Dodena Trek | 11D

[Day 1]

PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Your first glimpse of Bhutan

• On arrival at the Paro International Airport you will be welcomed by your tour guide and driver. After checking into your hotel, visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong/fortress of Heaped Jewels, a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture. Located above the Dzong is the National Museum showcasing various artifacts and relics of ancient Bhutan.
• In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse replete with paddy fields, vegetable garden and farm animals. Enjoy a hot stone bath in a wooden tub, get some cooking tips and help in preparing your dinner which you will eat in the traditional Bhutanese style with the whole family.

[Day 2]

TAKTSANG MONASTERY/TIGER’S NEST/ Acclimatizing Hike– The highlight of your holiday to Bhutan

• Your highlight of the tour and a day excursion to one of the most petrified sites in Bhutan, Taktsang Monastery / Tiger’s Nest which is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down. It is located around 900 meters above the Paro valley. In the 8th Century Guru Padmasambhava – the patron saint of Buddhism established the most sacred place in Bhutan and meditated with his consort Khandro Yeshey Tshogyal. It is believed that Guru flew on a female tigress in pursuit of a demon which he subdued at the current site of the Monastery.
• You can have your lunch, tea/snacks at the cafeteria midway.
• Before you drive back to your hotel visit the Kyichu Lhakhang/temple, one of the oldest temples built in the 7th Century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gyembo.
• Overnight in Paro

If you wish you can go for a stroll through the valley or rest in hotel.

[Day 3]

SHARNA ZAMPA - THANGTHANGKHA

Walking Distance: 22 km, 7-8 hours, 770 m ascent, 10 m descent, camp altitude 3,610 m.

After you breakfast you will drive about 1-2hrs to the starting point of your trek.

• Brace yourself for a long, hard day with lots of ups and downs, made worse by all the rock-hopping required to avoid mud holes. Begin the day by climbing through conifers and rhododendrons flanking the Paro chhu. You might have to scramble over small hills to get around the river in places. Your campsite will be at thangthangka (3,610m), with a small stone shelter and a Bhutanese-style house in a cedar grove at the edge of the meadow.

[Day 4]

THANGTHANGKHA – JANGOTHANG

Walking Distance: 19 km, 5-6 hours, 480 m ascent, camp altitude 4,080 m.

• If you did not see Mount Jomolhari the previous evening, you will get a great view in the morning. The trek continues up the Paro Chhu river valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. Cross an army outpost along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. Yaks and the herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. Passing the beautiful villages Soe, Takethang and Dangochang is another highlight of today. Reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you will again have a spectacular view of Mount Jomolhari.

[Day 5]

ACCLIMATIZATION (HALT)

Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

• Jangothang is a perfect environment for your acclimatization. There are plenty of possibilities for day hikes with great views on lakes and snow capped mountains such as Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. Jichu Drake is also one of those unclimbed mountains. There are good chances to spot some blue sheep on the upper slopes of the valley. There are good short hiking trails in three directions. Jumolhari and its subsidiary mountain chains lies directly west, Jichu Drake to the north and a number of unclimbed peaks to the east. Nearby there are trout filled lakes. You may also walk towards the glaciers of Jhomolhari or visit and experience a high altitude village life nearby. Don’t sweat it too much as you prepare yourself for a tough climb the next day.

[Day 6]

JANGOTHANG – LINGSHI

Walking Distance: 18km, 6-7 hours, 840m ascent, 870m descent, Camp Altitude: 4,010 m

• The trail climbs rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascend to the Nyilila pass at 4,870m. Apart from the beautiful landscape you might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes of the mountains and spectacular views of Mt. Jomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang. You will pass through yak herder’s tents made from yak wool. You will also get a view from the top of beautiful Lingzhi Dzong

[Day 7]

LINGSHI – SHODU

Walking Distance: Dist 22 km, 8-9 hours walk, 940m ascent, 920m descent, Camp Altitude: 4,080 m

• The trail climbs up to Yelila pass at an altitude of 4,930m. From the pass, on a clear day you will get an excellent view of Jumolhari, Tserimgang and Masanggang. The trek from the pass to the campsite at Shodu is a steep downhill.

[Day 8]

SHODU – BARSHONG

Walking Distance: Dist 16 km, 5 - 6 hours walk, 250m ascent, 670m descent, Camp Altitude : 3,710 m

• The trail follows the Thimphu Chhu river through colorful rhododendron forests and beautiful waterfalls along the way. The valley narrows till the path takes to the slopes and gradually ascends to the ruins of Barshong Dzong.

[Day 9]

BARSHONG – DOLAM KENCHO

Walking Distance: Dist 15 km, 5 - 6 hours walk, 290m ascent, 640m descent, Camp Altitude : 3,320 m

• The trail descends down to the Thimphu Chhu river valley, through dense forests of rhododendron, birch, conifer, maples and bamboos and then ascends to pasture lands. Today you will camp in a beautiful lush meadow.

[Day 10]

DOLAM KENCHO – DODENA

Walking Distance: Dist 8 km, 3 - 4 hours walk, 500m ascent, 930m descent, Camp Altitude : 3,710 m

• The trail continues through forested areas winding up and down and through a small pass. Langurs (monkeys) can be seen along the way. In Dodena, you will exit the Jigme Dorji National Park and reach the road head next to an impressive cantilever bridge. Your vehicle awaits you to take you to your hotel in Thimphu.

[Day 11]

DEPARTURE Thimphu - Paro (1hr30min)

• After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport where your guide and driver will bid you farewell and hope you had a pleasant holiday and hope to see you in Bhutan again.

TASHI DELEK