TRIP LENGTH:11 Days
LEVEL: Moderate
SEASONS: February to March & October to December

Although the trek leads up to plenty of beautiful high altitude mountain lakes and provides stunning views of the whole Bhutanese Himalayan range as well as Kanjenjunga (3rd highest mountain of the world, Sikkim) it is still not a very popular trek. You might not meet any other trekkers during the whole trek. It is also possible to start and end the trek in Gynekha. The optional route back to Gynekha leads through beautiful Bhutanese villages. Although most days are short, the day from Gur to Labatama involves a lot of climbing and is, therefore, pretty strenuous.

Flexible Itinerary


Day 1: Arrive Paro
On arrival at Paro airport you will be received by the representative of Bhutan Travelers. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 2: Paro
Morning drive the winding road northwest up the Pa Chhu (Paro River) to Drukgyal Dzong ruins, which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions. Mount Jumolhari, the sacred summit reaches skyward far beyond the Dzong. Visit the Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred shrines of Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now houses Bhutan’s National Museum. Walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 3: Paro – Thimphu
Drive downstream alongside the Pa Chhu (Paro River) to its confluence with Wang Chhu (Thimphu River) then up valley to Thimphu, the capital town. Before arriving Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong, Kingdom’s oldest Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Afternoon visit Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of Third King of Bhutan. Then visit Tashichho Dzong, Thimphu’s most impressive building situated at the banks of Wang Chhu. It houses the King’s Throne room and it is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot. Take a stroll through Thimphu market in the evening. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 4: Thimphu
After breakfast, visit the Art School where centuries old art of Bhutanese painting is taught. The National Library is another interesting place to visit, which houses vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Also visit Traditional Medicine Institute where centuries old healing arts are still practiced. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. Afternoon visit Handicrafts Emporium. Here exotic weaves in silk, wool, raw silk, cotton, silver jewelry, carpets, thangka paintings, bamboo ware and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available. Evening, drive to the viewpoint of fascinating view of Thimphu valley. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 5: Thimphu- Genekha (14 km, 4 hours)
Drive for 45 min to reach starting point of the trek. The first day walk, over mule path, will end after four hours at the signboard of Genekha School. All through the trail, terraced fields and coniferous vegetation are abundant. Overnight camp at Genekha alongside a stream at 2,800m.

Day 6: Genekha-Gur (15 km, 4 hours)
Today’s trek which is a true communion with the nature starts with alpine flora and fauna (birds are common). Two hours of gradual uphill walk and rest at huge rock platform, offers a picturesque view of the valley below. After another two hours, the trek ends. Camp at Gur, where flowers are abundant in spring.

Day 7: Gur-Labatama (12 km, 5 hours)
While trekking across the ridges, one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation. Today’s trek is amidst flowers and wild asparagus (in spring). The meadows freshen the trekkers with poetic sentiments. The first pass symbolized by huge cairn gives a spectacular view of the whole Dagala range, meadows and yak herders camp. Lunch at nearby yak herder’s camp. After lunch, walk across hills and meadows, ending the third day of trek. Camp near Yutsho Lake where golden trouts are in abundance.

Day 8: Labatama halt
This day is for an excursion to any of three lakes: Relitsho, Hentsho and Jamatsho. The day and place is ideal for trout fishing. Overnight at the camp.

Day 9: Labatama halt
Excursion to Setsho and nearby lakes. Hike to Setsho Lake is easy and interesting. Afterwards walk over a small ridge and then down to Jagetsho Lake. Whole day trout fishing with packed lunch at lakeside. You can also attempt to climb the Jomo a 5,050 m peak. Lunch at summit with spectacular view around, can be memorable experience. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next day.

Day 10: Labatama- Panka (8 km, 4 hours)
Walk for 20 min upwards and later you will have majestic view of Himalayan peaks during descent. This point is around 4,460m. The mountains peaks include Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jumolhari, Jichu Drake, Tshering Gang, Khangbum, Masang Gang, Tsendegang and Gangche Ta. Here the Himalayan monal peasants are common sight, apart from yaks and horses.

Day 11: Panka-Talekha (8 km, 4 hours)
This day entails the crossing of several passes, each one more impressive than the other. Search for different verities of Blue Poppy (June-July) and mountain birds. Lunch at the point, where one trail leads to Talekha and other to Wangdiphodrang. After lunch, an hour’s gradual climb brings you to the tip of the last Dagala range from where view of Thimphu is spread in the palm of observer’s hand. An hour’s walk and you are at the last camp, little above Talekha monastery.

Day 12: Talekha –Thimphu –Paro
Passing through alpine and mixed vegetation (bamboo thickets and mixed wild flowers), one reaches Talekha monastery and village and once again Thimphu view is superb. Passing through mixed vegetation and apple orchards, one reaches the main road to Thimphu where your transport will be waiting. Drive to Thimphu for lunch. Evening drive back to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 13: Paro depart
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.

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Trips Highlights

• Thimpu-Memorial Chorten, National Library, Handicrafts Emporium, Painting, Simtokha Dzong, Tashicho Dzong, Pangri Zampa Monastery.
• Thimpu week-end market.
Paro-Drugyal Dzong, Farm houses, Ta Dzong, Paro Rinchen Dzong.
• Paro-Takstang Monastery.
• Yutsho, Relitsho, Hentsho and Jamatsho Lakes.
• Views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and Bhutanese Himalayas-Jhomolhari, Jichu Dreak and others from a pass between Labatma and Panka.

Dates and Prices
Start and End dates - Flexible
3 persons and above : USD 2420/person.
2 persons : US$ 2780/person
1 person : US$ 2840/person

Trip Cost Includes
• A level accommodation on twin sharing basis while in the cities.
• All camping gears that includes-2 person sleeping tents with floors and fly sheet, dinning tent, kitchen tent, toilet tents, dinning tables, chairs, pillows and mattresses.
• English speaking Guide.
• Cook and kitchen aides.
• All intercity transfers and sightseeing by a private vehicle.
• Pack animals and animal drivers during trekking.
• All necessary supplies.
• 3 meals a day.
• Bhutan visa processing.
• Sightseeing admission fees.
• Bhutan visa fee

Trip Cost Does Not Includes
• Airfare into and out of Bhutan
• Travel Insurance and emergency evacuation.
• Expenses of personal nature like drinks, tip, telephone, laundry etc.
• Extra expenses due to nature or unforeseen events such as flight cancellation, road blockade, no show etc.

Equipment
The following basic equipments check lists should help you with your packing. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. At the start of the trek your packed trek bag should not weigh more than 33 pounds or 15 kg.

Head:
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection

Lower Body:
- Under Garments
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

Feet:
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals) Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp

Upper Body:
- T-shirts
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket *

Hands:
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer

Accessories:
- Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F *
- Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
- Small pad or combination lock-to-lock
- Trekking Bags *
- Basic First Aid Kit *
- Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry insidetrekbag
- Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
- Thermarest sleeping pad
- Water bottles
- Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc)

Toiletries:
- 1 medium sized quick drying towel
- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror

Personal Hygiene:
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue /toilet roll

Extras/Luxuries:
- Binoculars
- Reading book
- Trail Map/Guide book
- Journal & Pen
- Walkman
- Pencils and small notebooks
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble

Travel Notes

GEOGRAPHY
Bhutan, "The Land of Thunder Dragon" as it is known to foreign countries, is perhaps the last Shangri-La in the earth. Sandwiched by India and China (Tibet) the kingdom is spread over 18000 sq. miles with variety of climate in different region. The people here are mostly Buddhist and Hindu.

GETTING IN & OUT
Bhutan is least air connected country in the world. Only Druk Air, the national flag carrier of Bhutan links Bhutan with other country. Those, who wish to enter by air, Paro is linked to Kathmandu, Calcutta, Delhi, Bangkok and Dhaka. There are flights to these destinations at least twice a week. For schedule and other information please write to us.

The other option of traveling to Bhutan is by land and the entry point is Phuntsholing (Indo- Bhutan Border). Phuntsholing is 08 hours drive from Kakarvitta (Indo - Nepal Border) and THIMPU is 6 hours from Phuntsholing. Please note, if you wish to enter by land you will need Indian visa as you will be traveling in India for a day (From Nepal Border to Phuntsholing). Indian Visa fee is not included in the trip cost and can be obtained in Kathmandu or in your home country.

VISA & FORMALITIES
All foreigners are required to have a valid passport for a minimum of 6 months and must send in the following details of passport at least 30 days in advance of the trip : Name - as in Passport, Nationality, Passport No. Date of expire, Profession, 3 Photograph (P.P. Size) and date of birth. Visa fee is US$ 20 per person for first two weeks and extension will be US$ 20 for each two weeks.

Visa is not provided abroad but stamped upon arrival in Paro airport or Phuntsholing. Please note without the visa clearance no from THIMPU, Druk air does not issue your ticket to Paro. Therefore, confirmation of any trip as early as possible will make it easier for you to get the flight tickets. We handle all the visa process once we receive confirmation from your side.

ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
Accommodation is always in hotel while you are in town like Paro, THIMPU, WANGDI PHODRANG, PUNAKHA etc. All the hotels and guest houses are regularly monitored by the government and are all tourist class. It is not possible to have the budget rates and budget class hotels in Bhutan as in other countries as the rates are all fixed by the government. While in off season you will have the choice of staying in the hotels you wish but during the peak season you will have to settle on whichever is available. But till now there has not been any kind of dissatisfaction as all the hotels are tourist class.

While in trek the organizer of your trip arranges all the required equipment with horse or yaks for trekking to carry the equipment and food. An expert guide will escort you and a helper will arrange all the necessities necessities.

Latest brand or the deluxe vehicles are used for tourist transfers and is usually included in the prices so it is not possible to have the separate rate for separate sectors. Mostly Japanese vehicles are used in Bhutan for transfers.

MEDICAL AND HEALTH
Except for some treks, any one who is physically fit can join our tours and treks. Treks, which include altitude of 4000 m or higher are more difficult because of high altitude and therefore requires a certificate of fitness. There are modern hospitals in Paro and in THIMPU for emergency purpose but your precaution is the only way to be healthy if you are traveling to remote areas of the country. It is therefore advised to have through check up with your doctor before heading to Bhutan.

WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The best time to visit Bhutan is March, April, May, September & October since this period provides clear blue sky, and plenty of greenery. Winter (Dec, January, February) will be too cold since the temperature will be well below zero degree. Summer (June, July, August) is pleasant but wet due to the monsoon. Autumn (September, October, November) is similar to spring but a bit warmer and also the best time to visit. However please see the tours and treks sections for specific time to visit the specific areas.

CLOTHING
Light warm clothing are always recommended since it is a hilly country (even in summer). A pair of comfortable shoes for walking, some spare T-shirts, trousers, sun glass, sun hats, pullovers are always necessary. During winter warm clothing are a must.

MONEY MATTERS
Bhutanese currency is called NGULTRUM and the rate is US$ 1= NG 46 approx. Only few hotels and outlets accept credit cards in Bhutan. So it is best to have some CASH US$ for your expenses and even better to have it on small bills.

TIME
Bhutan is 6 hours ahead (+) of GMT, 30 Minutes ahead of India and 15 Minutes ahead of Nepal.

FAQ

Frequently Ask Questions

Here you will find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. If you still have any doubts or queries do not hesitate to contact us. 1. Where is Bhutan located? Bhutan is located in South Asia within the eastern Himalayas. It is bordered by China in the north and the Indian states Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam and West Bengal in the east, west and south. 2. Who is Bhutan Himalayas Guide? Himalayas Guide is a Government Licensed Tour Operator who organizes a wide range of tours, Cultural, Textile, Festival, Flora & Fauna, Bird watching, Religious, Photography, Hiking, Trekking, Honeymoon vacations and other adventures. 3. Is Himalayas Guide, a secure site? Yes, it is licensed by the Government of Nepal with the consultation of the Department of Tourism 4. Why should I choose Himalayas Guide? Himalayas Guide is a one of the most renowned and sophisticated ventures which offers you exciting trekking and luxurious travelling services. 5. How much will my package cost? The Government fixes the tourist tariff in Bhutan. High season: Cultural/Trekking – US$ 200/- per day per person Low Season: Cultural/ Trekking – US$ 165/- per day per person Surcharge: Single Individual – US$ 40/- Per night per person. Group of two      - US$ 30/- Per night per person.       Peak season months:  March, April, and May, September, October & November. Off season Months:  June, July, and August, December, January & February. 6. How does the booking process work? The booking process is all done by e-mail and by fax/phone. 7. How do I contact Himalayas Guide? Throughout the year, by e-mail: info@himalayasguide.com 8. Do you offer discounts for children & students? We offer 50% discount for children from ages 6 to 12 accompanied by parents/guardians and 25% discount for students below 25 years of age with proper ID. 9. What is included in my trip package? The tour package includes airport transfers, accommodation on a twin sharing basis, all meals, land transport within Bhutan, sightseeing tour guide and museum fees. Pack and riding pony if applicable. 10. Tell me more about the tour & trek itinerary? The entire itinerary is not fixed. It depends on one’s interest, whether cultural, festivals /trekking or a combination. 11. How do I pay for bookings with Himalayas Guide? All the tour payments must be made in advance. Payment should be deposited through the Nepal National Bank account , whose names and addresses will be provided by us after the confirmation of your trip. 12. When will I get my trip confirmation? Within 8 hours of your booking unless it is Saturday or a government holiday in Nepal, as they are closed on those days. 13. What airline will I fly on and from where?  Buddha Air and Druk Air are operating to Bhutan, Durk Air -national airline and fly from any of these destinations :  Bangkok (Thailand), Delhi and Kolkota (India), Kathmandu (Nepal) and Bangladesh (Dhaka) , but Buddha Air From Kathmandu- Paro - Kathmandu 14. What if I need to cancel my trip at the last moment? The tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled are subjected to cancellation charges as follows: Within ..... 21 days    10% of the rate Within     ..14 days     15% of the rate Within      ..7 days      30% of the rate Less than 7 days   50% of the rate After arrival in Bhutan 100%