Trip Introduction
Jhomolhari Base Camp trek to Bhutan is what the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. It is also a trekking Pilgrimage as we see Lhakhangs and temples on the way. The route follows the beautiful valley and remote valley on the way following the Paro Chhu till we reach Jhomolhari base camp at Jangothang.
Lingshi is one of the remotest village in the north which is rich in the medicinal herbs. The villages do not have electric lights, they use solar energy for the light and other purposes. This Place also has a renown holy places like Bja Goe Dzong ( Where Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel Mediated for the first time when he came to Bhutan ), Duthroe Tshew Tshay ( a cremation stone plate which flew from Tibet. The other twin of this stone plate is in Bodhgaya India ). And Lingshi Dzong was originally constructed in 1222 by the 3rd Druk Desi. The people here are the mostly the Tibetan refugee.
Laya is one of the beautiful villages amongst the settlements in the north. The village has a Gompa or Lhakhang surrounded by the school, basic health unit and the administrative centres. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel stayed one night in the village of Trongra when he came from Tibet. The people are mostly the refuge of the Tibetan. They wear a beautiful dress and the unique dress made from the yak fur. We can explore more on the culture preserved.
Tshechu is the annual religious festivals held in the 10th day of of the occasional month of the Bhutanese calendar. There will be the performance of mask dance by the monks. And few mask dance is performed by the local laymen. The entire community come to witness the religious mask dance, receive blessings and wash away the sins and socialize. Moreover, they preserve the best festive dress and the ornaments for this occasion and preserve the culture.
Gasa is a remote Dzongkhag or city of Bhutan. It lies at an altitude of 2770 m. It has a small town with less scattered houses. Its population is about 3000. People call The Dzong as Tashi Thongmon Dzong served as a defending barrack in the 17th century. Besides that, to preserve the culture, to bless and wash away the sin, to educate the citizens with living life and death life, the Dzongkhag authority has marked this date (10th day of the 2nd month of the Bhutanese calendar) as an annual program.
What's included
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Two nights accommodation in a three star Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast. This will be for the One night before trek and One night after trek.
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Airport arrival and Departure with private tourist vehicle.
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Applicable Airport Taxes.
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Accommodation with all meals in 3 star hotels and on trek.
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Transportation during the Tour as well as on trek.
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Professional guide, driver chauffeur, cooks, waiters.
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Mineral water throughout the Trip.
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Royalty and taxes
What's excluded
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Travel Insurance charges and other emergencies fee.
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Cost of foreign exchange for personal expenses;
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Expenses of personal nature, personal trekking aids, mini bar in the room, Laundry, telephone bills, tips, gratuities etc.
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First Aids Kids (personal)
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Surcharges applicable during Conventions, Special Events and Trade fairs.
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Day 1
Kathmandu Arrival(1360m)
You will be warmly greeted by well Nepal at your arrival at Tribhuwan Intrenational Airport Kathmandu. Our representative will picked up you and about a 45 minut bus journey to the heart of the city and check in to Hotel there is time for a cup of tea, shower and then a chance to see the tourist district of Kathmandu by night as we go for dinner before an early night!
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Day 2
Kathmandu Sightseeing(1360m)
This is your Kathmandu sightseeing day and prepatation day too. You will visit Kathmandu Durbar square,a in-createable wooden house, palace and temple,(a world heritage) and Swayambhunath (a world heritage site) which a Buddhist stupa and Monastery, which over 2000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. Here is a great chance to see across the valleys, see some monkey and begin to learn about this fascinating ccountry. If you need anything before heading out then you have to shopping on this day. Here is short briefing about trip in given and pre tour discussion is done with your leader and members. Feel free to ask any questions regarding your tour.
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Day 3
Kathmandu to Paro; 2280 m.
We will arrive at Paro via Bhutan Airlines.Our representative will receive you in the airport by offering Trashi Khadhar and drive you to the hotel for the refreshment and for the night.
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Day 4
Paro
After early Breakfast, we will drive 15 Km towards the north to reach the base of Taktsang Monastry. We will have to hike 2-3 hours to reach the clinging Monas-tery in the cliff. This Monastery is the Jewel of Bhutan and one must visit this. This is an important place of pilgrimage. According to legend Padmasambhava arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated there. After going down we will visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong, Kitchu Lhakhang, Paro Rimpung Dzong and The museum. We will also look around the town and visit the temples in the town. You will en-joy the beauty of the green park village.
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Day 5
Paro to Soi ThangThanka (3575 m)
After breakfast we will drive to the north following the Paro river via Drugyel Dzong. Now we can drive till Gunitshawa around 15 Km where there is an army camp in the boarder. We will have to get registered and show the permit in the gate due to security reason. Then we will follow the river climbing up and down besides the river to reach Soi-Thangthanka crossing the Shana where usually Tourist camp. Our Lunch will be served here or around. The camp will be at Soi- Thangthanka.
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Day 6
Soi ThangThanka (3575 m) to Jangothang ( 4044 m, 17 Km, 4-6 Hours )
After breakfast we will hike through the woods following the river changing the directions. We will cross the army camps, pass via chortens and meadows where we will reach Jhomolhari Base Camp. Before reaching our camp we will pass via a small town crowded by the school, Basic health unit, and staffs of the Ani-mal husbandry and the forests.
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Day 7
Rest day at Jhomolhari.
A day starts with a hike to the foot of Jhomolhari, visit a twin lake and the lhakhangs and monasteries nearby.
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Day 8
Jangothang to Lingshi (4010 m ) via Nyile La pass ( 4890 m ).
It is 5-6 hours Walk and the distance is 21 Km. We find this as hard trek because the trek make us climb up the high Nyile la pass which is 4890 m. The path is all marbles and it is hard to climb. We may also have to pass through the snow too. The climbing up and down brings us to Lingshi where we will camp. As we pass by we will see the army camps and the scattered settlements.
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Day 9
Exploration at Lingshi and hike to Chebisa(3990 m )
A day starts with visit to the Lingshi Dzong which was built in 1222. Your guide will narrate a story about this. We will hike Gang Yul a beautiful village where we will visit the Bja Goe Dzong ( Where Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel Mediat-ed for the first time when he came to Bhutan ), Duthroe Tshew Tshay ( a crema-tion stone plate which flew from Tibet. The other twin of this stone plate is in Budhgaya India ) and a Monastry which is in the deep forest. Some monks come to this places to meditate. We will also know about the houses, people and their living standards. The brokpas here are very rich due to the medicinal herbs. Then we will hike to Chhebisa where we will camp. The people here are the ref-uge of the tibet. We will see many houses with the wooden roof and solar elec-tricity.
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Day 10
Chebisa to Shumothang (4440 m)
It is around 5 hours hike which is around 15 Km. We will cross by a village, Gombu la, Goku la , Dulungang village through a steep and slippery trails.we will camp near the beautiful village of Shumothang.
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Day 11
Shumothang to Robluthang (4160 m)
Our Journey start to cross 16 km within 7-8 hours. We will climb upward pass-ing via Yarila chhu twice, via Jare la (4750 m ). We can see Kngbum snow peaked mountain to the southeast. We will pass by tsheri Jathang by a river to reach Robluthang where we will camp.
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Day 12
Robluthang (4160 m) to Limithang ( 4140 m)
Our hike starts with hike in a forests and up the hill. We will pass by a glacial villey following a stream crossing an icy log bridge at 4470 m. Then we will have a tuff climb to Sinchela (5505 m ) passing a false summit with a cairn. We will pass by another glacial valley and a stream crossing the Kango chhu and reach Limithang where we will be welcomed over a tea by our team.
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Day 13
Limithang (4140 m) to Laya (3840 m)
It is 4-5 hours walk through the distance of 10 Km. After 20 minutes walk the trail lead us to the river and enters a deep cedar forest crossing several muddy side streams. After crossing a large stream we will descend to the side of a valley. A long walk through the woods and descend to reach Laya valley. We all ex-plore on the people of Layaps and their historical places and their culture.
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Day 14
Laya (3840 m) to Koina ( 3050 m )
It is 6-7 hours walk, 19 Km to Koina. The trail descends down to the river pass-ing by a chorine and a stream.The route follows the downstream of Mo chu river passing by an army camp. We will have to register our name in the check point. We will pass via a junction of the Lunana Trek, cantilever bridge where we will be on the side of Koina river and reach Koina at 3300 m.
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Day 15
Koina (3050 m) to Gasa (2770 m )
The trail descends down 14 Km,6-7 hours walk through the forests of fir and reach Bari La (3900 m ).As we descend we will see Gasa Dzong on the opposite side of the valley. The trail passes through a chorines and reach Gasa town at 2770 m. The camp will be in the fields or in the woods.We will see many people gathered to witness the Gasa Tshechu. The people are with the charm of the fes-tivals.
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Day 16
Gasa Festival.
Attend the last day Gasa festival with the blessings of Guru Rimpoche. In the afternoon we will drive to Punakha passing through Goen Damji. If time permits we will walk over a traditional bhutanese bridge to enter the Dzong. t is the winter residence of the monastic body and it has been a capital of Bhutan till 1964. The main relic of Bhutan is stored in this Dzong and you will find many buddhist Lhakhangs inside the Dzong. The Dzong lies in-between the two big rivers ( Pochu river and Mochu river ). We will enjoy the art and the architecture of the Bhutanese.
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Day 17
Punakha to Thimphu ( 2320 M) 76 Km )
After breakfast we will drive along side the Mochu river to visit Do jaga lam Lhakhang and hike to visit Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Lhakhang which was built dedicated to our 5th King to serve the nation and protect the country. Then we will visit the town and the lhakhang in the town. After Lunch we will hike to Chhimi Lhakhang. you will receive a blessings of Lama Drukpa Kuenley and you will enjoy the story which your guide will nar-rate to you. After Lunch we will drive to Thimphu passing through Dochu la pass. In Do-chula we will have a visit at 108 chortens and Druk Wangyel Lhakhang which were built for the memory of a boarder war in 2005. if the weather is clear we will also see the mountains around and view the valley of Punakha. We will drive down to reach Thimphu. The night will be in a hotel Phuntsho Pelre or Similar.
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Day 18
Halt in Thimphu, Sight-seeing;
We will start our visit form the memorial Chorten, drive up hill to visit world’s largest sitting Buddha (50 m tall), Chang-Gangkha Lhakhang, Mountain Takin zoo, Zulukha Nunnery, Dechen Phodrang Monastry, Trashi Chhodzong, Na-tional Institude of Traditional medicine, Folk Heritage Museum, National Li-brary, Textile Museum and Zangdo Pelri and the vegetable market.
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Day 19
Thimphu
Early morning we will drive to Dodena (19 Km from Thimphu) and climb a hill to visit Chhari Monastry. It has all meditators and we are not suppose to enter the boundary but we can enter the monastery and the lhakhangs and get bless-ings. Then we will drive to Simtokha in the south of Thimphu valley to see the first Dzong built in Bhutan by Zhabdrung Rimpoche. After the visit we will drive to Paro via Chhudzom where Paro River and Thim-phu River meet at the confluence. This place is also a Junction to the 4 main towns of Bhutan ( Phuntsholing, Haa, Paro and Thimphu). The night will be in hotel in Paro.
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Day 20
Paro to Kathmandu-
After breakfast we will drive to the Paro International air port and bid farewell to have a safe journey back to you, Kathmandu and at airport will be our representative picked up you at hotel.
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Day 21
Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Today is your free day at Kathmandu you are free to enjoy any of the services and facilities at Kathmandu like sports, Game, shoppings, restaurant and bars and get your beloved and close one a memory of Nepal. You will be organized a great Nepali Dinner program with your crew memember and them. Enjoy
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Day 22
Depature Home
Your Gasa hot spring,Trek Via Nepal come to an end today! There is nothing to do than trade emails to travel friends and agencies, also organize your photos, On our wy to home we will have plently of time to plan our next adventure trip in the wanderful country of Nepal. Enjoy B service.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please be aware that your safety while in Nepal is our number one propriety. All itineraries are subject to change if there are safety concerns, health concerns of people in the group and/or weather concerns. This will be decided by the trek leader but we will always discuss the options with the group where possible to ensure peoples wises are taken into account, however the Treks leader decision is final.
Book our fixed departures
Equipments
Equipment Check – List
What clothing and equipment to take is one of the things that people worry the most about! We can advise you and help you and it does of course depend on the time of year, the area, the altitude and how many days you are trekking/climbing. When you arrive in Kathmandu we will go through all your equipment to ensure that it is correct for your trip. In Thamel (the tourist area of Kathmandu where you will be staying) there is an abundance of shops seeling equipment and clothing so if anything is forgotten it can easily be sourced.It is also possible to hire climbing equipment and also items such as down jackets, and sleeping bags saving you a large purchase.
The following equipment list is suggested and necessary for both camping and tea house treks. Use this list as a guide line. The basic check list should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag, should weight no more than 15kg. Please remember this is just a check list and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed bellow.
GENERAL CHECK – LIST
The following basic check list should help you with your packing for any of our trips. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your clothing equipment down to a minimum. Your packed trek bag, should weight no more than 15 kilograms. Please remember this is just a check list and you do not necessarily need to bring everything that is listed bellow. Use your own experience and judgment to make your decision.
-Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
-Fleece jacket or pullover.
-fleece wind –stopper Jacket (optional)
-Waterproof sheel jacket (preferably breathable fabric)
-Lightweight thermal gloves.
-Underwear (4)
-Shorts (2)
-Lightweight cotton long trousers / pants .
-Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms.
-Sun hat or Scarf.
-Warm fleece hat or light balaclava.
-T- shirt (2)
-Thin, light weight (inner socks) (4).
-Sunglasses with UV protection.
-Sleeping bag rated to 0 degrees ¾ season
-Head lamp (eg petzl) Spare bulbs and batteries.
-Small padlock to lock trek bag.
-Basic first aid kit(see First aid medicine bellow)
-Plastic bags –for keeping items dry inside trek bag.
-Daypack ( 35 to 40 litters/ 2500 to 3000 cubic inches.)
-Camping mattress, eg thermarest pad.
-water bottles.
-Tolietries.
-Small wash towel.
-Footwear appropraite to the trip.
-Waterproof shell trousers / pants. (Preferably berathable fabric)
TREKKING CHECK LIST
In addition to the items listed in our general check list you will need to take the following on your trekking trip:
-Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof sheel outer.
-Down vest and/ or jacket (optional).
-Fleece or wool trousers/ pants.
-Trekking/ hiking boods with spare laces.
-Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
– Footwear for around camp, eg running shoes and /or sandals.
-Gaiters (optional).
-Telescopic trekking/ ski poles (optional)
MOUNTAINERING / CLIMBING CHECK LIST
In addition to the checklists for general trekking equipment above, and depending on the trip you have chosen, various items of mountaineering equipment may also be required, eg:
-Plastic boots and crampons (preferably step – in bindings ) with front points.
-Mountaineering Safety harness.
-Mountaineering Ice axe(60 to 75 cms long – depending on your height and personal preference).
-120 cms (4ft) climbing sling and to locking and unlocking caravines.
-Telescopic ski – sticks (optional).
-Prussik loops .
-Climbing helmet (optional).
-Jumer (Ascender & Descender).
-Pocket Knife.
-Head lamp.
-Mattress.
-Rope and Snow bars.
-Ice crew.
-High altimeter.
Most if not all of this equipment will be needed for any trip that crosses steep, snow – covered ground, or which includes sections of glacier travel. Our recommendation that you take no more than fifteen kilos of trekking equipment dose not include your plastic boots, ice axe , Crampons ot herness/ carabiners . During the trek, climbing hard wear will be carried separately from your personal trek bag, in group bags untill needed.
EQUIPMENT RENTAL
In order to minimize your expense outlay for trekking and climbing equipment you may never use again, equipmeent rental and buying is possible in Kathmandu. You find them lot cheaper than you find in europe and in Usa. Shops in Thamel offer a wide range of equipment available for rent and buy. Here is some cost which give you an aidea of the cost to rent in Kathmandu.
-Sleeping bags.
-Down Jackets.
-All purpose mountaineering Ice axe (60 – 70 cms)
-Ice hummer.
-Climbing Harness .
-2 looking Carabiners , Climbing Sling.
-12 – point Crampons.
-Plastic Climbing boots.
-Helmet.
FIRST AID MEDICINE
-Bandage for Sprains.
-Plaster/ Band- aids.
-Iodine or Water filter(optional)
-Moleskin/ Second skin – for blisters.
-Antiseptic ointment for cuts.
-Anti- bacterial throat lozenges (with antiseptic)
-Aspirin/ paractamol- general painkiller.
-Oral rehydration salts.
-Broad – spectrum antibiotic (norfloxacin or ciprofloxin).
-Anti – diarrhea medication (antibiotic).
-Diarrhea stopper (Imodium – optional).
-Antibiotic for Giardia or similar microbe or bacteria.
-Diamox (Altitude sickness – can be bought in Kathmandu.
-Sterile Syringe set (anti-AIDS precaution).
– For more details please see our staying healthy topic.