DAY 01
Arrive Paro International Airport. Process visa and be received by Rainbow representative. Check in at Otalhang Hotel. After tea and snacks visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. After the Museum drive to Satsam Chorten (10 Km) and hike to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest". The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 3,000 ft. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava, the second Buddha, alighted here upon the back of a tigress. Picnic lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. The round trip hike takes about 3hrs. In the evening visit a typical village farmhouse for some authentic Bhutanese food and to see how most Drukpas live in Bhutan. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 02
Today begins your trek. Excitement mounts as you drive to meet the team at Drugyel Dzong where the road ends and the trek begins. Your trek accommodations are of the finest quality. Packhorses will carry all supplies, food and your necessities. Cooks will prepare for your very large appetite sumptuous meals of hearty Bhutanese varieties. You will look forward to each meal with delight! Gourmet dinners around the campfire at night. Optional folklore and singing served with local Bhutanese beverages. Ara anyone? High Altitude tents are of the highest quality and sleeping bags can be provided. Paro Shana is about a 5 to 6 hour journey. The trail follows the river through the beautiful meadows and paddy fields of the Paro Chhu valley. A gradual climb along the Paro River through the cultivated valleys and villages. Look back to view the strategically built Drukgyel Dzong, watchtower over Paro Valley. Pass through the small villages of Chamg and Metshi Zampa. Traversing through rice terraces and fields of millet and blue pine forest. Bhutan is the least deforested land in the world, with 70% of the country blanketed in virgin blue pine forest. The night's camp is just beyond an army outpost at Shana. This is the last stop before Tibet. Your guide will process all necessary permits at the Gunyetsawa army post. Here are a few shops and a school. You proceed over a wooden cantilever bridge across the Paro Chhu. A climb to the rustic village of Shana Zampa for overnight camp. Altitude 9,184 ft.
DAY 03
Shana to Thangthangkha is a 6 to 7 hour trek. Continuing on a gradual climb along the Paro Chhu (river in Drukpa) through conifers and rhododendron you'll soon enter Jigme Droji National Park. Lunch served at Sheng Karap. Tremo-la is nearby; a stone paved trail utilized for invasions and a trade route from Tibet. We will not take this path, but cross over a wooden bridge and continue our climb over a set of switch backs and cross the river again. Ups and downs, with more ups, will bring us over our last bridge of the day. You will be looking for a white chorten and a lovely meadow. Here you will see Jumolhari. The white peaks beacon to you. We camp and rest for the night. Altitude 12,700 ft.
DAY 04
Thangthangkha to Jangothang is a 5 hour trek starting at Pa Chhu. Your climb today gains elevation and you will be comfortably worn out at day's end. You are now entering yak country. Yaks are utilized for pack animals as well as supply cheese, milk, tea, meat and Yak hair for weaving of huts, blankets, clothes, backpacks and hats. Burley and huge, the yak plays an important role in Bhutan history, yesterday and today. Remote villages are dotted throughout this area. A stone and log bridge provides access to Jangothang. Winters here are harsh and long. Unparalleled views of snow peak mountain form the eastern side of the valley. You are in the most spectacular camp spot in the entire Himalayan range. Here you will say farewell to your horse and exchange for a yak. You are truly in the High Himalayans! Camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari. Altitude 13,500 ft.
DAY 05/06
Jangothang Halt. Rise early this morning to view Jumolhari Mountain. The next two days are for exploration and relax. Chose from several day hikes for unsurpassed views of Jichu Drake, 28,000 ft, and surrounding unscaled peaks in the east. A fishing expedition to Tshophu, a high altitude lake, is an alternative. Spotted trout do not get any bigger or fresher then here. yum! Revel in the experience of your High Himalayan Trek; an adventure of your lifetime.
DAY 07
Jangothang to Lingshi is about 5 to 6 hours journey through wide yak pastures and 2 high passes, as we trek into isolation. As you come down into the Lingshi basin, you get a wonderful view of Lingshi Dzong on a clear day. Tserim Kang, at 22,267 ft and its glaciers rise up at the north end of the valley. Watch for blue sheep and musk deer as you trek in the afternoon shadow of the High Himalayas. Night halt is a choice between a stone hut and the tent. Altitude 14,660 ft.
DAY 08
Lingshi to Shodu trek is approximately a 7 to 8 hours journey. Climb the trail up to the Yalila Pass at an altitude of 15,809 ft. From the pass, on a clear day, you get an excellent view of Chomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masagang. Chortens dot the path along our way. The trek from the pass to campsite at Shodu is steep down hill. Camp can be made in a stone shelter or in tent. Altitude 13,000 ft
DAY 09
Shodu to Barshon - walking distance is 3 to 4 hours. The trail follows the Thim Chhu river through thick rhododendron forests. Waterfalls can be seen along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to reach the ruins of Barshong Dzong. Watch for Langurs (Monkeys) along the way. Camp can made in stone shelter or tent. Altitude 12, 415 ft.
DAY 10
Barshong to Thimphu: Today we arrive in Thimphu, the capitol of Bhutan. After check in at Hotel Yeedzin, lunch and relax, we will visit the Tarkin, the National animal of Bhutan. Shop for those unique Bhutanese handicrafts. Museum quality textiles, hand painted thankas, festival mask, antiques and collector Bhutanese stamps. Relax at a hot steam sauna at local health spa. Rest well, you earned it.
DAY 11
Attend the Thimphu famous weekend market, marvelous! Tour the exquisite Textile Museum and watch a local archery match. Visit the National Library, where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Tonight dinner in a hotel.
DAY 12
Today drive 6-7hours through lush green valley to Phuntsholling plains near the Indian plains of Seliguri. If time permits drive to Siliguri.
DAY 13
Transfer to Bagdogra airport or wait for evening train. Or onward journey to Katmandu, Sikkim, Darjeeling.
