Ridgetop Hike & Cultural Journey
Looking for a short trek in Bhutan? This trip is the ticket, with rich cultural immersion plus a moderate to strenuous three-day trek along a mountain ridge between the Paro and Haa Valleys of western Bhutan. Our itinerary—exclusive to MTS—offers scenic panoramic vistas of sacred Chomolhari (24,000') and other Himalayan peaks with the valleys below. Best of all, the Haa Valley has only been open to travel since 2001, so trekkers are few on our little-used trails. Witness Bhutan’s rich Buddhist culture, meet its humble people, and enjoy a colorful kaleidoscope of golden mustard fields, rooftops spread with drying red chilies, neat whitewashed homes tucked away on terraced rice and buckwheat fields, and high passes marked by masses of fluttering prayer flags.
Activities
3 days moderate to strenuous hiking at medium elevation (max. 13,700'), easy touring, day hikes
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- The best way to experience Bhutanese culture and traditions and Himalayan trekking within a short time frame
- Discover the Haa Valley, only recently opened to outsiders
- Immerse yourself in Bhutan's rich Buddhist culture and traditions
- 3-day ridge top trek with great Himalayan mountain views. We’re the only company to offer this short trek!
2010 Prices
$4,395 (4-15 members)
$805 internal airfare
$1,300 single supplement
2011 Prices
$4,495 (4-15 members)
$840 internal airfare – Bangkok/Paro/Bangkok - subject to change
$1,300 single supplement (requested)
$650 single supplement (forced)
Duration: 11 days Start Location: Bangkok End Location: Bangkok Best time to go: March - April, October - November
Itinerary
-
Day 1 : Arrive in Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand.
-
Day 2 : Paro – Thimphu
Fly to Paro, Bhutan. Transfer to Thimphu (7,725'), the capital.
-
Day 3 : Thimphu
Day hike through the forested countryside to centuries-old Cheri and Tango monasteries, lying just to the north of Thimphu.
-
Day 4 : Thimphu – Paro
Sightseeing in Thimphu, including the Folk Heritage and Textile Museums, and the School of Arts and Crafts. Drive to the sub-tropical Punakha Valley, winter seat of the highest lama in Bhutan until the 1950s.
-
Day 5 : Hike to Taktsang Monastery
Tour the beautiful Punakha Dzong, spectacularly situated at the confluence of two rivers, and walk to the small but charming Chimi Lhakhang temple.
-
Day 6 : Haa Valley (9,400')
Drive to Paro and visit the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above the Paro Dzong.
-
Day 7 : Begin trek – camp below Saga La (11,800')
Day hike to Taktsang Monastery, a cliff hermitage nestled in a granite wall above the Paro Valley.
-
Day 8 : Ningula (12,300')
Drive to the Haa Valley along the western border of Bhutan. Afternoon visit to Lhakhang Karpo ("Temple of the White Dove").
-
Day 9 : Kung Karpo (13,500')
Trek through rich forests of pine, dwarf rhododendron, and primulas to a ridge with high mountain views of sacred Chomolhari and other Himalayan peaks. End trek and return to Paro.
-
Day 10 : Bangkok
Depart on your Druk Air flight to Bangkok. Explore Bangkok on your own.
-
Day 11 : Fly home
Depart Bangkok
-
Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
BangkokThe Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport is a 4 star hotel located 10 min walk from Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. Boasting 612 comfortable and contemporary rooms, the hotel also offers 2 bars and 4 restaurants. With a 24 hr airport shuttle every 10 min from Gate 4 Level 2 and parking available, there is no better place to stay.
-
Taj Tashi
Thimphu, BhutanThe Taj Tashi blends traditional Bhutanese design with contemporary elegance in the heart of the Thimphu Valley. With a luxurious spa, heated indoor pool, gourmet dining and majestic mountain views, this hotel offers fine comfort and hospitality in a beautiful setting.
-
Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Paro, BhutanThe Zhiwa Ling combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of modern comforts. Guests can enjoy a traditional outdoor hot-stone bath, a Tea House, a Meditation House, and two restaurants specializing in both contemporary international and classic Bhutanese cuisine.
Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.
-
Tandin Nidup Tandin is a graduate of Bangkok University, Thailand, majoring in Tourism and Hospitality Management. He has been leading treks and cultural tours in Bhutan since 2000. Tandin also worked for a few months as the Human Resource Manager at The Zhiwaling Hotel in Paro. Last year, he had the opportunity to work as an Interpreter for the EU Election Observers for a period of one month in Eastern Bhutan and got a very positive evaluation from them. He is very knowledgeable of the cultures, religions, and traditions of his country and enjoys sharing his experiences with you. Tandin speaks English, Nepali, Hindi and passable Thai in addition to his native Bhutanese.
-
Gyamcho Wangdi (B) Gyamcho Wangdi has led treks for Mountain Travel Sobek since 1988. A Bhutanese, he grew up in the small hill town of Kalimpong in the Darjeeling District of India and received his schooling from a Scottish missionary school. He studied botany and zoology and was a naturalist at Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in Nepal for eight years. While working at the park, he greeted VIPs and other celebrities such as Princess Anne, the late Rajiv Gandhi (former Prime Minister of India), King Gyanendra (present King of Nepal), Bjorn Borg (former #1 tennis player), Reinhold Messner (Everest summiteer), and actors James Coburn, Robert Redford, Goldie Hawn, and Carrie Fisher. Gyamcho’s passions are seeing new places, off-road driving, interior design, and drawing cartoons (he has published a cartoon book on the Yeti called Mysterious Mystical Yeti, which became a hit among Nepal trekkers). His gentle, courteous manner, amusing anecdotes, and overall knowledge of Bhutan are the key to the success of your trip. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Nepali, and Bhutanese.
-
Namgay Dorji
Namgay Dorji, the senior manager of our Bhutan office, has been leading treks and tours for the past nine years. He is very knowledge about the history, culture, and religion of Bhutan, has many relatives in the monk body, and looks forward to sharing his experience with you. Namgay speaks seven languages: English, Japanese, German, Spanish, Hindi, Nepalese, and Urdu; is a graduate of Bissau College, Meghalaya, India; and received his diploma in Tourism and Travel Management from the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Salzburg, Austria. His many personal interests include bird watching, rock climbing, trekking, and archery.
photo credits:
Similar Trips
