October 30-November 14, 2010
From Bangkok, Thailand¹
Overview: Join us and our Bhutanese staff for this exciting adventure. This trip offers the rare opportunity to experience high mountain wilderness. The trails are unspoiled and will be shared with few other people. The mountain views are magnificent, and so are the wildlife and wildflowers, but most of all it 's the Bhutanese people that make this truly a once in a lifetime experience. Determined to preserve not only their land but also its inspiring and dynamic culture, the Bhutanese people may change us forever. This is a challenging and strenuous trek. It is appropriate for experienced hikers only. Please call if you have questions regarding your abilities.
We travel through Bhutan in the company of our small group (the trip is limited to eight participants), staying in comfortable hotels and camping while on the trek. Weather conditions in the mountains can be variable and could cause delays or turning back. Be prepared for changes in weather (some rain or snow) and the challenge of high altitude. With a positive attitude this will be an extremely enjoyable trip.
Leadership: The Leader is Dorji Tsering. Dorji is from a small village near Paro, Bhutan. He completed the Guide Training Program from the Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan, in 1996. He is our Senior Bhutan Guide, starting with HHT in 1999 and has led many successful annual treks since then. He leads a team of experienced Bhutanese staff (cook, drivers, yakmen and assitants) to assure your comfort and safety throughout your trek. Ask us for references if you would like to talk with those who have trekked with him and his team.
¹Bhutan Itinerary Note: The itinerary below is based upon arriving to Bhutan via Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok is usually the best–served and least–expensive flight hub for many travelers and is often a preference. The only air carrier into or out of Bhutan is Druk Air, Bhutan's flagship airline. Druk Air is a small carrier with limited availability and offers service from several Asian cities — but operates to each city only certain days each week (except for daily service from Bangkok)! There can be options to fly Druk Air via New Delhi, Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bagdogra, India as well as Dhaka, Bangledesh and Kathmandu, Nepal. Should these alternate hub cities be desired, we can help accommodate you. This will cause you to forego any services mentioned in Bangkok and alter your arrival dates — which may incur different applicable Visas, InTrip Air and Land costs, all depending on the specifics involved. Ask us for any details and we are happy to work with you for the best options on your trip plans.
Bhutan Cholmolhari Day-To-Day Itinerary Detail:
Pre Trip Days: Fly from your home country to meet together in Bangkok, Thailand¹. Remember, people in the Americas 'lose' one day when crossing the international date line. Please check your air itinerary carefully to ensure you arrive on time for this trek. Please note that you must arrive in Bangkok, Thailand¹, no later than October 30, 2010. If you arrive early or to an alternate city¹, we can arrange a transfer and extra hotel nights for you on request. Strict government guidelines limit our entry and travel in Bhutan.
Day 1: Participants arrive from around the world to join in Bangkok¹.Our local agents will meet you upon arrival outside the Customs Hall at the Bangkok airport once you have completed customs and immigration formalities. You will transfer to your nearby hotel for a restful afternoon or evening and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow, we make an early airport return to depart and begin our adventure in magical Bhutan! With scattered arrival times for everyone, meals not included today.
Day 2: We check in at the Bangkok¹ airport for the early morning Druk Air flight to Bhutan. Your Bhutanese guide will meet you at the airport on arrival. After lunch, walk in the small town of Paro. It may be possible to visit your guide 's home on this day. Overnight at our local resort. Fabulous views, charming rooms, good food and traditional Bhutanese stone baths will make this a memorable experience! (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Taksang Gompa (Tiger 's nest). This renowned monastery is set out on a sheer cliff and offers spectacular views. Inside the monastery are a large image of Padmasambhava (The Indian Buddhist Saint who converted Druk Yul and Tibet) and numerous thangkas depicting him. (Thangkas are Buddhist paintings done on cotton and mounted on fabric. They can be rolled up and carried like scrolls. Usual subjects include mandalas or Tibetan deities.) The temple 's nickname derives from the legend that Padmasambhava was transported from Tibet to this cliff on the back of a flying tiger. Usually visitors are not allowed inside the monastery; however, the steep (3,200 feet) hike up to a nearby view point is a good preparation for the days to come. Overnight again at our local resort in Paro. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Visit the Natural History Museum at Ta Dzong and the district dzong called Rinpung dzong-fortress of a mountain of jewels, which is now the seat of administration and an institute for monks. Overnight again at our local resort in Paro. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Ground transportation to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong (monastery fortress) in the northern part of the valley which is where the road ends. This once was a strategic post built to repel invading Tibetan forces from the north and protect the famous Kyichu lhakhang (temple), one of 108 sacred lhakhangs built by the Buddhist King Srongtsen Gampo of Tibet.
Following the gently rising Paro river valley, we pass traditional farms and homes. After about an hour we cross to the east bank on a bridge. As we continue, the valley begins to narrow. Camp near Shana (9,500 feet), just beyond an army post. The climb today is 1,600 feet. Distance: 11 miles. Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Continue walking uphill through the river valley. The valley narrows to a gorge and mixed forest replaces the fields. The trail becomes more difficult as it winds up and down along the drainage. The climb is about 2,900 feet. Camp is in a small meadow at Soi Thangthangkha (11,800 feet). Chomolhari looms above our camp. Distance: 12 miles. Walking Time: 8 to 9 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: The valley divides and we continue hiking up the western fork of the Pa Chu (chu means river). The forests diminish to windblown scrub trees, shrubs and finally just yak pastures. Up above is an unbroken chain of snow-capped peaks which forms the border with Tibet. We 're in the heart of some of Druk Yul 's best yak grazing areas. Stop for lunch at a yak herder 's camp. We may be able to look inside one of the smoky, black yak-hair tents. There are stacks of blankets, wood, dried yak dung and wooden pack saddles. If the yak herders aren't there, we can still see the same foundations they use for their tents. We 'll try some traditional butter tea.
We 'll camp at Jangothang (13,250 feet) behind a ruined fortress and at the base of Chomolhari. The climb today is about 1,800 feet. Distance: 11 miles. Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: We 'll stay over at our camp at Jangothang for acclimatization. Options include day hiking or a full rest. Chomolhari is directly west. Jichu Drake is to the north.
Chomolhari, also known as Jumolhari or Jomolri, is often called "the bride of Kangchenjunga." It is a steep symmetrical peak that tilts slightly westward and is said by many to be the most beautiful peak in the whole Himalayan range. It is considered to be the abode of the god Jomo Lhari. The sacred peak was first climbed by a joint Indo-Bhutanese expedition in 1970. The first team left a sanctified Buddha image on the summit. The second team from the same expedition disappeared when a sudden storm completely enveloped the mountain. Climbing is no longer allowed on the mountain. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Hike up the rocky path to Nyle La ('La' means pass) at 15,600 feet and descend on a trail along a long moraine toward Lingsi Dzong. Large herds of bharal (goat-antelopes) are common in this area. Tseri Kang mountain and its descending glaciers are at the north end of the valley. Camp is at Lingshi (13,000 feet). The hike today includes approximately 2,500 feet of uphill and 2,700 feet of downhill hiking. Distance: 13 miles. Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Stay over at Lingshi. Visit Lingshi Dzong, a 16th Century fortress still used as an administrative office today. Day hike to Tshoke Lake (14,760 feet) base camp of Jichu Drake. Wildlife includes blue sheep and musk deer. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 11: Turn south from Lingshi and ascend to the 16,200 foot Yali La, the highest pass of the trek. If the weather is clear there will be excellent views of Chomolhari, Tserim Gang and Masa Gang. Camp is at Shodu (13,000 feet). Distance: 14 miles. Walking Time: 8 or 9 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 12: Follow the Thim-chu (river) through rhododendron, bamboo and pine forests. Many fine water falls along the way. The camp is just below Barshong Dzong, another ruined fortress. Distance: 10 miles. Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 13: Descending gradually through a forest of thicker rhododendrons we enter the pasture lands. Camp in a beautiful large meadow with flowers at 11,900 feet. Distance: 5 miles. Walking Time: 5 to 6 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 14: Climbing up-hill to a small pass, the trail winds up and down along the drainage. Langur monkeys will probably be seen. These small gray monkeys have distinctive black faces and live in troops of as many as fifty. Although they are a threat to crops they are considered sacred and not killed.
At Dodina we meet our ground transportation for transfer to Thimpu (7,900 feet). Overnight at our local hotel in Thimphu. Distance: 9 miles. Walking Time: 4 to 5 hours. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 15: Free time for shopping and transportation back to Paro. Lunch at the Dochula Cafe. Overnight at wonderful cottages in Paro. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 16: Transfer to the international airport at Paro for a 7:30 a.m. scheduled return flight to Bangkok¹. Due to dynamic airline schedules, we cannot guarantee the Bangkok arrival time today and same–day connections may be unlikely. You can spend tonight in Bangkok at your own expense for your departure home tomorrow. (Breakfast)
Post Trip: Departing Bangkok¹ in the morning, it's a same day return for Americans crossing the international date line. A dreamy day filled with wonderful memories — vignettes of new faces, places and friends you'll never forget!
Important Note: This itinerary is meant only as a guide to what our days will be like. Changes will almost surely be made as we go along. These will be based on local conditions, our acclimatization, health and fitness levels, etc. Mountain weather can be warm during the day however, it can also get very cold at night. There may be occasional showers or snow at altitude.
Travel Details: Inexpensive and reliable service to Bangkok, Thailand¹ is available on a number of air carriers. If you are making your own arrangements, note that you must arrive in Bangkok, Thailand¹ no later than October 31, 2010 and that you should not depart from Bangkok¹ earlier than November 14, 2010. Ask our ticketing agent to book a room should you have an overnight stopover on the way. You are welcome to travel early or stay late for extra days. We can help arrange additional transfers, tours or accommodation.
¹Bhutan Itinerary Note: The itinerary above and trip costs are based upon arriving to Bhutan via Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok is usually the best–served and least–expensive flight hub for many travelers and is often a preference. The only air carrier into or out of Bhutan is Druk Air, Bhutan's flagship airline. Druk Air is a small carrier with limited availability and offers service from several Asian cities — but operates to each city only certain days each week (except for daily service from Bangkok)! There can be options to fly Druk Air via New Delhi, Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bagdogra, India as well as Dhaka, Bangledesh and Kathmandu, Nepal. Should these alternate hub cities be desired, we can help accommodate you. This will cause you to forego any services mentioned in Bangkok and alter your arrival dates — which may incur different applicable Visas, InTrip Air and Land costs, all depending on the specifics involved. Ask us for any details and we are happy to work with you for the best options on your trip plans.
Here are typical sample fares and days of operation from some alternate cities on Druk Air. This information can be changed by the airline at any time and is provided here for general information and comparison only. Always consult with us before purchasing your ticket to the meeting point so we can ensure current information, availability and to coordinate your connection!
Druk Air Typical Fares and Flight Day Comparisons Between These Cities & Paro: | ||
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Hub City | Day Of Operation | Round Trip Fare |
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New Delhi, India | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | $730USD |
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Calcutta, India | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | $460USD |
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Kathmandu, Nepal | Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday | $500USD |
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Bangkok, Thailand | Daily Operation With One Stop | $880USD |
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Bangkok, Thailand | Direct Flight Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | $880USD |
Bhutan Cholmolhari Trek • Administrative Details: | |
(+) Land Cost (land cost as itinerary has described): |
$3950USD |
(+) In-Trip Airfare Estimate (air during itinerary program): |
+ $900USD |
(=) Total Program Cost (Land & In-Trip Air costs combined): |
= $4850USD |
Trip Deposit (submit with application): | $250USD |
Single Supplement (optional single accommodation): |
$600USD (optional) |
Maximum Group Size: |
Eight Participants |
Other Cost & Need Considerations: |
Passport, Visa(s), Physicians Visit, Emergency Medical & Evacuation Insurance, Travel to/from Bangkok (Thailand)¹, Meals Beyond Above Itinerary, Beverages, Spending/Personal Money. |
Trip Activity–Level: |
Strenuous: Usually involves high-altitude hiking along rugged trails and crossing passes as high as 18,000 feet. Weather can be variable and snowfields may be encountered. Daily hiking is extensive — sometimes for as much as eight or nine hours. This trip is long in overall duration and are designed for experienced hikers who want to be challenged. No technical climbing skills are needed and days for rest are appropriately included, but overall this trip is arduous and meant for hearty hikers. |
Registration Deadline: |
August 30, 2010 ($100USD late fee thereafter) |
The Bhutan Cholmolhari Trek Printable Itinerary: |
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Trip Application: |
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Need More Information? Email Us, we're nice: |
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