5 NIGHTS HIKING EXPERIENCE

Day 1: Transfer to Thimphu

Distance: 53kms /32 miles Drive

Time: 1 hour approx.

Altitude: 2350m / 7709 ft.

Hiking Duration: 2-3 hours

Difficulty Level: Moderate

In order to acclimatize with the altitude, we have to take it very slow on the first day. The walk from the Radio Tower to Choekhortse Goemba via Wangditse is a moderate hike with great views over Thimphu.

Wangditse Goemba was founded in 1750 by the attendants of Bhutan’s 8th desi (temporal ruler of Bhutan in the time of the Zhabdrung), Yeshey Rabgye. It was renovated in 2002 after it suffered serious damage in a windstorm in 1995. The goemba houses the statues of the guardian deities Yeshey Gonpo (Mahakala), Palden Lhamo (Mahakali) and Tsheringma (the Goddess of Longevity).

From the Radio Tower, the trail goes along the tower fence before it passes a chorten and follows the contours along the mountainside until reaching Wangditse. Along the way, there are great views of Trashi Chhoe Dzong. At Wangditse, follow the left trail leading straight up to Choekhortse. After a while, the trail levels out while crossing an open ridge with a field of prayer flags. From here, you will have excellent views of the city. After another section through the forest, the trail ends up at Choekhortse Goemba (9,870 ft. / 3,010 m), a private temple where monks often go for meditation. From here you turn left to continue straight downhill back to the Radio Tower.

You can also combine this hike with the visit to the mini zoo where resides the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin.

Day 2- Hike to a Hidden Favorite

Hiking duration: 4 to 5 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate

Today is all about pushing yourself a little further and enjoying a moderate hike in the city of Thimphu. The hike to Dodedrak involves yet another challenge up the mountainside, but few hikes are as rewarding as this one in terms of scenic beauty and insights to Buddhist architecture, craftsmanship and mysticism.

After entering Royal property close to the 4^th King’s Palace and walking the first 10 minutes on the paved road, the trail sets off steeply up the mountainside for about 2 hours. As you walk up, you will have great views of Thimphu city, Wangditse and Dechen Phodra temples. The last part of the walk takes you to the sight of a beautifully situated, magical monk village established around the mysterious 12th-century temple, Dodedrak. When you are ready to leave this magical place behind, set off on the same trail that led you here until you reach the chorten. From here, follow the upper trail which will lead you gently down towards Dechencholing Goemba and the Queen Mother’s Palace.

Dodedrak Village arose around a temple prophesized by the Chief Abbot, Yonten Thaye, the reincarnation of Channa Dorji (The God of Power and Energy). In the 1980s, the 4th King initiated the development of a lobdra (monastic school) and a shedra (Buddhist College) in the Dodedrak area. About 197 monks aged 15-28 now inhabit the village.

Day 3: Lhedi Goemba Forest Walk

Distance: 53kms /32 miles

Drive: 2 hours approx. from Thimphu to the Bridge

Altitude: 2350m / 7709 ft.

Hiking Duration: 5-6 hours

Difficulty level: Moderate

We start with an early drive back to Paro and then to Lhedi or Lhading Goemba, which is situated en route to the first camp of the popular Jumolhari trek. A visit to the charming and sacred temple is a good hiking option for a half-day excursion. Travel on a bumpy dirt road a few kilometers, up the valley from Drugyel Dzong until reaching Mitshi Zampa. Here you can see Lhedi perched in a hill in the distance.

Start your walk from here by crossing the Swiss-built suspension bridge over the Paro Chhu (River). The trail climbs very gently, traversing through rice terraces and fields of millet. The trail continues along the river through blue-pine and fir forests until reaching the turnoff to the temple after about one hour. From here, the climb up to the temple should take just under an hour. To make a loop, choose the alternate trail down from Lhedi which takes you closer to the entrance of Jigme Dorji National Park. Turn left when reaching the main trail and this will eventually lead you back the same way. Choosing the alternative way down takes about one hour longer than following the same trail back.

The recently renovated Lhedi Goemba is believed to date back 700 years in time when it was built by the famous Tibetan Saint Shacha Thruezin. The altar room features a statue of the present Buddha and also holds 165 religious texts brought from Tibet. It is believed that if you carry one particular text, weighing 154 pounds/ 70 kgs, around the altar three times, you will be freed from all your sins.

Day 4: Hike to Bumdra combined with the Cave of Buddhism

Hiking Duration: 10 hours Approx.

Difficulty level: Strenuous

Far up and beyond Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) you will eventually find Bumdra located at a mountain pass 13,120 ft. / 4000 m above sea level overlooking Paro Valley. Reaching this point will give you a huge sense of achievement as you count the hours and distance covered.

After an early morning breakfast, we drive to Sang Choekor, which is a Buddhist college and visit the Lhakhang to pay our respects. Our trek starts with an initial ascent of 2 hours walk from Sang Choekor through thick alpine forest to get to the base of an old mediation hut. The trail goes up and down for a while before the last steep section up to the pretty hermit area which boast commanding views of southern Paro valley including the airport. Another 20 minutes climb takes you thru ancient ruins and fluttering prayer flags, before you drop back into an old growth forest, traversing on for about 40 minutes longer before coming out onto high wide meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags. Among a group of prayer flags on the mountain pass, you have views of both side valleys. From here the walk to Bumdra is just a few more minutes and then a short climb up to this sacred place of worship.   After spending time around Bumdra and the beautiful pastures nearby, you will descend down for almost two hours before catching a glimpse of the golden roofs of temples below. The path snakes across the mountainside between the monasteries and temples before reaching the garden of Zangthopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can get views of the Taktsang monastery. An hour later you reach Taktsang monastery looking across the steep descent to a waterfall then ascent on steps and you are passing into Tiger’s Nest itself.  We begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach where the car will be waiting to take you back to the hotel.

Bumdra Monastery is another 8^th-century temple blessed by Guru Rinpoche. Behind the altar, you can see what is believed to be the footprints of a thousand angels. Many monks come to this peaceful place to engage in meditation.

Tiger’s Nest or Taktsang Goempa is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 2,950 ft. / 900 m above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan.

Day 5: The Floating Statue of Chum Phu Nye

Drive Time: 45 minutes from Paro Town

Altitude: 3100m

Hiking Duration: 8 hours

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Chum Phu Nye is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places in the Himalayas. There are numerous caves associated with Guru Padmasambhava and it is said that Guru mediated at Chum Phu for 3 months in the 8^th century. Many important Buddhist masters are said to have followed the footsteps of Guru and mediated here. The main relic in the temple is a life-size statue of Vajravarahi or Dorji Phagmo, a form of Vajra Yogini, the highest tutelary deity in Himalayan Buddhism.

The statue floats in the air due to the belief that it is supernatural with the legend indicating that Dorji Phamo appeared in person and turned herself into the statue. People believe that anything you wish in front of the statue for will come true. About a 10-minute walk above the temple you can find a small lake which is said to be the bathing place of the Guru. The lake is actually a pool carved into the rocks by a beautiful waterfall. You will also find a big rock opening which is believed to be the opening gates of Heaven. The Lama at the temple will tell you the story of the sacred and ancient place. The hike entails ascending thru blue pine forests and crisscrossing over a river and several small streams before a final steep ascent to the main temple. Along the way, one can make detour visiting several sacred caves and waterfalls. The peace and joy you feel visiting this temple are just amazing and calming to the mind and soul.

Day 6: Departure and transfer to the airport

Goodbye and Tashi Delek. Looking forward to your next visit.