Royal Heritage Trail
Heritage tours and trails are popular tourism products amongst cultural travelers worldwide. To commemorate past 100 years of the Monarchy, 3 heritage tourism products have been approved for development, funded by TDF.
A trail that traces the historical route the royalty used when moving from the summer residence, Domkar Tashichholing in Bumthang, to the winter residence, Kuenga Rabten Palace in Trongsa. Bumthang and Trongsa.
| Location |
Season |
Duration |
Tourist profile |
Jakar and Chumey Geog,Bumthang,Drakten and Langthel Geog,Trongsa |
Varies |
1-4 days |
Healthy/fit; young or old; enjoy moderate hiking/walking combined with sites and stories on history and culture |
Itinerary Options:
1. 4 Day Trek
Route description:
The trek starts from Wangdichholing palace (2600m), climbing up to Jakar Dzong, and then ascending towards Kikila pass (3948m). Depending on time, one can make the historical tour of the Wangdichholing palace and visit the Jakar Dzong. The Lunch spot (Soe Zheysa) is 4 ½ hrs walk from Wangdichholing Palace. This was the actual lunch spot used by the Royal family. The campsite (makhathang) on the bank of Duegang Chhu is 3 hrs downhill from Kikila and stands at an elevation of 2908 m, about ½ a km away from Domkhar Tashichholing Palace.
Option: From Kikila Pass take existing trail to Tharpoling Monastery – Samtenling – Gyetse-
Domkhar Tashichholing Palace;
Difficulty Grade of the Treks: - S- strenuous. M- Moderate. E- Easy
| Day |
Start |
End |
Altitude |
Seasons |
Hours/Grade |
Attractions |
| 01 |
Wangdi Choling |
Domkhar Tashi Choling Palace |
H: 2600m
L: 2908m
|
Year round; |
3 hr. 27m
M
|
Wangdi Choling Palace, Jakar Dzong, Domkhar village, Domkhar Valley, Tharpoling Monastery |
| 02 |
Domkhar |
Jamsapang |
H: 2908m
L: 4019m
|
Feb- May
Sept-Dec |
5hr. 40m
M |
Natural Beauty, and history of Royals |
| 03 |
Jamsapang |
Kuenga Rabten |
H: 4019m
L: 4039m
|
Feb- May
Sept-Dec |
8hr. 10m
s |
Beautiful views of Bumthang & Trongsa from Tungla Yaa, birding. |
| 04 |
Kuenga Rabten |
Yurung Choling Palace |
H: 1774m
L: 1280m
|
Year Round |
7 Hrs.
M |
Kartaling monastery, Samcholing palace, river valley, birding, stupa,yurungcholing Palace and village. |
2. Two Day Trek
Route description:
The trek starts from Wangdichholing palace (2600m), climbing up to Jakar Dzong, and then ascending towards Kikila pass (3948m). Depending on time, one can make the historical tour of the Wangdichholing palace and visit the Jakar Dzong. The Lunch spot (Soe Zheysa) is 4 ½ hrs walk from Wangdichholing Palace. This was the actual lunch spot used by the Royal family. The campsite (makhathang) on the bank of Duegang Chhu is 3 hrs downhill from Kikila and stands at an elevation of 2908 m, about ½ a km away from Domkhar Tashichholing Palace.
The majority of the trail is in good condition and needs no reconstruction.
Difficulty Grade of the Treks: - S- strenuous. M- Moderate. E- Easy
| Day |
Start |
End |
Altitude |
Seasons |
Hours/Grade |
Attractions |
| 01 |
Wangdi Choling |
Domkhar Tashi Choling Palace |
H: 2600m
L: 2908m
|
Year round; |
3 hr. 27m
M
|
Wangdi Choling Palace, Jakar Dzong, Domkhar village, Domkhar Valley, Tharpoling Monastery |
| 02 |
Domkhar |
Jamsapang |
H: 2908m
L: 4019m
|
Feb- May
Sept-Dec |
5hr. 40m
M |
Natural Beauty, and history of Royals |
3. Three Day Trek
Route description:
The trek starts from Wangdichholing palace (2600m), climbing up to Jakar Dzong, and then ascending towards Kikila pass (3948m). Depending on time, one can make the historical tour of the Wangdichholing palace and visit the Jakar Dzong. The Lunch spot (Soe Zheysa) is 4 ½ hrs walk from Wangdichholing Palace. This was the actual lunch spot used by the Royal family. The campsite (makhathang) on the bank of Duegang Chhu is 3 hrs downhill from Kikila and stands at an elevation of 2908 m, about ½ a km away from Domkhar Tashichholing Palace.
Difficulty Grade of the Treks: - S- strenuous. M- Moderate. E- Easy
| Day |
Start |
End |
Altitude |
Seasons |
Hours/Grade |
Attractions |
| 01 |
Wangdi Choling |
Domkhar Tashi Choling Palace |
H: 2600m
L: 2908m
|
Year round; |
3 hr. 27m
M
|
Wangdi Choling Palace, Jakar Dzong, Domkhar village, Domkhar Valley, Tharpoling Monastery |
| 02 |
Domkhar |
Jamsapang |
H: 2908m
L: 4019m
|
Feb- May
Sept-Dec |
5hr. 40m
M |
Natural Beauty, and history of Royals |
03 |
Jamsapang |
Kuenga Rabten |
H: 4019m
L: 4039m
|
Feb- May
Sept-Dec |
8hr. 10m
s |
Beautiful views of Bumthang & Trongsa from Tungla Yaa, birding. |
4. One Day hike
Route description:
The trek starts from Wangdichholing palace (2600m), climbing up to Jakar Dzong, and then ascending towards Kikila pass (3948m). Depending on time, one can make the historical tour of the Wangdichholing palace and visit the Jakar Dzong. The Lunch spot (Soe Zheysa) is 4 ½ hrs walk from Wangdichholing Palace. This was the actual lunch spot used by the Royal family. The campsite (makhathang) on the bank of Duegang Chhu is 3 hrs downhill from Kikila and stands at an elevation of 2908 m, about ½ a km away from Domkhar Tashichholing Palace.
Difficulty Grade of the Treks: - S- strenuous. M- Moderate. E- Easy
| Day |
Start |
End |
Altitude |
Seasons |
Hours/Grade |
Attractions |
| 01 |
Wangdi Choling |
Domkhar Tashi Choling Palace |
H: 2600m
L: 2908m
|
Year round; |
3 hr. 27m
M
|
Wangdi Choling Palace, Jakar Dzong, Domkhar village, Domkhar Valley, Tharpoling Monastery |
5. ½ Day Hike- Start at Kuenga Rabten and end at Endochholing
6. Two hour casual walk- Start at Kuenga Rabten and end at Samchholing
Season: - year round
|
CZ Associates