SEASON – From March to May and from September till November
Duration – 10 nights / 11 days
This trek is named so because of the opportunities to explore many villages and Lhakhang along the route. Though it is a short trek, it reaches to the height of 3360 meter.
Day 1: Arrive Paro
Representatives of Bhutan Dragon Trekkers & Tours will be at the airport to receive you. To give you the first feel of the country we will welcome you with a traditional welcome ceremony, which will be held at a farmhouse nearby. After the ceremony you will be transferred to the hotel. In the evening, visit Paro town. Night halt at Paro in a hotel.
Day 2: Paro
In the first half of the morning, visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum. It was originally built as a watchtower, strategically located overlooking the Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley. Then visit Rinpung Dzong, the administrative and religious centre of Paro Dzongkhag (district). Drive 14 km up north of the valley to visit Drukgyel Dzong. The dzong, now in ruins, defended the Tibetan invasions centuries ago and aptly named “the victorious fortress”. On the way to Drukgyel Dzong, view the Taktsang monastery and Kyichu Lhakhang, both renowned pilgrimage sites for Buddhists all over the world. After lunch drive to Thimphu (2 hrs). Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu
Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu visiting Memorial Chorten, National Library, the Institute of Zorig Chusum, Tashichhodzong, Handicrafts Emporium and the weekly market. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu – Trongsa
After breakfast proceed to Trongsa. After 45 minutes of drive from Thimphu you will reach Dochula pass at an altitude of 3100m. After crossing Dochula pass, another 2 hours of descend on the winding road will reach you to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong and then a short drive will reach you to Wangduephodrang. Visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and have lunch in a hotel at Wangduephodrang. After lunch drive further east on the east-west lateral highway with a short stop at Chendbji Chorten after descending from the Pelela pass at an altitude of 3300m. In the evening, visit Ta Dzong and Trongsa town. Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.
Day 5: Trongsa – Bumthang
After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortress of the country. The grandfather of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal laid the foundation of the Dzong in 1543; however the real Dzong was complete in 1648 by the Shabdrung. The first king, Sir Ugyen Wangchuck, was Trongsa Penlop before he was unanimously appointed as the first hereditary monarch of Bhutan on December 17, 1907. Trongsa Dzong played an important role in the history of Bhutan as an administrative base controlling both the eastern and the western part of the country. Drive to Bumthang, which will take about 2 hrs. In the afternoon take a walk around the Bumthang valley; visit some of the holy places like Jampa Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. Overnight in hotel in Bumthang.
Day 6: Bumthang – Ngang Lhakhang (20 km 5/6 hours)
The trek route follows along the Chamkharchu (Bumthang river). You will stop at Tangbi Monastery for a lunch. After sometime, you will enter the “Swan valley” known as Ngang valley with its Ngang Lhakhang (the Swan Temple) at the center of the valley. Overnight at camp.
Day 7: Ngang Lhakhang – Ugyencholing (12 km 3 / 4 hours)
A gradual climb to Phephela pass at an altitude of 11000 ft, which is the highest point of the trek. The trail from the pass takes you through one of the most beautiful forests of the region. Along the way you can see the view of the Ugyencholing Palace. Overnight at camp at an altitude of 9000 ft.
Day 8: Ugyencholing – Trongsa
On the way back to Bumthang, visit Mebar Tsho (the Burning Lake), from where Terton (treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa discovered religious texts and artifacts. Lunch at Bumthang. After the lunch drive to Trongsa. Overnight halt in Trongsa.
Day 9: Trongsa – Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha. On the way, visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, built in 1638. After lunch drive to Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong and the new Chorten, few kilometers from Punakha town.
Day 10: Punakha – Paro
Drive back to Paro. Lunch at Dochula pass. Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Departure
After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport. The representatives of the company will see you off.
