Cultural Festival Druk Path & Ningula Treks

Arrive Paro from abroad. You will be received by Rainbow representatives at the airport. Transfer to Thimphu. This drive takes about 1½ hours along Paro and Thimphu rivers.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel.

After lunch do the following sightseeing:

• Textile Museum.
• Folk Heritage Museum.
• National Takin Reserve.
• Traditional paper making factory.
• Visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who ruled the Kingdom from 1952-1972.
• Visit Kuensephug: see the world’s largest statue of Lord Buddha.

Dinner and Overnight: Hotel.

• After an early breakfast, drive for about 45 minutes from Thimphu  to embark on a vigorous hike up the mountain to Tango Goemba Monastery. Tango is one of Bhutanese’ most important Buddhist colleges. Its name, meaning ‘horse’s head’, is derived from the horse-head shaped rock at the top. It is a beautiful dzong built in the 1680 A.D. century by the 4 th Druk Desi, Gyaltshen Tenzin Rabgye. Today Tango is home to the a young reincarnate of Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye. Meet with monks for discussions have access to many wonderful scenes of a monk’s daily life.
• Optional: After descending from Tango Monastery, enjoy a boxed lunch on the banks of the Thimchuu (Thimphu River) next to the picturesque Cheri Zam (Cheri Bridge.)  This covered wooden footbridge is one of only a handful of traditional suspension bridges left in the Himalayas. After lunch visit the Cheri Monastery and view the meditation Centre. This monastery was built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel and the cave where he meditated is still in existence there.
• Return to Paro. On the way, 5 Km from the confluence stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakhang built by Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15th Century.
• Visit the Paro town.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

Alt, 3500m distance 14Kms. Start trekking above Naksel Hotel along forested path that passes villages and temple near passing above the Olathang and reach to main trail of Gorena. From here the trail is mostly a gradual climb through Bhutanese farm houses. The view of Paro valley from the trail is excellent. Visit the Gorena Temple & farm house.

Overnight camp near Gorena village Alt, 3500m.

Gorena – Jebkarpo : Distance 16 Kms.

Trek Uphill for about 5 hours taking it slowly and allowing for plenty of stops. En-route visit the Kila gompa Nunnery located at rocky side where you can meet with nuns.  The trail takes you through a forest filled with many species of Primula and Rhododendrons, from the pass and the trail leads along the beautiful  ridge of Chelila pass where you can get the great view of western & northern Himalayan range of Bhutan.

Overnight camp.

Jebkarpo – Lower Ningula : Distance 15 Kms. Alt. 3918 m.

Today will be an early start. The early morning views from camp, of Jumolhari “Divine mountain of Goddess”,Tserim Kang-Glacier of long life and Jichu Drake are stunning. The trail follows the ridge and besides the view of the mountains you can also see the valley of Paro and Haa.

Overnight in camp. 3918m.

Ningula -Tsagala : Distance 16 Kms. Alt. 3940.

Another day with excellent viewS of mountains and valleys. On this route it is very common to see yak herders. Trails winds ups and down through the conifer forest to Campsite at 3727m.

Tsagala – Paro, Distance 12 Kms.

Descend back to Paro valley. The trek ends at Balakha before Drukgyel Dzong. Your vehicle will pick you up and drive you to Paro town for an early lunch after which drive to Hotel. Check into hotel for rest and relaxation.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• Drive to Punakha after an early breakfast.
• On the way, drive over the spectacular Dochu La Pass (3150 metrew) decorated with 108 stupas and many colourful prayer flags. Stop at the Pass for lunch. On a clear day the pass provides a panoramic view of distant Himalayan peaks that border with China.
• As you descend from the Pass to Punakha, you will observe dramatic change in vegetation. At the lower elevations, cacti, banana plants, poinsettias, and other semi-tropical plants dominate the exotic landscape.

After arrival and check in:

• Visit Chimed Lhakhang is in the valley of Lobesa 7 Km from Punakha town. This is a beautiful temple built by the Drukpa Kuenley known as the “Divine Madman” of Bhutan. This temple is also known as the fertility temple and this is where childless couples come to pray for a child.
• Visit the impressive Punakha Dzong (fortress-monastery), situated at the confluence of the Pho and the Mo Rivers. This huge fortress was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of Bhutan, and served as the National capital until 1966.
• Visit Khamsum Yuellay Temple temple built by the Queens for the 5th King of Bhutan when he was the Crown Prince. 20 minutes drive and 40 minurte hike from Punakha.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

This is a long drive so you will make numerous stops to photograph yaks and their herders, alpine flowers, lovely picturesque villages, and other roadside and panoramic scenes. After passing through PeleLa Pass (10,825 ft.) you will get your first glimpse of the Black Mountains.

Beyond Pele La is Longte Valley where people raise sheep and yaks. You will pass through the village of Rukubji Valley with its big secondary school and Gompa. The houses here are clustered amid extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley, and wheat.

As you descend the pass you will drive down through rhododendron forests and ferns and reach Chendebji village. This was a night halt for mule caravans traveling from Trongsa during the reign of the 2nd King of Bhutan. Just below Chendebji village is the Chendebji chorten, a large white structure beside a stream. This chorten is modeled after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in the 19th century. The drive between Punakha and Trongsa  is one of the most scenic and exciting legs of our journey into the clouds, crossing rivers and streams and passing chortens with water-driven prayer wheels and colorful rock carvings.

After arrival and check in:

• Visit the Trongsa Dzong which is the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. It was built in 1648 A.D. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular. With its back to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way  that in the old days, whichever direction a traveller came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. This helped to augment its importance and establish control over all east-west traffic.
• Visit Trongsa Museum.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• Leave Trongsa and head to Jakar valley under Bumthang district, a 3- hour drive to the East.
• Check into hotel after arrival.
• Drive to Tangbi Monastery to see the Tangbi Mani Festival.  Picnic lunch will be served at the festival ground.  You can enjoy mingling with the farmers and their family who come to see the festival.
• Evening:  Visit Jakar town and a traditional farm house for local hospitality.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• Today attend the Jambay Lhakhang festival held in the court yard of Jambay Lhakhang Temple located in the heart of Chokor Valley.This is one of the oldest temples in the country built around the 7th century by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Geombo. The festival dances symbolize the fight between good and evil and thisis  also a thank offering time for harvest to the local deities.  There’s much gaiety,feasting and drinking on this day.  Guests are invited to join the celebration.
• Visit Kurjey Lhakhang. It is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche, which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings that make up the temple complex. The first temple is the oldest and was built in 1652 by Mingyur Tenpa, when he was Penlop of Trongsa. The second temple was built by Ugyen Wangchuk, the first king of Bhutan in 1900 when he was still Penlop of Trongsa.
• The third building in the complex is an elaborate three-storey lhakhang built by Ashi Kesang Wangchuk, in 1984 under the guidance of Diglo Khyentse  Rimpoche.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

Morning, see Jambay Lhakang festival and also visit the following historic temples:

• Take a short walk from Kurjey crossing suspension bridge over Chamkhar River  to Tamshing Goemba (also known as Tamshing lhendup Tsholing, literally  ‘temple of the good message’) was established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and is the most important Nyingmapa Goemba in the kingdom. Pema Lingpa built the structure himself, with the help of Khandroms (female celestial beings) who made many of his statues.
• A short distance below Tamsing is a small rural-looking town Konchogsum Lhakhang – the source of many interesting stories. The history of this temple dates back to the 6th century, however the current structure dates from 15th century, when Pema Lingpa restored it. The small statues of the 3 Buddhas (past, present & future) in the sanctuary are said to have flown straight from Khaine Lhakhang in Kurtoe. Hence the name of this Lhakhang is Konchogsum – Konchog (divine being), sum (three).

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• Drive to Phobjekha valley. The drive will take you along the National Highway to a small settlement called  Nobding about 40 Km from Wangdue. From Nobding,  you will  branch off on a 13 Km dirt track crossing over the  Gangtey la, 3140 m, to the Phobjikha Valley that falls within the Black Mountain National Park.
• Phobjekha is  a glacial valley on the western slopes of Black Mountain national park.  The valley is a designated conservation area and borders the Black Mountain National Park.  Because of the large flock of black-necked cranes that winter here (from late October to late March), it is one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country.
• Phobjekha Valley is circled by beautiful pine covered mountains.   At the valley’s center, rising dramatically from a small ridge, stands Gantey Gompa, one of the oldest Nyingma Bhuddist monasteries in Bhutan.  Gantey Tulku Rimpoche, the head lama of Gantey Gompa, is the ninth incarnation of Terton Pemalingpa, the famous 14th-century Treasure Revealer from Bumthang, one of Bhutan’s famous Buddhist saints and an ancestor of the ruling Wangchuck dynasty.  The extensive complex consists of the gomba itself, the monks’quarters, meditation centers, and schools.
• Check into hotel and after refreshment, visit the Gangtey Monastery. and after lunch do a one to two hour nature walk along the outskirts of the valley.  You can visit the Khewa Village temple, Khewa village and enjoy a local hospitality with ara (local wine) and also see the roosting place of the black-necked cranes.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

• After breakfast, drive to Paro passing through Punakha/Wangdue, re-crossing the Dochula Pass.  You can stop for lunch at Dochula Pass or at Thimphu.
• Enroute, visit Semtokha Dzong.
• Evening, visit the courtyard of the Secretariat Building – Tashichhodzong – which houses the Central Monastic body, Chief Abbot, throne room and government Ministries.
• Stroll in Thimphu town after your visit to Tashichhodzong or return to hotel to prepare for your 2^nd trek.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

Thimphu – Phajoding: Distance: 8 Km.  Altitude of Phajoding:  3116 m

• After breakfast drive to Motithang where the trek begins.
• The trek to Phajoding is uphill climb through forested area of blue pine, fir and spruce. The walk, at a leisurely pace, takes about four hours.  Phajoding provides an excellent view of Thimphu Valley and is also a retreat centre for monks and nuns.  You can visit some ancient monasteries and commune with the monks.

Camp site:  Phajoding.

Phajoding – Jimilangtso : Distance:  22 Km, Altitude: 3800 m. Time: 5 hours. (there’s less climb on this trail)

The trail continues with gradual climb up to Phajoding Pass (approx. 3500 m).  From this pass you can enjoy a spectacular view of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges including Mt. Gankar Puensum which is the highest mountain in Bhutan at alt. 7561 m.  After crossing the pass, the trail slowly descends through juniper trees and alpine flowers. You will also come across yak herders with their yaks and have an opportunity to visit the yak herder’s camp to enjoy yak milk and yak butter tea.

After you arrive at the camp site do some trout fishing by the lake.  If  lucky you can enjoy a Himalayan trout dinner!

Camp site:  near Jimilangtso at 3350 m.

Jimilangtso – Jele Dzong :  Distance:  22 Km, Altitude: 2900m.  Time:  7-8  hours.

The trail starts with a gradual climb up to a high ridge through dwarf rhododendron and juniper trees.  From the ridge, you can enjoy a great view of Paro Valley and a part of Thimphu valley as well.  After crossing the ridge it’s a gradual down-hill trail through cider, fir, spruce and rhododendron forests and occasionally you may see some monal pheasants and come across yak herder camps.  You can also see Mt. Jichu Drake (alt. 6989) and some other famous peaks such as Jumolhari, the Mountain of Goddess Jumo.

Camp site:  Jele Dzong at alt. 2950 m.

Jele Dzong – Paro.  Distance:  7 Km.   Time:  3-4 hours

• Another day of downhill trail through rhododendron and pine forests and villages.  You can enjoy a beautiful view of Paro Valley, Mt. Jumolhari and other high peaks.
• The trek ends near the national Museum where you will be received by Rainbow transportation crew and driven to Hotel.
• Afternoon:  Relax at hotel and enjoy the spa facilities offered including various massage therapies.

Dinner and overnight: Hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.