Trip Overview
A 19-day trip mixing culture with world-class white water of three famous rivers: Mo Chhu, Ema Datzi canyon of the Mangde Chhu and the Drangme Chhu.
A 19-day trip mixing culture with world-class white water of three famous rivers: Mo Chhu, Ema Datzi canyon of the Mangde Chhu and the Drangme Chhu.
Bhutan, Druk Yul, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. It’s a land of contrasts and in few places is the divide between ancient and the encroaching ‘modern’ so evident.
Hike to the famous monastery “Tigers Nest” and overnight in Paro. We suggest arriving at your connecting airport a day or two early to have a chance to recover from flights and be fully recharged for your flight to Bhutan!
Drive to Punakha in comfortable motor coaches, visit Punakha Dzong and stay at a riverside camp after paddling the class 4 Mo Chhu (2 hours on river). Multi-sport options after rafting include horseback riding, trekking or cycling.
Spend another day and night in the Punakha valley. Rafting, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking are all options for today.
Drive to Tongsa and visit the Dzong and museum. Four hour trek across the Mangde Chhu river valley.
Paddle the Ema Datzi canyon of the Mangde Chhu river – a great stretch of white-water in an absolutely dazzling river canyon straight out of a fairytale with emerald green water contrasting the shiny black walls and verdant jungle. Overnight at the family Dzong of our Bhutanese contact and friend Ugyen Dorji at Enduchholing (Palace of the first King), with a private festival for the group. This will include traditional religious mask dances and a sumptuous feast.
Arrive at Bumthang from Enduchholing
Rest day at Bumthang exploring this spiritual heartland of Bhutan. Night in Bumthang
Drive 193 km from Bumthang to Mongar. Night at hotel in Mongar
Drive 91 km to Trashigang. Relax and set up for the expedition. Night at camp
Drangme Chhu to Manas. This is the crux of the expedition! Once we leave the road access at the top of the river there is no other access for 100 km. We’ll be totally self-sufficient carrying all expedition gear on our rafts as we explore one of the last untouched rivers in the world
Drive to Gelephug
Drive Gelephug to Thimphu
Rest day in Thimphu. Night in Thimphu or Paro
Departure from Paro Internationall Airport to your return destination.
