What our guest are saying
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The true colors of Bhutan are woven in soil: Most harvests are bright with chilies drying on rooftops. Farmers store their rice in the shed and guard it round the clock; nearly 30 percent of Bhutan\’s crops are ruined by wild boars, deer, or monkeys.
No Experience Required
No former trekking experience is needed for this trek. To take part in this trek, you should be physically fit, meaning you should be able to walk a full day with a small day pack. Animals will carry the bulk of our loads.
This is probably one of the most beautiful and un-spoilt trekking areas in the entire Himalaya. The trek begins at Druk-gyal Dzong passing through beautiful villages, scattered hamlets and farmland. Rich and varied vegetation from richly forested valley to high alpine pastureland where yak herders graze their animals, trout fishing in the sky blue lake, magnificent views of snowy mountains and the Himalayan blue sheep and snow leopard can be encountered on this trek.
Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.
Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town
Day 3 Paro – Sharna
Start of Trek Day 1: Distance 17 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Drukgyel (2580m) and camp near Sharna Zampa (2870m). There is a gradual climb following the Paro river through the agriculture valley and villages. We camp opposite to the Gunyitsawa Army check post in a meadow.
Day 4 Sharna – Thangthangka
Trek Day 2 : Distance 22 kms and walking distance 6-7 hours.
Starting at Sharna Zampa (2870m) and camp at Thangthangka (3630m). The trial is a gradual ascent with plenty of ups and downs through the conifer forest, ferns and Rhododendrons. On a clear day, you see a magnificent view of Mt. Jumolhari
Day 5 Thangthangka – Jangothang
Trek Day 3 : Distance 19 kms and walking distance 5-6 hours
Starting at Thangthangka (3630m) and camp at Jangothang (4090m).Todays trial passes an army post and the village of Soe and a small settlement at Takethang. Yak herders live here. We camp beneath a ruined fortress at the base of Mt. Jumolhari.
Day 6 Jangothang – Halt
Trek Day 4: Acclimatisation Day.
You can spend the day relaxing or there are several day hikes to choose from. Two interesting hikes would be to get views of Mt.Jumolhari or Jichu Drake. If you are interested in a lake then you can take the hike to Tsophu. Overnight stay at the camp.
Day 7 Jangothang – Lingshi
Trek Day 5 : Distance 18 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Jangothang (4090m) and camp at Lingshi (4010m) Today you encounter your first major pass at 4890m ( Nyile-la ).You also get snow peak views of Tserim Kang (6789m) Camp near a stream in a meadow.
Day 8 Lingshi – Halt
Trek Day 6 : Halt
Its worth a visit to Lingshi Dzong. You can also make an excursion to Tsokha (lake) i.e. Base Camp of Jichu-Drake. During the excursion hundreds of Blue Sheep, Musk Deer could be seen. Tsokha is at 4500 m. and the hike is about 4-5 hours.
Day 9 Lingshi – Shodu
Trek Day 7 : Distance 22 kms and walking time 8-9 hours.
Starting at Lingshi (4010m) and camp at Shodu (4110m)The first half of the trek is mostly through treeless valley until you start ascending to Yeli-la pass at 4820 m, from here Mt. Jumolhari, Mt. Tsherimgang and Mt. Masagang can be seen on clear days. Camp in a meadow.
Day 10 Shodu – Barshong
Trek Day 8 : Distance 16 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Shodu (4110m) and camp at Barshong (3680 m) Todays trial winds up and down following the Thimphu Chhu and crossing it six times. A final climb for about an hour walk will bring you to Barshong. Camp just below the ruins of a small Dzong.
Day 11 Barshong – Dolam Kencho
Trek Day 9 : Distance 15 kms and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Barshong (3680m) and camp at Dolam Kencho (3430m) The trial descends gently down to meet Thimphu Chhu through the dense forest of Rhododendron, birch, conifer trees and across the pasture land. Camp in a meadow
DAY 12 Dolam Kencho – Thimphu
Trek Day 10 End of Trek :Distance 8 km and walking time 3 hours
Starting at Dolam Kencho (3430m) and end of trek at Dodina (2600m). Today is an easy 3 hour descend till Dodina where your vehicle will meet you. It is a 30 minute drive to Thimphu.
DAY 13 Thimphu – sightseeing – Paro
Morning start the sightseeing with Zelukha Nunnery, National Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro enroute visit to Simtokha Dzong the first fort built in 1627-29 by Shabdrung who unified the Kingdom and continue the journey following the Thimphu river till Chuzom (Confluence) and taking the direction toward Paro following Pa-chu for 2 hours.
DAY 14 Farewell and Departure
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa.
Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Online Regional Permit System
In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists.
What our guest are saying
In December 2011, my husband and I did a 3 trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal followed by 3 days at Chitwan National Park with Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd. (Kuman Gurung). We’re in our mid-sixties and began to question our decision when various friends and family members said that it’d be way too cold and difficult at that time of the year. Actually November and December are excellent months to trek in Nepal as it is normally dry and sunny. Kuman is an excellent choice as he did all the planning, gaining of licenses, arranging for lodging and planning of the length of our trekking days. We liked that he not only planned, but accompanied our group of 6, along with two other wonderful assistants (porter and guide). One needs to understand that Nepal is a third world country, and electricity and warm water become an issue all over the country. Our days were very warm---how I wished I’d brought a short sleeved shirt---and the nights are cold. We hadn’t anticipated that we’d spend much of our time climbing up or down----but Nepal translates to the Himalayas so that’s what you do. (much is rock steps which can be difficult for some) The vistas make stopping often to rest a treasure,----it is beautiful---so beautiful. You are remote and everything is packed into the area---your meals come mainly from the gardens and are delicious! Kuman is willing to tailor the trip’s destination and length to your ability and time frame. He provides one with a most memorable experience, and you come away with a true appreciation of the country and people. He also arranged our stays in Katmandu and 3 days in the Chitwan National Park. You begin and end your trek in Pokhara and we recommend the Temple Tree Resort and the Moon Dance restaurant as a great way to end your trek. Thank you Kuman for making our adventure in Nepal so perfect!Namaste to Kuman and Lokenra,
I write as the expedition leader of a team of 6 (3 Canadians and 3 Americans) who recently traveled for 1 month in Nepal and Bhutan using the guiding and coordinating services of Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd., in particular Kuman and Lokendra. This was the second expedition which these gentlemen looked after us, the first being in 2010, another month long expedition which featured trekking through the Everest region, a jungle adventure in Chitwan and an extended whitewater rafting trip on the reverred Sun Kosiriver. Our October- November2013 trip featured trekking the Annapurna region, trekking for a week in Bhutan and whitewater rafting 2 rivers - the Kali Gandaki and the BhotoKosi rivers.
Needless to say, the care and expert attention provided by Kuman and Lokendra was exceptional. Every aspect of our trip was handled flawlessly and with good humor and insight of the Nepalese culture and traditions. Over the last 15 years, I have lead many trekking and rafting expeditions around the world and without any qualification I give the highest marks to both Kuman and Lokendra. Not only did we get full value for our money, but it was done with genuine TLC by both these wonderful gentlemen. Even when things went off track ( which in the 3rd world - in truly remote environments - can happen in technicolor - in this case a National Strike of workers) alternate arrangements were undertaken with ease and care - maintaining our schedule and achieving our expedition objectives.
I obviously think highly of Kuman and Lokendra and strongly recommend Happy Holidays as 'the go to' trekking/expedition/rafting company in Nepal.
In this regard, if you require further amplification of my comments I would be pleased to endorse this recommendation via email or telephone. Clearly, if Nepal offers a Tourism Award for best guides/guiding companies, Happy Holidays would be a first prize winner!Dear Kuman,
Happy New Year and Namaste. It has been more than a month since the Team Tim returned home from the experience of a lifetime—organized by you and your company. It was such an amazing trip with so many different aspects to it. We started our adventure in Nepal where you and I first met, then quickly off to Bhutan, and eventually back to Nepal and home. The trip you organized for us contained so many different elements--- hiking, rafting and learning about the cultural aspects of the two countries. It was an organizational nightmare, but everything ran so smoothly under your direction. Tim, Viv and I commented about how smooth the transition was between each activity and country. It really was one of our best adventures.
I was so impressed with the way in which the guides took such very good care of us. They were all so happy to teach us about Buddhism, their country and their politics. I thought it very special how you joined us on the trekking part of the trip. You also went that extra mile when we rafted in Nepal. You followed our route and met us at each stop along the way to feed us, take pictures, carry our “stuff”, or whatever else our team of 6 needed. We all became family ----Lakendra, you, and the 3 Canadian and 3 American travellers.
I know that you and Tim had thousands of emails between you as you planned this extensive trip. Tim you knew from his last trip. He was thrilled that you had opened your own office and that he was able to have you and Lakenda organize and guide the trip respectively.
I would be privileged to serve as a reference for you if a potential client requests it. You receive a five start rating from me.
Thanks again,