Journey to the Center of the Himalayas 2 Tour

Package Overview

Route -

Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Wangdue Phodrang - Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang - Ura - Monggar - Gom Kora - Trashi Yangtse - Trashigang - Monggar - Bumthang - Trongsa - Thimphu - Paro

Route Info -

​Total Route Distance: 1425 kilometers approximately
Total Travel Time: 65 hours approximately including Biking

Trip Highlights -

Five Chortens - Paro

Nyamai Zam - Paro

Rinpung Dzong - Paro

National Museum of Bhutan - Paro

Drukgyel Dzong Restoration Site - Paro

Choedu Goemba - Paro
​
Kichu Lhakhang - Paro

Tachog Lhakhang - Paro

Buddha Dordenma - Thimphu

National Memorial Chorten - Thimphu

Simtokha Dzong - Thimphu

Dochu La Pass - Thimphu

Druk Wangyel Chorten - Dochu La

Druk Wangyel Lhakhang - Dochu La

Royal Botanical Garden - Lamperi

Chimi Lhakhang - Punakha

Punakha Dzong - Punakha

Suspension Bridge - Punakha

Thangoo Lhakhang - Wangdue Phodrang

Bajo Lhakhang - Bajo

Radak Neykhang - Wangdue Phodrang

Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Restoration Site

Gangtey Goemba - Phobjikha Valley

Black-Necked Crane Information Center - Phobjikha

Pele La Pass - Wangdue Phodrang

Chendebji Chorten - Trongsa

Trongsa Dzong - Trongsa

Ta Dzong Museum - Trongsa

Kuenga Rabten Palace - Trongsa

Yutong La Pass - Trongsa

Chumey Valley - Bumthang

Jakar Dzong - Bumthang

Jambay Lhakhang - Bumthang

Chakar Lhakhang - Bumthang

Kurjey Lhakhang - Bumthang

Tamshing Lhakhang - Bumthang

Kenchosum Lhakhang - Bumthang

The Burning Lake - Tang, Bumthang

Shertang La Pass - Ura

Ura Valley - Ura, Bumthang

Shingkhar Village - Shingkhar, Bumthang

Dechen Chholing Goemba - Shingkhar

Thrumshing La Pass - Ura to Limithang
​
Limithang

Monggar Dzong - Mongar

Yakang Lhakhang - Mongar

Zhongar Dzong ruins - Mongar to Gom Kora

Kori La Pass - Mongar to Gom Kora

Sheri Chhu - Monggar to Gom Kora

Gom Kora

Doksum - Gom Kora to Trashi Yangtse

Trashi Yangtse Dzong

Chorten Kora - Trashi Yangtse

Rangjung Woesel Chholing Monastery - Trashi Yangtse

Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary - Trashi Yangtse

Institute for Zorig Chusum - Trashi Yangtse

Trashigang Dzong

Sherabtse College - Rangjung

Bartsam Chadhor Lhakhang - Trashigang

Rangshikhar Lhakhang - Trashigang

Yongphula Domestic Airport - Trashigang
​
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-

​During Spring, Autumn and Summer seasons

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Paro - Rinpung Dzong - Ta Dzong - Drukgyel Dzong

  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. When you complete all entry formalities we drive you to the hotel. After you unpack and get some rest we will introduce you to an authentic Bhutanese Dishes for lunch before going out to explore the valley. First visit following sites at Paro;
  Five Chortens
  Nyamai Zam
  Rinpung Dzong
  Ta Dzong
  Restoration of Drukgyel Dzong
  Choedu Goemba
  Kichu Lhakhang
  
  ​Once at the hotel, we will make a quick presentation about the trip answering all your queries and preparing you ahead for the great expedition. After a delicious supper, we retire for the night rejuvenating from your long flight.

• Day 2 : Paro - Thimphu - Dochu La Pass - Lamperi - Punakha

  Today we begin Biking towards the Capital city, Thimphu. The distance between Paro to Thimphu is about 55 kilometers and will probably take 4 hours. If you have followed our 'Trip Yakka' advises strictly, this biking route will be a piece of cake when compared to those in coming days. You will be closely followed by our car team consisting of a paramedic and mountain bike mechanics with first aid, refreshments, extra bikes and biking tools. A little further before crossing the confluence of Pa Chhu and Wang Chhu, two rivers of Paro and Thimphu at Chhuzom, we will stop at Tachog Lhakhang.
  
  As we enter the capital city, you can witness a massive Buddha Skahyamuni, Buddha Dordenma statue on a hilltop at Kuenselphodrang Park overlooking the southern entrance of the valley. We then visit two other places at Thimphu, after lunch;
  National Memorial Chorten &
  Simtokha Dzong
  
  Without further ado, we drive towards our destination for the day, Punakha but stop at Dochu La Pass. Its location around 108 Druk Wangyel Chortens will provide you with stunning 360-degree panoramic view of the landscape with far flung snow-peaked Himalayas. We hike up to visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang. Just below Dochu La Pass is Royal Botanical Garden opened in 2008 to commemorate 100 years of Monarchy under Wangchuck dynasty.
  ​
  Retiring into Punakha valley, we will visit Chimi Lhakhang, fertility temple built on a hillock below Metishina – Punakha road.

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

  On your third day, you will find out that Punakha Dzong is arguable the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan with pleasant warm winters and hot summers located at an average elevation of 1200 meters above sea level. You will be awe by its beautiful sight at a strategic location at the confluence of two rivers of Punatsang Chhu surrounded by lilac-colored jacaranda trees blooming in spring.
  We exit the dzong and walk upstream of Pho Chhu towards Suspension Bridge (200 m high) of Punakha. It is the longest of its kind connecting the dzong with the valley and villages cross the river. It will be a heart pumping experience to cross the bridge and capture its stunning view.
  As we head towards Wangdue Phodrang biking, we visit the following sites;
  Thangoo Lhakhang
  Bajo Lhakhang
  Radak Neykhang
  Restoration of Wandue Phodrang Dzong
  
  After lunch, we then hop on to the car and drive steep uphill on East-West Highway of Phobjikha. Gangtey Goemba (2900 m or 9514 ft) of Phobjikha is our first stop located on a forested hill overlooking the entire green expanse of the valley.
  ​
  By stopping at 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 regular hotel for the night.

• Day 4 : ​Gangtey - Pele La Pass - Trongsa

  Leaving the Gangtey valley we drive for about 40 minutes to Pele La Pass (3420 m/11220 ft). 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 (7326 m/24035 ft), Mt. Jichu Drake (6989 m) and Mt. Kang Bum (6526 m) towards the west marking the border of Black Mountain National Park.
  
  We will head towards Trongsa (2200 m/7218 ft) on a declining elevation spotting yaks grazing on the barren hills as we maneuver into the broad heavily cultivated Mangde Chhu Valley. En route to Trongsa we will stop in Chendebji Chorten.
  Once at Trongsa, we will check into the hotel and rejuvenate before heading out to explore the Trongsa Dzong. The dzong is located on a slope of the spur attracting all the attention to itself. Up next, we will hike up to the Ta Dzong located strategically above the Trongsa Dzong on the left bank of the Mangde Chhu.
  
  In the evening, we will drive to Kuenga Rabten Palace, about 24 kilometers south of the main town of Trongsa on the road to Zhemgang and Gelephu.

• Day 5 : ​Trongsa - Yutong La Pass - Chume Valley - Bumthang

  As the early morning sun rises and we finish our morning routines, we drive to Yutong La Pass (3425 m/11237 ft) for about 29 kilometers. It is a thrilling descends to Gyetsa village (2700 m/8858 ft) where we will stop at Dungtsekhar Lhakhang located on the left of the road. You will find it a humble architectural structure reminding us of the ancient temples from 7th or 8th centuries but no research supports it yet.
  
  After completing about 13 kilometers from Yutong La Pass, we arrive at Chume Valley, a cheerful wide open beautiful cultivated valley. Buli Lhakhang is in Buli, Chume valley accessible by a feeder road and we will make a short visit as we combine thrilling cardio adventure with cultural and nature sightseeing.
  
  We drive via Nangar village and stop at the Yathra factory where traditional Yathra fabric is manufactured from sheep wool. Later we cross Kiki La Pass (2900 m/9514 ft) before entering the Jakar or Bumthang Valley (2800 m/9186 ft). On arrival, we check into the hotel and rejuvenate from the day's mountain biking excursion.

• Day 6 : ​Bumthang - Burning Lake - Ura - Shingkhar

  We start our day in 'Switzerland of Asia' by driving uphill where the majestic Jakar Dzong stands overlooking the valley of Bumthang (2800 m/9186 ft). It means "Castle of the White Bird", exhibits a stunning bird-eye view of the entire valley. We then visit the following places;
  Kurjey Lhakhang
  Jambay Lhakhang
  Chakar Lhakhang
  Tamshing Lhakhang
  Kenchosum Lhakhang
  
  After lunch, we drive towards the famous Burning Lake - Mebar Tsho located along the way to the Tang village over the feeder road. En routing further east towards beautiful Ura valley (3000 m/9843 ft) through beautiful conifer mountains, valleys, farms and pastures. Shertang La Pass at 3600 meters above sea level will offer you with a magnificent view of Mt. Gangkar Puensum on a clear sunny day, the highest unclimbed mountain in Bhutan. We then make a short descend on bike to enjoy the stunning view of the village and if you happened to visit during late spring you may be lucky to witness the annual Ura festival.
  
  We can also ride further for about 5 kilometers to Shingkhar village at an elevation of 3400 meters where Dechen Chholing Goemba's majestic surrounding is a perfect place to relax. After we return to Ura, we can either stay in a Home-stay or camp for the night.

• Day 7 : ​Ura Valley - Limithang - Mongar

  From Ura Valley, we proceed to Limithang which is about 81 kilometers away. It will take us about 6 hours to complete the route. We suggest you to make an early start to enjoy refreshing scenes along the way. We ride through a rich forest of conifer and rhododendrons. As we near end of the route for the day, we make a climb towards Thrumshing La Pass. It is located at an elevation of about 3780 meters or 12402 feet.
  
  It is usually wreathed in swirling vaporous mists. You can enjoy breath taking view as it takes you downhill from the tree line above to balmy semi-tropical jungle and then through a thick forest. After about 700 meters of descent, we reach the campsite at Limithang.
  We can choose to camp at Limithang or we drive on towards Mongar town located at about 28 kilometers away.

• Day 8 : Mongar - Gom Kora

  After breakfast, we suggest to explore more of what Mongar town has to offer us before we ride towards Gom Kora.
  
  At Mongar (1600 m/5249 ft) we will visit Mongar Dzong, one of the newest Dzong in Bhutan built in 1930 to replace the original Zhongar Dzong from 17th century. A week long Mongar tsechu is held here in November every year corresponding to 10th day of the 10th lunar month in Bhutanese calendar.
  
  At 20 minutes’ walk from Mongar town is Yakang Lhakhang, privately owned and founded by Lama Sangdag, sixth son of Terton Pema Lingpa. It has a great cultural significance with a wide range of spiritual treasure and scared objects known to have been revealed by Terton Pema Lingpa.
  You can choose to ride or drive through several beautiful villages making various stops before arriving at Gom Kora. The whole route from Mongar to Gom Kora is about 81 kilometers. It should take us about 4 hours to complete. We stay overnight at Gom Kora.

• Day 9 : ​Gom Kora - Trashi Yangtse

  We explore Gomphu Kora, a monastery located along the western side of Kulong Chu (River) before we ride to the last north-eastern district of Trashi Yangtse. If you visit Gom Kora during spring season you can witness the Gomphu festival at Gomphu Kora which was initiated 400 years ago. Since then local people from all over eastern Bhutan including people from the Dakpa tribe of neighboring Arunachal Pradesh (India) gather to attend this festival every spring.
  
  We ride for about 2 kilometers from Gom Kora to Doksum, a village where two valleys meet. After about 5 hours and 30 minutes and covering about 64 kilometers we arrive to our destination, Trashi Yangtse (1850 m/6070 ft). It is a famous place for Bhutanese traditional art of weaving.
  ​
  We will explore Trashi Yangtse dzong meaning 'Fortress of Auspicious Fortune' is located on a ridge past which the Dongdi Chhu (river) flows. As per our time available we can visit touristic destinations from Chorten Kora and Ranjung Woesel Chholing monastery to Bumdelling Wildlife Sanctuary to visit the annual migration place of the endangered black-necked cranes and some national butterflies. You can also make a short visit to the Institute for Zorig Chusum. We spend the night in Trashi Yangtse.

• Day 10 : ​Trashi Yangtse - Trashigang - Mongar

  Biking from Trashi Yangtse to Trashigang is about 65 kilometers. You can complete it in about 5 hours. The route is gradually up and down till about 55 kilometers and then later uphill about 10 kilometers towards the town.
  
  We can also choose to visit the first college of Bhutan, Sherubtse College at Kanglung which is about an hour drive from the town. If there is plenty time and will to explore more, Bartsham Chadhor Lhakhang is located at about an hour and half drive from the town. Rangshikhar Lhakhang, the residence of Rangshikhar Rinpoche is also another destination we can choose to visit at an hour distance from Trashigang.
  
  Since today is the last day we ride our bikes, you can choose to ride it until the destination or choose to drive whenever you are tired and want to take some break. There is a option to fly from Yonphu La domestic airport to Paro or Bathpalathang airport in Bumthang but we may need to check if it is operational in advance as it is usually under maintenance and flights are rare from here as of now.
  
  We drive back to Mongar town for about 2 hours. Once in hotel we will rejuvenate our body from a long mountain bike ride visiting sauna and getting massages. We retire overnight at Mongar town.

• Day 11 : ​Monggar - Bumthang - Trongsa

  We drive from Mongar town towards Bumthang for about 4 to 5 hours. Once at Bumthang we will stop for lunch and then continue to drive towards our final destination, Trongsa.
  
  We drive to Trongsa via cheerful Chumey valley and Yutong La Pass for about 2 hours. If you choose to rest up in beautiful Bumthang valley, we can retire here for the night. We recommend driving to Trongsa so we can get a head start tomorrow and plenty of rest time with lesser time on the road during daylight.

• Day 12 : ​Trongsa - Wangdue Phodrang - Thimphu

  If you have chosen to stay at Bumthang on the previous night, we drive towards the capital city today. On the other hand, from Trongsa the journey gets little shorter by about 2 hours. It also gives an early start advantage so you will spend lesser of daylight time on the road and get to explore more of the Capital city in the evening.
  
  We retire at the capital city visiting Arts & Crafts Market if we have energy and time in the late evening before dinner.

• Day 13 : Thimphu - Paro - Tiger's Nest Temple - Chele La Pass

  We move out early for the famous Tiger's Nest located at 3,100 meters above sea level and at about 4 to 5 hours’ hike after 20 to 30 minutes’ drive to the trial base. It is one of the main icons of our country and your visit to Bhutan would be incomplete without hiking up the Tiger's Nest. 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.
  
  Upon our way downhill you will get to enjoy a fantastic view during our lunch at the Taktsang cafeteria. If you still have some energy left, we can drive towards the Chele La Pass located at about an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from Paro valley towards Haa. It is one of the highest vantage motorable points in Bhutan from which you can marvel at commanding views of the snow-peaked Himalayas and beautiful valleys beneath it.
  We will return to hotel when you are satisfied with the visit and prepare for your flight back home.

• Day 14 : Departure from Paro

  Today is the day we part our ways. Yet parting ways never mean a goodbye forever. It is a matter of another time and place before we see each other. We review and hear out your suggestions and comments over a hearty conversation at the breakfast.

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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

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