Mount Chomolhari & Lingshi, Bhutan New for 2021 Group departures See overleaf for departure dates Holiday overview Style Trek Accommodation Hotels, Camping Grade Vigorous / Strenuous Duration 17 days from London to London Trekking / Walking days On trek: 9 days, Walks on: 1 day Min/Max group size 4 / 12. Guaranteed to run for 4 Trip Leader Local Leader Bhutan Land only Joining in Kathmandu, Nepal Max altitude 4,930m/16,175ft, Yeli La, Day 11 Private Departures & Tailor Made itineraries available tel: +44 (0)1453 844400 fax: +44 (0)1453 844422 [email protected] www.mountainkingdoms.com Mountain Kingdoms Ltd, 20 Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire GL12 7BT UK Managing Director: Steven Berry. Registered in England No. 2118433. VAT No. 496 6511 08 Last updated: 10 March 2021 Departures 2021 Dates: Sat 01 May – Sun 16 May Fri 08 Oct – Sun 24 Oct With Chomolhari Mountain Festival 2022 Dates: Sat 30 Apr – Sun 15 May Sat 08 Oct – Mon 24 Oct With Chomolhari Mountain Festival Will the trip run? This trip is guaranteed to run for 4 people and for a maximum of 12. In the rare event that we cancel a holiday, we will refund you in full and give you at least 6 weeks warning. Many trips do fill up quickly – we advise you to book early if you want to secure a place(s) on the dates of your choice. Group prices and optional supplements Please contact us on +44 (0)1453 844400 or visit our website for our land only and flight inclusive prices and single supplement options. No Surcharge Guarantee The flight inclusive or land only price will be confirmed to you at the time you make your booking. There will be no surcharges after your booking has been confirmed. Insurance We offer a travel insurance scheme - please contact us for details. Private Departures We can also offer this trip as a private holiday. A Private Departure follows exactly the same itinerary as the group departure but at dates to suit you (subject to availability) - please contact us with your preferred dates. Tailor Made service We pride ourselves on the level of quality and choice we provide for our clients who want a fully tailor made holiday. A holiday will be created especially for you by one of our well-travelled experts. They will be able to advise on the accommodation best suited to your needs, the sights you should visit (and those to avoid!) and the best walks and activities matched to your ability. In short, we will work together with you to create your perfect holiday. If you would like to explore the idea of a Tailor Made holiday with Mountain Kingdoms then please call us on +44 (0)1453 844400 or see the Tailor Made pages of our website for further inspiration. Bookings and information: 01453 844400 P a g e | 2 [email protected] / www.mountainkingdoms.com Your guide You will have an English-speaking Bhutanese guide to lead your trip. Mountain Kingdoms have been working with the same partner in Bhutan since 1986 and their guides are some of the best in the Kingdom. They speak good English, as this is taught in all Bhutanese schools, and are fully qualified guides. The Tourism Authority of Bhutan insists that a Bhutanese trek or tour leader must pass his/her guiding exams in Thimphu before accompanying groups of foreign visitors. Guides receive regular ‘top-up’ training and 15 of our regular leaders have completed an extended training course run by Mountain Kingdoms in Bhutan. Bookings and information: 01453 844400 P a g e | 3 [email protected] / www.mountainkingdoms.com Your trip highlights A fully supported, well-paced trek with excellent acclimatisation Trek to the base Camp of Mount Chomolhari and return via the high pass of the Yeli La Walk to the Tiger's Nest Monastery before the trek and explore some of the key cultural sights of Paro Join the celebrations at the Chomolhari Mountain Festival (October departure) Enjoy sightseeing in the country’s fascinating capital, Thimphu Experience first-rate camping facilities on trek and good quality hotels in Bhutan and Kathmandu At a glance itinerary Days 1-3 Arrive Kathmandu. Fly to Paro in Bhutan. Day 4 Sightseeing Paro Valley. Trek to Taktsang - 5-6 hours. Day 5 Trek and drive from Paro to Shana. Days 6-7 Trek to Soi Thangthanka. Trek to Chomolhari Base Camp (Jangothang). Day 8 Rest and acclimatisation day. October departure attends the Chomolhari Mountain Festival. Day 9 Trek to Lingshi Day 10 Trek to Jimthang just before reaching the Yeli La. Day 11 Cross Yeli La and trek to Shodu Day 12 Trek to Barshong Gompa and continue to Domshesha. Day 13 Trek to road head and drive to Thimphu. At leisure in Thimphu. Day 14 Sightseeing in Thimphu. Drive to Paro. Days 15-17 Fly to Kathmandu. At leisure. Overnight flight to London. Trip summary This magnificent circuit trek, takes you deep into the heart of some of Bhutan’s most spectacular Himalayan scenery, to the foot of the second highest mountain in the Thunder Dragon Kingdom and far beyond. The trek in to Mount Chomolhari’s base camp at Jangothang traverses beautiful and varied country, starting in the cultivated fields and villages of the upper Paro valley, and climbing through the pristine, indigenous forest of the Paro Chu Valley to the remote high mountain landscapes inhabited only by yak herders. You will have a full day at Chomolhari Base Camp with time to acclimatise and explore the mountain’s glacier and the scenic area above the camp. You then trek further into the mountains, along pristine trails to cross the Nyelela Pass and reach the remote village of Lingshi. From Lingshi you trek out via the Yale La Pass, the highest point of your trek and through more wild and beautiful countryside to reach the road head, before driving to Thimphu. As well as fabulous scenery along your trek there are good opportunities to see wildlife, large herds of blue sheep, eagles soaring on the thermals and, if you are extremely lucky, that the most elusive of mountain creatures, the snow leopard, or at least its footprints! You may also visit local farmhouses or the tents of yak herders for a privileged glimpse into rural Bhutanese life. In addition to some superb trekking you will also enjoy some of Bhutan’s key cultural sights, including the walk up to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, known as the Tiger’s Nest, and a day of sightseeing in the capital Thimphu, famed for its many artisan workshops. The autumn departure may also visit the Chomolhari Mountain Festival which celebrates the culture, wildlife and natural beauty of the region (please note that the festival dates are only provisional at present). Bookings and information: 01453 844400 P a g e | 4 [email protected] / www.mountainkingdoms.com Your trip itinerary Day 1: Depart London. Depart London on your overnight flight to Kathmandu. Overnight: In flight Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. You might like to venture out to Thamel for your evening meal, or eat in the restaurant if you are tired from your journey. Overnight: Shangri La Hotel, Kathmandu Day 3: Fly to Paro. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Paro. On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns, to land at the tiny airstrip at Paro. You are at the mercy of the Druk air-ticketing computer, but if there is an option, try to sit on the left-hand side of the plane. In Paro you will be transferred to your hotel. There may be time for a wander around the streets of the small township of Paro, take a look at the Queen Mother's Winter Palace and go for a walk up to look at the Dzong. Overnight: Hotel Olathang or Similar, Paro (Meals: BLD) Day 4: Sightseeing Paro Valley. Trek to Taktsang - 5-6 hours. Today you visit the Paro Valley, site of the famous Tiger's nest, the Taktsang Monastery, which is perched some 600m/2,000ft up on a cliff overlooking the valley. Taktsang was said to be where the legendary Indian saint Guru Padma Sambhava flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. There may also be time today to see some of the treasures from Bhutan's National Museum. The museum was closed following the earthquake in 2011, but many of the artefacts and displays will be temporarily housed in a nearby building until renovation is completed. There will also be a chance to wander around the small township of Paro itself and to visit the market. Overnight: Hotel Olathang or Similar, Paro (Meals: BLD) Day 5: Trek and drive from Paro to Shana, 2,788m/9,148ft - 5-6 hours. You leave the hotel and walk up a hill to a village. You continue trekking along forested ridges until you reach Kyichu. You will visit the ancient temple of Kyichu Lhakang, one of the oldest in Bhutan, which was one of 108 temples built by Songtsen Gampo, an important early Tibetan king, to pin down the Bon demon that was thought to hover over the whole of Tibet. From here it's an hour's drive to Gunitsawa from where it is a short walk through the army base to cross the river on a small bridge and walk upstream to camp at Shana.