Fly Fishing

The highlight of this trip is the fishing opportunities on the trek in the beautiful alpine lakes teeming with giant sized trout. Besides fishing this trip also allows the travelers to meet people, enjoy the pristine forest with rare glimpse of wildlife and observe the ancient old traditions of arts and crafts while traveling through the less frequented areas of Bhutan. Your journey starts from Paro Valley where your flight from Bangkok or Delhi will land and where we will spend a day or two of sightseeing and fishing before we set off on our trek. Our trek leads from Paro to Thimphu crossing the chain of mountains that separates the two valleys with almost no settlement along the route. The area is famous for its spectacular rhododendron forests, which bloom in May and June. In the clear days of autumn and winter the views are superb be it of snow capped mountains or that of valleys beneath¦ After the trek, we will spend a day at leisure in the capital city, Thimphu before we return to Paro to catch up the flight to our onward destination.

Day 01: Arrive Paro Flying in to the country’s only airport, in the beautiful Paro valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provides a breath-taking first impression. Your guide who is going to be with you throughout your trip from Bhutan Wilderness Travels will meet you at the airport. A fifteen minute drive follows the narrow winding road to our hotel which is a traditional Bhutanese building with attractive gardens and an exceptionally peaceful atmosphere. In the afternoon, we will visit the Ta-Dzong which was built in 1651 as a watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong. Since 1967, the watch tower has served as the home of the National Museum and holds a fascinating collection of art, ancient relics and religious artifacts. Next in line is Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro and its district administration. If there is time, we will walk along the small main street of Paro in the evening with its typically Bhutanese shops and small lodges. Altitude at Paro: 2250 meters.
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 02: A Day of fishing along upper Paro River.

Day 03: Paro / Jili Dzong (4-5 hours) To start our trek, we will have to take a short drive of about 15 minutes to the trail head. Today, we will have to make our way up gradually along the ancient trade route till Jili La Pass (3490m). It’s then just a short gentle walk down to our camp in a yak pasture (3450m). If we have time and if you are not tired with day’s walk, we can walk along the ridge that is just above our camp for the stunning view of mountains and the valleys.
Overnight: Camp at Jili Dzong (3450m)

Day 04: Jili Dzong /Jangchu Lakha (4-5 hours) After making a short climb, the trail gets level in the meadow along the ridge for sometime before you walk downhill for a while to climb through thick alpine forest to a saddle at 3,590m. The trail then follows the ridge, making many ups and downs, along the one side of the ridge to the other, heading towards north east to our camp at Jangchup Lakha (3,780m) yet another yak pasture. En route you are likely to see or hear some monal pheasants, and if the weather is clear, you will be rewarded with the breathtaking views of the mount Jhomolhari and its associates.
Overnight: Camp at Jangchuplakha (3780m)

Day 05: Jangchu Lakha/Jimilangtsho (4-5 hours) This morning, we have a short steep climb through the forest of junipers that starts right from the camp. Once the steep climb is done, the trail gets level for a while and then it goes gradually up and down through the thicket of dwarf rhododendrons leading ultimately to Jangchu La (4180m) before you make a big drop to the camp at Jimilangtsho Lake (3,880m). The name of this lake means Sand Ox Lake, named for a bull that emerged from the lake and joined the cattle of a family that uses the area as a summer grazing ground. This lake is known for its giant sized trout, and if we get to the camp early, you may have a bit of fishing.
Overnight: Camp at Jimilangtsho (3880m).

Day 06: A day of fishing at Jimilangtsho Lake.

Day 07: Jimilangtsho/Simkota (4-5 hours) Today to start our climb, we will have to walk down to the southern end of the lake and then climb through dwarf rhododendrons till the trail becomes a little flat to get to another lake known as Jahnye Tsho. It is so rare to get fish from this lake but if you catch one, it’s going to be a big one. Perhaps we will give a try for the trophy for about an hour or two before we continue our climb to the next camp. From here, the path gets much wider as it meanders uphill through the dwarf rhododendrons till the summit near by the camp. As we climb up, if we take a look back to the lake when the rhododendrons are in blossom, this place with the lake gets so beautiful and special that it takes a long time to forget. Also on a clear day from here, we can see the most part of the trail that we trekked on along the ridge on the other side on day two and three of our trek.
Overnight: Camp at Simkota(4040m)

Day 08: A day of fishing at Simkota Lake

Day 09: Simkota /Thimphu (5-6 hours) The day begins with a short gradual climb along the rocky trail till it gets level for a while and then there is a short descent before you climb up to Phume La (4210m) the highest point on this trek. From here, it’s just under an hour walk to the edge of the ridge which is marked by the Chorten and a grove of fluttering prayer flags. On a clear day, one can have the views of long chain of snow covered mountains, and Thimphu valley underneath. From here, we have a long downhill walk to Thimphu passing Thujidrag temple, a retreat center that hangs on the side of a precipitous rock face and some temples at Phajoding (3870m).
Overnight: hotel Jomulhari/ river view

Day 10: Thimphu/Paro (2 hours) Today, we will take a short drive towards north to Dodena for your last fishing in Bhutan. This is one of the most beautiful fishing spot along Thimphu River. In the afternoon, proceed to Paro which takes about 2 hours along the national highway.
Overnight: Tandiling resort/kichu resort

Day 11: Departure After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch up your onward flight. Your escort from Bhutan Wilderness Travel will bid you farewell, and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.