A Horse Hacking Tour

Package Overview

Route:

paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang - Ura - Shingkhar - Tang - Ngalakhang - Jakar - Trongsa - Wangdue Phodrang - Thimphu - Paro

​route Info

total Route Distance: 850 Kilometers Excluding Horse Hacking

​total Time Travel: 28 Hours Approximately Excluding Horse Hacking


trip Highlights

five Chortens -paro

nyamai Zam - Paro

rinpung Dzong - Paro


ta Dzong - Paro
tachog Lhakhang - Paro

national Memorial Chorten - Thimphu

buddha Dordenma - Thimphu

simtokha Dzong - Thimphu

dochu La Pass - Thimphu

druk Wangyel Chorten - Dochu La Pass

druk Wangyel Lhakhang - Dochu La Pass

royal Botanical Garden - Lamperi

chimi Lhakhang - Punakha

punakha Dzong - Punakha

suspension Bridge - Punakha

thangoo Lhakhang - Wangdue Phodrang

bajo Lhakhang - Wangdue Phodrang

radak Neykhang - Wangdue Phodrang

wangdue Phodrang Dzong Restoration Site

gangtey Goemba - Phobjikha Valley

black-necked Cran Information Center - Phobjikha

pele La Pass - Wangdue Phordang

chendebji Chorten - Trongsa

trongsa Dzong - Trongsa

ta Dzong Museum - Trongsa

yutong La Pass - Trongsa

buli Lakhang - Chume Valley

chumey Valley - Bumthang

kiki La Pass - Bumthang

jakar Dzong - Bumthang

jambay Lhakhang - Bumthang

chakar Lhakhang - Bumthang

kurjey Lhakhang - Bumthang

tamshing Lhakhang - Bumthang

kenchosum Lhakhang - Bumthang

the Burning Lake - Tang, Bumthang

ura Valley - Ura, Bumthang

shingkhar Village - Shingkhar, Bumthang

tang Horse Hacking - Bumthang

phepe La Pass - Tang to Ngang

nang Village

ngang Lhakhang - Ngang Village

ngang Horse Hacking - Bumthang

jakar Horse Hacking - Bumthang

menchugang Horse Hacking - Bumthang

dhur Village Horse Hacking - Bumthang

schonath Horse Hacking - Bumthang

drange La Pass - Schonath to Kitiphu

kitiphu Horse Hacking - Bumthang
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mt. Gangkar Puensum - Kitiphu
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zambhalha Lhakhang - Chume

choedrak Goemba - Chume

tharpaling Goemba - Chume
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chume Valley
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arts & Craft Market - Thimphu

tiger's Nest Temple - Paro

chele La Pass - Paro-haa

mount Jomolhari - Chele La Pass

mount Jichu Drake - Chele La Pass



best Time of the Year​ - Late Spring from April to Early June When Rhododendrons are in Full Bloom and An Abundance of Avian Wildlife such as Himalayan Tragopan. If Taken During Autumn Cautions of Encountering Himalayan Black Bears. Best to Plan with Local Festival Dates

tour Package Cost

please Visit: Http://www.tourism.gov.bt/plan/minimum-daily-package

to Get Our Promotional Rate Please Contact Us from the
link Below

our Promotional Package Rate

trip Yakka

get Enrolled At Your Local Horse Riding Club for Riding Classes At Least 1 Month Before Bhutan
contact Us for Details

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : ​Paro - Rinpung Dzong - Ta Dzong - Tachog Lhakhang - Thimphu

  Upon your arrival in Paro International Airport, you shall be greeted by a aCholala Tours & Travels representatives and he/she shall brief you about the tours, itinerary, inclusions as well as cultural practices of Bhutan including Do’s and Don’ts. We then visit following sites at Paro;
  Five Chortens
  Nyamai Zam
  Rinpung Dzong
  Ta Dzong
  The distance between Paro and Thimphu is about 65 kilometers and will take about an hour. On the way, we will visit Tachog Lhakhang located on a hilltop across Pa Chhu connected by an ancient iron bridge built in the late 13th and early 14th century by ThangtongGyalpo.
  
  Once at the hotel, you can unpack to rejuvenate from your high mile journey with a relaxed evening previewing the trip ahead. We will also resolve any queries you may about your stay with us here in Bhutan. If you are good, we can take a leisure stroll in the town to familiarize you with Bhutanese lifestyles and culture.

• Day 2 : ​Thimphu - Dochu La Pass - Lamperi - Chimi Lhakhang - Punakha

  Today we start the day by visiting the famous National Memorial Chorten into the heart of the city. It is an extraordinary piece of Buddhist architecture and artwork with intricate sculptures and stunning paintings. Then our next visits will be the following sites;
  Buddha Dordenma
  Simtokha Dzong
  Dochu La Pass
  Druk Wangyal Chorten & Lhakhang
  
  After lunch at a restaurant near the Dochu La Pass, we will drive further east before we make a stop to visit the Royal Botanical Garden. We then make another stop at the fertility temple, Chimi Lhakhang. We continue our journey via Khuruthang town and warmer valley of Punakha. Once we check into the hotel, we enjoy a delicious supper and talk about our plan for the next day. We retire for the night hoping for the best weather tomorrow.

• Day 3 : ​Punakha - Wangdue Phodrang - Gangtey Goemba

  Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of two rivers of Punatsang Chhu is our first visit for the day. You will find out that it is arguably the most beautiful Dzong in the country. Existing the Dzong, we head towards a Suspension Bridge. It is perfect visit for those who want to experience some thrilling heart pumping experience while crossing it. Stunning valley scenes awaits you as you cross it on either side.
  
  We then visit the following places;
  Tangoo Lhakhang
  Bajo Lhakhang
  Radak Neykhang
  Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Restoration site
  
  After lunch, we continue driving on East –West Highway of about 64 kilometers taking us 2 to 3 hours until Phojikha Valley. Gangtey Goemba of Phobjikha is our first stop located on a forested hill overlooking the entire green expanse of the valley.
  
  Then we visit the Black –Necked Crane Information Center of Royal Society for protection of Nature (RSPN), you can get a better insight into the valley’s treasure. From spotting the cranes (during season) through powerful spotting scopes, checking the information inventory to biking around the feeder road you can choose activity to expedite for the rest of the day. We can also either opt out to experience a Bhutanese Home – stay or a regular hotel for the night.

• Day 4 : ​Gangtey Goemba - Pele La Pass - Trongsa - Chume Valley - Bumthang

  Leaving behind a beautiful Black –Necked Crane Valley, we drive towards Pele La Pass at 3420 meters elevation. It is one of the most beautiful drive east offering accesses to central Bhutan over the Black Mountains, the physical boundary between western and central Bhutan. On a clear day, you can try to spot Mt. Jomolhari (7326m), Mt. Jichu Drake (6989m) and Mt. Kang Bum (6526m) towards the west marking the border of Black Mountain national Park.
  
  We continue to drive towards Trongsa spotting yaks grazing on the barren hills as we maneuver into the broad heavily cultivated Mangde Chhu Valley. Chendebji Chorten is on our en route to Trongsa. Once at Trongsa, we stop for lunch and then explore the Trongsa Dzong and up next, we will hike up to the Ta Dzong located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong on the left bank of the Mangde Chhu.
  
  The journey to Bumthang should take us about 2 to 3 hours as we drive through;
  Yutong La Pass
  Chume Valley
  Buli Lhakhang
  
  En –routing through Nangar Village we will stop at the Yathra factory where traditional Yathra fabric is manufactured from sheep wool. On arrival, we check into the hotel and rejuvenate from the day’s excursion.

• Day 5 : ​Jakar - Kurjey Lhakhang - Burning Lake - Ura - Shingkhar - Tang

  We start our day in ‘Switzerland of Asia’ by driving uphill where the majestic Jakar Dzong stands overlooking the valley of Bumthang. It means “Castle of the White Bird”, exhibits a stunning bird –eye view of the entire valley. On the way we will stop to the following places;
  Kurjey Lhakhang
  Jambay Lhakhang
  Chakar Lhakhang
  Tamshing Lhakhang
  Kenchosum Lhakhang
  
  After lunch, we start driving towards the famous Burning Lake – Mebar Tsho located along the way to the Tang Village over the feeder road. Even at present this small fresh water lake is a very scared pilgrimage site where people offer butter lamps and prayer flags on auspicious days making it spectacular landscape with rich history for tourists to visit.
  
  We head further east towards beautiful Ura Valley for about hour and half through beautiful conifer mountains, valleys, farms and pastures.
  
  Once we reach Shingkar Village, we visit Dechen Chholing Goemba. We then make our journey to Tang Valley where we will meet our horses and the trail guide. After short introduction on riding lesson, we can make short ride within the valley visiting villages and bonding with your horse. We can choose to spend the night at a Guest House or a Home stay.

• Day 6 : ​Tang Valley - Ngang Village

  On our first day of horse riding, we begin climbing up a hill towards Phepe La Pass with an elevation of about 3900 meters or 12795 feet. In about 6 hours of riding your horse along with multiple stops to rest for lunch, refreshments and horse feeding, we will arrive at Ngang Village. The time trail takes to complete will make sure you bond with your horse into a friendly and healthy companionship to last for the rest of the hacking trip.
  
  Ngang Lhakhang located in the village is a private temple. It looks like a large farm house with two stories and a large courtyard holding a festival from the evening of the 15th day to 17th day of the 10th Bhutanese month. You can either choose to stay overnight at the rural Farmhouse home –stay right beside the Lhakhang or in the tent.

• Day 7 : ​Ngang Village - Jakar

  From the village of Ngang, horse hacking should take us about 5 hours to arrive at Jakar valley. We can combine horse riding trek with cultural sightseeing. You can enjoy a nice relaxing ride while exploring local villages and meeting friendly people. It is a beautiful hack through the farms and unpaved roads. You can witness farmers plowing their fields and women working hard in a potato field.
  
  Once we are in a Jakar town we will check into the hotel. For rest of the evening we can choose to rejuvenate from the past two days of horse riding in a spa for a traditional massage, steam bath or a stone bath. We can also go to local karaoke bar before retiring for the night.

• Day 8 : Jakar - Menchugang - Dhur - Schonath

  We will drive till the road head to start horse hacking at Menchugang. The trail is easy which combines with the famous ‘Bumthang Owl Trek’ taking us about 4 to 5 hours to complete. As we arrive at Dhur village we will stop for lunch and feed our horses.
  
  The village of Dhur (2900 m/9514 ft) is the biggest rural village in Bumthang consisting of about 75 households with about 800 or more people.
  
  Horse riding continues after lunch with an uphill climb through blue pine forest towards the campsite at Schonath (3450 m/11319 ft). The forest is covered in hemlock and juniper trees and during a silent night, you can hear the hooting of owls, hence the name ‘The Owl Trek’. From here you can still see the Dhur village.

• Day 9 : ​Schonath - Drange La Pass - Kitiphu

  Leaving our beautiful campsite of Schonath, we ride through a lush green forest of hemlock, fir, spruce and varieties of rhododendrons which bloom fully during the months of April and May. It also takes us through a forest of bamboo which is the main undergrowth in this area. After riding for about 2 hours, we will arrive at the Drange La Pass at an elevation of 3600 meters or 11811 feet.
  
  We then climb the Kitiphu ridge (4000 m/13123 ft) finally arriving at our campsite for the night. From the campsite, you can witness stunning views of snow –capped mountains and the beautiful valleys underneath. Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7570 m/24836 ft) can be seen from here as it stands majestically as the highest unscaled peak in the world.

• Day 10 : ​Kitiphu - Tharpaling Monastery - Chume Valley

  On our final day of the horse hacking trek, we take about 4 to 5 hours to arrive at cheerful Chume valley. We descend toward the monasteries of Zambhalha, Cheodrak and Tharpaling. Choedrak Monastery is located at an elevation of 3800 meters or 12467 feet on a high ridge dominating the whole Chume valley.
  
  From here we descend into Tharpaling Monastery (3600 m/11811 ft) which is composed of a series of building overlooking the valley. The area is a historical Buddhist learning center where renowned masters like Longchen Rabjampa spent many years in exile from Tibet in the early 14th century. We descend for about half an hour before entering Chume Valley and retire for the night.

• Day 11 : ​Chume - Trongsa - Wangdue Phodrang - Thimphu

  Today is the day we head back to the capital city, Thimphu. It should take us about 5 to 6 hours' drive on the East-West highway. You can relax aback and enjoy the meandering hilly road drive as you play flashbacks about your previous journey and horse hacking in the heart of Asian Switzerland.
  
  Later in the evening after we check into the hotel, we can take a leisure stroll in the town. You can visit the souvenir shopping lane at Arts & Crafts Market. You can buy visit to Bhutan gifts to your friends and family back home ranging from traditional arts and crafts to traditional Bhutanese textiles.

• Day 12 : ​Thimphu - Paro - Tiger's Nest Temple

  We head out after breakfast for about an hour drive to the base of the famous Tiger's Nest Temple. It is one of the main icons of our country and your visit to Bhutan would be incomplete without hiking up the Paro Taktsang. The difficulty of the trail is from moderate to extreme at some instances but the stunning view of the landscape and the great historic stories of the monastery will surpass all your body aches.
  
  We return to the hotel in the evening as the sun sets reviewing our whole trip and lending our ears to your comments and suggestions. After a delicious Bhutanese supper, we retire for the night giving you ample amount of time to pack.

• Day 13 : Departure from Paro

  As you prepare to fly back home or towards your next destination, we share a delicious breakfast. Our friendship does not end today with your departure. Rather it is a matter of another time and place before we see each other again.

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

Acholala Tours & Travels View Profile

5 / 5

• Changjalu, Building No.15, 2nd Flat, Post Box No.1945
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