Juniper Trek (2nights/3days)
[spoiler title=’Day1: Paro – Chele la – Pangkala. (Distance 05–06 hours, 4150m) ‘]
A heaven for botanists and flower enthusiasts, the Juniper trek offers beautiful views of the Paro & Haa valley along the route. We will also get an opportunity to come across abundant wild flowers including the ‘National Flower of Bhutan’ The Blue Poppy. Some of the flowers you will see along the way include the: Iris, Blue & Yellow Poppies, primulas, Alpine Roses, potentilas, Alpine Aster, Rhododendrons etc. We will also get to see the Himalayan Monals, Pheasants etc.
We will start early from our hotel to reach the starting point of our trek at the Chele-la (3980m). The drive from your hotel to the Chele-la pass takes about an hour (34Kms). The pass is supposed to be the highest motorable pass in the country. Upon reaching the pass, we will meet with our trekking team.
Depending on the weather, we can get glimpse of the Mt. Jumolhari.
A few minutes’ walk along the Chelela ridge will take us to a Yak Herder’s camp. From there on, we walk downhill and cross the Dzonglela (3565m), a short climb further up will take us to our campsite.
Overnight at Pangkala campsite.
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[spoiler title=’Day 2: Pangkala – Tsendula. (Distance 4 – 5 hours, 3775m) ‘]
Explore the meadow of Pangkala for a while before we begin our journey to our next campsite at Tsendula. We pass along the forsaken ancient trade route between Paro & Haa valley, the Donglela pass (3565m). This pass used to be the highway between the two valleys with a huge traffic of mules & people, not so long ago. The route is also an excellent place to sight the monal pheasants.
Overnight at Tsendula campsite.
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[spoiler title=’Day 03: Tsendula – Thimphu (Distance 5-6 hours, 2300m) ‘]
It is worth rising up early in the morning to see the sun rise over the eastern Himalayan mountains, and then to see the monal pheasants around or to experience the solitude of this heaven like place on earth.
After breakfast, we will start our trip occasionally passing by beautiful meadows that are being used by the yak herders to keep their yaks in winter. The trail then traverses for sometime before you make your way up through the thick alpine forest of firs, rhododendrons and junipers to the ending point of our trek at the village of Dawakha.
At the road head, you will be met by your driver & vehicle who will take you to Thimphu.
Overnight at hotel Thimphu.
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Tashi Delek.