AN ODYSSEY INTO THE HIMALAYAN KINGDOM OF BHUTAN (Jangbi Trek)
Welcome to Bhutan!
BE feature this offbeat journey into the heartland of Bhutan highlighting and presenting the old-world charms of Monpas of Jangbi, an ethnic community untouched by passage of time in the southern reaches of Trongsa in central Bhutan.
Every year, the community hosts a one-day communal folk-life festival on 10 December presenting native shaman propitiating local divinities of Jowo Durshing mountain (4,600 meters above sea level), indigenous healing practices, aboriginal folksongs and dances, ancient food gathering technique before the 9 cereals were known and culinary demonstrations. It is a rare opportunity to immerse in the ancient world of shamanism, which is fast vanishing in the wake of globalization.
The running themes and activities throughout the adventurous road-trip are exploring landmark heritages and monuments, culinary lessons by indigenous home cooks, outdoor wilderness camping, hikes on the ancient nature-trails, immersive village explorations.
The alpine trek and pilgrimage hike to the spectacular Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang completes the well-rounded odyssey into the magical kingdom.
BE adventurous offbeat journeys/explorations offer an immersive and joyous cultural/Adventure/Spiritual/Nature tour itinerary to fulfill travel wishes of our well deserving guests from around the world. You will experience the captivating and dynamic culture and tradition, see country’s breathtaking mountainous environment and teeming natural beauty, witness spiritual and magnificent historical attractions, and interact with very warm and friendly people.
We look forward to hosting your holiday in Bhutan. Thank you!
Trek Information in Brief
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Accommodations: High-end Resorts + Traditional Farm Lodge +
Outdoor Camping
Meals: All 3 meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner
Trip Type: Active Adventure / Cultural Exploration / Nature Hike
Activity level: Easy to moderate
Group size: 10 to 20 pax, 5-9pax or 2 to 4pax
Best month to visit: November, December, January, February & March
(Note: Spring & Winter seasons are good to visit due to dry weather. During Summer
through Autumn season, the weather is hot and rainy, so we do not recommend to
visit).
ITINERARY
Key Highlights:
▪ Sights of Himalayan mountains including Mt. Everest (world’s highest mountain).
Please try left-hand windows seat during check-in
▪ Hiking above the hills of capital city, Thimphu to get bird’s-eye view of city
▪ Tasting authentic Bhutanese food (probably) for the first time
Holidays Bhutan tour guide will greet and receive our guests at the Paro international
airport.
Paro Valley is at an altitude of 2,200 m and located in western Bhutan. As you disembark
at Bhutan‘s International Airport at Paro, you will be enthralled by the pleasant
atmosphere, the absence of noise and scenic beauty of the valley.
Paro Airport
Drive to Thimphu, capital city of Bhutan (2,330 m).
Driving distance and time: 49 km, 1 hour 20 min.
Check into hotel. Refresh and join the welcome tea, formal introduction and tour briefing.
Thimphu City
In the evening or early morning on Day 2, take a refreshing nature walk (on upper valley
of Thimphu) from Sangaygang viewpoint to Wangduetse temple. Visit the monastery and
enjoy the sweeping view of Thimphu valley.
This short hike will familiarize you with the terrain and climate of the upcoming days
during which there will be hiking.
Try the national dress of Bhutan (gho for men/ kira for women).
In the evening, join us for a welcome dinner, featuring the best of Bhutanese cuisines.
Please feel free to share your dietary restrictions so that we can adjust the cuisine recipes
to suit your palate.
Authentic Bhutanese cuisines dinner at Bhutan Folk heritage museum will be served.
Authentic Bhutanese Food
It is always helpful to pick up some local words and phrases from your tour guide to make
quick polite greetings with locals during the tour.
Night Halt (2330m): Hotel in Thimphu (Ramada Valley (4*) or Thimphu Deluxe Hotel
(3*)
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Shower: Yes
Internet: Yes (Both Wi-Fi and Data 4G)
Key Highlights:
▪ Visit to one of the world’s largest statues of Buddha
▪ Circumambulation landmark Memorial Stupa with the locals
▪ Visit local market to see/buy Bhutanese flagship products
▪ Pass by 108 stupas pass
▪ Check in at fertility temple with open mind
▪ Enjoy beautiful camping for the night
Drive up to the Buddha Dordhen Statue (169 ft. one of the largest Buddha statues in the world) at Kuensel Phodrang, Thimphu. Enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the Thimphu city.
Buddha Dordhen Statue
Join the locals in their daily circumambulation of Thimphu city’s landmark Memorial Stupa built in 1974 in the memory of the late Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Memorial chorten
Walking tour of the Cottage and Small Industry (CSI) Market. CSI is Bhutan’s flagship store exhibiting over 1500 products made by more than 500 local entrepreneurs.
After lunch, proceed to Punakha at an altitude of 1,200 m. Travel distance and time: 73 km, 3 hours.
En route, stopover at the Dochula Pass for tea/coffee and enjoy the spectacular view of the pan-Himalayas from the 3,100-mt mountain pass. There are 108 memorial chortens (stupas) built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the eldest Queen Mother in honour of The Fourth King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Visit the spectacular and historic Druk Wangyel Temple built in 2005. The murals inside the temple are inspired by and dedicated to the founder of Gross National Happiness, The Fourth King
Dochula Pass with 108 Memorial Chortens
Enjoy a short walk to the popular Chhimi Lhakhang, the Temple of Fertility in Punakha.
Learn about the beloved saint Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529), whose songs and stories of spiritual realization continue to influence and shape the Bhutanese socio-cultural life.
Chhimi Lhakhang
Please have an open mind as you take the walk of fame to the temple through the village proudly exhibiting their phallic house paintings, souvenir arts and crafts.
Night Halt (1200m): Outdoor camping in Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shower: Yes
Internet: Data (4G)
Key Highlights:
▪ White-water rafting in one of the best spots in Bhutan
▪ Visit the marvelous Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Punakha Dzong), the ancient
capital of Bhutan
▪ Excitement by the evening as destination is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan White-water rafting along Pho Chhu river with its approximately 16 km course, is the most popular for rafting/kayaking in Bhutan.
Level: easy 1-2: Some rough water and may need some maneuvering with basic paddling skills.
Rafting distance and time: 7 km, approximately 1 hour depending on water volume and season.
The river basin is the roosting ground of the world’s rare and critically endangered bird the white-bellied heron. There are less than 60 individuals in the world. Bhutan recorded 27 of them in 2023.
River Rafting
Visit the 400-year-old Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, the palace of great bliss and learn about Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651), the founding father of Bhutan. The castle fortress is an epitome of Bhutanese architecture housing national relics and finest Buddhist frescos including the popular 12 episodes of the life of Shakyamuni Buddha inside the grand assembly hall.
Offer butter-lamps for your safe travels and world peace.
Puna Dechen Phodrang
Every spring (usually in February or March), the fortress hosts the 3-day Dromchoe festival, where resident monks perform sacred masked dances. It is the first festival to usher in the Traditional New Year on the Bhutanese traditional calendar.
After lunch, drive to Phobjikha valley at an altitude of 3,000m, the winter roosting ground of the blacked-necked cranes, the heavenly migratory birds.
Driving distance and time: 79 km, 2 hour 20 minutes
Phobjikha Valley
Part of Phobjikha Valley
Valley information: Phobjikha valley is the largest alpine wetland in Bhutan and the roosting ground of the Black-necked cranes alongside 150 bird species, 50 species of trees
and many mammal species. The heavenly migratory bird is sighted in the valley from
November through February. Watch and learn about the fabled crane at the valley’s Black-necked Crane Visitor Centre.
Dine like a local. Try the local butter-tea/ fiery rice spirit, buckwheat pancake/ noodles, sweet turnip stew, Kewa Datsi (gravy stew of local potatoes and farm cheese) and yak meat. The valley is famed for its staple delicious potatoes.
Night Halt (3000m): Hotel in Phobjikha (Dewachen Resort (3*)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shower: Yes
Internet: Yes (Both Wi-Fi and Data 4G)
Black-necked Cranes in Phobjikha
Crane’s physical description: Average body weight: 5.3 kgs / Standing height: 140 cms / Wingspan: 2 meters Local name: Thrung Thrung Kam Scientific name: Grus nigricollis Maximum flight speed: 90km per hour Flight altitude: 20,000 feet Habitat altitude in Bhutan (central and eastern regions): 1,770 – 3,015 m Drive to the Monpas community village, Jangbi in Trongsa at an altitude of 1,000-1,500m. Driving distance and time: 143 km, 5 hours. Monpas are one of the oldest races living in the remotest and un-spoiled hidden forests of central Bhutan in Trongsa. Visitor to village is extremely rare. Mopas community are projected as unique, ancient and a rare human heritage. Visitors hardly drop by their village. Our program and your stay there include specially designed and customized treat of old world charms of their unique tradition and culture seen nowhere and organized by no other.
Monpas of Jangbi
Monpas Welcoming Rare Visitors
Night Halt (1000m-1500m: Outdoor Camping at Jangbi Village, Trongsa Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Shower: Yes (On request we will arrange shower bags) Internet: Data (4G)Key Highlights:
▪ Visit the Monpas community and their houses for more learning and interaction
to go back in time
▪ Attend their annual folk-life festival if schedule coincides in December month
▪ Proceed to Buli vilalge, one of the remotest and beautiful villages in Bhutan
Meet the locals.
Go for village familiarization tour. Try local food.
Visitors with Monpas Community
Visitors on Tour to Village
Jangbi, Pumzur, Wamling and Tongtophay community of about 350 residents observe their annual Folk-life Festival on 10 December, which is attended by district officials, representatives and well-wishers from neighboring communities
Highlights of Festival
✓ The program highlight is a Native shaman (locals revere the priestess as pamo, an elderly lady) propitiating local divinities of Jowo Durshing mountain (4,600 meters above sea level).
✓ Visitors can study and learn about the Indigenous healing practices from the traditional healers.
Aboriginal folksongs and dances by local elder men and women.
✓ Village elders present about their ancient food gathering technique before the 9 cereals were known (9 cereals are locally called Druna Gu namely: rice, buckwheat, barley, millet, rye, maize, quinoa.
Monpas’ Dance
In the afternoon, drive to Buli village located at an altitude of 1,350 m in Zhemgang.
Driving distance and time: 91 km, 2hours 30 minutes.
Night Halt (1350m): Farmhouse at Buli village, Zhemgang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shower: Yes (On request we will arrange shower bags with shower tents)
Internet: Data (4G)
Key Highlights:
▪ Visit Buli Tsho (lake), home to Buli Menmo (mermaid) – popular pilgrimage
destination for Bhutanese
▪ Take a stroll around Buli village, one of the remotest and beautiful villages in Bhutan
▪ Attend local cooking lesson and dine in local home while witnessing/participating in local cultural/traditional dancing/singing Buli or also known has Kheng Buli is a beautiful remote village in Zhemgang in central Bhutan. It’s unexploited with very minimal visitors. Buli exudes charm to enthrall visitors with its legend and history.
Buli Village
Buli is known for Buli Tsho (lake), home to Buli Menmo (mermaid) is popular pilgrimage destination for Bhutanese. Nestled in the heart of a dense forest, the mystical lake remains an enigma – unexplored and shrouded in mystery. A serene atmosphere surrounds the lake. Amidst the calmness, an eerie aura is also very much present. There are many undocumented tales surrounding the Buli Tsho. One account that has been
widely accepted among the locals is Buli Tsho narrates the tale of a promise made by a
sister to her brother and the journey she undertook to keep the promise.
Visit to Buli Tsho. There is a pilgrimage spot located in the heart of a thick forest at a
place called Baer-pang.
Buli Tsho (Lake)
Visitors praying at Buli Tsho
Take a refreshing walk in the village.
Settlements in Buli
In the evening, attend cooking lessons led by the locals in their home. You will use
firewood and ancient fireplace/stove. While you will eat your own-cooked food from the
lessons, try the local delicacies made from 9 varieties of potatoes grown in the farms and
foraged from community forests.
Cooking Lesson for Guests
Partcipate in local dancing and singing session as you cook and dine
A Typical Home for Cooking Lesson and Dinning
Note: For large group tour and on request, a friendly Khuru (traditional Bhutanese longrange dart sport) or archery match with locals in Buli village center.
Night Halt (1350m): Farmhouse at Buli village, Zhemgang
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Shower: Yes (On request we will arrange shower bags with shower tents)
Internet: Data (4G)
Trong Heritage Village
Pass via Trongsa (central Bhutan) and absorb spectacular sights of the Trongsa Dzong (fortress), the largest of its kind in Bhutan. The dzong and small town surrounding it are situated on a spur, a wild rocky area, above the ravines of valley with river far down and with the scenic backdrop of the Black Mountains on its southwest.
Trongsa Dzong (Fortress)
Stop at Trongsa town for refreshment. Night Halt (3000m): Hotel in Phobjikha Valley (Dewachen Resort, 3*) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Shower: Yes Internet: Yes (Both Wi-Fi and Data 4G)It is one of the most fascinating valleys in Bhutan. A unique tourist destination of its own, Paro valley is home to many venerated monasteries, oldest temples, National Museum and Bhutan‘s most impressive and well known Dzongs in the country. Paro is also known for producing the bulk of our famous red rice from its fertile terraced fields.
Paro valley
Key Highlights: ▪ Hoisting of prayer flags on one of the beautiful passes in Bhutan ▪ Peace-road Mountain biking from Lawla, Phobjikha Valley to Nobding (2530m, approximately 10-15km or from Tikizampa to Wangdiphodrang Dzong approximately 10-15km). Enroute stop to hoist prayer flags on Lawala Pass (3200m), a beautiful alpine motorable pass and favored pastureland for nomads and yaks. Enjoy the mountain drive through natural parks and reserves.
Lawala Pass (3200m)
Night Halt (2200m): Hotel in Paro (Tashi Namgay Resort, 3.5* or Thimphu Dorji Resort, 4*) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Shower: Yes Internet: Yes (Both Wi-Fi and Data 4G)local host Locals and visitors alike say a trip to Bhutan is never complete without a visit to Paro Taktsang (at 3,210 m) also known as the Tiger’s Nest located in the cliffside of beautiful upper Paro valley. It will be 4-5 hours of moderate uphill and downhill hike to and from its base depending on your walking pace and the energy level left. The trail meanders through the dense pine forest, clearings, bedrocks, streams and finally a waterfall cascading down a 2000 ft vertical rocky cliff. The monastery complex was built in 1692, which was blessed by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Guru –Tantric Buddhist Vajra Master from medieval India) as a power-place and treasure trove in the 8th century. Paro Taktsang monastery consists of the 4 main temples and several dwellings. These buildings interconnected by the staircases with steps carved into the high rocky cliff (generating adrenalin rush) add to the marvellous picturesque view – the spot where everyone creates their portrait/profile pictures and flaunt about the visit. The magical site was visited by some of the legendary Buddhist saints and treasure discoverers who attained spiritual realizations and revealed treasure teachings from the site.
Taktsang Monastery
We celebrate end of Bhutan trip in particular with a farewell with the local travel host. Night Halt (2200m): Hotel in Paro (Tashi Namgay Resort, 3.5* or Thimphu Dorji Resort, 4*) Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) Shower: Yes Internet: Yes (Both Wi-Fi and Data 4G)This morning/afternoon we see you off at the airport to catch your flight to Singapore or
other gateway cities to connect with your international flight to next destination.
Leave noting but footprints.
Take nothing but memories!
Bhutanese farewell saying to parting guests
Kadrinchela(Thank You) and looking forward the Trip!
PLEASE NOTE
This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Routes and weather conditions may affect he
availability of views and panoramas as described. Please be aware that all times stated
are approximate, and may vary with individual and group fitness and interest levels.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
- There is a light hike arranged on 2nd day in Thimphu, Bhutan. It is expected to acclimatize and prepare you for the trekking. Do not miss to partake that hike.
- There is slight to moderate risk for some people to get altitude sickness. Guide and local team will take altitude sickness pills. Still, you are encouraged to take along such pills.
- Maximum: 10 to 15 °C during the day. Minimum: -15 to -20 °C at night.
- Water and wind proof clothes, warm inner wears with change, comfortable pair of trekking waterproof shoes, warm socks with change, water proof warm hand gloves, walking/trekking stick, sunglasses, warm waterproof hat, warm neck cover, sunscreen lotion, body (moisturiser) lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, facewash, and battery backup for your phone and camera.
- Bottled/mineral water and even hot water for drinking will be available at all times. Campsite will have fresh spring running water.
- There will be cooking team for the trek. Meals suiting the trekkers and the climatic conditions will be served. We will gather from trekkers an advance information about some preferences for meals. Veg and non-veg options will be available.
- One has to use open air ground/bush while trekking during the day. However, arrangement like toilet tent with toilet pot will be arranged at the campsite.
- Yes. You will get enough sleep by going to bed early. You may not be required to wake up before 7AM.
- Hot water bag will be provided.
- The first and last days of trek will have just about decent mobile network coverage. Trails on the other days may have very limited and scarce coverage. For the emergency, the guide and support team may carry satellite phones
- Snowstorm is unlikely. By watching and keeping tab of weather forecast, we shall be able to avoid it even if it happens by staying put in a safe place along the route. The route has adequate spots that we can reach
- Generally not. Stick to a group being guided. There is no poisonous plant/flow. However, do not smell or closely sniff wild plants/flowers of some rhododendron flower species like Balu and Salu which can give altitude sickness – they come in white, pink and yellow colours (seen in following pictures). Obey the guide’s instruction and ask whenever in doubt
- We will have adequate number of local support people including guide. One or two of them will accompany the patient.
- There is no hospital immediate nearby the route. Should there be emergency, we can descend down to lower altitudes and go to the nearest hospital, which will be at Gyenekha village, Thimphu or Chamgang (end point of trek). Returning to hospital will be easier as it will mostly be descents. Hospitals are accessible 24/7.
- It’s is recommended to have health insurance during the trip in Bhutan. Most medical services are free to anyone residing/traveling in Bhutan. However, in the worst case of emergency like needing to airlift a patient and fly to the nearest hospital, a helicopter service will be available for additional cost, which may or may not be covered by your insurance. Please check with your travel insurance company