This trek goes through the most remote part
of Bhutan – across the top of eastern
Bhutan. It is challenging and involves a very
long and steep descent. Rodang La was an important
trade route that connected the eastern and western
regions of the country before a national highway
was built in the 1960s. Highlights also include
remote villages and ancient dzongs.
Day 01 : Arrive to Paro by Druk Air
flight. Altitude: 2250 Meters.
During this flight, one will experience
the breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga
and other Himalayan peaks including Bhutan’s
high Himalayas too.
On arrival at Paro our representative will
receive you. The drive to hotel through Paro
valley is enchanting. After lunch you will be
taken to Ta-Dzong (museum). Overnight hotel.
Day 02 : Hike to Tiger’s Nest.
Perched on the mirror- like cliff at a height
of 800 meters above the lush valley of Paro
is one of the most sacred places in Bhutan.
Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, flew here
on a flaming Tigress for the second visit to
Bhutan and meditated here in the 8th century.
Here he propagated Vajrayana- Mahayana Buddhism
(Bigger Wheel) that was prophesied by the Buddha
at the time of attaining Nirvana.
In April 1998, a fire destroyed the main structure
of the buildings and its religious contents.
A complete restoration was done which has resulted
in a carbon copy of the original. This place
beholds the history of The Hidden Land. The
walking time is approximately five hours to
and fro. If you have permission to go in. otherwise,
around 3- 4 hours is enough to make the round
trip to the viewpoint.
Day 03 : Paro - Thimphu. Distance –65KM.
Driving – 2Hours. Altitude: 2350 Meters.
This morning follow the winding road
beside the Pa- Chu (Chu means river or water)
down stream to its confluence with the Wangchu,
then up-valley to Thimphu, the capital. After
lunch visit the Memorial Chorten, visit the
National Memorial Chorten built in memory of
late 3rd King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1974,
here the faithful circumambulate the shrine
dedicated to the Late King. Overnight hotel.
Day 04 : Thimphu sightseeing.
Visit the 15th century Changangkha Temple, Takin
(National Animal) sanctuary and the view point
of Thimphu city. On the way back visit the Zilukha
Nunnery and Dechenphodrang monistic school.
Lunch in town. Visit National library, School
of Arts and Crafts, Government Handicrafts Emporium
then the Traditional Handmade paper factory
and Goldsmith & Silversmith unit. In evening
visit Trashi Chhodzong the national parliament
building and after explore the various handicraft
stores in the town.
Day 05 : Thimphu -Trongsa. Distance
– 205KM.Driving – 8 Hours. Altitude:
2200.Meters.
The drive to Trongsa will take about
8 hours. The drive begins with ascent to the
Dochula pass at an altitude of 3150 meters.
On a clear day, you can see the whole Bhutanese
Himalayan range from here. The pass has 108
Druk Wangyel Chortens.
Then descend to Wangdu Phodrang at 1350 meters
and from here the road again ascends gradually
to Nobding and then steeply to the Pele-la pass
at an altitude of 3300 meters. The road then
descends through Rukubji village further down
to Chendebji village with its 18th century Nepalese
style stupa built by saint Shida.
The drive to Trongsa from here is about an
hour and half with great views of the historical
Dzong and the valley southwards.
Day 06 : Trongsa -Bumthang. Distance
- 68KM. Driving – 3 Hours. Altitude: 2600
- + M.
The drive to Bumthang takes about 3 hours and
begins with an ascent to the Yotong -la pass
3400 meters. The drive offers views of the black
Mountains, forests and incredible the landscape
of Bhutan. From this pass the road will descends
through pine forest to the Chhumey valley of
Bumthang.
In Chummey, visit the Yathra weaving center
and from here the road ascends gradually to
the Kikila pass at 2900m. We then descend to
the Chokor valley at an altitude 2670 m.
DAY 07 : Bumthang – Bumthang.
After breakfast hike to Tangbi Mani.
It’s a very easy trail to the beautiful
village of Tangbi (Thankabi) where the old monastery
with its Gomchens (laymen), local community
school and the longest Mani -wall in Bhutan
are. We return to Jakar for lunch. After lunch
visit to Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing
Lhakhang, Guru Lhakhang, Swiss cheese processing
unit. Here they produce cheese, apple juice
and herbal brandies etc. Visit Jakar Dzong.
Night Bumthang.<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->
<!--[endif]-->
Day 08 : Bumthang - Nganglhakhang.
20KM. 5-6 Hours. 9,500 ft.
The trek route takes you around the Chamkhar
Chu, a river rich in trout. Lunch stop at Tangbi
lhakhang, then you enter the swan land "Ngang
Yul" with its central swan temple, Nganglhakhang.
This part of the valley was at first inhabited
by the swans that gave their name Nagang.
Lam Namkha Samdrup, having had a vision of
how to build a gompa, shot an arrow to find
the exact spot for the temple. A Cultural program
can be arranged in the evening. Overnight camp.
Day 09 : Nganglhakhang - Ugyenchholing.
Climb gradually to Phe-phe-la pass alt. 3353m/
11000 ft. the highest point on the route. Then
you follow the trail until the pass takes you
through one of the most beautiful forested areas
of this region.
Allowing for many stops to enjoy the natural
beauty of the surroundings, we can also view
Ugyenchholing palace on the way. Overnight Camp.
Day 10 : Ugyenchholing - Phokpey. 17KM.
5-6 Hours. 11,500 ft.
Ascending through bamboo’s, hemlock and
finally up to the alpine forests. Overnight
camp.
Day 11 : Phokpey -Ungaar. 20KM. 7-8
Hours.
In the morning the walk will take half an hour
up to Phokpey la pass of 12,300 ft. Then continue
downhill through the gorge, which is about 10,000
ft. below, overlooking some mountain valleys
and the plains. We continue through the pine
trees to the campsite. Overnight Camp.
Day 12 : Ungaar -Taskila. 21KM. 7-8
Hours. 6000 ft.
This trail, like a wave, winds up and down en
route to Drula village, and Khaine Lhakhang,
one of the oldest in existence. It was built
in the mid 7th century by the king of Tibet,
Songtsen Gampo to subdue demons. Overnight Camp.
Day 13 : Taskila - Lhuntshi. 6000ft.
Drive to Lhuntshi guesthouse for lunch
and relax. Overnight camp/ Guesthouse.
Day 14 : Lhuntshi - Menji. 16KM. 4-5
Hours. 6,000ft.
Drive down to Kuri zam where the trek starts
gradually up through the paddy fields and villages.
Overnight camp.
Day 15 : Menji - Pemi. 20KM. 6-7 Hours.
8,000ft.
Continue uphill through the thick forest that
overlook some of the mountains. Set up camp
under the shelter of the forest. Overnight Camp.
Day 16 : Pemi - Taupang. 21KM. 6-7
Hours. 3000ft.
Continue up to Dongla where you can
see all the high mountains views. Descend through
thicker evergreen forests to our campsite. Overnight
Camp.
Day 17 : Taupang - Yangtsi. 24KM. 8-9
Hours.
Today is the longest trek day. Gradually downhill
till Yangtsi through chirpiness and hard wood
forests similar to oak of the subtropical zone.
Overnight camp.
Day 18 : Yangtsi - Trashigang.
The drive takes about 2-3 hours. Overnight camp
/guest house.
Day 19 : Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar.
Picnic lunch is provided. Begin a breathtaking
drive unlike any other you've experienced through
eastern villages and satellite towns, alongside
sheer drops and scenic views. En route to Deothang
is the Polytechnic College. Now you are in the
sub-tropical zone. The drive actually takes
about 6-7 hours. Overnight hotel.
Day 20 : Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati
(India).
The drive takes you about 3-4 hours to reach
Guwahati to catch the flight for your onward
journey or overnight in Guwahati hotel.