes to view the National Museum located in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. The Ta Dzong houses a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. From the National Museum, take a leisurely 1-hour hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong. The walk passes Gonsaka Lhakhang and then Zuri Dzong and provides wonderful views down over the valley and of Paro Dzong. Zuri Dzong dates from 1352 and is home to the valley’s local protector gods. Continue your walk down to the Uma Resort junction where you turn right towards Paro Dzong and here again you should have a good view of Paro Dzong and town. Your driver will be waiting at the Paro bridge to pick you up. After lunch you can visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.

Then you can visit a local farmhouse for tea or dinner allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life. Take the opportunity to try the restorative properties of a hot stone bath! (Optional - supplement applies)

DAY 11 | THU, OCT 26, 2023

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Tenzinling

PARO

Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 2,953 feet above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress.  He subsequently meditated here for three months.  It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery. If there is any time left for sightseeing after your hike your guide will suggest something for you to see.

This evening we will arrange a farewell dinner for the group.

DAY 12 | FRI, OCT 27, 2023

Breakfast

DEPART PARO

Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).