18 Days Central Bhutan Gangkar Puensum Trek

Highlight: Visit landmarks in Paro including Ta Dzong Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang after arriving in this amazing city by flight.

Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.

This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro including Ta Dzong Museum

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.

Today, we will leave for Paro to enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples. 

After the trek, we will head back to Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest

Highlight: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum and Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.

Following the Pachu River, it is a short drive of about 1.5 hours from Paro to Thimphu. Then enjoy the full-day sightseeing tour in Thimphu. You will first visit the National Memorial Chorten, constructed in memorial of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974. The King was generally regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and widely esteemed by the Bhutanese. Then head to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms. keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.

After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, to see the productive process of Bhutan’s traditional medicine, herbs mostly, and watch the medical practitioner training. Next, go to Traditional Paper Making Factory, which originated from the old tradition in the 8th century, Bhutan papermaking has been well preserved and listed as the valuable national heritage of Bhutanese culture.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Bhutan National Memorial Chorten

Highlight: Cross Dochu La pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

In the morning, we will drive to Punakha. On the way, you will stop for a rest at scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m). The pass is a perfect vintage point where you can have an unobstructed vista of the mighty Himalayas. The bus will also make a temporary stop at the amazing 108 chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (The Queen mother of Bhutan) for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty (The king of Bhutan).

After lunch at Wangduephodrang (1,350m), we will keep driving to Punakha. In Punakha, you will visit the celebrated Punakha Dzong, the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1657 at the onflunence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. After that, you will go to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang. Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlight: Cross two mountain passes with scenic views and visit Chendebji Chorten.

Today, we will set out in the early morning after breakfast and travel to Bumthang (2700m). Covering a distance of 197 kilometers, it will take you 7 hours to get to Bumthang from Punakha. The on-the-route scenery is amazing, the bus will take you to lush forests of oaks and pine trees and you can see view changes as you ascend the mountain. Get a fantastic panoramic view from the Pele La Pass (3300 m).

Meanwhile, the open green meadows with rhododendron ridden valleys will lead you to visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese style chorten sits quietly by the side of the road. The chorten is modeled after the Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. It is said that Chendebji Chorten was built in the 19th century by Lama Zhida to cover the remains of an evil spirit who was killed at this spot.

Continue your drive to Bumthang by passing through Yotong La Pass (3400 m). The route during this section takes you to the Yathra Waving Center at Zugney village where you can witness the locals waving Yathra, a name that refers to the colorful and woolen cloth with geometric design in Bhutanese. Then the bus takes you further to Bumthang Valley.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Forest of Rhododendron

Highlight: Visit landmarks in Bumthang like Tamshing Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

Today, you will enjoy a sightseeing in Bumthang. Deep in the central regions of the country, Bumthang valley is broad and presents a different landscape you may not see in west Bhutan. You will first visit Tamshing Lhakhang, which famous for its collections of printings exemplifying the region’s style. Then crossing the suspension bridge to the Kurjey Lhakhang. Not far from Kurjey Lhakhang sits the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th century. Next, you will continue to visit Jakar Dzong, a wonderful architecture in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1500 meters.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

(Trek distance: 18km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 2800m to 3120m; Ascent: 380m)

The trek starts today and we will drive for 12 kms on a farm road from our hotel to the trek start point at Dhur, where we meet the crew and the horsemen. After handing over our luggage to the crew, we start our trek on a gradual uphill following the valley of the Yoleng Chhu, which is famous for its trout. The trail goes through pine forest and then bamboo shrub as you near the campsite at Gorsum.

Camping at Gorsum.

Gangkar Puensum Trek Tour

(Trek distance: 12km; Time: 5 hours; Altitude: 3120m to 3160m; Ascent: 40m)

It is an easy walk today with small climbs. The route travels through a forest of cypress, juniper, spruce, hemlock and maple. The trail is quite muddy and climbs gradually to the camp at Lungsum.

Camping at Lungsum.

Camping at Lungsum

(Trek distance: 14km; Time: 5-6 hours; Altitude: 3160m to 4060m; Ascent: 900m)

The trail climbs gradually to Kurpang at 3530m, which is an optional campsite, and then climbs up till the junction of the Dhur Tshachhu. Then make a left turn before ascending to the campsite of Tashisa at 4060m, with some yak herders hut on the other side of the river.

Camping at Tashisa.

(Trek distance: 14km; Time: 6-7 hours; Altitude: 4060m to 4420m; Ascent: 310m)

The trail gradually ascends from the camp and after an hour starts to make switchbacks to the left side of the river to the pass Thole La (4732m). There are views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks from the pass. The trail then drops gradually from here just to Solong Chhu (Thole Tsho) at 4420m, and the campsite is just near the lake.

Camping at Solong Chhu.

(Trek distance: 16km; Time: 6 hours; Altitude: 4420m to 3780m; Descent: 640m)

Today, we will descend slowly down to the valleys crossing many small ridges, passing some yak herders camp and then finally descending to the Chamkhar Chhu. Across the Chamkhar Chhu is the Tsampa camp with an army outpost. Another 2kms beyond is the small settlement of Tsawwa at 3780m.

Camping at Tsawwa.

(Trek distance: 20km; Time: 7 hours; Altitude: 3780m to 4430m; Ascent: 650m)

Moving half an hour from the camp, you will ascend steeply for about 60-70m to a mani wall, here the forest thins out. Another 30m beyond is a sulphur-based water source, where the trail changes into gravels and rocks making it tiring for walking. The trail passes some settlements, which are located on the either sides of the Chamkar Chhu. Then cross a small log bridge to enter the settlement of Bamaurpo at 4,430m.

Camping at Bamaurpo. 

Highlight: appreciate sunrise and Explore the ridges around the Gangkar Puensum.

Today you will have a relaxing day at Bamaurpo. View sunrise at around 8 am, and go hiking from Bamaurpo as you like. Explore the ridges around the Gangkar Puensum (7546m), the highest peak of Bhutan, and the highest unclimbed massif in the world. Gangkar Puensum is the source of three major rivers: the Kuri Chhu, Chamkar Chhu and Mangde Chhu.

Camping at Bamaurpo.

(Trek distance: 22km; Time: 8 hours; Altitude: 4430m to 3675m; Descent: 750m)

Perhaps it is the easiest day of the entire trek. Mostly downhill with some minor ascents and to Tsampa (3675m). There is an army out-post at Tsampa where you can collect information about snow conditions, you will also need to register your permit with the army.

Camping at Tsampa.

Meals Included

• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

(Trek distance: 15km; Time: 6 hours; Altitude: 3675m to 3269m; Descent: 406m)

It’s a full day of descending to the camp. Cross side streams and log bridges before you get to Gophu at 3269m. Another three hours downstream is the optional camp at Petsho (3030m).

Camping at Gophu.

(Trek distance: 19km; Time: 7 hours; Altitude: 3269m to 2665m; Descent: 130m)

Two hours downhill is the Sadukum (2955m) bridge built in a Bhutanese style, but do not cross it. The trail on the other side leads to a diversion to Tsampa uphill. After another 30mins, the downhill takes you to Khakthang army camp and further down to Zhabjethang, where the transport will pick you up and drive to the hotel at Bumthang.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Highlight: Take in beautiful scenery along the drive to Thimphu.

Today, we will have Today we have a long day of driving to Thimphu over three major passes, Yotongla pass (3,400m), Pelela Passs (3,300m), and the Dochula Pass (3,150m). Take in the roadside scenery along the way.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

In the morning we will drive to Paro. Then your tour guide will transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination. Tour service end.