Gangtey/Gogona/Khotokha (9 days)
Day 01 Arrival by Druk-air – Paro
Day 02 Paro – Thimphu
Day 03 Thimphu - Gangtey Gompa
Day 04 Gangtey Gompa - Halt
Day 05 Gangtey Gompa – Gogona
Day 06 Gogona – Khotokha
Day 07 Khotokha – Chuzomsa/Thimphu
Day 08 Thimphu – Paro
Day 09 Paro Airport for departure
Day 01 Arrive by Druk-air – Paro
During this journey (if from Katmandu) you will experience breathtaking view of Mt. Everest, Kanchen Junga and other Himalayan peaks including sacred Mt.Jomolhari & Mt. Jichu Drakey in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro airport you will be received by the representative of Bhutan Takin Trails and will transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 02 Paro-Thimphu
After breakfast drive for sightseeing of Paro valley starting with Drugyel Dzong (victorious fort of Bhutan) which withstood the Tibetan invasion in the 17th century but now in ruins. From here one can have a magnificent view of the sacred mountain, Jhomolhari on clear day. On the way back you visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch make a visit to the Ta- Dzong, the national museum. Then start the journey to Thimphu following the winding road beside the Paro River, down stream till confluence then along the Wang-chu up valley to the capital. Overnight in hotel.
Day 03 Thimphu – Gangtey Gompa
After breakfast leave for Gangtey. The road winds through the forest to Dochula pass, alt. 3,080 m. From here on clear days one can see around 200 miles of the Himalayan range. After about an hour and half from here you reach Wangdi Phodrang where pack lunch will be served. After lunch you continue the journey and after another 3 hour or so you reach Gangtey. Overnight in camp.
Day 04 Gangtey Gompa – Halt
The day can be spent in the valley making visits to interesting places. For those interested in fishing you can walk down to the river where catch is no miss. Lunch at the camp and after lunch spend the rest of the afternoon hiking around the valley. Overnight in the camp.
Day 05 Gangtey Gompa – Gogona
A moderate trail winds through meadows and fields, then ascends to the Tselela pass through mixed forest of Juniper, bamboo, magnolia and rhododendron. The people of Gogona speak a language called Bjopkha – the language of the nomads. Their life in this isolated valley has kept the tradition, culture and the language still alive. Overnight in camp.
Day 06 Gogona – Khotokha
A gentle climb leads to the Shobjula pass, alt. 11,155ft. From here the descend leads to a wide valley, reminiscent of the big sky and views of mountains all around. Overnight in camp.
Day 07 Khotokha – Chunzom – Thimphu
A short ascend leads to the Tashila pass, alt. 9,200ft. Be sure to fill your water shortly after crossing the pass, as the descend is totally dry. Walk down through evergreen vegetation into the drainage of the Dangchu where one will reach the motor able road at Chunzom. Here the vehicle will be waiting to pick you up and head towards Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.
Day 08 Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast drive round the valley for sightseeing starting with Zelukha nunnery, National library and the Handicraft Emporium. After lunch drive for Paro en route Memorial Chorten of His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the father of modern Bhutan. Overnight in hotel.
Day 09 Paro – Paro Airport
After breakfast drive to the Airport for departure by Druk-air.
Season : March – may & October – December
Group condition : Minimum of three persons but two can be entertained after payment of surcharge.
Climate (general) : Days are normally warm. Nights can at times be very cold and in winter temperatures can go below freezing point. There is monsoon showers in summer, (heaviest in July and August) and sometimes even in spring and autumn.
What to bring : Personal clothing: strong normal clothing (according to season). Preferably cotton for summer. Woolen clothes for the evenings and winter.
For trekking : Strong, comfortable trekking boots, sunglasses, headgear, rain coat, & warm clothing for the evenings is advisable. A sleeping bag is a must and it is advisable to have a medium to heavy one. A torchlight can be very handy (Note: for trekking, a load of 25 kg is allowed).