White Water Rafting / Easy Trek 14 Days

White Water Rafting / Easy Trek 14 Days Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE PARO INTERNATIONAL ARIPORT – PARO

During the journey, the traveler will experience from the left side of the plane a spectacular view of Mt. Everest, and other famous Himalayan Mountains including the sacred Mt. Jhomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport you will be received by your Bhutanese friend from Makalu Adventure Lunch at the Hotel. Discuss the Tour Programme with the Tour Guide. Afternoon sight seeing.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 2: PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO Taktshang MONASTERY

Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro town) and from there walk up to Taktshang Monastery. The name Taktshang means “Tiger’s Nest ". The Monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff drop of nearly 4000 ft. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan meditated on this spot where the Monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.

Picnic lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria. The round hike takes about 4 Hr.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro.

Day 3: PARO – PUNAKHA

After breakfast you will drive or ride on bikes on to Punakha, the journey takes about 5 & half hours through Dochula Pass (3150m). On the way stop for a photo stop at Dochula Pass which is 26km away from Thimphu valley, and for lunch and to enjoy the most spectacular view of eastern Himalayan snow capped Mountains and also the great view of Gasa Dzong at a distance (If weather is clear). Lunch at Dochula Pass.

After lunch start biking downhill from the Dochula Pass till you reach Punakha. It is an exhilarating ride.
Over night: Hotel in Punakha valley.

Day 4: PUNAKHA – SIGHT SEEING

After breakfast visit Punakha Dzong (the summer residence of mink bodies). After that ride on bikes for about 12 km to reach Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which is situated on a beautiful hillock, called Nizergang. It houses the paintings that belong to Nyingmapa Traditions. Ride back to Punakha for lunch. After lunch drive to Metshina Village and walk across the rice field for about 20 minutes to visit Chime Lhakhang (the Temple dedicated to Devine Madman).
Over night: Hotel in Punakha. 

Day 5: PUNAKHA – RAFTING

After break fast, hike through a forest of pines and farmlands along the bank of Pho Chu River for about 2 hours till you reach Samdhingkha. Your rafting crew will be waiting there for you. Then start rafting along the Pho Chu River coming across stretches of Class II and IV rapids. Upon arriving at a beach-like stretch of sand, some distance from a Chorten, you will be served lunch on the sandy embankment. The post-lunch rafting session will continue till you reach the relatively placid section of the river below the Punakha Dzong. After tea, drive to Gangtey through the forests of oak, rhododendron, and bamboos.
Over night: Hotel in Gangtey.

Day 6: GANGTEY - GOGONA (15 km, 6/7 hours) Trek starts

Trek commences today. The trail winds up on a slow climb through meadows and fields and then ascends the Tselela pass (3,400m), which is also your lunch stop. Then it descends gradually for some time through forests of junipers, bamboo, magnolias and rhododendrons. After the last short climb, you reach Gogona village. The people of Gogona were originally nomads and they speak a language called Bjopkha (language of nomads).
Over night: Camping.

Day 7: GOGONA - KHOTOKHA (16 km, 6/7 hours)

The trail winds up gently above Gogona village, climbing into a forest of firs, oaks, spruce, rhododendron, cypress and junipers. Along and gradual climb leads to Shobjula pass (3,400m), later the path leads down to a wide valley of Khotokha, a summer place of people of Sha (Wangdiphodrang district).
Over night: Camping.

Day 8: KHOTOKHA – CHAZAM - TRONGSA (12 km, 5 hours) Trek ends

A short ascend leads to a pass then the path descends steeply through ever changing vegetation till the bridge in Wangdiphodrang. Your trek ends here. Your car will be waiting here for transfer to Trongsa.
Over night: Hotel in Trongsa.

Day 9: TRONGSA -BUMTHANG

In the morning you'll visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, and you'll also see Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this Dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. After crossing a high pass, guests can bike all the way to Bumthang. The road is broad and all downhill after the pass. You can spend the evening strolling through Bumthang town.
Over night: Hotel or guest house in Bumthang.

Day 10: BUMTHANG - SIGHT SEEING

Day excursion to Ura Valley . Ura valley is the most remote valley in Bumthang, and this will make a nice enjoyable excursion. You'll make a stop in Ura valley for picnic lunch and will have a chance to visit the Ura monastery and explore the village. On the way back to town, you will see Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche's treasures were found in the 15th century by the famous treasure discover Pema Lingpa. It's a good place to meditate. You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. In the evening visit Jambay Lhakhang, the monastery built in 7 th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, Tamshing Lhakhang, located on opposite side of the river is important place to visit, housing interesting religious paintings.

Over night: Hotel or guest house in Bumthang. 

Day 11: BUMTHANG – THIMPHU (9hours drive)

Drive to Thimphu with lunch at Chendebji.
Over night: Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 12: THIMPHU – EXCURSION TO TONGO MONASTERY

In the morning you can hike to Tango Monastery, which was built by the "Divine Madman" in the 15th century. It's a center of study for monks, and it affords a great view of the Thimphu Valley . On the grounds of the monastery is a "sin-testing" tunnel--it is said that if you have sinned, you will get stuck in the tunnel, and if you are without sin, you will go through with ease! After lunch, you can hike to Cheri Monastery, which was built in 1620 and housed the first monk body. The Shabdrung father's ashes are contained inside the monastery.

Over night: Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 13: THIMPU - PARO 

You can spend the morning shopping in Thimphu . If it's the weekend, you can stroll through the market to see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and mangoes. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. It's fun to wander the aisles, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the market. In the afternoon, you will drive to Paro. You will tour the National Museum, which was formerly the watchtower for the Paro Dzong. It now houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thangkas, statues, and antiques. In the evening you can visit a traditional farmhouse and, if you wish, enjoy a hot-stone bath and a typical Bhutanese dinner.
Over night: Hotel in Paro. 

Day 14: PARO-PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for Departure

Early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese friends from Bhutan Bigfoot Trekking will accompany you to bid farewell as you embark on your onward journey to back home.