WILD EAST RODUNGLA TREK
20 days
19 nights
GRADE Easy
None
WILD EAST RODUNGLA TREK
The trek across the top of eastern Bhutan, which used to be important trade route before the National Highway was built. The trek is harsh, and involves an extremely long, steep descent.
Seasons: The best time for trekking is October, early November and late spring.
Day 1: Arrive to Paro by Druk Air flight. Altitude: 2250 Meters.
The flight to Paro, you can see a spectacular sight of Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrim Gang. As plane enters the breathtaking scene of Paro Valley the first sight to greet you is the tiny Paro Airport. Our guide will meet you outside the exit gate and escort you to the hotel for check – in & Lunch.
After lunch, visit National Museum of Bhutan built in 1651 as watchtower for Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) but in 1968 it was converted to National Museum. The museum boasts of quite a collection of ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons, coins, stamps and a small natural history collection. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Hike to Tiger’s Nest
Hike or take a horse ride to the Taktsang Monastery viewpoint. Taktsang meaning “Tiger’s Nest” is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated and clings to a cliff at 3000 feet above the valley floor.
After lunch, visit the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. It caught fire in 1951 and now preserved as historical site being renovated currently. If time permits, visit one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, Kyichu Lhakhang, built by first Kind of Tibet Songsten Gembo in the 7th century to spread Buddhism in Bhutan. Night halt in Paro.
Day 3: Paro - Thimphu 65KM. Driving – 2Hours. Altitude: 2350 Meters.
Head to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take around less than 2 hours. On the way back, pause briefly to admire the oldest fortress in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong (built in 1627). Check in at the hotel. After lunch, visit the National Memorial stupa of the Third King, built in 1974, visit the Indigenous Hospital, where traditional medicine (outside only) is still practiced, and finally visit the Institute of Zorig Chusum (the Painting School), where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast, visit to a viewpoint overlooking Thimphu, National animal of Bhutan (Takin), Dupthop Nunnery, Traditional Paper factory and Changangkha monastery. In the afternoon visit Tashichhodzong, (“the fortress of the glorious religion”), houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body, visit Folk heritage museum and Textile museum. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 5: Thimphu -Trongsa 205KM.Driving – 8 Hours. Altitude: 2200.Meters.
Have an early breakfast drive to Trongsa via Dochu-la pass (3,088m). one can witness on a clear day one can see the whole Bhutanese Himalayan range from (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) and Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Continue onwards to Wangduephodrang town, brief stop for lunch. On the way before reaching the town, one can see the towering fortress of Wandgdue Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Then continue towards Tongsa via Pele-la pass (3,300m), the landmark between east and west. One will pass through the villages like Rukubji and Chendebji with its 18th century Nepalese style stupa built by saint Shida. Overnight at Tongsa.
Day 6: Trongsa -Bumthang 68KM. Driving – 3 Hours. Altitude: 2600 - + M.
After breakfast, visit Tongsa Dzong overlooking the Mangdu-Chu River and is considered the most massive fortress in Bhutan. Continue to Bumthang where one will pass Yotong la pass 3400m and is also the highest pass on your trip to Bhutan. After crossing the pass, one will descend to Chhumey valley and reach Jakar. The women in this valley are specialized in yathra weaving. Afternoon, visit the 17th century Jakar Dzong and then Kurje monastery, built in the 17th century to mark the place where Guru Padmasambhava had meditated in the 8th century, left his body imprint on the rock. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
DAY 7: Bumthang – Bumthang
Bumthang is spaciously located at altitude ranging from 2600m to 4000m. Take a walk up to Tamshing monastery, built by the Terton Pema Lingpa, about 200 monks reside here. Visits to Wangdi Chholing Palace, Jambay Lhakhang (built in 7th Century) and Kurjey Lhakhang one of the oldest monastery in the Kingdom. All the Kings of Bhutan are taken for their cremation rites to Kurjee Monastery. Visit some more temples if time permits.
Day 8: Bumthang - Nganglhakhang 20KM. 5-6 Hours. 9,500 ft.
The trek starts from today along the Chamkhar Chu (river), which takes you through meadows, forests of blue pine, scrub bamboo, across many villages and temples. It is extremely very relaxing and easy day. Arrive at Ngang Lhakhang meaning ‘Land of Swans’. Overnight Camp in a tent near Nganglhakhang (2,900m).
Day 9: Nganglhakhang - Ugyenchholing 19km, 7-8 hours
Climb gradually to Phephela pass (3240m), the highest point of the trek. The trail leads you through the beautiful juniper forest. The path descends onwards to Tang Valley finally you can view Ugyenchholing Palace. Camp overnight at Ugyencholing.
Day 10: Ugyenchholing - Phokpey 17KM. 5-6 Hours. 11,500 ft.
The trail leads you through bamboo’s, hemlock and as climb up gradually till you reach Phokpey. Overnight at Phokpey in tent.
Day 11: Phokpey -Ungaar 20KM. 7-8 Hours.
Continue for an hour of climbing up to Rodung-la (4160m), and then steadily walk downhill through the rhododendrons, conifers and broadleafed forest, bamboo and ferns, and tropical species up to the village of Ungaar at the head of the valley below. Camp at Ungaar which overlooks the beautiful valley and plains.
The steady descent of 2,390 meters of today’s trek is bit tough on the knees, thus it is recommended for those with weak knees for halt at campsite by a ruined stone building (a grain storehouse used by the first and second kings) about half way down the trail (2,950m).
Day 12: Ungaar -Taskila 21KM. 7-8 Hours. 6000 ft.
This trail winds up and down through forest and villages, and you will come across Khaine Lhakang (2,010m), which is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, built in 7th century by King Songsten Genpo of Tibet to subdue demons. In mid-November, a two-day festival is celebrated here. From Khaine Lhakhang to Taskila is a gentle descent of 2-3 hours. Camp overnight near Taskila village (1,800m).
Day 13: Taskila - Lhuntshi. 6000ft.
Drive to Lhuntshi guesthouse for lunch and relax. Overnight camp/ Guesthouse.
Day 14: Lhuntshi - Menji 16KM. 4-5 Hours. 6,000ft.
Drive down to Kuri zam and start the trek. The trial takes you gradually up through the paddy fields and villages. Overnight camp at Menji.
Day 15: Menji - Pemi 20KM. 6-7 Hours. 8,000ft.
Continue uphill through the thick forests that overlook some of the mountains. Finally reach the herder’s huts at Pemi. Camp overnight under the shelter of the forest.
Day 16: Pemi - Taupang 21KM. 6-7 Hours. 3000ft.
Continue up to Dongla (3,900m) where you view the stunning mountains. Descend through thick evergreen forests to reach the campsite at Taupang (2,450m).
Day 17: Taupang – Trashi Yangtse 24KM. 8-9 Hours.
Set up early for last day of the trek and also the longest, where the trail runs gradually downhill till Yangtse through chirpine and hard wood forests. Camp for night at Tashiyangtse (1,700m). Overnight camp.
Day 18: Trashi Yangtse - Trashigang
Drive to Trashigang about 3 hours. Stay overnight in Trashigang in the hotel.
Day 19: Trashigang-Samdrup Jongkhar
Visit to the 17th century Tashigang Dzong, located top of a steep hillside. Proceed to Samdrup Jongkha, en route pass by Sherubtse College, then further up Yongphu-la (2,190m), Polytechnic College at Deothang. You will descend to sub-tropical zone. The drive is about 6-7 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Samdrup Jongkhar
Day 20: Samdrup Jongkhar – Guwahati (India).
Drive to Guwahati (India) takes about 3-4 hours to air port for your flight to onward journey.
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