Camping am Trans-Bhutan-Pfad

Nach der Ankunft in Paro gibt es einen inbegriffenen Transfer ins Hotel in Thimphu, wo du den Rest der Gruppe und den einheimischen Reiseleiter triffst. Wenn du Zeit hast, kannst du am Nachmittag noch Buddha Point besuchen, mit der bekanntesten Sehenswürdigkeit von Thimphu, der Buddha-Dordenma-Statue. Danach geht es zum Gedenk-Chörten, ein 1974 errichteter Stupa im tibetischen Stil und eine der beeindruckendsten religiösen Stätten in Thimphu. Abends hast du beim gemeinsamen Essen in einem örtlichen Restaurant die erste Gelegenheit, die bhutanische Küche zu verkosten.
With elevations ranging between 2,248 meters (7,375 feet) and 2,648 meters (8,688 feet) above sea level, Thimphu is the fifth highest capital city in the world by altitude. It is also the only capital city in the world without any traffic lights. The city offers a unique blend of the modern world with Bhutanese tradition.

Today, your trek continues as you depart from Thimphu and drive to the village of Hongtsho to begin your trek. Your first major milestone is the climb to the Dochula Pass, situated at 3,100 meters (10,170 feet). Here, you will visit the 108 Stupas (Druk Wangyal Chortens), built to honor Bhutanese soldiers and the leadership of the Fourth King. On clear days, the pass offers spectacular panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

After exploring the pass and the nearby Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, you will continue trekking along the "Divine Madman Trail," a historic route named after the legendary 16th-century monk Drukpa Kuenley. The path descends through lush ecological corridors into the Royal Botanical Park at Lampelri, where you will stop for a scenic picnic lunch amidst a forest famous for its many species of rhododendrons and diverse birdlife. Your day concludes with a final trek to your campsite in Thinleygang, where a locally sourced dinner will be served under the stars.
This section of the Trans Bhutan Trail connects the modern capital of Thimphu with the historic spiritual centers of the east, following a route once used by high-ranking clergy as they moved between their summer and winter residences. The Dochula Pass serves as a powerful spiritual landmark; its 108 memorial stupas are arranged in three concentric circles to symbolize spiritual completion and the removal of 108 human desires to reach enlightenment. The nearby Druk Wangyal Lhakhang temple is unique for its modern murals that blend traditional Buddhist imagery with scenes from 21st-century Bhutanese history.

As you move toward Lampelri, you enter an important biological corridor that links two of Bhutan's national parks. This area is a haven for biodiversity, home to rare species like the red panda and over 46 varieties of rhododendron. The trail itself is steeped in the folklore of the "Divine Madman," Drukpa Kuenley, whose unconventional methods of teaching have left a lasting mark on Bhutan's cultural and religious identity. Your day ends in the quiet valley of Thinleygang, offering a peaceful immersion into the rural landscapes that the restored trail was designed to protect and celebrate.

The group will transfer eastwards with packed breakfast to Pelela for the start of the hike at 3,410 metres (11,187 feet) above sea level. Arrive to Pelela Pass for a picnic lunch before starting the trek. As you descend through the meadows below Pelela, keep an eye out for the yak herder camps which can be seen scattered around the valley. Visit Rukubji's village, famous for its unique local language called Ngyen-Kye, and have the chance to learn about it from the villagers over tea.

After visiting Rukubji, drive down to the village of Chendebi, where the group will camp for the night. A delicious organic, locally sourced dinner will be served at the campsite in the evening.
This ancient route, which runs 403 kilometres from Haa in the West of Bhutan to Trashigang in the East, dates back at least as far as the 16th century, when it would have been the only means of communication between the strategically located dzongs (fortresses) along the route. The Trail's Garps (messengers) were quite legendary, travelling with vital messages between Dzongs at great speeds with little food or rest. Over time, the Trail came to play a major role in uniting the region's many kingdoms, culminating in the birth of Bhutan as a nation in 1907. With the advent of Bhutan's National Highway in the 1960s, the Trail fell into disrepair but was restored in 2019 thanks to a partnership between the Royal Bhutanese Government, the Tourism Council of Bhutan, and the Bhutan Canada Foundation. The Trail now receives visitors from across Bhutan and the world. When stopping the the village of Rukubji learn more about the local language from the locals. The dialect, called Ngyen-Kye, is a mix of other dialects from across Bhutan and even some English words, and is now only spoken by a dozen or so households.

Head back to the Trans Bhutan Trail after breakfast at your camp. On today's trek, recreate the experience of past royals as you descend as a group into the steep valley below. See spectacular views of the Dzong (fortress) and cross the old cantilever bridge over the Mangde River before climbing the other side of the valley to reach Trongsa Dzong via the Western gate. After arriving to our hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax and explore before joining back together for dinner at a local restaurant in the early evening.
Trongsa is Bhutan's geographical center point and is very closely linked to the Bhutanese Royal Family: the first two hereditary Kings ruled from Trongsa Dzong (fortress) and the crown prince still traditionally serves as the Penlop (Governor) of Trongsa before acceding to the throne. The Trans Bhutan Trail still passes directly through the middle of the city of Trongsa and, in centuries gone by, the trail would actually have passed right through Trongsa Dzong itself.

Nach einem schnellen Frühstück besucht ihr an diesem Vormittag die Festung Trongsa Dzong, die um einen 1541 erbauten kleinen Meditationsraum gewachsen ist. Ihr besucht einige der 23 Ihakhangs (Tempel) der Festung und danach den Trongsa Ta Dzong (Wachturm), in dem sich heute das interessante königliche Museum befindet. Den Rest des Tages kannst du Trongsa nach Lust und Laune erkunden.

Wave farewell to Trongsa today and head back out on the Trail for some more hiking. Drive to Yotong La Pass to join the trail. Trek through a stretch of dense forest and cross through meadows, through open forest until the trail reaches the Gyetsa River. Arrive at Gyatsa Youth Community Cafe after lunch and enjoy a hands-on cultural activity with the youth. Once the group arrives at camp in Gyetsa you'll be able to enjoy a hot shower and a locally-sourced organic dinner at the campsite.

Today after breakfast the group will trek through the most historic section of the trail. This section was used by the royal family when they travelled between their winter and summer residences. You'll travel through Kikila Pass before descending into the Bumthang Valley. We'll stop along the way for a picnic lunch, enjoying the scenery.

Once you arrive in Jakar, visit the majestic Jakar Dzong (fortress), also known as the ‘Castle of the White Bird'. Observe unique features like its fifty-meter utse (tower) and a sheltered passage with two parallel walls, interconnected by fortified towers, which guaranteed the fortress's inhabitants access to water during a siege. Visit the Red Panda Brewery after for a well-deserved rest. This evening, enjoy a special experience as you settle into your local homestay accommodation. Spend the evening with a few of your fellow travelers in the home of a local Bhutanese family who will be your hosts for the evening. Share a meal and exchange stories while learning about what life is like for your local hosts.

Nach dem Frühstück bei deiner Gastfamilie geht es zurück in das charmante Punakha, das ihr einen Tag lang erkundet. Unterwegs gibt es Mittagessen und dann einen Besuch der Brücke (Bazam), die zum Punakha Dzong führt. Wer die Brücke zu Fuß überqueren will, muss formale bhutanische Kleidung tragen, wie Gho für Männer und Kora für Frauen. Auf der anderen Seite des Flusses besichtigt ihr die Festung. Abends wartet eine weitere Übernachtung bei einer bhutanischen Familie. Lass dir ein köstliches hausgemachtes Essen schmecken und ruhe dich dann aus für den nächsten unglaublichen Tag.

Nach dem Frühstück geht es heute nach Paro, wo nach dem Einchecken ins Hotel ein Mittagessen wartet. Danach geht es zu einigen der beliebtesten Sehenswürdigkeiten in Paro, darunter der Ta Dzong („Wachturm“), heute Bhutans Nationalmuseum mit einer ganzen Reihe von Ausstellungen, darunter Skulpturen, Gemälde und Artefakte aus der magischen Geschichte des Landes. Dann geht es weiter zum atemberaubenden Paro Rinpung Dzong (übersetzt etwa „Festung auf einem Juwelenhaufen“) und abends gibt es ein leckeres Essen mit dem CEO und der Gruppe.

Lass dir das Frühstück schmecken und mach dich bereit für die Wanderung zum legendären Kloster Taktshang Goemba, besser bekannt als „Tigernest“, im Nordwesten Paros. Das Kloster liegt atemberaubend an einer steilen Felswand 900 m über dem Tal und ist zweifellos das berühmteste religiöse Bauwerk in Bhutan. Bereits der Weg zum Tigernest bietet spektakuläre Aussichten und führt vorbei an einem kleinen Chörten, einem einfachen Kloster und einem Wasserfall. Nach der Ankunft im Tigernest kannst du die Höhle besuchen, in der Guru Rinpoche meditiert hat, sowie die zahlreichen Lhakhangs mit Bildern, Wandgemälden, Chörten und einer heiligen Quelle. Falls Zeit ist, kannst du auf dem Weg zurück vom Kloster noch kurz den Machig-phu Lhakhang besuchen. Den restlichen Nachmittag kannst du dich im Hotel entspannen oder Paro auf eigene Faust erkunden. Abends gibt es ein letztes gemeinsames Essen in einem örtlichen Restaurant, bei dem ihr eure Reise nochmal so richtig feiern könnt!

Lass dir ein letztes Frühstück schmecken vor dem Transfer vom Hotel zum Flughafen für deinen Rückflug.