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Chelela Pass Excursion
Sonam Dendup • May 29, 2020
The Hike at 3988 m above sea level
Bhutan is located in the interior Himalayas with steep high rise mountains, therefore there are numerous mountain passes that divide the valleys and a visit to Bhutan is not complete without crossing over these passes either on foot (while trekking) or by vehicle (for a usual cultural tour). One such pass is the Chelela Pass at about 3,988 meters (13,083 ft) located between the Paro and Haa valleys and is also the highest motor-able pass in Bhutan.
The Pass is a little more than an hours drive from the Paro valley through the dense spruce and larch forest and depending on the season you will see various types of flowers like the Rhododendron and the occasional Yaks freely grazing in the meadows along the way. There are many interesting things to see and do at the Pass so a full day excursion with a picnic lunch is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the peace and serene environment with a few short hikes.
The Blue Poppy (national Flower of Bhutan) along with different types of Rhododendron and high altitude flowers are grown nearby the Pass. From the road, it is another one-hour hike till the top of the Pass from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Paro and Haa valleys on either side, mountain ranges like the Mt Jomolhari, Mt Jichu Drakey and other snow capped Himalayan mountains.
There are colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind all the way from the road till the top of the Pass and you can also hoist your own prayer flags assisted by your tour guide. As per your birth year, an astrologer will consult the Divination Charts and accordingly you can purchase the appropriate prayer flags that most benefit and protect you.
Another 1 hour hike downhill from the Pass will lead to the Kila Goemba Nunnery, one of the oldest nunneries in Bhutan. While most of the nuns live in self imposed isolation, however the nunnery is looked after by the nuns so you can definitely meet and interact with them. Few of the nuns may speak English so you can exchange stories and also learn about their spiritual lives. This nunnery is least visited by tourists and it will be an off the beaten path experience for you.
For the adventurous travelers cycling or biking from Paro to the Pass is an exhilarating experience instead of driving. The highway does not have much traffic as there is an alternate highway from the other side of the valley, so one can enjoy the ride along the lush green landscape.
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!
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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.