Overview
Highlights : This trek gifts you with great variety of Bhutanese landscapes and is without doubt one of the most beautiful and unspoiled trekking areas in the entire Himalayas. The trek begins at Drugyal dzong passing through beautiful villages, scattered hamlets and farmland. Different vegetation from richly forested valley to high alpine pastureland where Yak herders graze their animals. Trout fishing in the sky blue lake with magnificent view of three majestic peaks are some activities which can be done on a rest day. You will also encounter rare species like the blue sheep & snow leopard.
Paro Valley
One of the best agricultural regions of the country, Paro is also one of the most affluent. Fields cover most of the valley floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside. The houses of Paro valley are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country. Paro is also the site of one of Bhutan's most impressive buildings – Paro Dzong. The famous monastery of Traktang and the ruins of Drukyul Dzong are nearby.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Day 02 : Paro
Day 03 : Trekking/Camp
Day 04 : Trekking/Camp
Day 05 : Trekking/Camp
Day 06 : Excurssion near by and camp
Day 07 : Trekking/Camp
Day 08 :Trekking/Camp
Day 09 : Trekking/Camp
Day 10 : Trekking/Camp
Day 11 : Trekking end/Paro
Day 12 : Transfer to airport for departure.
Itinerary Detail
Day 01: Arrive Paro
Arrive Paro airport. Get Bhutan visa on passport upon showing visa approval letter plus 2 pp size picture. Meet/greet by our guide and drive to Hotel. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountain and landscape. Afternoon / evening time at leisure. Overnight in Hotel. If time permits s/seeing. Evening stroll around the market.
Day 02 : Paro
Day hike to Taktsang monastery. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort.
Day 03 : Trekking/Camp
Drive to Drugyel Dzong where the trek begins. The path goes upstream of the Pachu river through villages gradually ascending to 2800 meters at Shana camp. Walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 04 : Trekking/Camp
Shana to Soi Thangthangkha. The trail again follows the Pachu river ascending through pine, oak and spruce forest. Lunch will be served near a wooden bridge. The camp is at an altitude of 3800 meters near a stone shelter. Walking time 7/8 hours.
Day 05 : Trekking/Camp
Soi to Jangothang. Climb slowly for a while till you reach an army camp. Then follow the river above tree line with stunning views of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch will be served inside a Yak herders camp. A easy walk will reach you to Jangothang at an altitude of 4050 meters. The view of Chomolhari (7320 meters) and Jichu Drake (6900 meters) is superb. Both the mountains are still virgin peaks. Walking time 4/5 hours.
Day 06 : Excurssion near by and camp
Halt at Jangothang. Explore the surrounding areas like Tshophu lake, visit Yakherders or simply relax.
Day 07 : Trekking/Camp
Jangothang to Lingshi. The trail follows the stream for half hour and crosses the bridge to the right side. Climb up the ridge and enjoy stunning views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshrim Khang mountains. Than walk through the wide open valley sometimes coming across herds of blue sheep. The climb upto the Nyele la pass 4700 meters is not too difficult and the view is breathtaking. After the pass its a gradual descend and through the valley with beautiful views on all side. Nearing the camp you will see the Lingshi Dzong perched ontop of a hill with commanding view of the valley. Arrive camp at 4100 meters near a stone shelter. Walking time 6/7 hours.
Day 08 :Trekking/Camp
Lingshi to Shodu. Today is the most difficult day so start early. Begin walk opposite the dzong gradually through the valley until the stiff climb to Yale la pass at 4950 meters the highest point of the trip. The panoramic view of Mt.Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tshrim Gang is breathtaking. After the pass its a long descent to the camp at 3750 meters. Walking time 7/8 hours.
Day 09 : Trekking/Camp
Shodu to Barshong. The path follows the Thimchu river descending through rhododendron, Juniper and pine forests. The view of the cliff facing rocks and water falls are stunning. The trail gradually ascends after 3/4 hours to the ruins of Barshong Dzong reaching the camp at 3500 meters. Walking time 5/6 hours.
Day 10 : Trekking/Camp
Barshong to Dodina. The path descends for a while joining the Thimchu river and gradually ascending and descending through thick bamboo and pine forests. From Dolemkencho the trail descends all the way to Dodina where the ITT coach will be waiting for your return. Walking time 7/8 hours. Drive 1 hour to Thimphu (capital city). Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11 : Trekking end/Paro
AM stroll around the market and drive 2 hours to Paro. PM Paro sightseeing. Overnight Kichu resort or similar.
Day 12 : Transfer to airport for departure.
Equipment List
1. Good walking shoes
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen (highest possible)
4. Headgear for sunny days
5. Bug repellent
6. Cotton clothing for summer days, light woolen clothes for evenings. Heavy woolens for winter.
7. Shorts for hiking and walking around town are fine. Out of respect, please don't wear shorts in public buildings or monasteries. Have a pair of long pants or longer skirt for these locations.
8. Plugs/converters for electrical equipment (Standard Indian round pin socket suitable for Voltage and cycles 230v, 50cycles AC.
9. Ear plugs (many barking dogs!)
For trekkers, be sure to bring the following:
1. Sturdy and "broken-in" trekking/hiking boots
2. Sunglasses
3. Sunscreen (highest possible)
4. Headgear
5. Raincoat
6. Medium to heavy sleeping bag (or can be rented - bag and mat for $5 per night)
7. Torch (Flashlight)
8. Insect repellent
9. Day pack and water bottle
10. An extra duffel bag with lock
Maximum recommended load for trekking is 25Kgs (55lbs.), or 1/5th of body weight.
Altitude Sickness
Preventing Acute Altitude Sickness
• Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills or narcotics. They may decrease ventilation, intensify hypoxemia and make symptoms worse.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid heavy exercise; mild exercise is okay.
• Diamox® (acetazolamide) 125 mg. tablets taken twice a day is F.D.A. approved for prevention and treatment of A.M.S. Although it originally was released as a diuretic (water pill), it also helps you breath deeper and faster. This allows you to get more oxygen. Diamox is especially helpful with the sleeping prob-lems and other symp-toms of A.M.S.
• Home oxygen will relieve symptoms. Home oxygen is safe, cheap and easy to use. It can be used at night when symptoms are worse and off and on during the day as symptoms dictate.
• If nothing else works, you can return to lower altitude. Going down to Denver will always relieve the symptoms of A.M.S.
Acute mountain sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen when traveling to higher elevations. This usually occurs in individuals exposed to an altitude over 7,000 feet (2,100 m) who have not had a chance to acclimate to the altitude before engaging in physical activities. (rare below 12,000 feet) Mountain climbers, trekkers, skiers, and travelers to the Andes or Himalayas are at greatest risk. While individual tolerance varies, symptoms usually appear in several hours, with those in poor physical condition being most susceptible. Headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and poor appetite occur initially. Inability to sleep is also frequently reported. In more severe cases thinking and judgment may become impaired. An uncommon but potentially fatal complication called high altitude pulmonary edema, caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, can also occur.
The symptoms of acute mountain sickness can be prevented or minimized by gradually ascending (less than 500 meters/day) over several days to give your body a chance to acclimate to the higher altitude. Taking the prescription medication Diamox (acetazolamide) 250 mg three times a day has been shown to speed up the acclimatization process and can be taken shortly before and during the ascent. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to sulfa drugs. This medication is a mild diuretic and may work by changing the body's acid-base balance and stimulating breathing. Dexamethasone 8 mg once a day has also been shown to be effective. However, this steroid medication may have more adverse effects. Once symptoms occur, they usually improve over several days without treatment. However, if they become severe, they can be relieved with the administration of oxygen or descent to a lower altitude.
Gangtey Gogona Khotakha Treks
