Thoughts on an itinerary?

Hi!

My friends and I are considering two different itineraries for a 12 day trip this October. We do know that we need to book through a tour operator and are talking with a few right now.

Unfortunately, we aren%26#39;t able to make it for one of the festivals. We enjoy trekking and plan to do the Druk Path and several day hikes. One of our possible itineraries takes us to Bumthang; the other doesn%26#39;t. Is it worth the long drive (and is there a better way to break it up -e.g. visiting Phobjikha Valley on the way back)? Has anyone been to the Gasa Hot Springs? Any comments/thoughts on our itineraries are much appreciated!

First option:

Day 1: Fly BKK to Paro. Sightseeing in Paro.

Day 2: Paro, hike to Tiger%26#39;s Nest

Days 3-6: Druk Path trek.

Day 7: Thimpu. It will be a Sunday so hopefully the market will be open.

Day 8: Drive to Punakha, spend the night there

Day 9: Drive to the Phobjikha Valley, see the cranes if they are nesting, do some hiking

Days 10-11: Jakar

Day 12: Drive back to Thimpu - this would be a very long drive, right?

Day 13: Leave early morning from Paro

Second option - do the Gasa Hot Springs trek but do not go to Bumthang Valley

Days 1-7, same as above.

Day 8-10: Gasa Hot Springs trek (can this be done in 3 days?)

Days 11: Phobjikha Valley

Day 12: Thimpu or Paro

Day 13: Leave early morning from Paro.

Thoughts on an itinerary?

The drive to Bumthang is long but beautiful. You can break it up by visiting Trongsa or Phobjikha (during the right time of year).

I actually switch your itinerary around a bit. Tiger%26#39;s Nest is very steep and I would suggest doing it at the end of your trip once you are used to the altitude in Bhutan.

Thoughts on an itinerary?

I%26#39;ll second the comment on Tiger%26#39;s Nest. You will feel the altitude in a bad way that first full day. It is doable, but probably more enjoyable if you leave it until the end of your trip.

Hi,

definately do the Tigers Nest at the end of your trip, unless you live at high altitude.

Bumthang (Jakar) is beautiful so is the very long drive there. There are several monasteries, a dzong and other things to visit.

We did a two night hike there, the Bumthang Trek over the Phephe La (Pass) 3360m. While you weren%26#39;t above the bushline, the senery was just lovely. Especially as you walk through little villages. And as everywhere the people are gorgeous. The end of the trip took us to Ugyen Choling Palace, a museum now. Very interesting. The lady who used to live there has written a book on Bhutanese food and culture.

When in Bhutan, try the Bhutanese food. It%26#39;s delicious, rather then the European food.

We found it difficult to pay with credit card anywhere, so take plenty of US Dollar. You can pay with US just about everywhere. The arts and crafts are great. If you love fabric wait until you come to the Bumthang region.

This was supposed to be a quick note.....but by me rambling on you can see I fell in love with the country.

Enjoy your trip, I know you will and I don%26#39;t think it matters really who you go with. All the people are great there.

We went with Explore Bhutan. Just fabulous!

Enjoy, I envy you.

Anne from New Zealand