Bhutan Karma Trails

On The Wings of Prayer

Traditionally, prayer flags come in sets of five: one in each of five colors. The five colors are arranged from left to right in a specific order: blue, white, red, green, and yellow. The five colors represent the elements and the five pure lights. Different elements are associated with different colors for specific traditions, purposes and sadhana. Blue symbolizes the sky and space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. According to Traditional Buddhist doctrines, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements.

Day 1:
Arrive at Paro and transfer to Thimphu. Check in and drive to the Sangay Gang view point and start an easy flat hike to Wangdetse and descend all the way to ‘the Blue Stone Dzong’. Pay your visit to the 17century fortress of ‘Glorious Religion’ where you’ll encounter several monks and policemen at the flag removal ceremony held outside the Dzong.
Overnight at Khang Residency, Peaceful or similar

Day 2 (Thimphu 2300m – Tango/Chagri 2600m, 45min)
Enjoy your picnic lunch while hiking up Tango and Chagri Bhuddhist institute. The giant Bhuddha Doderma statue is only one of its kind which a stunning view of the Thimphu valley. After arriving at Tango/Chagri attend the prayer flag blessing ceremony before hoisting the prayer flags with the best of belief at Tango and Chagri.

Day 3 (Thimphu 2300m – Gantey2900m, 5hrs)
Morning drive to the valley of Phobjikha. Visit the crane information center. If you may this will a good time to linger around these remote valleys and visit homes of the local family nearby. As a Bhutanese tradition we always feel to do the right by leaving some gifts for the children or to the elderly members of the family as a token of appreciation after leaving the family house. En-route stop over Dochula and spread your prayers across the Himalaya and beyond for a better world peace.
Overnight at Dewachen, Gakiling or similar.

Day 3 (Gantey 2900m – Trongsa2180m, 4-5hrs)
Walk along the nature trails for about an hour and half before you drive further east to Trongsa. The recently converted Ta-dzong as museum is one of the best way to summarize and define your entire tour in Bhutan as it sums up your tour historically, culturally and politically.
Overnight at Yangkhil, Tashi Ninjay or similar

Day 4 (Trongsa 2180m – Kuenga Rabten- Bumthang2580m, 2hrs)
A day excursion and visit to Kuenga Rabten, an unusual U-shaped building was the winter residence of the Druk Gyalpo’s in the past will give you an insight of the ‘Bhutanese Palace’. A 15min walk uphill to the Karma Drubdey Nunnery is yet another site one could visit depending on your schedule and the availability of time. After lunch continue drive to Bumthang. Prakhar Lhakang at Zhungney will be a nice time to stretch your legs and a 10min walk to the temple of a different kind.
Overnight at Gongkhar guest house, Mt. Lodge or similar

Day 5 (Jakar – Tang valley and Ugyen choling, 2hrs)
Tang, one of the most fertile valleys in Bumthang which is famous for treasure revealers discovered treasure as early as some 600yrs ago. Tang UgyenChholing is now been converted into a musuem which used to be one of the summer residence of the Wangchuck dynasty. On your return back stop-over Tang Rimochen and at the ‘Burning Lake’.

Day 6 Bumthang cultural tour
The ‘Castle of the White Bird’ is now being used as the administrative offices for the local govt. but once have been a residence of the local king. The Buddhist College at Tharpaling is another great place to hike but you need to some sacrifices before you making choices. Touring the valley by foot by walking to Jambey lhakang, Kurje Lhakang and over to Tamshing and Koenchogsum lhakang is yet another option one can allow yourself to explore the valley more. You’ll also visit the local community Yathra weaving center which is only found in Bumthang because this style and material is very indigenous locally. Evening visit Kharchu Dratshang for to witness the theological debate being among the monkhood.
Overnight at Mt. Lodge, Ugyen ling or similar.

Day 7 (Bumthang 2580m – Punakha1250m, 6hrs)
Palace of great happiness is must visit sights as it is believed to be the most beautiful Dzongs in the country. The fertility temple of the divine madman and Kuruthang Goemba.
Overnight at Punatshangchhu, Meri Puensum or similar

Day 8 (Punkha 1250m – Paro2280m, 4hrs)
Morning hike to Khamsum Yuelly and continue drive further to Paro. Ringpung Dzong, Dungtse lhakang and Paro Kyichu is some of the great sites to be visited.
Overnight at Tashi Namgay, Khangku or similar.

Day 9(Paro Taktshang 3100m approx)
Day hike to ‘Tigers Nest’ and if time permits one can always visit some of the isolated temple of Zantopelri and Ugentsemo which seemed to be hanging down from the sky when you first begin your hike from the base.
Overnight at Tashi Namgay, Tenziling or similar

Day 10
Depart.