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This high ridge trek can be combined with the suggested two-week itinerary below or a longer travel program featuring the highlights of the Punakha-Wangdue valleys as well as Central Bhutan.

EN ROUTE IN BANGKOK: Now by special arrangement, you may choose to be picked up and dropped off from the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport and experience the sedate flow of the city while staying at some of the most venerable addresses along the banks of the Chaophraya River. Your four-day sojourn includes highlights of Thai culture, a chance to study Thai cuisine, and a night at the nationally acclaimed Siam Niramit Theatre. For more information, please click here.

DAY 1: Arrive Paro by Druk air flight.
During this flight, one will experience breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks including the sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro our representative will receive you. The drive to hotel through Paro valley is enchanting. After lunch you will be taken to Ta-dzong (museum). Overnight at hotel.

DAY 2: Paro sightseeing.
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa chu to Drukgyal dzong, the ruined fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasions. Mt. Chomolhari, the sacred summit, reaches skyward beyond the dzong. This can be viewed on a clear day. On the way back you can visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse. After lunch walk up the hill just above hotel to stretch you legs for the excursion to Taktsang viewpoint.

DAY 3: Paro/Thimphu.
This morning drive downstream alongside the Pa chu river to its confluence with Wangchu then up-valley to Thimphu, the capital. After lunch visit the Memorial Chorten where the faithful circumambulate the shrine dedicated to the Late King, turning their prayer wheels as they walk. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4: Thimphu/sightseeing.
Full day of sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Stroll in town. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium. Visit the workshop where all the handicrafts are produced if you like. Afternoon: visit Tashichhodzong. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 5: Thimphu/Genekha.
45 minutes drive to the starting point of the trek. The first days walk, over a mule path, will end after four hours at the signboard of the Genekha School. All through the trail terraced fields and coniferous vegetation are abundant. Camp at Genekha.

DAY 6: Genekha/Gur.
On this day we leave Genekha (the village of medieval metallurgists). The communion with nature starts with alpine flora and fauna (birds are common). 2 hours of gradual uphill walk and rest at a huge rock platform offering a picturesque view of the valley below. Another 2 hours walk ends the days trek. This camp is in the heart of the wood, ideal for afternoon stroll. Flowers are abundant in spring.

DAY 7: Gur/Labatama.
Trekking across the ridges one enjoys the beauty of the rugged mountain vegetation The trek today is amidst flowers and wild asparagus (in spring). The first pass symbolized by a huge cairn gives a spectacular view of the whole ìDagalaî range, meadows and the yak herders camps. Lunch at a nearby yak-herderís camps. After lunch walk across hills and meadows. Camp near ìUtsoî lake where golden trout flourish. Todayís walk is around 5 hours.

DAY 8: Labatama halt.
This day is an ideal excursion to any of the three lakes namely ìRelitsoî, ìHentsoî and ìJamatsoî. Your trekking escort will reveal the mystic stories behind these lakes.

DAY 9: Labatama halt.
Excursion to Setsoi and nearby lakes, Hike to ëSetsoí is very easy (15 minutes). Afterwards walk over a small ridge and then down to ëJagetsoí lake. Attempt climbing ëJomp,î a peak of 5050 mts Lunch at the summit with the spectacular view around can be a memorable experience. Return to camp by dusk and prepare for the next Day.

DAY 10: Labatama/Panka.
20 minutes uphill and a majestic view of the Himalayan peaks during the descent. This point is around 4460 m. above sea level. Your escort will identify peaks like Everest, Kanchenjunga, Chomolhari, Jichu Drakey, Tsrim Ghang, Gangbom, Masagang, Tsendaygang and Gangchen Taa. Passing through meadows, shrubs and lakes the day is made as you camp at ìParkaî. The Himalayan monal pheasants are a common sight apart from yaks and horses.

DAY 11: Panaka/Talekha.
This day entails the crossing of several passes, each one more impressive than the other. Look out for the different varieties of the blue Poppy (June-July) and mountain birds. Lunch at the point where one trail leads to ëTalekhaí and other to ëWangduephodrangí. After lunch an hours-gradual (easy) climb brings you to the tip of the last ëDagalaí range from where the view of Thimphu is spectacular. It appears as though Thimphu is spread in the palm of the observer's hand. An hour walk downhill and you are at the last camp, a little above Talekha monastery.

DAY 12: Talekha/Thimphu.
Passing through alpine and mixed vegetation (bamboothickets and wild flowers) one reaches Talekha monastery and Talekha village. Once again the Thimphu view is superb. Passing through mixed vegetation and apple orchards one reaches the main motorable road to Thimphu where your transport awaits. Todays trek is 3 to 4 hours. The trek ends but the memories just begin. Drive to Thimphu. Afternoon: free to relax in hotel. O/N Thimphu.

Day 13: Thimphu/Paro airport.
Drive to Paro Airport for onward flight.

If this trip does not meet your needs please be sure to consult our Featured Trips and Trip Samples. You may also wish to contact us directly to arrange a customized Private Journey for you or your group. You may also like to view our Short Adventures pages.