Ancient Rodung La Trail Expedition

Arrival-Paro
Druk Airways flight to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Whether flying along with the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkatta, each flight is a mesmerizing aeronautical feat and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom.
On arrival at Paro airport, immigration and custom formalities then received by our representative and transfer to the hotel.
Evening take a stroll around town's main street. Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Paro-Tiger's Nest Temple Hike
The morning takes an excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). Legends say that Guru Padmasambhava came here flying on the back of a tigress and landed at the spot where the temple was later built. The monastery was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been fully restored in its original grandeur.

Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, built-in 17th century, as a watchtower to defend Paro Dzong and valley. This fortress was later converted into the National Museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, and Bhutan's renowned postage stamps. Below the Ta Dzong, is fascinating Rinpung Dzong meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels", which has a long and interesting history.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Paro - Thimphu (55 km,2 hours)
Morning drive to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetan armies. Also visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.

Then drive to Thimphu visiting en route Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627 which now houses the School for Buddhist Studies.

Evening visit to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's Third King followed by visit to Trasichhodzong, beautiful medieval fortress/monastery.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Thimphu - Trongsa (200 km, 6 hours)
Morning visit in Thimphu, National Library, Arts & Crafts School, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum.
Then drive to Trongsa, across Dochula pass (3,050m) and Pele la pass (3,300m). Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.

Trongsa - Bumthang
Morning visit to striking Trongsa Dzong, ancestral abode of Bhutan's Royal family. Then visit Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa Dzong. After that proceed to Bumthang and in the afternoon, visit here; the Jakar Dzong built in 17th century during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first religious and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Then visit the Kurjey monastery where Guru Padmasambhava left his body imprint in the 8th century. The temple was later built in the 17th century. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang.
Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Bumthang - Ngang Lhakhang
The trek begins today. Trek route follows the Chamkhar Chhu river, coming across many villages and temples, meadows, forests of blue pine and scrub bamboo. Today is a very relaxing and easy day. Arrive at the village camp at the altitude of 2,900m. Walking time about 6 hours.

Ngang Lhakhang - Ugyen Choling (7-8 hours)
The trail ascends gradually towards the Phephe la pass, walking through the forests of junipers until you arrive at the pass at an altitude of 3,340m. After the path descends to Tang valley, finally arriving at Ugyenchholing village. Camp by the side of the river at the altitude of 2,850m. Walking time 7 / 8 hours.

Ugyen Choling - Phokpey (17 km, 6 hours)
The beginning of the trek is muddy and slippery. At about 3,000m it becomes a small footpath through muddy fields and dwarf bamboo. At about 3,400m the route crosses a meadow with more dwarf bamboo. Climb through the meadow and traverse through the forest to another steep, high meadow. The trail leads to a summer pasture surrounded by forests and the ground is dotted with tiny blue alpine flowers.

Phokpey - Ungaar (20 km, 8 hours)
Continue ascending for half an hour until you reach Rodungla (4,100m). Then it is a steep descent to the valley floor. There are few small meadows en route. After a short wander through dwarf bamboo you meet pine trees near the campsite.

Ungaar - Takila (21 km, 8 hours)
This trail like a wave wins up and down till Drula village and Khaine Lhakhang en route. It is one of the oldest temple in existence today, built in mid 7th century by the King Songtsen of Tibet to subdue demons.

Takila - Lhuntse
Proceed to Lhuntse guest house for lunch, followed by leisure time.

Lhuntse - Menji (16 km, 5 hours)
Arrive at Kuri Zam and the trek from here is gradually up through the paddy fields and villages. The camp is at 1,850m near Menji village, besides the Darchu Pang Lhakhang situated amidst a garden full of flowers of marigold, geraniums, dahlias, and nasturtiums.

Menji - Pemi (20 km, 7 hours)
Continue uphill through the thick, humid forest packed with dense foliage of ferns and creepers and a constant whistle of cicadas. The trail is narrow and steep. Climb steadily for two hours to a ridge top meadow, then plunge back into the forest to reach the camp at Pemi (2,400m) on a narrow ridgetop clearing with a view out to a forested gorge and mountains.

Pemi - Taupang (21 km, 7/8 hours)
Continue upwards till Dong la (3,900m) which present enchanting mountain views. On the opposite side of the pass, the trail traverses nine passes, called as nine sisters of Dong la. Finally descend steeply through thick evergreen forests on a trail strewn with rocks, logs to a ridge top meadow. The camp is at Taupang (2,460m), a clearing in the forest with a cowherds wooden shelter.

Taupang - Trashi Yangtse (24 km, 8/9 hours)
Today en route you will encounter huge ferns, red-berried palms, and occasional leeches. Two hours of trek brings you to the village of Shukshing, a cluster of bamboo huts on the hillside, surrounded by cornfields, banana trees, and grazing cows. The trek ends at Trashi Yangtse Dzong.

Trashi Yangtse - Trashigang
Morning drive to Trashigang. Visit Trashigang Dzong and the local market. Overnight at the lodge.