Through The Rivers
6 Nights 7 Days
Tour Facts
Duration: 6 Nights 7 Days
Season: Year Round
Tour Starts: Paro
Tour Ends: Paro
Group Size: Any
Package Includes
Accommodation: Twin Sharing / 3 Stars Hotels
Meal Plan: All the meals
Transport: Very Comfortable Transport (SUV/Mini Bus/Coaster Bus)
Guide: Professional English Speaking
Visa / Permits: Bhutan Visa & All Permits
Sightseeing: Extensive Sightseeing & Touring
Entrance fees: All Historic Monuments
Tax: Government Royalties And Taxes
Package Excludes
Airfare
Laundry
Privates call
Beverages or Drinks
Insurance for travel and other contingencies.
Bank Charges
Single room supplement charges of US $ 40 per night halt per person will apply for any single room requirement.Festival Dates
Experience the fascination of getting into the Himalayan Kingdom’s clean and pristine rivers, which can sometimes be rough. Feel the energy of the glacial formed rivers as you raft and kayak along and against the currents of some of the world’s least explored rivers.
Tour Highlights
- ParoIn Paro valley, we see the castle-fortress at Rinpung, the ruins of the “Victory Fortress at Drugyel”, the National Museum, and the 7th century temple complex at Kurje. The highlight is the hike to Taktshang monastery (Tiger’s Lair), an edifice on a sheer cliff wall 800 meters above the valley floor, worshipped in the entire Himalayan Buddhist world.
- ThimphuIn Thimphu, we visit the magnificent castle-fortress at Tashi Chho Dzong, the seat of power which also houses the palace of the King. Then we go to other places of interest like the Memorial Stupa, traditional paper factory, Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Academy, Handicraft Emporium, the site of the world’s biggest Buddha statue.
- Bhutanese CultureStroll around town and see Bhutanese culture by observing people, dress, language, customs, art and craft, etc.
Detail Itinerary
Days Description
- 1 Arrival at ParoIn one of the best flights you would have experienced, you will see the spectacular beauties of the Himalayan ranges such as, Mt Everest, Jomolhari, Jitchu Drake and others as you fly to Paro. The landing is a thrill. At the airport our representative will meet you and escort you to the hotel. After a brief rest, you will visit places of historic importance in Paro, such as the National Museum, Paro Rinpong Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang and the Drugyel Dzong (Castle of the Victorious Drukpa). There will be a picnic lunch and then we begin the expedition to one of Bhutan’s most revered places, Paro Taktshang (Tiger’s Lair), which is built on a hair raising ravine perched on a hill (1000m) overlooking the valley. It is said that the great Indian Saint of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava came flying on a tigress to subdue evils who were obstructing the spread of Buddhism and in one of the caves within the temple accomplished the task. The trek is a five hour hike (round trip). Night halt in hotel at Paro.
- 2 Paro Chhu (River) Excursion
- (Bondey-Isuna Bridge)
- Location: Paro Valley, Western Bhutan
- Length: Approximately 10 km (3 hours)
- Difficulty: Class III-IV
- Flow: About 500 cfs
- Season: March – April
- Craft: Kayaks recommended due to narrow and steep rapids
- Location: Paro Valley, Western Bhutan
- Length: 7 km (1 hour)
- Difficulty: Class II – III, with one V
- Flow: Approximately 500 cfs
- Season: March-April
- Craft: Kayaks (too small for rafts)
- Location: Thimphu/Paro/Phuentsholing Highway, Western Bhutan
- Length: Approximately 4 km (2 hours)
- Difficulty: Class IV, one class V
- Flow: 800 -1000 cfs
- Season: March – April, November – December (Caution: a high water in this section is extremely dangerous. Not recommended for amateurs)
- Craft: Only Kayak
- Location: Thimphu/Paro/Phuentsholing Highway, Western Bhutan
- Length: 4 km (1 hour)
- Difficulty: Class III
- Flow: 800 -1000 cfs
- Season: March – April, November – December (Tips: a high water run is possible with good scouting)
- Craft: Kayaks, Rafts
- 3 Glimpse of ThimphuBhutan’s capital and most modern city is home to some of the country’s most significant and historical icons. We begin the day by visiting the memorial chorten (stupa), one of Bhutan’s most beautiful stupas of the Nygmipa sect, built in memory of the Father of Modern Bhutan, Late Third King, Jigmi Dorji Wangchuck. From there we will drive to Buddha Point, where the world’s largest Buddha statue stands, overlooking Thimphu valley. The next destination will be the 12th century Changangkha Lhakhang (monastery) and then the Takin Zoo. We will also visit a nunnery, Sangaygang(which offers a panaromic view of Thimphu) and the Textile museum. After lunch at a hotel, we will visit the grand TashiChho Dzong (Fortress), which houses the King’s office, Throne Room and some ministries. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot (Je Khenpo) and the central Monk body. We then proceed to visit the Parliament of Bhutan. Night halt in Thimphu.
- 4 Thimphu - Punakha / WangduephodrangIt is a three to four hour journey through beautiful landscape comprising of rhododendron bushes, meadows, water falls and changing vegetation. Forty five minutes from Thimphu, we arrive at Dochula pass (3100m), which offers the first glimpse of the eastern Himalayan Ranges, consisting of snow-capped peaks, with heights ranging from 6,000m-7,554m. Dochula is also a centre of diverse flora and fauna. Additionally, the 108 stupas, build around a mound makes the pass a beauty. From Dochula, the road descends all the way to Punakha valley. Before reaching Punakha, we will see the ruins of Wangduephodrang Dzong (Fortress), which was razed by a tragic fire in 2012. Next, we hike (1 hour round trip) to Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th century temple associated with Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madmonk. A temple where the Phallus is worshipped, hundreds of barren women receive blessings from a phallus there. We will have lunch at the temple and then proceed to Punakha, where we visit the historic Punakha Dzong (Fortress), an architectural masterpiece, built at the confluence of two (Pho (male) and Mo(female) rivers. Night halt at hotel in Punakha.
- 5 Punakha Chhu (River) ExcursionUpper Pho Chhu (Wangthangkha – Samdingkha)
- Location: Punakha Valley, Western Bhutan
- Length: 12 km, 5 -7 hours with scouting
- Difficulty: Class V
- Flow: 1000 cfs
- Season: February/December. (Caution: higher than medium flows makes this run dangerous. High water runs not recommended for amateurs)
- Craft: Kayaks only (too steep for rafts)
- Location: Punakha Valley, Western/Central Bhutan
- Length: 6 km (1 hour) (Note: In Spring, high winds and small currents makes this stretch longer and harder)
- Difficulty: Class I – II
- Flow:800 -1000 cfs
- Season: March – April, November – December (Tips: with good scouting, runs at higher flows possible)
- Craft: Kayaks and Rafts
- 6 The Wangduephodrang ExpeditionUpper Dang Chhu (Wangduephodrang Downstream - Kichu Resort)
- Location: Wangduephodrang, Western/Central Bhutan
- Length: Approximately 3 km (2 hours with scouting)
- Difficulty: Class IV -V at medium flows, V -V at higher flows
- Flow: 400-500 cfs
- Season: March – April, October – November (Caution: high water makes this run dangerous. Not recommended for amateurs)
- Craft: Kayaks only (too small and steep for rafts
- Location: Wangduephodrang, Western/Central Bhutan
- Length: 5 km (1.5 hours)
- Difficulty: Class IV with three class V scouts
- Flow: 400 – 500 cfs
- Season: March – April, November – December
- Craft: Kayaks. (Tips: rafts possible but only with crew and portages. It is time consuming but there are great runs at stretches)
- Location: Wangduephodrang, Western/Central Bhutan
- Length: Approximately 17 km (4 hours)
- Difficulty: Class III-IV at most flows
- Flows: 5000 – 7000 cfs
- Season: March – April, November – December (Tips: high water makes this run more difficult but reasonable as well)
- Craft: Kayaks and Rafts
- 7 Thimphu-ParoEarly morning, you will be driven to Paro airport for your next destination.
JOURNEY TO DISCOVER BHUTAN organizes your journey with an authenticity beyond the reach of any other travel company.
Ready to go?
Our holidays span every corner of Bhutan. Without compromising on the quality of our trips, we have tirelessly catered to travellers over a decade. Bhutan tours and treks are invariably unique experiences. While Bhutan is an exclusive destination, it is how you travel that sets your holidays apart.
Speak to an expert
Our team of travel professionals plan every aspect of your trip, taking care of the smallest of details, extensions, and informing you about everything you’ll need, from appropriate clothing and visas to comprehensive reading lists that will spark your imagination for the journey ahead.