The Divine Madman Trail -Trans Bhutan Trail

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 like Gangkar Puensum, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from Authentic Bhutan Tours- For Your Bhutan Experience! will warmly welcome & greet you on arrival, and then to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.

The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through peaceful countryside. It’s a small & charming capital city located in the heart of the Himalayas. On reaching Thimphu, we will do a short hike, from Kuensel Phodrang to Depsi (South of Thimphu). Before we start the hike, we will visit to Tallest Buddha Statue in the world.

Then we will start the hike. The hiking is more or less very easy and plain walk through the forest of Pine, Rhododendron and Oak trees. The hike will take about 1-hour 30 mins. We can see Thimphu city, Thimphu River (Wangchhu) and other adjacent towns through this hike. We can also take some fluttering prayer flags (Lungta) and hang them between two to three trees that will bring fortune, happiness and good health to every one in this world including your enemy.

Evening visit Tashi Chho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan) and stroll around Thimphu town. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel, Thimphu

Sightseeing in Thimphu, visit to Memorial Chhorten, built in 1974 in the memory of third king late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. Mothithang minizoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin), Zulikha Nunnery, the Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel and today it houses the sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practices.

Folk Heritage Museum, this Folk Heritage Museum is a showcase, the 19-century farmhouse and the living style of the Bhutanese family. National Library, the National Library was established in 1967 to preserve many ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts. Lunch in Thimphu town.

After lunch, visit Paper Factory, were Bhutanese Traditional Papers & paper products are made. Weaving Center produces hand-woven textiles on site and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. This is one of the few places where you can watch weavers at work, and then Authentic Bhutanese handicrafts. Evening we will visit Bhutanese Farm House for dinner and Traditional Hot Stone bath. Over night stay at Thimphu Hotel or we can organize even in Bhutanese Farm House. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel, Thimphu.

Our car will take us till the starting point of our hike. Before the national highway was built, this gentle rising part of the trail was once a main thoroughfare between Thimphu and Punakha and the rest of the eastern regions of Bhutan. In more recent history, the central monastic body used this route while traveling to its winter residence in Punakha and back to Thimphu during the summer. Start your day with an ascent from Simtokha where the first Dzong of the country is located. The trial gently rises and keeps ascending until Dochula Pass where you spend your night. Lunch will be served as picnic pack lunch. Upon reaching Dochula Pass, we will walk round the the 108 small stupas or  Druk Wangyal Chorten –It was commissioned by Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to celebrate the success of Operation All Clear and to honor the soldiers who lost their lives for the King and country. His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo successfully led the operation in 2003 against an Assamese insurgent in the southern stretch of the country. Then visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang

It was built in the honor of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck and to commemorate 100 year of Monarchy in Bhutan. The painting in this Lhakhang is a unique fusion of modern and centuries old techniques. Modern painting themes can be sighted in the painting of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo leading the troops into battle. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel Dochula.

Trek Distance: 15.5 kilometres (9.63 miles)
Estimated Duration: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: 170 metres (558 feet)
Starting Elevation: 3,100 metres (10,171 feet)
Ending Elevation: 2,318 metres (7,605 feet)
Maximum Elevation: 3,180 metres (10,433 feet)

After the breakfast at farmhouse, we will driven to Katsho where you will start your two-day trekking adventure on the Trans Bhutan Trail. This is a particularly important route for the older generations of Haa, as they would have used the Trail to trade with the Parops.

Dochula Pass is known to be the best spot for sunrise view with the sun glaring upon the Himalayan mountain ranges. We recommend setting your alarms early to get the perfect sunrise which starts at around 5 in the morning. The best season to get the perfect morning sunrise and the panoramic view of the Himalayan range would be between the beginning of winter and spring seasons. After breakfast, begin descending down into the valley. This part of the trail belongs to the larger trail that was used by The Divine Madman Drukpa Kuenley to spread the dharma teachings by suppressing evil energies and fulfilling his legacy. Lunch have a picnic lunch on the way. After lunch, continue descending all the way until Toeb Chandana. We recommend you to spend the night at the Famous House of Toeb Chandana where The Divine Madman fulfilled his legacy.

Toeb Chandana Lhakhang

It was built in the 15th century and served as the religious seat of Ngawang Chogyal. Ap Khandu explains that it was built to ward off the evil energy of a demoness. The two hills on the opposite end of the temple appearing like knees are believed to be her knees. Lam Drukpa Kuenley’s arrow of destiny landed on the eleven-stepped wooden ladder of Toeb Chandana House. Lam shot the arrow from Tibet after the spiritual deity Palden Lhamo appeared in his dreams and instructed him to seek his destiny in the south. Lama Drukpa Kuenley journeyed to Bhutan in the 16th century and found his way to the village and the house. Dressed like a hunting beggar, Lama started courting Pelzang Bhuti, wife of Toep Tshewang. In his jealous rage, Toep Tshewang drew a sword at Lama Drukpa Kuenley but Lama miraculously knotted the sword. Real­izing that the beggar was no or­di­nary being, Toep Tshewang offered his wife to fulfill Lama Drukpa Kuenley’s prophecy. Since then the vil­lage has been known as Chan­dhana which translates to arrow.

Trek Distance: 13.5 kilometres (8.39 miles)
Estimated Duration: 9 hours
Elevation Gain: 50 metres (164 feet)
Starting Elevation: 3,114 metres (10,217 feet)
Ending Elevation: 1,560 metres (5,118 feet)
Maximum Elevation: 3,114 metres (10,217 feet)

Begin your day with a decent ascend from Toeb Chandana until Sew Drangsa offering you scenic views throughout the trail. In more recent history, the central monastic body used this route while traveling to its winter residence in Punakha and back to Thimphu during the summer. Sew Drangsa, an open space marked with prayer flags was the exact spot where the monk body used to have their lunch during their journey. Make a quick stop at the café at Sew Drangsa for some refreshments if you aren’t carrying any. From there on, the trail takes you straight to the Punakha Dzong offering scenic views of the valley and Punatsangchhu during the entire course of the trail. Lunch as picnic lunch. Our driver will wait you Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong, if time permits. After the visit, walk through the suspension bridge over the Phochhu to Mendelgang where you will be spending your night.

Punakha Dzong

It was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal around 1638 at the confluence of two rivers Phochhu (male river) and Mochhu (female river), houses Bhutan’s most treasured relic, the Rangjung Kharsapani. Guru Rinpoche had prophesied about this Dzong which would be built by a man named Namgyal who would arrive at a hill resembling an elephant. So, when Zhabdrung arrived at Punakha, he chose the tip of the trunk of the sleeping elephant where the current Dzong is, as the perfect site to build. Despite withstanding Tibetan invasions, it has suffered numerous fires, floods and glacial lake bursts.

Pungthang Dechen Phodrang now popularly referred to as Punakha Dzong served as the capital and seat of the Government until early 1950s. The coronation of His Majesty the First Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck took place in this very majestic Dzong. It currently serves as the winter residence for the monk body.

Trek Distance: 13.5 kilometres (8.39 miles)
Estimated Duration: 9 hours
Elevation Gain: 195 metres (640 feet)
Starting Elevation: 1,560 metres (5,118 feet)
Ending Elevation: 1,225 metres (4,019 feet)
Maximum Elevation: 1,778 metres (5,834 feet).

Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha – Camping.

After b/fast at drive to Paro. On the visit to Chhimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. The continue the journey to Paro. Lunch will be served at Paro. After lunch stroll around the Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at Paro Hotel.

Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “TigerNest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2hours and 30minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at Taktshang cafeteria.

While coming back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan king, who is also the manifestation of avoloketeshivara, commonly known to Bhutanese as Chenrize). Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay at Paro Traditional Farmhouse. Enjoy the Traditional Hot stone bath.

After our breakfast, we will drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.