Bhutan Phobjikha Trekking

After the flight and getting refreshed in respective hotels, a rendezvous in Kathmandu with other members for trip orientation, where our guide/leader will inform and brief regarding the journey to Bhutan, hotels, do and don’ts with evening group dinner.

The morning after breakfast as time set for the sightseeing tour, our city guide will lead you for a few hours on our fascinating heritage and cultural tour around places of interest, a tour of holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, old historical Palaces, courtyard; and then back to the hotel after the wonderful tour, afternoon free for individual activities and preparation for Bhutan journey.

Depart from the hotel in Kathmandu for a scenic flight to Paro in Bhutan, during flight, breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan mountains with sacred Jhumolhari & Jichu Drake peaks of Bhutan.

Upon reaching at Paro Bhutan’s one and only airport, after immigration process and formalities our native Bhutanese guide will receive you and then a short drive to respective hotels in Paro, afternoon free for short walk around this interesting town.

On the first night on Bhutan soil flying in Druk Air, after breakfast drive to Drugyel Dzong (fort), a ruined fortress that once defended Paro valley from Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burnt shell, was a strategic point of Bhutan’s defense against Tibetan invasion, from here stunning views of Jhumolhari 7,326 meters peak, on the way back visit of National Museum, after lunch a half-day excursion to famous Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest /Den) perched on a high rock cliff with excellent views of Paro valley below.

Today a short drive of a few hours to Bhutan’s capital in Thimphu, as the ride leaves Paro town leading through interesting villages and countryside, drive climbs over a few hills on the winding road to reach one of the world’s last Buddhist Kingdom capital at Thimphu, a quaint and moderate size city with less traffic, on reaching the capital check into a hotel, Afternoon tour of interesting places, the memorial stupa, indigenous hospital, where traditional medicine is still practiced and the painting school, rest of the afternoon free at leisure to walk around and to observe the Bhutanese daily life.

Upon leaving Bhutan’s capital Thimphu for the last time drive leads on the outskirt of this quiet city area towards Dochu –la pass at 3,088 m / 10,131 ft high, offering glorious scenery of surrounding hills and valley with distant snow capped peaks, this spot marked with prayer flags, chorten(stupa) and mani (prayer) wall, after the views of eastern Himalaya which includes various peaks of Bhutan the Masagang (7,158 m-23,484 ft), Kangphugang (7,170 m-23,523 ft), Tsendagang (6,960 m-22,835 ft), Terigang (7,060 m-23,162 ft), Jejeganphugang (7,158 m-23,484 ft) and Zongphugang (7,060 m-23,162 ft), a table like mountain dominating the remote and isolated Lunana and Gangkar Puensum 7,497 meters the highest peak in Bhutan.

Upon reaching Gangtey transfer in a nice hotel, afternoon visiting places of interest and Gangtey Gompa (monastery) and explore the scenic Phobjikha valley, one of the few glacial valley of Bhutan and home to rare black neck crane migrates here in winter time, after flying over from cold winter of Tibet and Siberia.

Today our walk starts in, the morning following the valley trail leading southwest through grassy pasture fields, then into a pleasant cool forest of juniper, bamboo, rhododendrons, and magnolia trees, trek follows a rough rocky path and a climb over Tsele La pass, which is the highest point of this trip at 3,440 meters, after a stop catching the views, descend leads to Gangak after walking through woodland and from here a short climb reaching overnight stop and first camp at Gogona with views of vast valley below, near lies a small place Gogona Lhakhang adorn with white prayer flags, just nearby hamlet of the Yak herders/nomads.

Walk today will be almost the same duration as yesterday of near six hours, as the journey continues above Gogona small village and into vegetation and tree lines of firs, oaks, spruce, juniper, dwarf rhododendron (azaleas), with cypress, trek carries on through the bushes of Daphne (which is used as handmade rice papers) and then our route leads to a climb over Shobju La pass at 3,410 meters high and then on the long downhill to reach at Dolonaga a small woodcutters camp, from here entering a wide exposed area at Chorten Karpo with four Chortens (Stupa) dedicated to four high priests of this region, walking further to camp near a forest of blue pines and Khotokhanga village with about sixty rural farmhouses.

From this wonderful spot, today will be the last day of trekking as the trail leads to Punakha through Tikee Zampa, starting with a steep uphill climb to reach Tashi –la at 2,800 meters, this is an upper terminus of ropeway or cable car to transport woods to a place called Chhuzomsa in the warm areas of 1,300 m.

The walk leads downhill into a nice cool forested area of rhododendrons, and magnolia which later changes to dwarf bamboo and ferns, around this area is the best place for bird watching of various species of bird life the laughing thrush, shrike, magpie, and woodpecker, from here on the downhill path reaching terraced area of wheat and barley with a cluster of houses at Whachay and this trail joining at Tikka Zampa at 1,500 meters coming to much warmer low areas.

After an hour trek from this small place reaching Punakha in the comfort of nice hotels/lodge, an afternoon tour of Wangduephodrang Dzong was founded by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 AD with an impressive of the valley below.

Late afternoon visiting famous Punakha Dzong also called as ‘palace of happiness’ built by the same man around 1637 AD this fortress connected with Bhutan’s historical traditions and culture.

Goodbye to remote and beautiful countryside and rolling green hills, morning drive heading back to Paro on the route a detour of Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest built in 1627 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, at present used as Institute of Language and Cultural studies.

Upon reaching Paro transfer to respective hotels for the last overnight in Bhutan.

Morning as per the flight to respective next port of call drive towards Paro airport on reaching the terminal goodbye to guides, drivers and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, after going through visa and passport process a scenic flight back to Kathmandu or to other destination.

Upon reaching Kathmandu Tribhuvan international airport, transfer to respective hotels back into the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu city.

Today, my last day in Nepal with great memories and experience of Bhutan Gangtey & Gogona with Phobjikha Valley Tour & Treks, transfer to Tribhuvan International airport for final departure towards homeward bound or to next port of call.