Gangkhar Phuentsum Trek / Jambay - Paker Festivals
Day 1: Bangkok to Paro
Depart Bangkok airport to arrive at Paro International Airport. On
arrival at Paro international airport, you will be received and escorted
to your hotel by your tour representative. After an early lunch visit
the national museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watchtower for the Rinpung
Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum
stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley.
Also visit the Paro Rinpung dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually
from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by
two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today, the dzong is the seat of the
district administration as well as the home for the monastic school.
The central tower (utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is
one of the most beautiful in the country. The Dzong was built in 1645
A.D. Evening: visit a farm house and experience Bhutanese hospitality.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 2: Paro to Thimphu
Depart Paro and drive to the trailhead to hike Taktsang monastery.
The name Taktsang Means "tiger's nest'. The monastery is perched
on a Rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 3,000 ft. It is said
that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padmasambbava alighted
here upon the back of a tigress.
Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. En-route visits the Drugyel Dzong - ruined
fortress. The Dzong, although in ruins, holds great historical significance.
It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan
invasions. On a clear day this spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount
Jumolhari "Mountain of Goddess" (24,039 ft). Continue onwards
towards Thimphu, Capitol of Bhutan. Check into Hotel for dinner and
overnight.
Day 3: Thimphu
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and we then attend the famous weekend Thimphu
marketplace. Here you will stroll and shop with local Bhutanese and
be immersed into Bhutanese culture. This marketplace thrives with
fresh and colorful produce and enchanting Bhutanese locals. Enjoy
your shopping spree. After lunch we will visit and tour the following
sites in Thimphu: the National Memorial Chorten which was built in
1974 in Memory of the third king; the Textile Museum, Folk Heritage
museum, arts and crafts Zilukha nunnery and visit Bhutanese national
animal at the Takin zoo; perhaps an archery match along the way -
Bhutan Holds the gold! Enjoy an evening stroll in town and dinner
with your Bhutanese host; Sonam. Overnight: Hotel
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha
This morning before our departure from Thimphu, we exchange currency
at the Bank of Bhutan and have an opportunity to purchase exquisite
collector Bhutanese stamps. We then begin a 3 hours drive over the
Dochula Pass alt. 11,400 ft; snow-capped eastern Himalayan ranges
can be seen on a clear day. Prayer flags will flutter you over the
pass deeper into the essence of Bhutan. Check into your hotel; enjoy
glorious views of quaint Wangdue village and the impressive Wangdue
Dzong strategically located. After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong,
the winter residence of the Je khempo (chief abbot). Punakha Dzong
is said to be the most beautiful of Dzongs in Bhutan; it is an outstanding
structure with intense artwork. Evening: hike to Chimi Lhakhang,
the fertility temple of Saint Drukpa Kuenley known popularly as 'the
divine madman'. Overnight: Resort
Day 5: Punakha to Bumthang Punakha to Jakar in Bumthang valley (7-8 hour drive). After breakfast
we depart towards Bumthang passing over Pele la (11,000 ft) And Yotungla
pass. Here we get our first glimpse of the Black mountains. High
Himalayan Mountains such as Jumolhari are in view amidst hundreds
of prayers flags; blessings abound. As we continue onwards on our
high Himalayan highway, we begin to get our first glimpse of the
incredible massive Dzong - Trongsa Dzong; an architectural wonder.
On a hilltop overlooking the Trongsa Dzong is the medieval watchtower
and below the great Mangde chu (river), enhancing the Trongsa Dzong
exceptional beauty and grandeur. We now stop to visit Trongsa dzong;
ancestral home of the royal family. Built in 1648 ad it is presently
the administrative seat of the district and the home of the monastic
school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the Dzong offers
magical wonder. Continue onwards to Jakar. Overnight: River lodge
Day 6: Tangbi-Mani Festival Full Day Today we drive and hike to attend
a very unique village festival: Tangbi Mani Festival. Masks of glorious
demonic demons and animals arouse your senses as you watch the purification
take place. The intensity goes on. Your spirit will fly, your camera
will snap away, and you will again be transported. We will join the
local people for picnic lunch and games. Watch for the Atsara (clown)
this dancer, unique in his own style, mimics dancers and entertains
onlookers. Festival deities are invoked through benediction and luck
is increased and misfortune gone. We our captivated by clapping cymbal,
drum, horn and the unforgettable chanting of Buddhist monk are who
perform religious dance of purification. Bhutanese locals join in for “Purification
by Fire”; Tashi Delek! Overnight Lodge.
Day 7: Bumthang Today we sightsee and tour in Bumthang. Visit Jakar Dzong, Jambay Khakhang,
Kurjey Lhakhang, and Flaming Lake, (Membar Tsho). Shopping is a delight
in Bumthang. Textile weaving prevails in this area and we visit weaver’s
utilizing the back and toe strap looms. Here you will find the best
price for textile purchase. After lunch we will visit a Bhutanese schoolhouse
and be entertained and delighted by wonderful Bhutanese children; this
is a favorite experience for many guests in Bhutan. Tonight go over
your trek itinerary with your guide and prepare for your Gangkhar Trek!
Overnight at River Lodge
Day 8: Bumthang to Chochokmey Our morning begins with an hour drive to the trailhead At Menchugang;
here we meet up with our horses, cooks and staff for our trek. Load
up the pack horse and our excitement mounts! We cross several cable
foot bridges over the Dhurr chu as we climb our way through a small
village; continuing on through dwarf bamboo and fields of potatoes.
After 3 hours of trek we enjoy lunch at Gorsum and are now approximately
2 hours from base camp at Chokchokmey (11,000 ft) in elevation. Here
at camp we spend our first night surrounded by magnificent forest
in a beautiful meadow with running brook. (6 hour trek)
Day 9: Chochokmey to Tashisa Today we rise early for a long day of strenuous trekking; approximately
(8 hours) ending up above the tree line; a very steep climb awaits
and here you will begin to comprehend the beauty that awaits you. Picnic
lunch at Kurbathang. Camp tonight at Tashisa (13,300 ft) Amongst yak
herders stone huts (8-9 hour trek)
Day 10: Tashisa to Tsoshab Today we trek through open meadows, cross streams on our way from Tashisa
to Tsoshab. A steep climb brings us to Tholeas pass at (15,000 ft);
here we may encounter snow as well as incredible views of Mt. Monla
Karchung and other high Himalayan peaks. high alpine flowers including
the blue poppy can be seen here; tonight we camp on the shores of lake
Tsoshab – relax, arak anyone? (4-5 hour trek)
Day 11: Tsoshab to Jiuthang Today we trek from Tsoshab to Jiuthang (13,000 ft). We will follow
a mountain ridge for a few hours and then down a very steep mountain
trail towards Tsampa; reaching a yak herder village surrounded by forest
of fir, cedar and rhododendron we rest and camp by a stream. (5 hour
trek)
Day 12: Jiuthang to Bamarpo Today we reach the end of the tree line at Shing gu; tonight we camp
at Bamarpo (14,700 ft) Gangkhar Phuentsum base camp. The trek today
takes us through a beautiful long alpine valley; intensely beautiful.
We continue northwest following the Chamkhar chu as the valley opens
up before us and we see the icy walls of Gangkhar before us! We will
halt here for 2 nights to explore this beautiful valley. (7-8 hour
trek)
Day 13: Bamarpo Rest and explore Mt. Gangkhar Phuentsum close up; the Caldera, the
lake and glacier; your expert Bhutanese Guide will assist you. The
hike to the mountain will bring you to altitude of 16,000 ft. Here
you will experience that special insight known only by the few that
experience such a wonder of spirit as a remote high Himalayan sacred
mountain can give; humbled you are in presence. In spring time here
the Chinese worm is being harvested by locals. Overnight base camp.
Tibet is a 5 hour hike from here.
Day 14: Bamarpo To Tsampa Today we begin our trek journey back towards Tsampa. We camp tonight
at Tsampa Goma (7 hour trek)
Day 15: Tsampa To Peytso Departing Tsampa onward to Peytso along the trail that follows the
fast moving churning Chamkhar chu; Rapid after rapid (we choose not
to white water raft!) Our path is stone and mud; glad we have gators!
Camp tonight at Peytso (8 hours trek)
Day 16: Peytso to Bumthang Today is our final day and a long day of trekking through forest and
river trails. We will stop and visit with locals near the village of
Damphey. Our day and trek ends at Tokto zam where our van will be awaiting
our return. Return to Jakar and overnight at River Lodge and enjoy
Bhutanese hospitality at its FINEST! (9 HOUR TREK)
Day 17: Rest in Bumthang Today is a day for rest and relaxation;
perhaps a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath will help or ask your guide for
a special interest you may have to further enjoy this beautiful area
of Bhutan.
Day 18: Jakar to Wangdue Depart Bumthang towards the west; 8 hour drive today to Wangdue; rest
in your vehicle and photo stops and Lunch along the way. Today is
a rest day in the van. Arrive Wangdue. Overnight Resort.
Day 19: Wangdue to Paro via Thimphu Depart today to Thimphu for Bhutanese handicraft purchase and lunch.
Continue onward to Paro for farewell dinner and overnight at Hotel
Day 20: Paro to Abroad Depart Paro airport for your next destination.
Tashi Delek!
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