Spirit of the Himalayan
This trek starts from Bumthang and the main highlight of this trek is Hot Spring (known for healing properties) besides passing through rich temperate forests. You might have seeing Musk Deers, herds of Blue Sheep and the Himalayan Black Bear
Upon arrival in Paro, clear customs and immigration. Keep your copy of the visa clearance letter handy. P.P size pictures are no longer required and your visa has been paid. Meet your Guide and driver outside the terminal building and transfer to hotel. After lunch visit Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu temple complex and National Museum.
Drive on the winding road beside the Pa Chu (Chu means, river or water) down stream to it confluence with the Wangchu ten up-valley to Thimphu, the capital. After lunch visit the Memorial Chorten, here the faithful circumambulating the shrine dedicated to the Late King with their prayer beads as they walk.
Thimphu (2,300m) was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan's official national capital. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the royal and main government offices. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights with estimated population of 90,000 people.
Full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin Sanctuary, Indigenous Hospital, Textile Museum, Heritage Museum, Traditional School of arts & crafts and Tashicho Dzong. You will also visit Zangdopelri temple and traditional paper factory. Overnight at hotel, Thimphu.
Memorial Chorten: This landmark of Thimphu was built in 1974 in the memory of third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of Modern Bhutan. It is a four-storey tall white building, containing statues and iconography of deities from complex tantric teachings and serves as an important place of worship for Thimphu residents, as well as from other parts of the country.
Zilukha Nunnery: It has been housed in Drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray everyday in the monastery. The beautiful view of Tashicho Dzong can be seen from the nunnery.
Takin Sanctuary: Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) has been chosen as the national animal of Bhutan is based both on its uniqueness and its association with country’s history and mythology. It is said that Devine Madman, a popular saint is said to have created it with his magical power at a large congregation of devotees. It resembles like a cow from back and goat in the front and continues to befuddle taxonomists, who cannot quite relate to other animal.
Indigenous Hospital or National Institute of Traditional Medicine (Open 9-5pm Mon-Fri, 9-1pm on Sat) is government funded institute that facilitates research of traditional medicine and practices. It prepares and dispenses herbal and other medicines with clinic where doctors diagnose and prescribe traditional medicines or treatments.
School of arts & Crafts (open 9-5pm mon-fri and 9-1pm on Sat –with exceptions of holidays and breaks). Commonly known as ‘the painting school’ is a national institute where children attend six-year course that provides instruction in Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts called Zorig Chuksum - meaning 13 crafts.
Tashichhodzong: This fortress serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It also is the headquarters for central monastic body of Bhutan. Bhutan's spiritual leader Je-Khenpo and the monks of both Thimphu and Punakha reside here during summer. It is also the venue for Thimphu Festival in the fall season.
Heritage Museum: Heritage Museum is also a recent addition; housed in a traditional home displays the living style of the Bhutanese family in 19th century.
Textile Museum: A recent addition in the capital city, this museum displays the colorful and intricately hand woven textile, both old and new.
Paper Factory: Traditional papers were made from the daphne plant, using simple methods.
Drive to Jakar takes approximately 2 ½ hours. Tales of the great teacher Padmasambhava dominates this holy valley. From a distance you can see Jakar Dzong " The castle of White Bird". Lunch at Tourist Lodge. Afternoon hike upto Lame Gompa, a monastery built by the 1st King for his two nun sisters. Outside of Lame Gompa, one can see the old style of Bhutanese paper making.
Walk in and around Bumthang valley or visit the Dairy farm, Swiss cheese factory and apple juice factory. Try some of each- they are the best in Bhutan. Also fishing in Chamkhar Chu (Chu means, river or water)can be done, time permitting.
After breakfast, transport will reach you up to the trek head just below Kurjey Lhakhang, the holy temple that Bumthang is famous for. The trek route takes you along the Chamkhar Chu, a river. The trek trail from Bumthang to Gorsum is gradual. Overnight in camp. Distance 18 km,about 6-7 hours. Alt. 3120 m.
Today you will be walking through dense forest of Spruce, Hemlock, Cypress, Juniper and Maples. The trail is more or less muddy and ascends gradually till you reach your campsite. Overnight in camp. Distance 12 km about 5 hours. Alt.3120m
Trail from Tsochenchen is all the way up hill till you reach the Julila pass, which is about 4700m. The vegetation from Lungsum to Tsochenchen is more or less constant until campsite. The camp will be above tree line. Overnight in camp. Distance 15 km about 6-7 hours. Alt.3100m.
The trek from Tsochenchen is all the way up hill till you reach the pass at about 3400m. From here if the weather is clear surrounding mountains can be viewed. After crossing the pass the trek trail descends till you reach the campsite close to the famous Hot Spring. Musk Deer, herds of Blue sheep and Himalayan bear may be seen en route. Overnight in camp. Distance 17 km about 7 hours. Alt. 3400m.
After a late breakfast relax in the hot spring or hike around the camp. Overnight in camp. The
famous Buddhist saint Padmasambhava is said to have founded this hot springs- as a cure-all for all ailments: the word Dur in Dzongkha means- esence, meaning that the hot spring contains the
heart essence (medicinal) that can cure.
The return trek trail from Dur Tsachu is all the way up hill till you reach the pass. After crossing the pass the trek trail descends till you reach the campsite. Overnight in camp. Distance 17 km about 7 hours. Alt.3100m
Start a little earlier as the trek is quite long. The trek trail descends till you reach the campsite. Overnight in camp. Distance 17 km about 7 hours. Alt.3120m
From Gorsum descend down hill till you cross the bridge of Dur village. Then follow the new motor road till you meet the pick-up transport. Drive to Bumthang. After lunch is free at own leisure.
You will retrace the way to Paro via Punakha.
Are you thinking to plan your custom trip now.
