| Day 01 Arrive Paro by Druk Air Flight |
| During this flight, one will experience breaktaking views of Mount Everest, Kanchan Junga and other Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by a representative of Yod Sel Tours & Treks. Then drive to Olathang Hotel through Paro valley, an enchanting experience. After lunch go to visit the Ta-Dzong (Museum). Overnight at Olathang Hotel. |
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| Day 02 Paro - Sightseeing |
| Drive northwest up the Pa Chu to Drugyel Dzong, the ruined Fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. On a clear day Mt. Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the Dzong. Depending on your spedific program, you could either visit the Kychi Lhakhang, the Ta-Dzong Natural History Museum, the Rinpung Dzong or take a hike to the Dzongdrakha Monastery etched on the rocks. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day 03 Paro - excursion to Taktsang |
| Spend a full day hiking to Taktsang-Tiger's nest. This majical monastery clings on a vertical granite cliff of some 3000 ft above the valley floor; legend says that the Guru Padmasambhava- the lotus born reincarnation of Buddha Sakyamuni flew on a tiger's back to meditate on the cliff, the tiger being his favourite consort- the devine Yeshey Tsogyel. After lunch at the cafetaria, and magnificient views of the valley below, return to the hotel. |
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| Day 04 Paro - Shana (First day of trek) |
| Drive upto Drugyel Dzong where the road ends; here your horses, cook and all trekking assistants will start packing all the requirements for the trek ahead. Expect to spend about an hour before starting. Today you will cover about 17 Kms at a steady pace, gentle path, past villages, children and dogs- gradually climbing to an altitude of 2800 m in 5-6 hrs. |
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| Day 05 Shana - Soi Thangthangkha |
Continue uphill through the river valley. It narrows and closes in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage- mostly sloping down. You will cover about 21 Kms in about 7-8 hrs.
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| Day 06 Soi Thangthangkha - Jangothang |
| On up the Pa Chu. Pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now views of high ridges and then snow-capped peaks are all around. You begin to see Yaks and Yak herders camp. Lunch will be probably at one of these camps beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Chomolhari. Alt 4040m Distance- 19Kms, about 5-6 hours. |
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| Day 07 Jangothang-Lingshi |
| Wide yak pastures on the way up and down the pass, possibly still some people in their yak tents depending on the time of the year that you are there. Great views of Lingshi Dzong as you come down into the Lingshi basin if the weather is clear. Tserim Kang and its descending glaciers at the north end of the valley. Distance and Time ? we'll let you take care of that. Depending on the trekking arrangements, a new team of ponies, or yaks (depending on weather) will takeover for the next days. |
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| Day 08 Lingshi-Chebisa |
| Today is the shortest walking day and you can really take it easy. On reaching camp at Chebisa village you can visit the village houses. Alt. 3850 m. Distance 19 Kms, about 5-6 hours. |
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| Day 09 Chebisa-Shomuthang |
| The walk is through wild high pastures with few people , across Gobula pass at altitude of 4350m; camping at a bend overlooking the river- a tributary of the Mo chu that passes by Gasa Tsachu- hot springs, camp site altitutde is about 4260m after covering a distance of 17 Kms in 6 hrs. |
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| Day 10 Shomuthang-Robluthang |
| Start off early today towards the Jarela Pass alt. 4600m crossing over to Tsharithang. It is possible to come across herds of the unique Takin grazing on the slopes. Distance covered is 15 Kms after about 5 hrs., campsite at alt 4400m. |
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| Day 11 Robluthang-Lemi Thang |
| After crossing the Shingela Pass alt. 4900m descend and skirt the valley towards Lemithang- which falls within Laya district. Notice the unique dress worn by the Layaps- the high altitude cattle dependent herders. Lemithang stands beneath the Great Tiger Mountain- Kand Che Da. Depending on your time interests- you can explore around for a day in these mountains. Overnight at camp alt 13,567 ft. Distance covered is 19 Kms in 6-7 hrs. |
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| Day 12 Lemi Thang-Layat |
| Today the way is all down hill along the winding river valley with quite a steep path. The trail splits into two with one going through the valley while the other stays high and brings you into the west side of Laya village. You can camp on a high flat plateau above the east end of Laya village. Overnight at camp Alt. 12,068ft. Distance 10 Kms about 4 hours. |
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| Day 13 Laya-Halt |
| Spend this dayrelaxing and taking in the natural habitat of the Laya people, visit the unique houses and learn of their unique ways of living. Depending on your interests, there could be arrangements for song and dance performed by the Laya folk by the camp fire. |
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| Day 14 Laya-Koena |
| The trail winds up and down along the river valley, crossing natural obstacles and witnessing breathtaking views of water falls and swift streams. Camp at alt. 12682 ft. Distance covered is 19 Kms in about 7 hrs. |
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| Day 15 Koena-Gasa |
| Scaling the Belela Pass alt. 12267 ft., the trail descends until you reach camp near the Gasa Dzong- alt 9250 ft., Distance of 17 Kms in 6-7 hours. |
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| Day 16 Gasa-Gasa Tsachu Hot Springs |
| After a late-relaxed breakfast trek to Gasa Tsachu Hot Springs. A good time to heal your body aches, sore feet and calves, simply relax in these ntural hot springs, used by the Bhutanese for all kinds of ailments and sickness. Overnight camp close by the hot springs. |
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| Day 17 Gasa Hot Springs - Goen Damji |
| For the botanists, and natural life enthusiasts- the Gasa trek portion can be most thrilling and memorable experience; one passes through virgin forests of oak, pine, rhododendrons- exotic flowers and most colorful and varied butterflies as if taken out of a Romantic painting of nature; as you proceed down the valley- Gasa Dzong fades into the distance, in a shimmering play of light. Overnight camp at Goen Damji alt. 2280 m distance covered is 21 Kms in about 7 hrs. |
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| Day 18 Goen Damji-Tashithang (Pick-up Transport Awaits) |
| The trail descends gradually into the lush semi-tropical warmth of the Punakha valley- where you find wild bananas, creepers, monkeys and a totally different vegetation from barely 2 days back. After about 17 Kms in 5-6 hrs we reach Tashithang where your pick-up crew may remind you of the 20th century. Ride the dirt road to Punakha town to continue on to your next destination (to Thimphu, Mendegang Dechen Cottages, or to Tongsa-according to your programme). |
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| Day 19 Punakha & Wangdiphodrang Valleys |
| Explore the ancient valleys of Punakha and Wangdi; visit the Punakha Dzong and view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong, lunch at the tourist lodge close to Wangdi town. Overnight at Dechen Cottages in the Mendegang hills. |
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| Day 20 Mendegang (Dechen Cottages)- Thimphu |
| The drive to Thimphu- the capital of bhutan is about 3 hrs enroute cross the Dochula Pass alt. 10, 000 ft where incredible panorama of snow capped mountains can be viewed; stop for teach and coffee at the cafeteria and continue descent to Thimphu. Overnight at hotel. |
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| Day 21 Thimphu - Paro Airport |
| Drive to internation Airport at Paro for onward flight. |
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