Sinchula Trek

The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your guide and transferred to Paro town for lunch.
After lunch depart to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1hour. Thimphu has a population of about 100,000.The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Afternoon visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; and later visit the Buddha point where we have one of the biggest Statue of Lord Buddha and if time permits visit the Zilukha Nunnery and the Tashi Chhoedzong where we have the administrative center and the summer residence of the central monk body. The building also houses the office of the King and its secretariat. Later in the evening stroll ito the streets of Thimphu valley and finally visit Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

In the morning visit National Institute of Traditional Medicine; the National Library, stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Art & Craft School, where children still learn the ancient art of Buddhist painting. Lunch served at a restaurant and then drive towards the north of Thimphu valley cross the village of Kabjisa and then hike through the dense forest of Pine trees and others and the trail ascends gradually until you reach the Sinchula pass (3200m). On clear weather one can see the Monastery of Phajoding and after a walk of 2 kms you will be able to see the Talo Monastery and the motorable road to Bhutan’s former capital Punakha and the trail descends gradually from the pass until you reach the camp. Distance is 16kms and walking hours 4-5 hours. Altitude at campsite is 2,800 m.

Breakfast served at camp site and then the trail gradually descends mainly through the densely forested areas until you reach Chorten Ningpo where your picnic lunch will be served. After lunch walk for an hour until you reach the motorable raod where you wil be picked by your car and drive to visit the Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast we drive to visit Chhimi Lhakhang, built during the 14th century dedicated to the “Divine Mad Man” Drukpa Kuenly and today it is mostly visited by the women who couldn’t bear children and it is known as the temple of fertility and then drive over the Dochola pass to Thimphu where your lunch will be served. After lunch drive to Paro and visit the National Museum,Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum and below the DZong is the Paro, Rimpung Dzong where there is a monk body known as Dratshang and the administrative centre of the Paro valley. Evening ends with a walk through the main shopping streets of Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast drive to the airport and our ABC escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.