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Arrive
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Day 1 Arrive in Paro, visit Chele La Pass
Upon arrival in Paro today you will be met by a guide and driven to your serene luxury hideaway, nestled on a forested hill overlooking the Paro valley. After time to settle in, you will have the option to drive out of town with your guide to visit the Chele La Pass. At an altitude of 3,988 metres the pass is the highest driveable road in Bhutan and offers spectacular views of the Himalayas and the sacred peak of Mount Jomolhari.
Overnight: COMO Uma Paro
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Day 2 Flight to Bumthang & travel east to Sengor
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Bumthang. Here you will meet your private driver and guide and travel east to Sengor, a scenic journey of around four hours. The peaceful settlement of Sengor is surrounded by high altitude forests which are home to a remarkable array of Himalayan birds, and Sengor will be the starting point for your journey along the Trans Bhutan Trail tomorrow. Accommodation this evening is in one of the trail's 'signature' campsites where you can enjoy a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath, renowned for its healing properties.
Overnight: Trans Bhutan Trail Signature Camping
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Day 3 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Latongla
Today your adventure begins in earnest as you make your first steps along the Trans Bhutan Trail. After breakfast at camp and perhaps a brief visit to Sengor's historic temple, you will set out on a walk of approximately eight miles that takes in some of Eastern Bhutan's most beautifully varied scenery. The distant sound of the Namling waterfall will be ever present during much of the route, which traverses gently sloping valleys, dense forests and pristine fords. Arriving at your next campsite later this afternoon, there will be another opportunity to enjoy a hot stone bath before you settle in to a hearty dinner incorporating plenty of locally-sourced organic produce.
Overnight: Trans Bhutan Trail Signature Camping
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Day 4 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Lingmithang
Re-joining the trail today you will find that much of this ten-mile section is descent, sometimes through lush forests and at other times following the footsteps of generations of traders, pilgrims and messengers down ancient, dry-stone staircases. You will also pass through the ruins of the Zhongar Dzong, a fortress steeped in popular myth, and your guide will recount the story of its dramatic history as you travel. Later this afternoon you will reach Lingmithang, where another comfortable campsite awaits, as well as another opportunity to sooth tired limbs in a hot stone bath.
Overnight: Trans Bhutan Trail Signature Camping
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Day 5 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Mongar
Your eleven-mile walking route today takes you east from Lingmithang towards the Kuri River, followed by a descent through thick forest towards Mongar. As usual, a scenic spot will be found for a picnic lunch and then, upon arrival in Mongar, you will be able to visit the towering dzong which still provides monastic accommodation and education for young monks from rural areas. This evening you will be staying in a comfortable hotel in central Mongar, and your guide will help you choose one of the best local restaurants for dinner.
Overnight: Wangkchuk Hotel (or similar)
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Day 6 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Korila
Today's seven-mile section of the Trans Bhutan Trail takes you on an ascent towards the Korila Pass, passing through remote rural villages along the way. Your picnic stop will be taken at Wadipa Nye, a sacred place located just above the Korila Pass where an annual festival takes place to re-enact a popular tale. Tonight will be spent back under canvas at Korila, in another superb campsite offering a hot shower and hot stone bath.
Overnight: Trans Bhutan Trail Signature Camping
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Day 7 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Sherizampa
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at camp before continuing on the trail as it descends towards Ngatshang. Here you will be able to visit the Jarong Khasor Stupa, place of another popular myth, before you continue east on a descent through lush sub-tropical forests. Your 8.7 mile hike today concludes in Sherizampa. Here, a delicious dinner will be prepared for you at camp.
Overnight: Trans Bhutan Trail Signature Camping
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Day 8 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Drametse
Your eight-mile walk today begins with the crossing of an old suspension bridge and then a gentle ascent as the trail climbs through forests of pine and lemongrass, passing mountain ridges boasting wonderful views. After a lunch stop at Baginla, continue on a gentle ascent until the trail reaches Drametse, the religious and cultural hub of Eastern Bhutan. Here you can take a short detour to visit the Drametse temple, constructed in the 16th century by the granddaughter of a Bhutanese saint who fled here to escape the marriage proposal. Tonight you will join a Bhutanese family for a fascinating homestay experience in a traditional farmhouse. Your hosts will also prepare a typical Bhutanese dinner, to be shared while seated on the floor in the local tradition.
Overnight: Basic Farmhouse Homestay
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Day 9 The Trans Bhutan Trail to Gongthung
Bidding farewell to your hosts after breakfast at the homestay, your nine-mile stretch of the trail today commences with a descent towards the village of Bazur and its temple (which you may visit if you wish). Beginning to climb for the next section, you will be rewarded at the summit with a picnic lunch at Narang. Here the trail begins to descend once more, leading to the village of Durung where you will be able to visit the community temple of Dongnga Choeling. The final section of the journey takes you to Gongthung, home to a beautiful Nepalese-style stupa with a rich history. Gongthung is also where you will spend the night, where a hot stone bath and hearty dinner awaits at your campsite.
Overnight: Trans Bhutan Trail Signature Camping
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Day 10 Conclude the Trans Bhutan Trail at Trashigang
The end of the trail is in sight today as you enjoy a final breakfast at camp before setting out on the four-mile stretch in the direction of Trashigang. The first section of the route is a descent through a number of small villages with glimpses of the Trashigang Dzong in the distance. You will eventually reach Chazam, the bridge which crosses the Dangmechhu river, and make your final approach to Trashigang. This afternoon you will be able to visit the dzong, spend some recovery time at your hotel and then enjoy dinner in town with your guide to celebrate your remarkable achievement.
Overnight: Lingkhar Lodge
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Day 11 Flight to Paro & time to enjoy the Six Senses
Transfer to the airport for your flight west to Paro. Here you will be met and driven to the Six Senses hotel to enjoy an afternoon and evening of well-deserved luxury. Time permitting, you might decide to finish on a high (literally), and climb to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery, a sacred Buddhist site close by. Later return, to your hotel for a relaxing treatment in the spa, which is one of the finest in the country.
Overnight: Six Senses Paro
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Day 12 Flight home
You will be collected from your hotel today and driven to Paro airport in plenty of time for your flight home.
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Depart
