What our guest are saying
Starting From $.00 per person
This is a beautiful trek and one of the few that offers you the experience of the glacial valleys in Bhutan. It is also the chosen home of rare Black Necked Cranes which migrate here in winter from the Tibetan plateau.
Gangtey is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan and Gangtey Gonpa is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the black mountains.
For the naturalist flora and fauna are to be found in abundance in a mountain eco-system whose balance has remained undisturbed by the Bhutanese people’s Buddhist way of life.
This trek visits the villages of Gogona and Khotokha, passing through meadows, fields, forests of Juniper, magnolia and rhododendrons.
This is Bhutan’s finest low-level trek, passing majestic snow-capped mountains, protected valleys, and fields of rhododendron, juniper, and bamboo.
No Experience Required
No former trekking experience is needed for this trek. To take part in this trek, you should be physically fit, meaning you should be able to walk a full day with a small day pack. Animals will carry the bulk of our loads.
Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.
Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro and drive to Thimpu
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan.
On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we stop at Takshang view point for a look at the fabolus Takshang Temple. We also visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town. In the evening we drive to Thimpu.
Day 3 Thimphu – Gangtey Gompa
The first half of the day is spent is a leisurely drive over the Dochula pass at 10,000 ft. going to Wangdue. Enroute you will see some of the highest peaks in Bhutan including Gangkhar Puensum(7541m), the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. The descent through the temperate forest colored with Rhododendrons and Magnolias takes you to the semi-tropical zone of orange, bananas and cactus and to the valley of Wangdue. We visit the town of Wangdue.
After lunch drive to Gangtey Gompa and you will be lodged up in a farm house converted into a small guest house or camp if rooms are not available.
Day 4 Gangtey Gompa – Gogona
Trek Day 1 : Distance 15 km and walking time 6-7 hours.
The trek starts at Tabiting (2830m) and takes you through meadows and fields then ascends the Tselela pass at 3440m through mixed forest of Juniper, bamboos, Rhododendrons and Magnolias.
On this trek you will meet people who speak different dialect called Bjop-kha (language spoken by nomads in Bhutan ). Because of their isolation they continue using their own dialect and a life of their own. Gogona is a small village with an outstanding monastery under the care of Gangtey Gompa.
Day 5 Gogona – Khotokha
Trek Day 2 : Distance 16 km and about 6-7 hours walking time.
Starting at Gogona, a gradual climb today takes you to Shobjula pass at 3410m. On descending you will reach a wide valley with clear view of the mountains around you.
Day 6 Khotokha – Tikke Zampa/Punakha
Trek Day 3 End of Trek : Distance 12 km and walking time 5 hours.
A short climb takes you to the Tashila pass at 2800m. As you walk down you will notice the changes in the vegetation and finally reach the motorable road at Tikke Zampa where you will be received by our tour bus. From here it is a 30minute drive to Punakha
Day 7 Punakha – Thimphu
Morning at leisure or take a hike to Chhimi Lhakhang (temple of the divine madman) It will be a 2 hour roundtrip hike. After lunch drive to Thimphu (3 hours)
Day 8 Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late King. Also visit the Handicraft Emporium/Chokey handicraft and the National Painting School. After lunch visit the traditional gold smiths and a stroll in Thimphu market. If the day falls on a Saturday or Sunday then a visit to the weekend market and archery ground is a must.
Day 9 Thimphu – Paro
Drive to Paro and sightseeing.
Day 10 Farewells and departure.
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa.
Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Online Regional Permit System
In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists.
What our guest are saying
In December 2011, my husband and I did a 3 trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal followed by 3 days at Chitwan National Park with Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd. (Kuman Gurung). We’re in our mid-sixties and began to question our decision when various friends and family members said that it’d be way too cold and difficult at that time of the year. Actually November and December are excellent months to trek in Nepal as it is normally dry and sunny. Kuman is an excellent choice as he did all the planning, gaining of licenses, arranging for lodging and planning of the length of our trekking days. We liked that he not only planned, but accompanied our group of 6, along with two other wonderful assistants (porter and guide). One needs to understand that Nepal is a third world country, and electricity and warm water become an issue all over the country. Our days were very warm---how I wished I’d brought a short sleeved shirt---and the nights are cold. We hadn’t anticipated that we’d spend much of our time climbing up or down----but Nepal translates to the Himalayas so that’s what you do. (much is rock steps which can be difficult for some) The vistas make stopping often to rest a treasure,----it is beautiful---so beautiful. You are remote and everything is packed into the area---your meals come mainly from the gardens and are delicious! Kuman is willing to tailor the trip’s destination and length to your ability and time frame. He provides one with a most memorable experience, and you come away with a true appreciation of the country and people. He also arranged our stays in Katmandu and 3 days in the Chitwan National Park. You begin and end your trek in Pokhara and we recommend the Temple Tree Resort and the Moon Dance restaurant as a great way to end your trek. Thank you Kuman for making our adventure in Nepal so perfect!Namaste to Kuman and Lokenra,
I write as the expedition leader of a team of 6 (3 Canadians and 3 Americans) who recently traveled for 1 month in Nepal and Bhutan using the guiding and coordinating services of Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd., in particular Kuman and Lokendra. This was the second expedition which these gentlemen looked after us, the first being in 2010, another month long expedition which featured trekking through the Everest region, a jungle adventure in Chitwan and an extended whitewater rafting trip on the reverred Sun Kosiriver. Our October- November2013 trip featured trekking the Annapurna region, trekking for a week in Bhutan and whitewater rafting 2 rivers - the Kali Gandaki and the BhotoKosi rivers.
Needless to say, the care and expert attention provided by Kuman and Lokendra was exceptional. Every aspect of our trip was handled flawlessly and with good humor and insight of the Nepalese culture and traditions. Over the last 15 years, I have lead many trekking and rafting expeditions around the world and without any qualification I give the highest marks to both Kuman and Lokendra. Not only did we get full value for our money, but it was done with genuine TLC by both these wonderful gentlemen. Even when things went off track ( which in the 3rd world - in truly remote environments - can happen in technicolor - in this case a National Strike of workers) alternate arrangements were undertaken with ease and care - maintaining our schedule and achieving our expedition objectives.
I obviously think highly of Kuman and Lokendra and strongly recommend Happy Holidays as 'the go to' trekking/expedition/rafting company in Nepal.
In this regard, if you require further amplification of my comments I would be pleased to endorse this recommendation via email or telephone. Clearly, if Nepal offers a Tourism Award for best guides/guiding companies, Happy Holidays would be a first prize winner!Dear Kuman,
Happy New Year and Namaste. It has been more than a month since the Team Tim returned home from the experience of a lifetime—organized by you and your company. It was such an amazing trip with so many different aspects to it. We started our adventure in Nepal where you and I first met, then quickly off to Bhutan, and eventually back to Nepal and home. The trip you organized for us contained so many different elements--- hiking, rafting and learning about the cultural aspects of the two countries. It was an organizational nightmare, but everything ran so smoothly under your direction. Tim, Viv and I commented about how smooth the transition was between each activity and country. It really was one of our best adventures.
I was so impressed with the way in which the guides took such very good care of us. They were all so happy to teach us about Buddhism, their country and their politics. I thought it very special how you joined us on the trekking part of the trip. You also went that extra mile when we rafted in Nepal. You followed our route and met us at each stop along the way to feed us, take pictures, carry our “stuff”, or whatever else our team of 6 needed. We all became family ----Lakendra, you, and the 3 Canadian and 3 American travellers.
I know that you and Tim had thousands of emails between you as you planned this extensive trip. Tim you knew from his last trip. He was thrilled that you had opened your own office and that he was able to have you and Lakenda organize and guide the trip respectively.
I would be privileged to serve as a reference for you if a potential client requests it. You receive a five start rating from me.
Thanks again,