The Kingdom of Bhutan lies nestled in the folds of the mighty Himalayas. Its total population is two million people strong with a mix of Bhotes, ethnic Nepalis and indigenous or migrant tribes. The national language is Dzongkha, with Buddhism being the dominant religion, and some percentage of the population being Hindu. Monarchy, under the reign of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck exists in Bhutan and Thimpu is the capital city of this small and remote kingdom.Bhutan followed an isolationist policy that discouraged visitors for the larger part of the twentieth century. It was only in the early 1970’s that it emerged from its cloak of secrecy and tourism began on a limited basis. The world then became aware of the enchanting land of Bhutan with its rare and striking scenic beauty. Bhutan has been blessed with verdant forests and arresting mountains that are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. It is surrounded by a deep peaceful calm that is reflected in the simple lives of the Bhutanese people. It has also not been actively involved in the Industrial Age, the World Wars, the arms race, and until recently, not even cyberspace. A land with a vibrant and orthodox culture, Bhutan is often referred to as the ‘living museum’ of the world.
ACTIVITIES IN BHUTAN
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| Druk Path Trek | |
| Day 01 | Arrive Paro. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. O/nt at Hotel in Paro. |
| Day 02 | Paro Sightseeing. Visit Drukgyel Dzong, on the way visit Kychu Lhakhang. After lunch, visit National Museum and Paro Dzong. O/nt at Hotel in Paro. |
| Day 03 | Paro-Jele Dzong. Start Trek above the Museum and gradually climb upto Jele Dzong. Atl: 2590m, dist: 7 Kms. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 04 | Jele Dzong Jangchulakha. The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and rhododendron tree. Camp site at the height of 2900m distance 10 km. |
| Day 05 | Jangchulakha Jimilangtso. On the clear day, there are beautiful views of mountains and the valley. Campsite near the lake alt. 3350m. Distance 11 km. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 06 | Jimilangtso Phajoding. The trail continues with gradual climb. If weather permits, beautiful views of Mount Gangkhar Phunsum can be seen. Campsite near the monastery alt. 3116 m. Distance 21 km. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 07 | Phajoding - Thimpu Sightseeing. the trek to thimpu is down hill through blue pine forest. Distance 8 km. Evening at leisure. O/nt at Hotel in Thimpu. |
| Day 08 | Thimpu - Punakha / Wagdi. Morning Thimpu sightseeing, visit Memorial Chorten, Painting School, National Library, Bhutanese Hand Made Paper factory. After lunch drive to Punakha across the Dochula Pass (Alt. 3050 m) where one can see the beautiful views of Eastern Himalayan Ranges. O/nt at Hotel in Wangdi. |
| Day 09 | Punakha Thimphu. Visit Wangdi Dzong and later visit Punakha Dzong, which is the winter home of Central Monk Body (Je - Khenpo). On the way back visit Chimi Lhakhang and then transfer to Paro. O/nt at Hotel in Paro. |
| Day 10 | Paro Departure. |
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| Chomolhari Trek | |
| Day 01 | Arrive Paro - Thimphu. Upon arrival meet with our representative and after lunch transfer to Hotel. O/nt at Hotel in Paro. |
| Day 02 | Paro Sightseeing. Visit Kychu Lhakahang, National Museum and Paro Dzong. Later in the evening assemble the trekking gear. O/nt at Hotel in Paro. |
| Day 03 | Paro - Shana. Drive up to Drukgyel Dzong where the road ends and trek begins, follow the river gently uphill through an agricultural valley and the village. O/nt Camp at height of 2,800 m. Dist. 17 km. 5 to 6 hours. |
| Day 04 | Shana-Thangthayka: Continue uphill through the alpine forest. It narrows and closes in and the winds along the drainage. The trek is mostly through the deep forest. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 05 | Soi Thangthayka - Jangothang: Continue up the Pa Chhu (river). Pass a small army post where the valley begins to widen again. Now views of high ridges and snow-capped peaks can be seen all around. Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake. Alt: 4,040 m, Dist: 19 km, time about 51/2 hrs. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 06 | Jangothang Halt. Trek up to Tsophu for fishing or do any one of the three hiking excursions. Mt. Jhomolhari and its subsidiary are due west, Mt. Jichu Drake is to the north, unclimbed summits and ridges are to the east. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 07 | Jangothang - Lingshi: Wide yak pastures are visible both on ways up and down the pass. You may encounter some nomads in their yak tents. You can see the Lingshi Dzong. Tserim Kang and is descending glaciers are at the north end of the valley from the Nyuele la pass alt. 4700m. Camp at alt: 4150 m, dist: 19 km. 7 to 8 hours. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 08 | Lingshi Halt: On this day, halt at Lingshi for one-day excursion to Tsokha, the base camp of Jichu Drake. Large herds of blue sheep and musk deer may be seen. Alt: 4,500 m, dist 15 km. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 09 | Lingshi Shodu: The trail ascends up to the Yalila Pass, altitude 4820 m, from the pass, Mt. Jhomolhari, Tserim Gang and Mt. Masagang can be seen on clear days. Then descend. Camp at ht: 3,963 m, 22 km. 9 to 10 hours. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 10 | Shodu - Barshong: Follow Wang Chhu through the forest of rhododendron and waterfalls, the river then narrows and closed in and the trail winds ascending to the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Camp just below the Dzong. Atl: 3,785 m dist: 13 kms. 6 to 7 hours. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 11 | Barshong-Dolam Kencho. Descend gradually to meet Wang Chhu, passing through forests of Rhododendron, then ascend once again onto pasture land. Camp in meadow. Atl: 3,628 m, dist: 11 km. 5 to 6 hours. O/nt Camp. |
| Day 12 | Dolam Kencho - Thimphu: Continue uphill through the forest to a small pass. The trial winds up and along the drainage. Wild animals may be seen. At Dodina, meet the transportation for drive to Thimphu. Dist: 14 km. 6 to 7 hours. O/nt at Hotel in Thimphu. |
| Day 13 | Thimphu - Punakha: Morning Thimphu sightseeing, visit Memorial Chorten, Painting School, National Library. After lunch drive to Punakha/Wangdi across the Dochula Pass ( Alt: 3050m ) where once can see the beautiful views across the Dochula Pass (Alt: 3050 m) of Eastern Himalayan Range. O/nt at Hotel in Wangdi. |
| Day 14 | Punakha - Paro. Visit Wangdi Dzong and Punakha Dzong, which is the winter home of Central Monk body (Je-Khenpo). After lunch transfer to Paro. O/nt Hotel. |
| Day 15 | P Paro departure. |
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| Across the Kingdom Tour | |
| Day 01 | Arrive Paro - Thimphu. Upon arrival meet with our representative and after lunch transfer to Thimphu. (If the flight is in the morning you can visit National Museum). In the Evening drive to Thimphu. O/nt at Hotel in Thimphu. |
| Day 02 | Thimphu Sightseeing. Morning visit Memorial Chorten, National Library, Painting School, Handicraft shop. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. O/nt at Hotel in Thimphu. |
| Day 03 | Thimphu - Trongsa. Early drive to Trongsa via Dochula Pass (Ht. 10,000 ft), from where one has good overlooking view of the Eastern Himalayan Ranges. Visit Wangdi Dzong and proceed to Trongsa across Pelela Pass (Alt. 3300 m). O/nt at Hotel in Trongsa. |
| Day 04 | Trongsa - Bumthang. After breakfast visit Trongsa Dzong and drive to Bumthang across Yutong La Pass (Alt. 3400m). After lunch do sightseeing in and around Bumthang. O/nt at Hotel in Bumthang. |
| Day 05 | Bumthang Sightseeing. Explore Bumthang whole day; visit Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, Tamashing Monastery and Jakar Dzong. O/nt at Hotel in Bumthang. |
| Day 06 | Bumthang - Thimphu. After breakfast drive Wangdi. O/nt at Hotel in Wangdi. |
| Day 07 | Thimphu - Paro. Early morning drive to Paro and visit National Museum, visit Kychu Lhakhang and doing sightseeing in and around valley. O/nt at Hotel in Paro. |
| Day 08 | Paro Departure. |
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