DRUK JUNIPER TREK DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
DAY 02: PARO
DAY 03: PARO – CHUZOMTOE – TSENDU LA
DAY 04: TSENDU LA – PANGKA LA
DAY 05: PANGKA LA – CHELE LA – THIMPHU
DAY 06: THIMPHU
DAY 07: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
DAY 08: PUNAKHA – PARO (LUNGCHUZEKHA HIKE)
DAY 09: DEPART PARO

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our Bhutan Travel Bureau representative will meet you at Paro airport. After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the National Museum, Ta Dzong. This museum houses many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical and cultural past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards walk to the beautiful cantilever wooden bridge still in use. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

DAY 02: PARO
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you high above the Paro valley.  The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. According to legend, great Guru Rimpoche and his consort mediated in a cave here for three months when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. After meditation, they manifested themselves in the forms of Guru Dorji Drolo and a tigress to subdue demons in the valley below. Nearby there is a tehouse where you can stop for lunch.

In the afternoon drive to the almost fully reconstructed Drukgyel Dzong.  The original monument (destroyed by fire in 1951) was built by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit other sights in Paro valley. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

DAY 03: PARO – CHUZOMTOE – TSENDU LA
After breakfast, we will head off early to the village of Dawakha and take rough road leading up to the top where some communication towers are standing. This is the starting point of our trek. The trail runs gradually up along the ridge for over two hours to the base of a treeless peak locally called Tsendula, occasionally passing by beautiful meadows where yak herders set up camp in the winter season. The trail then climbs up through thick alpine forest of firs, rhododendrons and junipers till we reach the top of Tsendu La (3850m). A beautiful meadow opens up with breathtaking views of the most distant landscapes. We descend to the saddle and set up camp.

Distance: 6 km, 4-5 hours, 500m ascent, 350 decent, camp altitude 3590m.

DAY 04: TSENDU LA – PANGKA LA
This morning we will trek along the ridge till we get to Dongle La pass (3565m) which is marked by an old two-legged Chorten. The ancient mule track between Paro and Haa valleys go over this pass. This route was the highway of yester years before the advent of motor roads in the country. From here, the trail goes gradually up through the alpine forest till you get above the tree line in the vicinity of huge meadow of Pangka La.

Distance: 10 km, 5-6hrs, 1000m ascent, 620 decent, camp altitude 3965m

DAY 05: PANGKA LA – CHELE LA – THIMPHU
We resume our trek, slowly down gradient of wide and well used yak trail till the path levels out. Along the ridge, we pass by some yak herder’s camps and then make a short climb and go down another abandoned mule track at Dzongle La (3565m) – the highway from yesteryears connecting Haa and Paro. The trail flattens out from here, traversing along one side of the rocky ridge till you come out on the other side where you are greeted by thousands of prayer flags. This is the Chelela Pass (3780m) – and the end of the trek, where we will be met by our transport. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu (2,400m)

Distance: 8.5km, 5-6hrs, 500m ascent, 670m descent. Approx drive time: 2hours

DAY 06: THIMPHU
Enjoy sightseeing in Thimphu beginning with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten depicting the Buddhist faith in the form of paintings and statues. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernization. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the third King who passed away in the year 1972. Other highlights include the 12th Century Changangkha Temple, Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha nunnery, the School for Arts and Crafts where the students are taught to master the 13 types of Bhutanese art, the National Library housing a collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may also visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan and Tashichhodzong. In the early evening depart for Paro. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

DAY 07: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA
Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100m), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms.

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’ as predicted by the great Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan’s first king was crowned.

Following lunch, enjoy a short walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang.

DAY 08: PUNAKHA – PARO (LUNGCHUZEKHA HIKE)
Drive from Punakha to Paro via Dochula Pass (3,100m). In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. After enjoying the spectacular panoramic views of Bhutan’s snowcapped peaks along the Tibet border over tea and snacks at Dochula, embark on a two hour ridge top walk to Lungchuzekha temple/ retreat centre. The trail is through rich vegetation of moss laden birch, hemlock and rhododendron trees, with excellent views of peaks and the valleys. Picnic lunch at the monastery. Instead of returning to Dochula, walk one downhill for an hour to another retreat and monastic centre of Trashigang located on a hilltop, from where we meet our vehicle and continue our drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

DAY 09: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.

Tashi Delek!