This journey across the top of eastern Bhutan follows what used to be an important trade route before completion of the national highway. The trek is tough, and involves a tremendously long, steep descent.
Seasons: The recommended season for this trek is October, early November and late spring.
DAY 01: Arrival Paro
On arrival at Paro International Airport, the representative of Radhi Bhutan Tours will receive you and escort/drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan (1 ½ hrs). Overnight at hotel, Thimphu, elevation 2280m.
DAY 02: Thimphu Sightseeing
Visits:
- National Memorial Chorten (Chorten means Stupa). The monument was built in 1974 in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan.
- Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum and the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School), where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
- Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops known as Craft Bazar, which displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven textiles, crafted products, thangkas, masks, ceramics, slate and woodcarvings, jewellery, and other interesting items made from local materials by the local Artisans.
- Giant Buddha at Kuenselphodrang. This massive statue of Shakyamuni (51.5 meters), making it one of the largest statues of Bhutan in the world.
- Takin (national animal of Bhutan) preserve located in Motithang.
After 1700 hrs, visit Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Later, depending on the interest of the group, short talk on the philosophy of Gross National Happiness in Bhutan can be arranged. Overnight at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 03: Thimphu-Excursion to Tango Monastery
This sacred monastery is located about 40 minutes drive to the North of Thimphu and hike uphill for about 1 ½ hours. Tango monastery is the highest center of Buddhist learning in the country; almost every Je Khenpo (religious head of Bhutan) completed the 9-year program there. After completing that program, monks traditionally spend 3 years, 3 months and 3 days in meditation at the nearby Cheri Goemba retreat, built in 1619 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder or first unifier of Bhutan. After the lunch in Kabesa village, attendan oral transmission of Buddhist philosophy and basic meditation practices lead by the senior monks.
Overnight at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 04: Thimphu-Punakha-Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang (3 ½ hrs drive)
Drive to Phobjikha crossing Dochula pass (3,140m). From this pass, on a clear day, one can have a superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan. En route, visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955, and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. Overnight at guesthouse, Phobjikha, elevation 2900m.
DAY 05: Phobjikha, Wangduephodrang-Sightseeing
Phobjikha valley is one of the most beautiful high altitude U-shaped glacial valleys in Bhutan. It is also known as the home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau in winter. Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery and beautiful Phobjikha village. There are many optional short walks and hikes in Phobjika. Overnight at guesthouse, Phobjikha.
DAY 06: Phobjikha-Jakar/Bumthang (4 hrs drive)
Drive to Jakar/Bumthang across Pele La Pass (3420m), the border between western and central Bhutan. En-route visits Trongsa Dzong. The first and second kings ruled the country from this ancient seat. All five monarchs were invested as Trongsa Penlop (“governor”) prior to ascending the Throne. Standing above this fortress is Ta Dzong, a watchtower, which once guarded this place from internal rebellion. A visit to Ta Dzong gives further insights into the significance of Trongsa in Bhutan’s history. Continue your journey to Bumthang crossing Yutong-la pass (3,425m). Overnight at hotel, Jakar, Bumthang at elevation 2600m.
DAY 07: Bumthang-Sightseeing
Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000m/8,530 to 13,125ft.
- Visit Jambay Lhakhang, the 7th century old Temple, built by the Buddhist Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo to pin down an ogress believed to have thwarted the spread of Buddhism.
- Kurjey Lhakhang, where the saint’s body is imprinted on a rock, and Tamshing Monastery.
- Evening, mindfulness and meditation practice lead by the senior monk in the monastery and leisure in the town.
Overnight at Jakar.
Day 08: Bumthang – Tang – Ugyenchholing
Drive to Ogencholing – visit 16th century Ugen Chholing manor, which was recently turned into museum. The exhibits in the building are captioned with informative descriptions of the life style and art of a Bhutanese noble family. Drive to Jakar in the afternoon. On the way, visits Nunnery monastery and membartsho (Burning lake), where Pema Lingpa revealed several termas (treasures) hidden by Guru Rimpoche. A large rock features carvings of Pema Lingpa and his two sons. Below the rock is a small cave that virtuous people can enter regardless of their size. Overnight at guesthouse or in the camp (2,850m).
Day 09: Ugyenchholing – Phokpey
17km, 5-6 hours
Today’s walk takes us through bamboos, hemlock and finally up into the alpine forest. Overnight camp at 3,600m.
Day 10: Phokpey – Ungaar
20km, 7-8 hours
The trail takes us up for half an hour to reach Rodung-la (4,160m), and then continues steadily downhill through rhododendrons, conifers and broad-leafed forest, patches of dwarf bamboo and finally ferns and more tropical species to the village of Ungaar at the head of the valley below. Camp overnight near Ungaar (1,770m).
Day 11: Ungaar – Taskila
21km, 7-8 hours
Today’s trail winds gently up and down through Chir pine forests and across open hillsides covered in lemon grass. We pass through several villages then climb up to Khaine Lhakhang (2,010m), claimed to be one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo in 7th century. From Khaine Lhakhang to Taskila is a gentle descent of 2-3 hours. We camp overnight near Taskila village (1,800m).
Day 12: Taskila – Tangmachu/Lhuentse
20km, 5-6 hours
We start our day with a leisurely walk down to Menjibi village, where beautiful houses and terraced fields are scattered across the gently sloping hillsides. After short climb from Menjibi to Tage-la (1,760m), the journey isl downhill until we reach Tangmachu village (2,200m), situated just above a major rice growing area and one of the most beautiful scenic spots in Lhuntse District. Visits Takila Guru Statue – the world’s largest statue of Guru Padmasambhava (173 fts).
Overnight at Tangmachu Guesthouse or camp (2,000m).
Day 13: Tangmachu – Mongar (77 KM)
Visit Lhuenste in the morning and drive to Mongar in the afternoon. Luentse is the ancestral home of our Kings and hosts several of the sacred sites of pilgrimage in the country. The region is also famous for its weavers. Their distinctive textiles are generally considered to be the best in the country. Overnight at hotel in Mongar.
DAY 14: Mongar-Trashigang (92 KM)
Trashigang is the biggest and most populated district in the country. The first part of journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns. Crossing Kori-la pass (2,400m), marked by a pretty chorten and a mani wall, we descend rapidly through corn fields and banana groves to reach the famous road zigzags just below Yadi. Afternoon, visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of a rocky outcrop far above the river gorge. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the dzong is occupied by the local monastic community. Overnight at Trashigang or Ranjung, elevation of 1570m.
DAY 15: Trashigang-Excursion to Radhi
Radhi village is known as rice bowl of Trashigang and famous for raw silk, a fabric known as “bura”. It is interesting to walk from house to house to see the different patterns of fabric and how the women are weaving. Afternoon visit Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery, a large Nyingma Goemba founded in 1990 by His Holiness Garab Rinpoche. If you are interested, you can practice mediation together with the monks from the monastery. Overnight at Trashigang or Ranjung.
DAY 16: Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar (175 KM)
The journey to Samdrupjongkhar, the border town with India takes about 6 hours. Along the way, we pass Yonphula domestic airport and many villages including Deothang, which is remembered in history as the site of a famous 19th century battle fought during the Duar Wars, in which the forces defeated the British. The road then descends rapidly to the plains through dense tropical forest with an abundance of teak, bamboo and ferns. Overnight at Samdrup Jongkhar, elevation 170m.
DAY 17: Samdrupjongkhar-Guwahati/New Delhi (approximate 100 KM):
Drive to Guwahati International Airport, the capital town of the Indian north-eastern state of Assam, for your onward flight to New Delhi, India.