TOUR 9: TREKKING Jhomolhari/Laya/Gasa

Transcription

1 TREKKING TOURS As Robert Frost says Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference - that difference is what trekking in Bhutan offers - experiencing the trails less travelled. The trek routes are basically trails used by yak herders and, local communities - making your trek more special within this cultural mosaic. You will have a group of professional and experienced crew to handle your food, tents, guiding and you will be accompanied by a caravan of horses and pack animals. Trekking in Bhutan is an extraordinary experience. There is much to see-mountains, forests, alpine meadows, lakes, flowers, wildlife and - local communities and all, within the peaceful, tranquil and captivating landscape. 12

2 TOUR 9: TREKKING Jhomolhari/Laya/Gasa DURATION: 17 nights in Bhutan anytime in April/May and October USD 5,280 for an individual traveler USD 4,300/person (for a group size of 2 pax) USD 4,050/person (for a group size of 3 or more) Highlights - stunning natural scenery, wildlife and mountain culture. DAY 1: Arrive Paro. Sightseeing and acclimatization DAY 2 : Alpine skyline walk to acclimatize. Drive to Chelela (Highest motor road point in Bhutan) 3900 meters. Drive time 25 minutes from Paro. 3 hours of easy hike along ridge offering birds eye view of Haa and Paro valley. Hike ends at nunnery. DAY 3: Start of trek. 45 Minutes drive north of Paro where the trekking crew and caravan awaits. Altitude 2900 m. Refreshments and start trek to Thathangkha campsite. Total distance 22 km. taking about 7 hours. Altitude at campsite 2850m. DAY 4: THATHANGKHA to JONGOTHANG (Jhomolhari base camp) 5-6 hours. Distance 17 km. Altitude at base camp 4080m. Good walking trail passing a few village houses. You cross the treeline and enter yak and snow leopard country. Campsite at the open meadows with spectacular views of Jhomolahri standing at 7314m.. DAY 5: Halt at Jongothang. Interacting with yak herders, visit tshophu twin lakes and enjoy stunning views of Mt. Jhomlhari and Jitchu Drakey. DAY 6: JONGOTHANG to LINGZHI (6-7 hours). Total distance 21km. Altitide at campsite 3950m. After crossing the village at the start you will not encounter any villages and the trail takes you through complete wilderness. The trees are all left far behind and you begin to feel closer to heaven. You will encounter blue shee and marmots darting into their burrows. Cross the highest point of your trail at Nyile la (4870m) pass. Begin gradually descending from the pass to Lingzhi. The ancient Lingzhi Dzong (fortress) perched on a ridge is visible from a distance. Camp at Lingzhi. There is a community school, agriculture and park extension offices and a few hamlets. Lingzhi has a wide variety of medicinal herbs. The Institute of Traditional Medicine (ITMS) in Thimphu has a large herb collecting and drying unit here that supplies the herbs for making traditional medicines to the ITMS. Because of the high elevation the other major crop is barley. DAY 7: LINGZHI TO CHEBISA (4-5 hrs). Total distance 16 km. This is an easy day so before starting the trail to Chebisa you could climb to vist Lingzhi Dzong which sits at 4220m at a ridge separating two valleys. This ancient fortress was built in the 17 th century and played the role of controlling travel between Bhutan and Tibet. After over an hour of hike on the trail to Chebisa you descend into the pleasant settlement of Gongyul (mountain village) at 3,870m. The stone houses are clustered and surrounded by large fields of barley. Leaving Gonyul the trail makes a gradual climb crossing to descend to the spectacular Chebisa valley. Camp at a lovely meadow opposite Chebisa village at 3,880m beside a stream. DAY 8 CHEBISA TO SHOMUTHANG (6-7 hrs). Total distance 17km. The route climbs the ridge above Chebisa village. Large herds of blue sheep will be seen as well as Himalayan vultures flying overhead. At the ridge cross Gogu la pass at 4440m before descending into the next valley through deep forest of rhododendrons. It s a long descend before climbing again over a small ridge through cedar forest. In the valley cross a river and continue past yak herders huts to continue past Shakshepasa campsite along the river side. Continue to reach campsite at Shomuthang (4220m) which is not a particularly good camp site compared to Shakshepasa however it will help in getting a good head start for the next day s trek. 13

3 TOUR 9: TREKKING Jhomolhari/Laya/Gasa (Cont.d) DAY 09 SHOMUTHANG TO ROBLUTHANG (6-7 hrs). Total distance 16 km. The trail climbs from the campsite up the valley. View of mountain Kang Bum (6526m). The trail passes through Jhari La (4750m) with views of other mountains like the Ganchenta (Great Tiger mountain, 6840m), Tserim Kang and Jhomolhari can be seen if the weather is clear. Camp by the river in a place called Tsharijathang. Herds of Takin (national animal of Bhutan) migrate to this valley in summer months and remain for about 4 months. The valley has been declared as a Takin sanctuary and yak herders have agreed not to graze their cattle here during the time Takins are here. Campsite at a rocky meadow called Robluthang (4160). DAY 10 ROBLUTHANG TO LIMITHANG (6-7 hrs). Total distance 14 km. This is a long day crossing Sinche La (5005m) the last and highest pass of the trek. Trail goes past a little stone house of a yak herder. Sights of groups of blue sheep grazing on the hillside and marmots are common. If one is lucky a snow leopard might be seen. Camp in the lovely meadows of Limithang (4140m) with the peak of Tiger Mountain towering over the campsite. DAY 11 LIMITHANG TO LAYA (4-5 hrs). Total distance 10 km. Follow the valley along the river through cedar and fir forests. Possibility to meet yak herders or see the herders stone huts. The trail takes a climb before reaching Laya village. Tiger Mountain dominates the western skyline and from some places you can get a glimpse of Masang Gang mountain (7165m). DAY 12 HALT AT LAYA. Laya is the biggest settlement you will encounter during the trek. With roughly over a 1,000 people the layaps, as they are known are a distinct ethnic group with their own language, customs and dress. It is definitely worth a day s halt to explore and enjoy this unique cultural landscape. You can also visit the community school, health center, park office and agriculture extension center to learn more of the people and their culture. Also enjoy an evening of cultural song and dance that the layap women love to perform. DAY 13 LAYA TO KOINA (6-7 hrs). Total distance 16 km. Descent to Koina campsite. Trail takes you through old growth forest. DAY 14 KOINA TO GASA (6-7 hrs). Total distance 12 km. Last day of trek. Further descend to Gasa. Being the head quarters for the Gasa district the area has many service centers like - a high school with boarding facilities, agriculture and livestock extension centers, Park Range office, medical unit. Gasa has a big old dzong that is worth a visit. Walk a further one and half hour downhill to reach the hot springs (presently under repair). You could camp here and enjoy a soak if the renovation works are complete. DAY 15: GASA to PUNAKHA. Drive to Punakha about 2 hours. Hotel accommodation in Punakha. DAY 16: PUNAKHA to PARO: Visit Punakha Dzong and leave for Paro after lunch. DAY 17: Tiger s Nest excursion, shopping in Paro and farewell dinner. DAY 18: Depart Paro by Druk Air. *************************************************** 14

4 TOUR 10: TREKKING Jhomolhari/Thimphu DURATION: 13 nights in Bhutan anytime April/May and October USD 4,160 for an individual traveler USD 3,445/person (for a group size of 2 pax) USD 3,250/person (for a group size of 3 or more) Highlight - natural scenery, wildlife and mountain culture DAY 1 to DAY 6 : Follow Trekking Tour 7. DAY 7 : LINGZHI to SHODU (8-9 hours). Distance 22 km. Altitude at campsite 4080m. It s a long day. Cross a another pass at 4450m. Observe herds of blue sheep and if lucky snow leopard. DAY 8: SHODU to BARSHONG (4-5 hours). Distance 14 km. Altitude at campsite 3720m. Observe caves used as meditation retreat sites and yak pastures before camping at a village with few households. DAY 9: BARSHONG to DOLEMKENCHO (4 hours). Distance 14km. Altitude at campsite 3290m. DAY 10: DOLEMKENCHO to DODENA (3 hours). Distance 7 km or should be less since a motor road is under construction. Drive to Thimphu to hotel. DAY 11: THIMPHU sightseeing and shopping. DAY 12: PARO x 2 nights. Drive to Paro. Tiger s Nest excursion. DAY 13 : Cultural tour and shopping in Paro. DAY 14: Depart Paro by Druk Air. 15

5 TOUR 11: TREKKING Jhomolhari/Soe Yaksa DURATION: 10 nights in Bhutan during April and October USD 3,240 for an individual traveler USD 2,690/person (for a group size of 2 pax) USD 2,540/person (for a group size of 3 or more) Highlight - natural scenery, snow leopard country, wildlife and people. DAY 1 to DAY 4: Follow Trekking TOUR 7. DAY 5: Halt at Jongothang. Interact with local people, day hike and exploration. DAY 6: JONGOTHANG to above TSHOPHU LAKES (5 hours) Distance 10 km. Altitude at camp is 4100m. Start hike to the twin lakes. Enjoy breathtaking (literally) views of Jhomolari, Jitchu Drakey and Tshering Gang Mountains. Observe blue sheep along the route above the lakes. Camp at valley with beautiful natural surrounding. DAY 7: SOE YAKSA village (5 hours). Distance approx. 12 km. Cross Bonte la pass (4890m). Enjoy the beautiful scenery from the pass. Walk another 80m above the pass to see Kunchenjanga (third highest peak in the world). Observe herds of blue sheep grazing in the meadows with towering rocky areas habitat of snow leopards. Good trail with stunning natural landscape. Campsite above river in the village or enjoy a home stay with yak herding family. DAY 8 halt and explore Soe Yaksa village and day hike to ruins of Soe Dzong. DAY 9: SOE YAKSA to SHANA road head (7 hours) approx. 18 km. Follow trail through village and forest along river to rejoin trail of Day 3. Reach road head and drive (45 minutes) to hotel in Paro. DAY 10: Tiger s nest day hike. Shopping and farewell dinner. DAY 11: Depart Paro. 16