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ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL
INFO
£1450.00 per person based on two people sharing. £1300 per person for three or more people. Reductions for children.
To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353
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Day 2: Paro - Thimphu: After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche, the 7th century spiritual master, is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 metres above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. Hike back to Paro in the afternoon. Then drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, a mixture of modern development and ancient culture. Check into hotel on arrival. Overnight hotel in Thimpu.
Day 3: Thimphu-Gangtey: After breakfast, drive to Gangtey via Dochu La Pass (3,140 metres), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. You will have tea and snacks at Dochu La cafeteria. Continue drive to Gangtey through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Overnight hotel in Gangtey.
Day 4: Trek Begins. Gangtey-Gogona (distance 15km, time 6-7 hours): The trail begins from Phobjika Valley, through meadows, and then through a mixed forest of rhododendron, bamboo, juniper, and magnolia. You reach Tsele La (pass) at 3,440m, and after crossing some meadows, you will descend to a valley. There will be a short climb to the camp at Gogona. Nearby is a small village where you can drink some homemade arra. The women in this village are known for the woven blankets they make. Altitude 3,100m.
Day 5: Gogona-Khothangkha (distance 16km, time 6-7 hours) The trail goes gently uphill. You will notice the daphne plants, from which the Bhutanese make traditional paper (and which you can purchase in Thimphu). After a long, but gradual climb, you will cross Shobju La (pass) at 3,410m. The trail is downhill from here. You will pass an old coal mine and a miner's camp. Eventually you will come to Chorten Karpo, where you will see four 'chortens' in honor of the four chief abbots who came from this area. The camp is near the four chortens. Altitude 2,790m.
Day 6: Trek Ends. Khothangkha-Chazam-Trongsa (distance 12km, time 5 hours): A short ascent leads to a pass; then the path descends steeply through ever changing vegetation to the bridge in Wangduephodrang. Your trek ends here. Your car will be waiting here for transfer to Trongsa. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.
Day 7: Trongsa-Bumthang: In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the Yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang-Wangdue: You'll begin the day by driving to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight hotel in Wangdue.
Day 9: Wangdue-Paro: You will drive to Paro with a stop at Thimphu for lunch. After lunch, visit the weekend market to see Bhutanese people from all walks of life selling and buying chilies, fresh cheese, fruits, vegetables, Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. In the evening, continue to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 10: Paro-airport: Drive to airport for departure.
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Scenery, architecture and the unique way of life of the Bhutanese people
If you have attended this walk previously We would love to hear your personal highlights. Mail Us
INDIA – Delhi & Calcutta
NEPAL – Kathmandu
BANGLADESH – Dhaka
THAILAND – Bangkok
BURMA – Rangoon
To book, contact worldwalks at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353
THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN 2008
A private guided holiday including a three day trek
The Kingdom of Bhutan, nestling in the heart of the great Himalaya, only opened its gates to foreigners in 1974. It remains a deeply conservative society, where traditional life continues much as it always has. A visit to Bhutan is one of the great remaining travel possibilities, for its magnificent scenery, unique architecture, and old-fashioned hospitality. This is a holiday for two or more people that includes Bhutan's highlights and three days undemanding and unforgettable trekking. It can be tailored to your personal requirements.
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PRICE
£1450.00 per person based on two people sharing. £1300 per person for three or more people. Reductions for children. INCLUDED
9 nights accommodation in hotels (tents during trek); private guide throughout Bhutan;all transportation in private vehicle throughout Bhutan including airport transfers; all meals in Bhutan; all entry fees.NOT INCLUDED
International flights (see below for flight information). Airport taxes from Bhutan ($13 US)To book email: walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353
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| ITINERARY |
Day 1: Arrive Paro: On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. If you have time in the afternoon you might like to visit the Paro Dzong, which was built in 1646; the National Museum; Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro - Thimphu: After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche, the 7th century spiritual master, is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 metres above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. Hike back to Paro in the afternoon. Then drive to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital, a mixture of modern development and ancient culture. Check into hotel on arrival. Overnight hotel in Thimpu.
Day 3: Thimphu-Gangtey: After breakfast, drive to Gangtey via Dochu La Pass (3,140 metres), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. You will have tea and snacks at Dochu La cafeteria. Continue drive to Gangtey through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and arrive at Gantey village, where you'll visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Overnight hotel in Gangtey.
Day 4: Trek Begins. Gangtey-Gogona (distance 15km, time 6-7 hours): The trail begins from Phobjika Valley, through meadows, and then through a mixed forest of rhododendron, bamboo, juniper, and magnolia. You reach Tsele La (pass) at 3,440m, and after crossing some meadows, you will descend to a valley. There will be a short climb to the camp at Gogona. Nearby is a small village where you can drink some homemade arra. The women in this village are known for the woven blankets they make. Altitude 3,100m.
Day 5: Gogona-Khothangkha (distance 16km, time 6-7 hours) The trail goes gently uphill. You will notice the daphne plants, from which the Bhutanese make traditional paper (and which you can purchase in Thimphu). After a long, but gradual climb, you will cross Shobju La (pass) at 3,410m. The trail is downhill from here. You will pass an old coal mine and a miner's camp. Eventually you will come to Chorten Karpo, where you will see four 'chortens' in honor of the four chief abbots who came from this area. The camp is near the four chortens. Altitude 2,790m.
Day 6: Trek Ends. Khothangkha-Chazam-Trongsa (distance 12km, time 5 hours): A short ascent leads to a pass; then the path descends steeply through ever changing vegetation to the bridge in Wangduephodrang. Your trek ends here. Your car will be waiting here for transfer to Trongsa. Overnight hotel in Trongsa.
Day 7: Trongsa-Bumthang: In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Along the way you will stop at a yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the Yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang-Wangdue: You'll begin the day by driving to Wangduephodrang, where you can stroll through the town and visit the shops. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings and bamboo work. Overnight hotel in Wangdue.
Day 9: Wangdue-Paro: You will drive to Paro with a stop at Thimphu for lunch. After lunch, visit the weekend market to see Bhutanese people from all walks of life selling and buying chilies, fresh cheese, fruits, vegetables, Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. In the evening, continue to Paro. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 10: Paro-airport: Drive to airport for departure.
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| HIGHLIGHTS |
If you have attended this walk previously We would love to hear your personal highlights. Mail Us
| WEATHER |
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Click here to view the weather forecast Link courtesy of uk met office |
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| ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
ACCOMMODATION
The hotels used in this holiday are the best government appointed hotels in the country and equate roughly to 3 star standard. All have private bathrooms and are comfortable and well-appointed. There are a few independent luxury hotels, which can be used on request. Tents for the trek are imported from Nepal and are of a high standard.GETTING THERE
Druk Air is the only airline servicing Bhutan. The following cities are connected by Druk Air flights:INDIA – Delhi & Calcutta
NEPAL – Kathmandu
BANGLADESH – Dhaka
THAILAND – Bangkok
BURMA – Rangoon
WHAT TO TAKE:
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch and a first-aid kit.WHEN TO GO
This holiday is recommended from March to May and September to NovemberINSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.To book, contact worldwalks at:
email:walking@star.co.uk
T: (44) (0)1242 254353
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