This is a six days trek. It is one of the most popular and scenic treks in Bhutan. Though it is a short trek it goes to high altitude.
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Day 1
Arrival at Paro
Pick up from Paro International Airport (2280m) and drop at hotel. If time is available visit Paro town in the afternoon.
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Day 2
Paro Sightseeing
After breakfast, visit the National Museum housed in Ta-Dzong which was built in 1656 and served as the watch tower of Paro Dzong in the past. Visit Paro Dzong, also called the Rinchen Phug Dzong which means fortress on a heap of Jewels. Built-in 1644, Paro Dzong is one of the most impressive and well-known dzongs of Bhutan. After lunch in town, proceed towards Drukgyel Dzong, 14 kilometres from Paro town. Also known as the fortress of victory Drukgyel Dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1649 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders. Return to the hotel. Dinner in the hotel.
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Day 3
National Museum (Paro) to Jili Dzong
Distance 10 kilometres, time 5 hours After an initial steep climb, the trail passes through farms and blue pine forests before reaching the big stone house at Damchena (2880m), the camp for the night.
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Day 4
National Museum (Paro) to Jili Dzong
Distance 10 kilometres, time 5 hours After an initial steep climb, the trail passes through farms and blue pine forests before reaching the big stone house at Damchena (2880m), the camp for the night.
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Day 5
Jiji Dzong to Jangchhu Lakha
Distance 10 kilometres, time 4 hours. On a clear day, you can view Paro valley below and the mountain peaks nearby from Jili Dzong. The route to Jangchhu Lakha is a long walk along a ridge through forests filled with rhododendrons in bloom. Jangchu Lakha is a pasture area at 3760 metres. Camp at Tshokam.
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Day 6
Jangchu Lakha to Jimilang Tshos
Distance 11 kilometres, time four hours The route descends from Tshokam(Camping spot in Jangchu Lakha) through the forest to the foot of a valley and crosses the upper part of the Bemang Rong Chhu (3540m). After several ups and downs through the forest and rocks, you reach Jimilang Tsho at 3870m. Jimilang Tsho means "Sand Ox Lake".
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Day 7
Jimilang Tsho to Simkotra
Distance 11 kilometres, time four hours The walk to Simkotra has several ups and downs before reaching Janye Tsho (4050m). From the Tsho the trail goes up to a yak herder's camp to a ridge and down to Simkotra Tsho (4110m).
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Day 8
Simkotra Tsho to Phajoding
Distance 11 kilometres, time four hours The view of Dochu La and Jhomolhari can be seen on this route which. The camping place is at 4110 m near a stone hut beside an almost dry lake at Labana. From here the route leads to a crest at 4120m, then drops and crosses a final ridge at Phume La(4080m). From this point the Thimphu Valley down below is visible. After walking through juniper and rhododendron bushes, the route leads to a campsite above Phajoding at 3750m. Many Lhakhang and meditation centres are scattered across the hillside. The campsite is nearby the Phajoding Goemba.
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Day 9
Phajoding to Motithang (Thimphu)
Distance five kilometres, time three hours The last part of the this trek route is downhill through forests and ends at a point above the Motithang Youth Center at 2520m.
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Day 10
Thimphu Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Thimphu (2320m) includes visits to National Library which was established in 1967 and has many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts); Painting School or the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (the 13 traditional arts and crafts like painting, woodcarving, embroidery and statue making); National Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 in memory of the third King of Bhutan; Semtokha Dzong which is about five kilometres south of Thimphu. Semtokha Dzong was built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Today it houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies; Tashichhodzong the seat of the government of Bhutan. It houses the secretariat, the Throne Room, His Majesty's secretariat, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. If the sightseeing falls on the weekend you can visit Thimphu's open vegetable market where farmers from the nearby regions gather to sell their produce.
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Day 11
Thimphu to Dochula- Thimphu. Lunch in Thimphu. Thimphu to Paro
The journey starts after breakfast to Dochula (3140) about 23 kilometres from Thimphu. On a clear day, it offers spectacular views of the Bhutan Himalaya. After Tea/Coffee in the Dochula Cafeteria return to Thimphu for Lunch and continue to Paro. Overnight halt in Paro.
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Day 12
Departure
After an early breakfast, our representative will see you off at the Paro International Airport.