This botanical expedition will visit some of the prime botanical sites in the Bhutan Himalayas;
a source of many highly prized plants introduced to horticulture. The British first brought the
botanical richness of this vast mountainous region to the attention of the West. Mr Frank Ludlow
and his friend Major George Sherriff, two prominent British travellers in the Himalayan region,
were credited for their intensive explorations in Bhutan as well as in other Himalayan regions.
Their accounts and collections are one of the greatest sources of information on Bhutanese
botanical and nature studies. The early 1800’s and 1900’s brought a number of professional
plant hunters searching for new ornamentals for European and American gardens. The exploits
of William Griffith (1838) and Roland Cooper (1914-1915) and others are legendary and many of
their collections have found their way to European gardens. Even so, today, Bhutan still remains
largely unexplored. So far about 4500 species of flowering plants have been documented.
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- Day 1
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Departure
- Day 2
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Arrival at Paro International Airport
A 30-40 minute presentation will be given about the tour and an overview of the biodiversity
of Bhutan.
Overnight Hotel Gangtey Palace, Paro.
- Day 3
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Paro - Thimphu
In the morning visit to the National Museum, Paro Dzong and Kichu Monastery. After Lunch
drive to Thimphu.
Overnight Hotel Pedling, Thimphu.
- Day 4
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Thimphu, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Park
In the morning sightseeing around Thimphu and in the afternoon drive towards Dodena.
Trekking along Thimphu Chu inside Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Park.
Overnight Hotel Pedling, Thimphu.
- Day 5
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Dochula Pass, Punakha
Drive to the Dochula Pass. Dochula is home to 16 species of Bhutanese Rhododendrons.
It also harbours different species of Primula, Lauraceae such as Litsea, Cinnamomum,
Neolitsea etc., as well as Oaks, Virburnum, Magnolia, Daphne, Arisaema spp. Gentian,
Himalayan Acer, and many others.
Recently, on the Dochula Pass, 108 small chortens were erected which add beauty to the
natural setting of the area. On good weather days, there is a clear view of the distant
mountain ranges on the northern border.
From the Pass, we will descend for 30-40 minutes following the old route to experience the
natural forest and biota.
Overnight Meri Puen Sum Resort, Punakha.
- Day 6
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Tashithang
Drive to Tashithang, which is part of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park - the largest
in Bhutan. Tashithang is situated in warm subtropical zones with mainly subtropical vegetation.
Different epiphytic orchids such as Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Liparis,
Pleione etc. as well as ground orchids such as Calanthe, Goodyera, Cephalanthera, etc. are
found here. Wild Bananas (Musa) also thrive here along with tree species such as Engleherdia,
Tauluma, Magnolia, Symploccus, Litsea, Cinnamomum, Rubus spp.
Overnight Meri Puen Sum Resort, Punakha.
- Day 7
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Valley of Wangdiphodrang, Phibjikha
From Punakha we will drive through the warm valley of Wangdiphodrang towards Gantey Gonpa and
through part of the Pele La Pass (commonly known as the Black Mountains) which separate western
and eastern Bhutan. During the drive we will be able to see different species of Rhododendrons,
Legumes, Magnolia, Weeping Cypress (the national tree of Bhutan) etc.
Overnight Dewachen Hotel, Phibjikha.
- Day 8
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Trongsa Valley
From Gantey Gonpa we will proceed to the Trongsa Valley. The drive will take us through the
Pele La Pass where we can see more Rhododendron species in shades of red, white, and yellow.
After crossing the Pass, we will be in the bamboo thickets where you usually find browsing Yaks.
The bamboo is a Yushiana spp. that usually grows in the higher altitudes of Bhutan. We will
also be passing through some spectacular villages.
In olden days, Trongsa was home to the Royal Family and a seat of power. The Trongsa Dzong
is the biggest dzong in Bhutan.
Overnight Yangkhil Resort, Trongsa.
- Day 9
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Bumthang Valley
From Trongsa we will make our way towards the Bumthang Valley. The drive will be through
another pass called Yoetongla. On the way several stops will be made to examine different
species. The most commonly seen will be Rhododendrons, Rubus, Acer, Aconitum, Delphinium,
Ranunculus, Clemantis, serveral orchids such as Coelogyne, Pleione, Cephalenthera, as well
as conifers such as Fir, Hemlock, Pine, Juniperus, Primulas, Androsac, etc.
Overnight at Mepham Guesthouse, Bumthang.
- Day 10
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Thriumshing La National Park
Early drive to the Thriumshing La National Park, which was established in 1998 and covers the
Bumthang, Lhuentse, Zhemgang and Mongar districts. In 2001 the Royal Government of Bhutan
designated one of the areas close to the Pass as an insitu-rhododendron garden. Thriumshing
La National Park is home to many endemic species viz. Daphne ludlowii, Lobelia nubigena,
Vanda griffithii, Rubus sengorensis, and Pedicularis spp. It is also home to the Red Panda,
various reptiles, amphibians and one can also observe different avian fauna. In the afternoon
we will drive back to Bumthang.
Overnight at Mepham Guesthouse.
- Day 11
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Drive back to Wangdue
During the return journey we will stop at many different places which
we missed on the way here to see new blossom and for reconfirmation etc.
Overnight Dragon Nest Resort, Wangdue.
- Day 12
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Drive to Thimphu
Overnight at Pedling Hotel, Thimphu.
- Day 13
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Ha Valley
From Thimphu we will drive to the Ha Valley which was recently opened for tourists.
It is situated in the temperate region in the Blue Pine forest. In ancient times Ha
was a gateway to western Bhutan which made it a very important district.
During the drive we will be able to see different species of both flora and fauna.
Trees such as Populus, Altingia, Hammelidaceae, Pine, Acer, and shrubs such as Leycesteria,
Lonicera, Coriaria, Rubus. Cotoneaster, Philadelphus, Hydrangea, and many herbaceous species.
Overnight at Lhayul Hotel, Ha.
- Day 14
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Chele-la
In the morning we will drive via the Chele La Pass to Paro.
(Chele-la alt 3800m; Long. 089° 21" E, Lat. 27° 23" N).
Chele-la that connects Haa to the Paro Valley was one of the important routes in the olden day
for travellers coming from Northwestern India to Bhutan. This was a compulsory route for visitors. It has been mentioned repeatedly in most of the writings by British political envoys such as George Boyle, J. C White as well as other botanists. The accounts of Ludlow and Sherriff, two naturalists who visited Bhutan seven times and collected a historic record of 21, 000 Bhutanese plants crossed this Pass during their visit in 1938.
Chele-la harbours one of the most exciting sites for Bhutanese flora. Many species of Primulas,
Rhododendron, Iris, Betula, Lilies (such as Notholirion, Lloydia and Fritillaria), Saxifraga,
Bergenia, Aconitum, Pedicularis, Gentians, and others grows extensively and are a delight to
the eye. Besides, it is also the home to four beautiful species of Himalayan poppies; Meconopsis
horridula (blue), Meconopsis simplicifolia [blue), Meconopsis paniculata (yellow) and Meconopsis
nepaunlensis (red or yellow). The most dominant tree species are fir (Abies densa), hemlock
(Tsuga dumosa) and spruce (Picea spinolosa).
On the lower regions of the Pass, the vegetation is mainly of mixed cool temperate forest
harbouring Blue Pine, Oaks, Lonicera, Sambucus, Acers, Prunus, Rosa, Philadephus, Leycesteria,
Cornus, Hydrangea, Deutzia, Aristolochia, Corydalis, Arisaema (Himalayan Cobra Lily) and
Hedychium.
Overnight at Hotel Gangtey Palace, Paro.
- Day 15
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Departure
Transfer to Airport for departure.
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