9 days Phobjika Valley Tour

As you fly to Paro from Kathmandu, you will enjoy captivating sceneries of a great section of the Himalayas from Nepal to Bhutan. If the weather is clear, you will see Mt Everest, Kanchenjunga and numerous other peaks in Nepal whereas you will see Chomolhari and Jichu Drek of Bhutan. At the airport, our Bhutanese counterpart will meet you and take you to Thimphu. The drive takes about two hours.

A number of attractions await you at Thimphu. One of them is Zorig Chusum School where traditional arts and crafts are taught. Tashichho Dzong is the grand royal palace of Bhutan and also the central secretariat building of the government. Visit the zoo and see takin—the national animal of Bhutan that belongs to the goat family and is on the verge of extinction. Also go to nearby monasteries (including Cheri Monastery) if you want to see the Buddhist religious practices, monastic architecture and monks.

From early November to the end of March, the marshland in Gangtey valley receives the influx of black-necked cranes from Tibetan plateau. Besides them, the valley is a haven to at least a dozen other endangered birds of Bhutan. Also, visit Gangtey Monastery that overlooks the entire valley from its lofty location on a hilltop.

The trekking trail passes through grasslands and pastures, climbing through the mixed forest of rhododendron, bamboo, juniper, and magnolia. The highest point, of course, is the Hele Pass (3438m) and then climb down to a valley before erecting your camp at Gogona (3140m) that lies near a small village. You reach Hele La (pass) (3,438 meters) and after crossing some meadows, you will descend to a valley. There will be a short climb to the camp at Gogona.

Make a gradual climb until you reach Shobju Pass (3410m), then start to descend. Walk past an old coal mine and you will reach Karpo Stupa, which actually is the collection of four Chortens built in memory of four renowned monks who belonged to this area. The camp will be erected near the stupa.

You will climb down a forest teeming with birds and varieties of plants until you reach a bridge. Then drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, a town at the confluence of Pho Chu (river) and Mo Chu. The chief monk of Bhutan comes to stay here for the winter, followed by the entire crew of monks, because the valley has a pleasant temperate climate.

The Punakha Dzong is one of the most beautiful Dzongs over entire Bhutan. Originally built in 17th century, the Dzong has survived the disasters of fire and, more frequently, of water because it stands perilously close to the river. It takes about 4 and half an hour to reach Paro from Punakha.

In the morning visit the legendary Taktshang Monastery in Paro. You can spend a whole day in Paro observing the ways of life of common Bhutanese. Also, try out some Bhutanese cuisine.

Take breakfast in the morning and drive to the airport in Paro. Then come back to Kathmandu on a scenic flight.