Jumolhari Trek/ Thimphu and

Wangdi Festival

October 2 to October 18, 2008

Day 1: You depart in the early morning for your Bhutan adventure; approximately a 4-hour flight to Paro from Bangkok. Your flight path finally descends over the high Himalayan ridge bringing you to Paro International Airport, elevation 7,500 ft. Your Druk Air experience has been highlighted with breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks, including the sacred Mount Jumolhari and Jitchu Drake in Bhutan. Your excitement mounts and you are received by your tour representative; visas are processed. Drive to your hotel in your small vans as you meet your expert driver and English speaking Bhutanese guide. Welcome to Bhutan! Check into your Bhutanese style cottage and enjoy lunch.

This afternoon we will tour the TA Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. Once the watchtower for Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. On the way back 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 home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, displays superb woodwork. Evening rest and relax at Hotel . Go over itinerary with your guide.

Day 2: After breakfast we depart towards Thimphu, Capitol of Bhutan. Along our route through beautiful Paro Valley our van drives to a trailhead and we then hike upwards toward the famous “Tigers Nest” Monastery; tea and snack are offered at the half-way viewpoint. Here you can view Taktsang Monastery; a most holy and spiritual architectural wonder. Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest” and this spectacular building is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 3,000 ft. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padam Sambhva, the second Buddha, alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Departing down our path to the van we now continue onward to Thimphu. Arriving in Thimphu, we check into our charming hotel, relax awhile and enjoy lunch. We then make a visit to Bhutan’s national bank for currency exchange, as well as a stop at Bhutan’s post office; elaborate and collector item stamps of gorgeous detail are here for purchase or to admire. Tonight we join our host in Bhutan, Sonam, for a reception dinner at her home; Bhutanese hospitality at its finest!

Day 3: Today we depart our hotel and visit the famous “weekend market” in Thimphu. You will enjoy this colorful and bustling marketplace. Unique varieties of produce and handicrafts are displayed for sale; locals and visitors alike enjoy this shopping experience. Enjoy lunch at our hotel and load your camera! This afternoon we enjoy our first experience at festival; as we attend THIMPHU Drupchen; one of two festivals on this tour. Enjoy and be in awe at your first Bhutanese festival; here religious blessings and purification are granted to all who attend. Witness exquisite medieval costumed dancers dressed in colorful array; glorious masked dancers performing ancient spiritual rituals; Exhilarating. Many Bhutanese locals come from afar for this well attended festival. Here you will experience Bhutanese culture dressed in their finest attire as you mingle with locals for this religious and spiritual social gathering. Overnight hotel.

Day 4: Departing Thimphu, we drive east towards Wangdue Phodrang, stopping to see the Three Memorial Chortens and drive across Dochula Pass at 10,500 ft. We stop in the midst of hundreds of prayer flags and chortens to enjoy pristine views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Our lunch is served at Lobesa and we as well take a short hike to Chhi-Med Lhakhang in the picturesque Lobesa valley. Here you will visit the temple of the “Divine Madman” (Lama Drukpa Kunley) whom you will get to know better while in Bhutan. Continuing on our drive we next visit the Fertility Temple; Chimed Lhakhang.
 
We check into our hotel which overlooks a beautiful river and quaint village and a most impressive Dzong in the near distance. Tomorrow we visit the Wangdu Dzong, strategically located on this hilltop to attend the Wangdi Tshechu. Enjoy your overnight stay at a local resort; listen for Jackals tonight.
 
Day 5: Early breakfast and depart hotel to attend WANGDI TSHECHU Festival; with respect to the religious festival you witness here you, capture the true essence of the Land of the Thunder Dragon; Druk-Yul. Always ask permission for photo opportunity; thank you. We are privileged to be here among Bhutanese locals who gather here from distance villages to socialize and receive blessings and purification. Here you can truly appreciate the enchantment of Bhutan and enjoy an undiluted and preserved culture. Lunch is served and we then tour the most beautiful of all Dzongs in Bhutan; Punakha. Your senses will awake upon entering the impressive courtyard of the Punakha Dzong; “Palace of Great Happiness”. Punakha Dzong is the former winter capitol and at present day hosts the Administrative seat of the district. Also, it is the winter Residence of the central monastic body and it’s Chief Abbot. The Dzong lies between two rivers, the Pochu and Mochu, male and female rivers The Dzong was built in 1637 and it was here on December 27th 1907 Bhutan’s first King was crowned.
 
Departing Punakha Dzong we drive for 2 hours westward to Thimphu for overnight stay.
 
Day 6:  This morning we tour the excellent and exquisite Textile Museum and visit the Tarkin, the National animal of Bhutan. After lunch we leave Thimphu and enjoy a leisure drive back to Paro and check into our hotel. This afternoon is yours for relax, rest and to prepare for your Jumolhari Trek beginning tomorrow. Tonight you will go over your itinerary with your guide. REST well.
 
Day 7: Today begins your trek. Excitement mounts as you drive to meet the team at Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begin. Your trek accommodations are of the finest quality. Packhorses will carry all supplies, food and your necessities. Cooks will prepare for your very large appetite sumptuous meals of hearty Bhutanese Varieties. You will look forward to each meal with delight and dinners around the Campfire. Optional folklore and singing served with local Bhutanese beverages; Arak Anyone? High Altitude tents are of the highest quality and sleeping bags can be provided. Paro Shana is about a 5 to 6 hour journey. The trail follows the river through the Beautiful meadows and paddy fields of the Paro Chhu valley. A gradual climb along the Paro River through the cultivated valleys and villages. Look back to view the strategically built Drukgyel Dzong, watchtower over Paro Valley. Pass through the small Villages of Chamg and Metshi Zampa as you traverse through rice terraces and fields of millet and blue pine forest. Bhutan is the least deforested land in the world, with 70% of the country blanketed in virgin blue pine forest. The night’s camp is just beyond an army outpost at Shana. This is the last stop before Tibet. Your guide will Process all necessary permits at the Gunyetsawa army post. Here are a few shops and a School. You proceed over a wooden cantilever bridge across the Paro Chhu and begin your climb to the rustic village of Shana Zampa for overnight camp. Altitude 9,184 ft.
 
Day 8: Shana to Thangthangkha is a 6 to 7 hour trek. Continuing on a gradual climb Alongside the Paro Chhu (river in Drukpa) through conifers and rhododendron you’ll soon enter Jigme Droji National Park. Lunch served at Sheng Karap; Tremo-la is close; a stone paved trail utilized for invasions and trade route from Tibet. We will not take this path, but cross over a wooden bridge and continue our climb over a set of Switchbacks and cross the river again. Ups and downs, with more ups, will bring us over our last bridge of the day. You will be looking for a white chorten and a lovely Meadow. Here you will see Jumolhari. The white peaks beacon to you. Here we will Camp and rest for the night. 12,700 ft.
 
Day 9: Thangthangkha to Jangothang is a 5-hour trek starting at Pa Chhu. Your climb today gains elevation and you will be comfortably worn out at day’s end. You are now entering “yak” country. Yaks are utilized for pack animals as well as supply cheese, Milk, tea, meat and Yak hair for weaving of huts, blankets, clothes, backpacks and Hats. Burley and huge, the yak plays an important role in Bhutan history, yesterday and Today. Remote villages are dotted throughout this area. A stone and log bridge provides access to Jangothang. Winters here are harsh and long.  Here you can view unparalleled views of snow mountain peaks from the eastern side of the valley. You are in the most spectacular camp spot in the entire Himalayan range. Here you will say farewell to your horse and exchange for a yak. You are truly in the High Himalayas! Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari. 13,500 ft
 
Day 10/11: Jangothang Halt. Rise early this morning to view Jumolhari Mountain. The next Two days are for exploration and relax! Choose from several day hikes for unsurpassed Views of Jichu Drake at 28,000 ft and surrounding unsealed peaks in the east. Fishing Expedition to Tshophu, a high altitude lake, is an alternative. Spotted trout do not get any bigger or fresher then here; yum! Revel in the experience of your High Himalayan Trek; an adventure of your lifetime. Overnight halt in camp.
 
Day 12: Jangothang to Lingshi is about 5 to 6 hours journey through wide yak pastures and 2 high pass, as we trek into isolation. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi on a clear day. Tserim Kang, at 22,267 ft and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Watch for blue sheep and musk deer as you trek in the afternoon shadow of the High Himalayas. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut and the tent. 14,660 ft
 
Day 13: Lingshi to Shodu trek is approximately a 7 to 8 hours journey. Climb the trail up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 15,809 ft. From the pass, on a clear day, you get an excellent view of Jumolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang. Ancient Chortens dot the path along our way. The trek from the pass to campsite at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent. 13,000 ft.
 
Day 14: Shodu to Barshon walking distance is 3 to 4 hours the trail follows the Thim Chhu River through thick rhododendron forests; waterfalls can be seen along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Watch for Langurs (Monkeys) along the way. Camp can be made in stone shelter or tent. 12,415 ft
 
Day 15: Barshong to Thimphu: (7 hours) today we arrive in Thimphu, the capitol of Bhutan; check into hotel. Relax and revel in your High Himalayan Trek!

*(Note: For groups of over 3 persons, it is recommended that this portion of trek from Barshong to Thimphu be extended to 2 days with halt in Dolem Kencho between Barshong and Thimphu.
 
Day 16: Full day of leisure to relax and refresh. Your expert Bhutanese guide will assist you in any special interest for handicraft purchase you may have. Late afternoon we depart for Paro. Overnight Paro Hotel.
 

Tashi Delek!

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