15 Day Bhutan Bhumthang Cultural Trek

Day 1Arrival Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu or meet our representative in Kathmandu Airport – transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2In Kathmandu - Sightseeing

Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick up from the Hotel Lobby & Depart for sightseeing tour
Sightseeing tour of Patan, Patan Durbar Square
After Lunch sightseeing tour of Boudhnath and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple).
Overnight Hotel.

Day 3Kathmandu - Paro

After breakfast, transfer to airport & fly to Paro. Arrive by Druk air, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountain and landscape. On arrival and after visa formalities you will be received by T&T members. If time prevails visit the National museum & Rinpung Dzong. O/N Kichu Resort.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 4In Paro

To acclimatize yourself a hike to Taktsang monastery meaning a tiger’s den lies at an altitude of 3000m which takes about 4/5 hours. The monastery was gutted by fire in 1998 but the remains of the structure still attract visitors. The Royal Government has taken immediate steps to restore and re-construct the old structure. Tea and snacks will be served at the cafeteria where you can gaze at this beautiful monument built during the 17th century.
Overnight Resort.

Day 5 Paro - Thimpu

Drive to Thimphu (2hrs). Upon arrival check into Hotel River view or similar.

PM: sightseeing – Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare “Takin” national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market.

Day 6Thimpu - Wangduephodrang

AM: Visit the Painting school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers.

PM: Drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt. Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the market area.
Overnight at Resort.

Day 7Drive to Trongsa & then to Bumthang

Today the drive takes about 6/7 hours crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. Picnic lunch will be served at the 18 century Chendebji chorten. After one and half hour arrive at a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Proceed another 2 hours to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Lodge.

Day 8Trek to Ngang Lhakhang

Trek starts to Ngang Lhakhang. The trail folows the Chamkhar river up stream filled with rainbow trouts. The walk is very pleasant through pine forest and you can take your time admiring the beautiful country side. Arrive camp at 3000 meters. Walking time 4/5 hours. Overnight camp.

Day 9Trek to Meadow Camp

Nang Lhakhang to Meadow Camp via Phephe la. Climb gradually over the Phephe la pass at 3,465m. The 1hr descent from the pass is steep & sometimes slippery. At the bottom you reach a beautiful old mani wall ending at an archway chorten. Here the forest opens up to give the first view of the day, the wide Tang valley. Along the way one can enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. Arrive camp at 3100 meters. Walking time 5/6 hours.
Overnight camp.

Day 10 Trek to Ugyencholing to Bumthang

Meadow Camp to Ugyencholing to Bumthang (4/5hrs): Follow the main trail through the bottom of a broad valley. High on the left is Tahung & above that there is another village called Wobtang. Follow the trail to a wooden bridge at 2865m. The trail changes to a dirt road just before the bridge. Ahead & across the river is the impressive Ugyencholing Dzong. A big suspension bridge crosses the river to meet a dirt road. From here you will be picked up & driven to Bumthang (2-3hrs).
Overnight at Lodge.

Day 11Bhumtang - Wangduephodrang

Drive back to Wangduephodrang. Overnight at Resort.

Day 12Wangduephodrang – Punakha – Thimpu - Paro

AM: drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Proceed to Thimphu. PM drive back to Paro. Overnight Resort.

Day 13Paro - Kathmandu

Transfer to airport for departure & fly back to Kathmandu.

Arrive Kathmandu & our representatives will meet you at the airport then drive to Bhaktapur – sightseeing around Bhaktapur. Afternoon drive to Nagarkot. Overnight Hotel/Resort.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a museum of medieval art and architecture with many examples of sculpture, woodcarving and colossal pagoda temples consecrated to different gods and goddesses which is 15 km far from Kathmandu.

Nagarkot (2170m) is a quiet and scenic hilltop about 32 km from Kathmandu, very popular as a mountain view point. One can see the panorama of the Himalayas including Mt Everest from Nagarkot.

Day 14Nagarkot - Kathmandu

Watch the early sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast, drive to Changunaryan – sightseeing around Changunaryan then drive to Kathmandu.

PM: At leisure/Free for shopping.
Overnight Hotel.

Changunarayan Temple was built in pagoda style around 5th century by the king Manadev. The historic temple is decorated by some of the best samples of stone, wood, and metal craft in the Valley. Overnight Hotel.

Day 15Breakfast at the hotel