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A Day Hike Or Overnight Camp in Thimphu
Sonam Dendup • May 18, 2020
Through out the trek, its a panoramic view of Himalayas
Either Day-Hike or Over Night Camp with a moderate Bhutan Tour Activities through the Jigme Dorji National Park with a 360 Degree view of snow capped Himalayan Bhutan Mountains.
At around 5 o’clock in the evening, as I descended from Sinchula Pass (3,315masl between Thimphu and Punakha) with my team, some of whom were exhausted from walking the whole day, some from knee and ankle disorientation from the downhill descend, some still in high spirits way ahead, when suddenly in front of us on the black topped road stood a white colored monster on four wheels ready to take us back home. Surprisingly the day ended without the need to walk in the dark, without using phone or torch lights and without getting off track or ‘lost’ as me and my team are almost habituated with for every hiking trail we explored in the past. As the day ended with great success and well on time, deep in me I felt the curse was finally broken.
We are Bhutan Swallowtail’s usual R&D team exploring new trails, hikes, overnight camping and trekking adventure in Bhutan. This time we were 8 men and 1 woman, with packed lunches on our back and all the men wearing big knives around the waist in the traditional style to clear the bushes lest we lose our way and end up bush walking as we usually used to before.
We started from Dochula Pass (3,116 masl) which is about thirty minutes drive from Thimphu. The pass itself is a land mark and an attraction with the 108 stupas perched on a hill top with panoramic view of various Himalayan snow-capped mountains of Bhutan like the Gangkar puensum, Table Mountain, Gangchen Tag and many more.
From Dochula it is about 16.7 Km walk along the mountain ridges till Sinchula Pass with the view of Punakha on one side, Thimphu valley on the other and an almost 360 degree view of snowcapped mountains all the way. The trail leads through the Jigme Dorji National Park, the second largest park of Bhutan and is adorned with numerous species of the beautiful Rhododendron flowers. Among 36 mammals are recorded with the common sighting of the Red Panda, Snow Leopards and even the Bengal Tigers sharing the habitat. The highlight of the Trail is the 360 degree view of the snowcapped Himalayan ranges accompanying all the way till the descend from the Sinchula Pass into Kabesa village in north Thimphu.
Through this undisturbed tropical, sub-tropical and Alpine regions of virgin forests, waterfalls and lakes, highland nomadic villages, undisturbed nature and views of the Greater Himalayas and Snow Capped Peaks, Bhutan offers some of the best trekking experiences all year round.
The view from there is the panoramic sight of almost all the tallest Himalayan Mountain of Bhutan like majestic Gangkar Puensum, formidable Table Mountain and Tiger Mountain. As it is located at the top, the view of the Himalayan ranges is better than anywhere in the area, even as compared to famous Dochula Pass.
For Bhutanese, Gross National Happiness means a good government that creates an enabling environment for people to pursue happiness in a meaningful way. The result is a country at peace with itself, and people at peace with themselves!
To Experience True Zhemgang
The Healing Power of Nature
Bird Watching in the Hotspot of Oldest National Park
The Crown Jewel of Bhutan's National Parks
Trong Village - To Promote Eco-Tourism in Zhemgang
Clinging on a huge rock towards the north end of the Tang valley lies the Thowa Drak Hermitage just like the famed Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro. From the valley or road point it is a stiff 3 hours hike uphill through the serene and peaceful forest. Sweeping views of the Tang valley and the landscape can be enjoyed along the way with a bird’s eye view from the main site.
A quick visit to the Swiss Cheese Factory and Brewery is a refreshing alternative after visiting many temples and religious sites in the Bumthang valley. The Factory was started in the late 1960’s by a Swiss national Mr Fritz Maurer who visited Bhutan and settled in Bumthang.