Haa Valley Jaunt -7 days

“Haa Valley” was only recently opened to tourism and has remained beautifully quaint and untainted by the influences of modern development.  Experience Bhutanese hospitality at the beautifully restored Lechuna Heritage Lodge, engage in a variety of hikes that range from easy to moderate, or bike around the valley or riverside in this quiet location.  Our experienced guides lead guests through the Haa and Paro Valleys on day walks, incorporating Taktsang ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery, and a wild hike to Kila Nunnery, between the two valleys

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HAA VALLEY JAUNT

This feature ‘Haa Valley Jaunt’ explores one of the least visited areas of Bhutan, the unspoilt Haa Valley. This tour also visits significant historical and sacred sites in the western valleys of Paro and Thimphu.

• Explore the unspolit Haa Valley with its beautiful walking and biking trails.
• Take in the sweeping views from Chele La Pass including the sacred Mt Jhomolhari
• Experience Bhutan’s unique culture up-close with farmhouse visits and village excursions.
• Spend time Marvelling at the ancient wall paintings and carvings in Dzongs and temples.
• Discover some of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples in the Himalaya.
• Traverse beautiful landscapes from lush valleys to dense forests.
• Visit many cultural attractions including medieval fortresses (Dzongs), markets and museums.
• Hike up to the famous Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliff 900m above the valley floor.
• Incorporate a Value-Added Option such as a cooking lesson or meditation session with a monk.

Haa Valley jaunt detailed itinerary

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO – THIMPHU
DAY 02: THIMPHU
DAY 03: THIMPHU – HAA
DAY 04: HAA
DAY 05: HAA – PARO
DAY 06: PARO
DAY 07: DEPART PARO

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO – THIMPHU
Our  representative will receive you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.  Your first activity begins a visit to Kyichu temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan (7th C) with a purification ceremony to bring you good luck.  Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 h).  Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 02: THIMPHU
Begin your day with a drive to the viewpoint at the Big Buddha Statue. The park here has several walking trails which range from leisurely to moderate. Other places of interest are the National Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Temple (12C), Folk Heritage Museum, School of Arts & Crafts.

Afternoon visit weekend market (open Friday to Sunday). Additionally, visit the Takin pen and Trashichhodzong. Free time in the evening to stroll through Thimphu town.

If time permits, we can drive up to Dochu La pass (3,100m) where we can circumambulate the 108 stupas and, if the weather is clear, enjoy an incredible view of Himalayan peaks. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

DAY 03: THIMPHU – HAA
Depart for Haa, the westernmost valley in Bhutan. This is a beautiful drive (3.5h) that is relatively free of traffic. The road takes us back to Chuzom (river confluence) where we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward off evil spirits, and then traverses left past Dobje Dzong, an ancient prison which now houses a monastery. Picturesque and quaint villages dot the hillsides for the rest of our drive to Haa. Overnight at Lechuna Heritage Lodge (if rooms are available) or at hotel in Haa.

DAY 04: HAA
Haa remains one of the least visited areas in the country and retains the air of an unspoiled, primeval forest. This valley only opened to foreigners in 2002due to its proximity to the border with Sikkim and Tibet. This unspoilt valley harks back to a simpler, more traditional time, and its wooded hills give us an ideal setting for hiking and mountain biking. There are several pleasant walking trails in Haa and biking on the virtually traffic free valley to visit local areas of interest and village homes is an enjoyable way to spend the day. Overnight at Lechuna Heritage Lodge (if rooms are available) or at hotel in Haa.

DAY 05: HAA – PARO
Chele La Pass and hike to Kila Nunnery (optional bike descents). Start early for the drive to Chele La Pass which (3,988m) from which on a clear day the view sweeps away to Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari(7314m). Striding out along the Edelweiss covered ridge, we pass a sky burial site. We then descend for the two-hour hike through dense rhodendron forest, possibly sighting shaggy yaks, to Kila Goemba, an ancient nunnery nestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside below. KilaGoemba is a serene retreat for 32 Anims (Buddhist nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer and meditation. An hour’s descent from the monastery and we are back at the road where we can saddle up on a mountain bike and freewheel down to Paro Valley.

Difficulty: Moderate. Picnic lunch. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

DAY 06: PARO
After breakfast we hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 2 hours uphill takes us to Taktsang Monastery. Built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor, the monastery is a spectacular sight. It is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. Legend has it that the great Guru Rimpoche flew here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments.

In the afternoon, we drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against marauding Tibetans in 1644. On the return drive to Paro, we can visit other remote monasteries in the valley.

Difficulty: Moderate to Hard. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

DAY 07: DEPART PARO
Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.