The trip will include:

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• Bird Watching across the country
• A visit to Taktshang Monastery(Tiger’s nest)
• A possible visit to the Festival
• A visit to the weekend market in Thimphu (Fri-Sat-Sun)
• A “welcome” meal on the first day
• A “farewell” meal on the penultimate evening
• An optional evening visit to “down town Thimphu” to enjoy in the bars, discotheques and see the Bhutanese live performances
• A traditional Bhutanese meal in a restaurant
• A lunch meal and hot stone bath in a Bhutanese farmhouse
• A visit to the famous sites such as fortresses, monasteries and museums.
• Exploring much deeper into central Bhutan.

Itinerary:

Day 1 – 2 Paro to Thimphu:

Arrive in the Paro Airport: Altitude: 2280m/ 7524ft above sea level. Your representative from Raven Tours and Treks will greet you, brief you about the trip and will take you to the capital city Thimphu where you will be staying. Altitude: 2320m/ 7656ft above sea level. (1 hr 30 min drive). Visit weekend market, Mini Zoo and Tashichoo Dzong, hike to Cheri Monastery, visit hand made paper factory, 13 Arts and Crafts institute, museums, see people playing archery, stroll around the city and a night in down town Thimphu…

We will also go for birding and Birds available are: Rufous-bellied Woodpecker,Brown Dippers, Rufous-breasted Accentors near a foot bridge festooned with prayer flags, a sharp White-collared Blackbird, Buff-barred, Blyth’s Leaf and Golden-spectacled Warblers, redstarts (Hodgson’s, Blue-fronted, Plumbeous and the gorgeous White-capped), Black-browed Tit, Green-tailed Sunbirds and Grey-backed Shrike, also a common bird. A mammalian highlight would be goat-like Common Gorals on the rocky hillside above the trail.

Day 3 – 4 Thimphu to Punakha: Altitude:1350m/4455ft above sea level. Driving along the highway to Dochula Pass(3140m) early in the morning at around 5:00am, you will bird east side of pass by walking the highway. Your first close views of beautiful rhododendrons in flower will be seen.

Birds availbe are:Timaliids, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, White-browed Fulvetta (will become a regular hereafter), Rufous-vented and Stripe-throated Yuhinas, Fire-tailed Myzornis beside the road.

Later visit,Punakha Dzong (fortress), Hike to Chimi Lhakhang.

Later you will drive further northwards along the Mo Chhu Valley and into the eastern side of the same Jigme Dorji National Park. Overnight at tents beside the river (1550-1670m) to a rough campsite beside the river.

Early morning you will bird upriver from the campsite in the national park and later bird down river.

Birds available are:Black Eagle, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Fork-tailed Swifts, Crested Kingfisher, Great and Golden-throated Barbets, Lesser Yellownape, Crimson-breasted Bay Woodpeckers, Black-winged Cuckooshrike, Brown Dippers, Chestnut-headed and Slaty-bellied Tesias, Verditer Flycatcher, White-bellied Heron.

Overnight in tents.

Day 5 – Punakha to Gangtey:Altitude: 2800m/ 9240ft above sea level.

Morning drive to Gangtey valley.

Birds available are: The sharp tricolor race of Long-tailled Shrike, Brown Parrotbill, Rufous-vented Tit and Russet Sparrow.

Day 6 – Gangtey to Trongsa:Altitude: 2200m (7260ft) above sea level. Morning visit the Gangtey Goemba, bird around the Gangtey and then drive to Trongsa(4 hours drive). Later visit Trongsa Dzong and the Museum.

Birds available are: Himalayan Monals, rhododendrons, Rosy Pipits, Dusky Thrushes, Alpine Accentor, Fire-tailed Sunbird, Rusty-flanked Treecreeper,15 Eurasian Nutcrackers, White-browed and Dark-breasted Rosefinches, Red-headed Bullfinch White-winged Grosbeaks.

Day 7 – 8 – 9 – Trongsa to Zhemgang:Shuttle for Tingtibi campsite on the famous Zhemgang road

Birds available are: Booted Eagle, Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Ashy Drongos, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, sparrowhawk, Rufous-necked Hornbills, Rufous Woodpecker, Hill Prinia, Blue-throated Flycatcher, White-throated and Himalayan Bulbuls, Crested Bunting, and Golden Langurs.

Later you will camp at around 800m around the farm houses.

Early morning you will drive above camp to about 1100 m, gradually birding back down to camp in the late afternoon.

Birds available are: Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike, Ashy Bulbuls, Grey-throated Babbler, Black-throated Sunbird and Fire-breasted Flowerpecker, Wren-Babbler, Blue-naped Pitta, White-browed Scimitar-Babbler, Sultan Tits, Collared Owlet, Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Black Giant Squirrels.

Today you will drive up road 1.5 hrs to good forest above Zhemgang at 1775m. Bird north along road through varying altitudes (as low as 1040m) to an improvised roadside campsite at around 1800m

Birds available are: Oriental and Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Striated Bulbul, Grey-sided Bush-Warbler, Rufous-bellied Niltalva, Little Pied Flycatcher, Black-throated Tit and Crimson Sunbird, Red-faced Liocichla.

Day 10 – Zhemgang to Trongsa.Early morning you will walk and drive across the road birding and back to Trongsa arriving there in the late afternoon.

Birds available are: Asian Emerald and Eurasian Cuckoos, Nepal Martins, Fork-tailed and House Swifts, Golden-fronted Leafbird, Dusky and Brownish-flanked Bush-Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Little Buntings and Grey Bushchats.

Day 11 – Trongsa to Thimphu Morning drive from Trongsa to Thimphu(6 hours drive)

Day 12 -13 – Thimphu to Paro. Morning drive from Paro valley(2 hours drive). Visit, Rimpung Dzong, Ta Dzong(Museum), Kichu Lhakhang, Hike to Tiger’s Nest and visit the Farm House.

Day 14 – Depart from Bhutan: Morning /Afternoon, transfer to airport for onward travel. Your representative from Raven Tours and Treks will help you out with exit formalities.

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Hardly any other destination on earth can match the huge offer and variety of rafting and kayaking of Bhutan. Whatever you are looking for, short and easy rafting experiences for beginners or mad adventures for real freaks, you will find the right river for your desire in Bhutan. Besides one day trips Bhutanese rafting and kayaking agents also organize white water fascination in expedition style, combining several of the rivers/sections mentioned below!

“We are providing some very brief and useful information on rafting and Kayaking in Bhutan. We can always include this adventures in your trip and if you would like us to arrange one for you, kindly contact us by clicking on the link provided below.”

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Best Times:

Best times for River Rafting and Kayaking in Bhutan is March to April and November to December. River water levels in the months May to October will be high. During these times, many of the rivers mentioned here would not be feasible. Water levels in the winter months, January to February, will be low. This means that some of the rivers will no longer be feasible to run again.
All references to water levels are estimated and in cubic feet per second (CFS).

Safety:

Bhutanese Rafting and Kayaking Guides are well trained and will do everything to ensure that you will enjoy your adventures without taking risks. All the rivers and sections have been surveyed and described by the North Carolinian adventure agency “Need More Adventures”, who is still organizing rafting trips to Bhutan.

Rafting in Central Part of Bhutan(The Phu Chhu River):

Location: Paro Valley, Western Bhutan
From/To: Mitshi Zam – Satsam Chorten
Length: Approximately 10 km, 3 hours
Difficulty: Class III – IV
Flow: About 500 cfs Mar/Apr, Nov/Dec. High water will make this much more difficult and is not recommended.
Craft: Due to the very narrow and steep rapids Kayaks recommended only.
Description: From Mitshi Zam, at the footbridge, the river is small and shallow with several class III and IV rapids that are formed where the river constricts. When the dirt road leaves the river, near Drukgyel Dzong, the river drops into Foot Freezer Gorge, a continuous class IV boulder choke about one kilometer long. After the gorge, the river opens up into class II for the rest of the way to the footbridge Satsam Chorten.

Lower Paro Chhu:
Location: Paro Valley, Western Bhutan
From/To: South of Paro – Chuzom (confluence with the Thimphu Chhu)
Length: 7 km, 1 hour
Difficulty: Class II – III, with one V
Flow: Approximately 500 cfs.
Craft: Kayaks only as the river is too small for a raft to be enjoyable.
Description: The lower Paro Chhu river is a good stretch for beginner/intermediate kayakers, there are plenty of small, boulder rapids and wave trains. There is one class IV -V boulder choke, about 3 km from the put in, which can be run on the left and scouted from the right. After this, the river enters a short, scenic canyon with more class II – III rapids. Take out at the road bridge at Chuzom, or for the more experienced kayakers, head down the Wang Chhu.

Upper Pho Chhu
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: Wangthangka (a two-hour trek from the end of the road) – Samdingkha.
Length: Approximately 7 km, 2 hours with scouting Difficulty: Class III-IV
Flow: 2000 -3000 cfs Mar/Apr, Oct/Nov. High water in this section will make this run very difficult.
Craft: Kayaks and Rafts
Description: The upper Pho Chhu (Pho Chhu means “Male River”) is a great paddle through an open valley, and well worth the walking time. There are a few good class IV rapids at the top, full of big boulders and big water moves. There is a good put in, just above the footbridge at Wangthangkha. Immediately below the put in, the first class IV rapid can be scouted from the left. After this, go around the comer and under the footbridge and scout the next class IV from the left. From here, most of the rapids are boat scoutable as the river eases up a bit, and there are lots of big, bouncy class III rapids and a few boulder gardens. Take out at the footbridge at Samdinkha, or continue another 7 km down to Punakha.

Lower Pho Chhu:
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: Samdingkha – Punakha (directly below the Mo Chhu confluence)
Length: 7km, 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Class III with one IV at the bottom
Flow: 2000 -3000 cfs Mar/Apr, Oct/Nov. Should be runnable at high water.
Craft: Kayaks and Rafts
Description: The lower Pho Chhu (Pho Chhu means “Male River”) is much easier than the upper section, with plenty of class III and a good class IV finale. This is currently the most popular rafting tour, since it is not too difficult and a beautiful half-day raft trip. From Samdingkha, the river meanders through a wide-open valley, full of rice fields and farmhouses. About 4 kilometers down is Strainers Paradise, a class III boulder choke. From here, there are some nice wave trains until the grand finale. Right below Bhutan’s longest foot bridge is Wrathful Buddha, a class IV. Take out is right after the confluence with Mo Chhu, next to the impressive Punakha Dzong.

Mo Chhu – Tashitang Devil’s Gorge Section
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: Tashitang (end of the road, about 2-hour’s drive from Punakha) – Punkha Dzong (directly below the Pho Chhu confluence)
Length: 12 km, 5 -7 hours with scouting
Difficulty: Class V
Flow: 1000 cfs, Feb/Dec. Higher than medium flows will make this run dangerous. A high water run is not recommended.
Craft: Kayaks only, this is much too difficult and steep for a raft.
Description: The upper Mo Chhu (Mo Chhu means “Female River”) from Tashitang has lots of class V, with a gradient of about 300 feet per mile. There is a short stretch of flat water about six kilometers down, the end of which marks the start of the Devil’s Gorge, a step up from the whitewater above. There is little access to the road, so paddlers attempting this section of river should be ready to commit to the whole thing. For those, not wanting to bite off such a big chunk of hard whitewater, check out the alternative put in for the upper stretch, described below (Mo Chhu – Upper Run).

Mo Chhu – Upper Run
Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
From/To: 14 km above Punakha – Sonam’s Put In
Length: 3 km, 1.5 hours with scouting
Difficulty: Class IV -V
Flow: 1500 – 2000 cfs, Mar/Apr, Nov/Dec
Craft: Kayaks only, too difficult for a raft.
Description: From this put in the gradient reduces slightly, although the rapids are still continuous class IV with several class Vs which may need scouting. At the put in, the first rapid, Whiplash, can be scouted from river left. After Whiplash, the river continues to drop away in horizon line after horizon line. After about two kilometers, there is a short piece of flat water, recognizable because it is the only flat water on this section. This marks the start of a long, two-part class V rapid called Paula Jones. About one kilometer of class IV remains after Paula Jones, and the section ends with Baba Raj, a class IV that can be scouted from the left. Take out here, or continue down- stream.

The trip will include:

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• A visit to Taktshang Monastery(Tiger’s nest)
• Bicycling through some of the awesome places in Bhutan
• A visit to the weekend market in Thimphu (Fri-Sat-Sun)
• A “welcome” meal on the first day
• A “farewell” meal on the penultimate evening
• An optional evening visit to “down town Thimphu” to enjoy in the bars, discotheques and see the Bhutanese live performances
• A traditional Bhutanese meal in a restaurant
• A lunch meal and hot stone bath in a Bhutanese farmhouse
• A visit to the famous sites such as fortresses, monasteries and museums.
• Exploring much deeper into central Bhutan.

Itinerary:

Day 1:

Arrive from Bangkok, afternoon visit to Paro Museum and Dzong..

Day 2:

Transfer to Thimphu, In Thimphu ride from- Pangri Zampa (28km roundtrip) Town Square 2350m – Dechenchholing, 2420m (8km) – Pangri Zampa – Taba Top (6km forest/ dirt road) Return 60% downhill…

Day 3:

Ride to Dochula and continue to Punakha.

Day 4:

In Punakha ride from Khuruthang – Tashithang (62km roundtrip) Start at Khuruthang town 1240m -Punakha Dzong 1250m (4km) – Phuntsho Pelri (5km) -Yebesa (3km) Rimchu (9km)-Tashithang 1840m (10km/ dirt road) Tashithang is along the Mo Chu.

Day 5:

In Wangdue ride from- Wangdue Phodrang – Phobjikha (64km oneway) Start in Wangdue town 1315m -Chhuzomsa 1410m (8km) – Tikke Zampa 1490(4km) Nobding 2640m (27km) and back

Day 6:

Ride from Punakha to Thimphu..

Day 7:

Transfer to airport for onward travel.

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1. Hotel Sonam Trophel(3 STAR HOTEL): Sonam Trophel Hotel symbolizes the traditional grandeur and hospitality of the historic capital of Bhutan , the first and foremost of Paro’s restaurant and the flagship of the Sonam Trophel since 1994.

The hotel is ideally located in the heart of the city. Sonam Trophel is a familiar and distinctive landmark, a traditional wooden architect & paintings apart from the glass and concrete conformity of other hotels. Sonam Trophel Hotel offers modern comforts to its guests at a price they can easily afford. International airports in Paro is located at a distance of 5 km. respectively while the city bus station lies at just opposite from hotel.

Contact Address:
Telephone:-
00975-8-275555 /274444
Fax :-00975-8-272978
GSM # 00975 – 17644138

2. Hotel Tandiling(3 STAR HOTEL): Tandinling Resort is located in Shomu village, 15 minutes drive north of Paro town. 36 rooms are located in 8 cottages with two rooms in each cottage. All cottages are built with village atmosphere but with ultra modern fittings and furnishing for comfort. All individual room have separate living room with twin bed, each are large bed that can also be joined for extra large king bed. The cottages surround an open air sitting area. The restaurant, bar and reception are also housed in a single storied main building.

Contact Address: Tele: 00975-8-272855
Fax: 00975-8-242074

3. Uma Resort(Luxurious)Uma Paro is a 29-room hotel offering five-star comfort and singular style in the wildly beautiful Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Dedicated to Uma’s understated philosophy of quiet comfort in inspiring, culture-rich locations the inland retreat is also a place for adventure, where the landscape and people won’t fail to uplift you.

Contact Address:
Tel: + 975 8 271597
Fax: + 975 8 271513

4. Aman Kora(Luxurious): Combining aman, Sanskrit for peace, with kora or circular pilgrimage in Dzongkha, the Bhutanese language, Amankora is a series of lodges in Bhutan’s central and western valleys. A journey of discovery beneath the peaceful presence of soaring Himalayan peaks, Amankora’s lodge locations have been designed to offer travelers the opportunity to experience in comfort Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage and remarkable topography. It is located in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang.
Contact Address:
Telephone: 00975-8-27281
Fax: 00975-8-271799

5. Hotel Zhiwaling(Luxurious): The 45-room Zhiwaling combines the sensibilities f a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of 21st Century technology. Envisioned and created by a local Bhutanese company, the hotel’s elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework coexist beautifully with cutting-edge telecommunication systems and Swedish under-floor heating.

The spa offers all the amenities of a modern fitness center – sauna, steam room, gym – as well as a traditional Bhutanese outdoor hot-stone bath. There is a Business Center, and a Tea House, two fully-equipped conference rooms and a Meditation House. One restaurant specializes in contemporary international cuisine, the other classic Bhutanese dishes. And everyone gathers at the Mad Monk Bar for after-hours fun.

Honoring the spiritual heritage of this ancient Buddhist kingdom, a temple has been built into the second floor of the hotel, made with 450-year-old timbers from the famous Gangtey Monastery, the crowning glory of this new ten-acre cultural landmark

Contact Address:
Tele: 00975-8-271277
Fax: 00975-8-271456