Day Hikes and Walks
Besides doing the cultural tour in Bhutan, we also have many DAY WALK or DAY HIKES in different valleys in Bhutan. The Day walks or hikes will take about one hour and half walks to three hours walk. The following will give you some brief idea of the day walks/hikes in the different valleys of Bhutan. Some of the following hikes can be done with your cultural tour in Bhutan.
Day Hike in Paro Valley
Taktshang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest)
This hike is a wonderful hike. We have to walk about 2hours 30 minutes up steep climb. The trail to the monastery climbs through the pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Although going up is little tiring, yet it is worth doing it. You will feel really relaxed and satisfaction once you are on the top.
Dzongdrakha Lhakhang
This temple is located between Paro and Haa valley. This is very short hike and after visiting the Lhakhangs, drives to Chelela pass.
Kila Goenpa
This Goenpa can bee seen on the way to Chelela. It is located on the mountain side below the Chelela pass.In this Gompa, the only women’s are there as nuns – who have renounce their worldly life and have chosen to lead a religious life in pursuing the religious goal. The Gompa is about an hour walk up steep through the chirpine forest.
Day Hikes in Thimphu Valley
Tango & Cheri Goenpa
Drive by the car to Doedena. From here walk up the Tango Monastery. You will also take pack lunch. The hike will take about 1hour 30minutes. Visit the monastery and walk back. We will take our lunch near the Doedena Bridge. After lunch we will hike to Cheri, which will take about 1hour up steep.
Phajoding Gonpa
Phajoding is located on the hill over looking the entire Thimphu Valley. There are many monasteries in Phajoding. The hike will take about 3hours 30 minutes, steep climb. We have to start this hike early in the morning from Thimphu with pack lunch. The hike is through the forest of chirpine and rhododendron.
Wangditshe Lhakhang
This hike can start from Dechenphodrang. It is steep climb till the Lhakhang. From the Lhakhang, it is just a plain walk. From this hike we can see the entire Thimphu Valley, beautifully.
Punakha Valley
Khamsumyuley Namgyel Chhorten
This hike is through the farmers field and then through the pine forest. The hike is about 1hour up steep climb, and visit the Kamsum Yule Namgyel Chorten, which is a temple inside. The temple inside will give the visitors, the good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. On your way back, you can take through the fields of Kabesa Village.
Day Hikes in Trongsa Valley
The Mangdue Foot Trail.
This trail is newly started. It was inaugurated by the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Lyonpo Jigme Yozer Thinley on 3rd June 2007. This trail starts from the view point of the Trongsa Dzong and ends at the Dzong Parking, where our car and driver will wait for us here. The trail is leisurely-pace through the forest of Oak and Rhododendron and other broad leaf forest vegetation. This trail will also lead you to historic “Thomadrak”, a cliff, before crossing the traditional cantilevered bridge over Mangduechhu River.
Kuenga Rabten
Kunga Rabten Palace is located about 23 kilometers away from Trongsa and the drive will take about an hour. It was the winter palace of the second King and it offers a good insight into the early days of the Bhutan’s monarchy. Kunga Rabten Palace was establish as branch National Library since mid 1980’s.On the top floor is the Sangye Lhakhang with contains the statues of Sakyamuni, Shabdrung and Guru Rimpoche
Day hikes in Bumthang Valley
Tharpaling Monastery
This excursion begins with 30minute drive to Lamigompa. The hike starts with gradual climb through the chirpine forest. Through this hike we will see the entire Chumey Valley. Walk down to the Chumey Village and our car and driver will wait for us here to take us back to the hotel. The hike will take about 5hours.
Pasaling Gompa.
This hike will take about 3hours. This hike begins with a gradual climb through the blue pine forest. Visit the lhakhang which over looks the beautiful valley of Bumthang.
Kunzang Drak
It is two hours walk above Drangchel, Tang Valley. It is one of the most important sites related to Tertoen Pemalingpa, the great treasure discoverer in Bhutan. He constructed the Goenpa in 1488, and many of his sacred relics are kept here including the gilded stone bearing his footprint.
Ngang Lhakhang:
Morning the car will take us till Thangbi Gompa, where our hike will start. It is three hours walk from Thangbi Goenpa. It is a small village of Ngang Yul “Swan Land”. Visit the Nagang Lhakhang-which was built by Lama Namkha Samdrup, contemporary of Pemalingpa, in 15th century. Three-day festival is held here each winter with mask dances and Bumthang cultural trek also passes through this village.
Day Hikes in Trashigang Valley
Radhi & Phongmey Village.
The Radhi & Phongmey village is located about 24kms away from the Trashigang town. Drive to this villages and you will see the interesting sceneries and superb view of Tashigang dzong, which majestically overshadows the Gamrichhu.
These valleys produce excellent rice. The farm houses are scattered among the paddy fields and surrounded with orange and banana trees. You will also see the folk of village girls weaving the superb raw silk fabric, especially in the winter. The Radhi village is famous for the raw silk fabric or textile in Bhutan.
Bartsham & Bidung village.
There is a farm road to Bartsham & Bidung village. The drive will ate about 2hours. The drive to these villages will give us the beautiful views of the villages, farmhouses adorn with the paddy fields. We will visit Bartsham Chador lhakhang and Bidung lhakhang. Lunch will be arranged at Bidung-one of the farmer’s house.
