Covid 19 | Trekking Update from South Col Expeditions

COVID 19 | AN UPDATE FROM SUJOY DAS, FOUNDER, SOUTH COL EXPEDITIONS

 As some of you would have seen from our whats app messenger posts, we have cancelled our summer treks in Ladakh for the period July to September 2020.  We are very sorry to lose the summer season in Ladakh with some of the best short camping treks in the Himalaya, some of which have been pioneered by South Col. However, Ladakh is under fourteen days quarantine for new arrivals at present and Delhi, the jumping off point for Ladakh is a major covid 19 hotspot in India, so it would be advisable not to trek this summer in Ladakh. Further, international insurance companies are not providing insurance for visits and treks to India, Nepal and Bhutan so far and this rules out a lot of our international clients.

We are still open to conducting treks in the November – December season 2020, if possible, but as days go by and with rising covid 19 numbers both in India and to a lesser extent in Nepal, it does seem to be a long shot at present.  Nepal flights are still not open and like India they are following fourteen days quarantine for any of their passengers arriving on repatriation flights. We will be constantly reviewing the situation and advising you as we get updated information.

Following this cancellation of our Ladakh summer treks, I would like to thank everyone for their support and kind words. As an adventure trek and photography tour operator focusing on Himalayan countries we are probably more used to the risks of losing seasons than most other regular travel operators. In the past, we have also dealt with cyclones during Autumn 2013 & 2014 seasons in Nepal and Bhutan. After the 2015 earthquake in Nepal we had to cancel our entire Spring season and though we were back in autumn in a limited way, it took some time to rebuild the numbers of trekkers again.

Bhutan to charge Indians Rs 1200 per day Sustainable Fee

Bhutan will now impose a “sustainable development fee” (SDF) on Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian tourists, making visits to the Himalayan nation more expensive. The decision has been taken to protect the ecology and environment  of the country, amid a spike in visitors from India.

So far, tourists from the three countries had been exempt from a levy that other foreign  nationals had to pay — $250 per person per day during the peak season, and $200 per person per day during the low season.

The low season is in the winter from December to February, and during the rains from June to August.

The new legislation, titled “The Tourism Levy and Exemption Bill of Bhutan 2020”, passed in Bhutan’s lower house on 4th February 2020, requires visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives to pay a fee of 1,200 ngultrums (Rs 1200.17) per day, probably from July 2020 onwards.

Bhutan | Mountain Echoes Literary Festival Aug 22-25 2019

The 10th edition of the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival was held in Thimpu Bhutan from August 22-25th 2019.  Our book Everest Reflections on the Solukhumbu was showcased at the festival and an interesting group discussion was held between Lisa Cheogyal, Tenzing Choegyal Sherpa and myself on our book and the current pressures and problems facing Mount Everest.

Some photographs from the three day event:

Bhutan | Photographs from the Land of Happiness

Prayer wheels at Chimi Lakhang near Punakha

I was in Bhutan last month and also did the Druk Path trek which we could not finish due to heavy snow.  Here are some photographs from this beautiful country.

Taktshang  Tigers Nest Monastery

Prayer wheels made out of bottles Tigers Nest in the background

Close up of a prayer wheel

Students working on wood carving at the Zoric Chisum Institute Thimpu

Punakha Dzong in the late afternoon

Doorway at Punakha Dzong

Chortens at the Dochu La pass

A woman leaves the butter lamp room at the Changangkha Lakhang in Thimpu

Dechen Phodrang interior Thimpu

Entrance to a restaurant Paro

Paro valley in the autumn with paddy ready for harvesting

Drying red chillies in a Paro street

Paro Dzong and the National Museum (on top) at night

Bonde Lakhang outside Paro

Soednam Zinghka - Heritage Farm House | Bhutan | Haa

One of the finest properties which I have stayed in recently in the Himalayas must be the Soednam Zingkha Heritage Farm House in the remote Haa valley in Western Bhutan. My group was on a trek to the Nob Tshona Pata lake and on the way we stopped for a night at Haa.

This beautiful homestay has been carefully restored keeping in mind the ethnic architecture and designs of Bhutan.

It has all the conveniences - temperature controlled heated rooms,  abundant hot water in the showers, spotless toilets, excellent wi-fi and cosy rooms with lovely views across the valley.

It is family run with with the son of the house, Penjor, having studied hotel management in India and he has been able to put his management experience to good use in this property.

The meals are to die for and are personalised service with a smile is the hallmark of this heritage home.

I wish there were more such properties across the Himalaya.

Some photographs from my visit are below:

View from the farmhouse

The prayer room

The entrance

The courtyard

The drawing room area

Soednam Zingkha

Haa Valley

+975 17170507 / 77170507

szingkha@gmail.com

penjoree@gmail.com

www.soednamzingkha.com

Bhutan | Nub Tshona Pata Trek

March 26th to March 31st 2018
A South Col team trekked for five days in the valleys south west of Haa. What started as a spring outing changed into wintry conditions from the second day evening. Here is a short description of the route.

Day 1 March 26th 2018 Paro to Haa 3 hours drive
We left Paro around 3 30 pm after lunch and a trek to Tigers Nest in the morning. The weather began to break around 400 metres below the Chele la and soon we were in a furious snowstorm. We reached the pass around 5 pm in a blizzard - the prayer flags at the top were bent over in the snow and wind. We left the pass and drove down – we were very lucky to see a number of different Khaleej pheasants male and female, a barking deer which sped across the road and the ever popular yellow billed blue magpies flitting from bush to bush. We reached Haa around 6 pm in the fading light - the rain and snow had stopped and Haa was dry. We checked into the fabulous Soednam Zingkha heritage lodge with beautiful heated rooms, plenty of hot water and a great dinner with excellent wifi connection to boost.  It was really a beautiful spot to spend the night before our trek.

Day 2 Haa to Bjanadingkha Monastery by vehicle 45 min and then trek to Tshebjo 3965 metres
 We  left the lodge around 8 am and drove through Kajena village and  started climbing  for the monastery. It took around 45 minutes. We met our ponies and support crew at the monastery. We started out from the monastery at 9. 20 am and started walking in a southerly direction. Within 20 minutes we came to an open pasture with pink primulas denticulata in full bloom. The trail then started climbing gently through the forest and in another 40 minutes reached a clearing which made a good first stop.  The clearing was at 3500 metres. From the clearing there is a broad path to the left which we followed and the trail soon started climbing steeply through the rhododendron and pine forest. In around two hours we crested a hill top above the tree line at 3895 metres where we stopped for lunch. Below us was the valley of Ha which we had seen on our walk up and to the north west were the peaks of Chomalhari and Jitsu Drake clearly visible. It was a bonus to see these 7000 metre peaks on the first day itself. After a 45 minute lunch stop we headed on a fairly level trail which skirted the hillside to the west and following a series of undulating ups and downs we came to our camp site at Tshebjo near a stream at 3900 metres. It was 75 minutes from our lunch stop to Tshebjo. We could see the Tshebjo la  Pass above us which we would cross tomorrow. It had been a satisfying day in good weather.

Paro 2332 m 27 26 14N 89 22 49E  Ha 2937m  27 25 11N 89 13 10E Monastery 3273m 27 23 41N 89 15 11E Tsebjo 3965m 27 21 56N 89 13 47E
Monastery to first stop clearing 1 hour Clearing to meadow for lunch 2 hrs meadow to Tshebjo camp site 1 hr 30 min

Day 3 March 28th 2018 Tshebjo 3965m to Womji 3716m to Gochula 4194m to Chhosolumpa camp 3966m
The day dawned clear and sunny though the night was very cold - the water in the stream had frozen and the night temperatures would have been around 5 to 6 degrees below zero. We left the camp around 8.20 am after a good breakfast and climbed gradually in a southern direction towards the Tsebjo La pass. The trail was not very distinct but we saw a stone cairn on top of the ridge and climbed gently skirting the hill and reached the top in 45 minutes. There was a great view from the pass behind us - the way we had come-  we could see Chomolhari once again and towards the south were the hills covered in fresh snow. We took a fairly obvious right hand  southerly  trail from the pass which skirted the hill side on a level trail for around 15 minutes. It then came to a fork the trail left plunged down to the forest - that was the correct trail  (not the trail going straight ahead and level) which went down to the clearing of Womji.

Descending to Womji

 We could see a small white hut in the clearing below - that was our destination.  The trail dropped steeply for an hour through rhododendron and pine forest until it reached a small stream which was bridged by a single log - we crossed the stream and in around 20 minutes reached the clearing of Womji which would make a good camp site.  We rested for 10 minutes and then started the 400 metre climb to the Gochula pass. In around 15 minutes from Womji the trail crossed a log bridge and then started to climb through the rhododendron forest - none of the flowers were in bloom in late March but would probably be spectacular in May. Snow lay on the ground and across the path in the shadows. In around 2 hours we crested 4000 metres and stopped for lunch in a sunny clearing just below the tree line. After lunch the trail climbed steeply through some snow patches and suddenly we could see the prayer flags of the pass in front of us. From this point it still took 30 minutes to reach the top 4194 metres. From the pass there is a sharp trail to the right - do not take the trail which plunges down into the valley. The correct trail skirts the hillside in a westerly direction and in about 20 minutes descends to some black rocks on a dry river bed. Cross the rocks and proceed up the hill along a narrow trail from where you can see below a broad flat clearing which is the camp site of Chhosolumpa. This is a long day of around 7 to 8 hours in total with breaks. 

Our breakfast table in the sun

 Tsebjo 3965m 27 21 56N 89 13 47E Tsebjo La 4117m 27 21 42N 89 13 24E Womji 3716m 27 21 44N 89 12 0E Gochula Pass 4194m  27 20 57N 89 11 3E Chhosolumpa Camp site 3966m 27 20 50N 89 10 13E

Top of Gochula Pass

Tsebjo to top of Tsebjo  La 45 min to 1 hr Tsebjo La to Womji 1 hr 45 min to 2 hrs Womji to top of Gochula pass 2 hr 45 min to 3 hrs Gochula to camp site 45 min to 1 hour.


Day 4 March 29th 2018 Plan to cross Tshejela Pass and stop at Tshona Pata
After dinner it started to snow. The weather soon changed to gale force winds and shook the tent all night. The snow kept falling continuously and eased up only around 5 am in the morning. A watery sunrise greeted a white world. All trails had been obliterated. We toyed with the idea of not going ahead to Nob Tshona Pata but after discussions decided to give it a try. We left around 8 45 am and started climbing the out of the meadow through the forest. There was no trail and we were sinking knee deep in the soft powder snow. We came to the top of the ridge in around 40 minutes. Ahead we could see the trail skirting the hillside - we started up the trail but in places the trail disappeared and there were steep drops into the valley. In some places steps had to be cut in the snow to make the trail. Ominous clouds were rushing in as well and we could see that it had started snowing to the east of the pass. I took a decision at that point around 4125 metres to turn around. Even if we had crossed the pass we would have encountered very heavy going through deep snow on the descent - inclement weather would have further added to our miseries. We headed down and reached our camp site in 30 minutes. The sun was now out and we rested for a while and then started out to climb the Gochula pass once again at 10 45 am. The climb went quite well and by 12 noon we were on top. The weather had packed up and it started snowing as we left the pass - the temperature must have been close to zero degrees Celsius . We followed the trail to Womji for about 15 minutes and then took a higher trail climbing above the main trail.  From the top we could see the tents of our camp situated in the far side of the valley below. This trail skirted the hillside once again and climbed steeply before descending through dwarf rhododendron bushes to a broad meadow where we stopped for lunch for thirty minutes. We walked in a northwesterly direction to pick up a trail which eventually led to our camp side above a stream at Tsang (pronounced Chong)  in another 30 minutes. .
Chhosolumpa campsite to top of Gochula pass 1 hour;  Gochula  Pass to our lunch stop 1 hr 15 min Lunch stop to camp 30 min.

Tsang Campsite 4077m 27 21 59N 89 11 1E

Day 5 March 30 2018 Tsang campsite to Tshokham
It started snowing again in the night though much less than the previous night. There were strong gusts of wind at periodic intervals which rocked the tents. The morning dawned sunny with a layer of clouds towards the Tshejela pass which we had not crossed yesterday. We started out at 8 45 am and followed a trail to the northeast which would skirt the mountain range and take us across the range of the Tsebjo La which we had crossed through another divide on Day 3 above. From here we would have to descend to the camp at Tshokham above Haa monastery.  By 11 am it started to snow and soon the conditions turned almost blizzard like. We crossed the pass 4151 metres  at around 12 30 pm with the snow easing off. Across the valley the mountains very covered in the fresh snow backed by an angry grey sky.  Across to the north west we could see Chomolhari emerging through the clouds encrusted in fresh snow. It was a wild landscape – angry and threatening.  We started descending into the valley - the snow had stopped by then and the trail was also visible.  Suddenly below us to the west  we saw the gilded roof of the  monastery where we had started our trek and our destination for tomorrow. The trail then skirted around a hillside and began to drop into the forest. Snow lay on the ground making the going difficult and slippery. This was mainly a rhododendron forest and some of  the varieties were coming into bud - flowering would probably start in late April and continue into June.  The track continued to drop steeply for around 500 metres from the pass until it came to a broad sunny clearing besides the forest - the meadow of Tsokham which was our campsite for the last night  We reached the campsite at Tshokam around 2 30 pm.

Tshokham 3606 metres 27 22 55N 89 14 31E

Tsang campsite to range of Tsebjo la pass crossing 3 hours; Pass down to Tshokham campsite 2 hours

Day 6 March 31 2018  Tshokam to Monastery  - this day can also be combined with Day 5 saving a day and staying the night in Ha.

It was the last day of our trek and spirits were high. We had a late and leisurely breakfast the low altitude and warm sunshine had lulled us into a delayed start. We set off eventually around 9 am and found that we were just an hour above the monastery. Our path down was the way we had come up and within 40 minutes we found ourselves at the clearing which had been our first day’s first stop. Instead of taking the right fork down we took the broad flat trail this time and passed several clumps of primulas. It was a sunny pleasant morning with a lot of birdsong in the forest. We could see Haa valley below us with the houses. In about another 20 minutes we descended through a steep downhill path and found the roof of the monastery and the nearby buildings below us. Our bus was waiting for us as we had left it parked five days ago. We drove down to Paro in time for a late lunch. 

Primulas

Tshokam to Monastery 1 hour.

Bhutan | Nub Tshona Pata Trek March 25th to April 1 2018

The Nub Tshona Pata Trek is one of the off beat routes in Bhutan located in the Paro-Ha region. This five day walk is an ideal introduction to trekking in Bhutan before taking on the longer walks like the  24 days Snowman trek. The itinerary can be completed within a week with a rest day in Paro on the way in.  Few groups do this camping trek so in all likelihood in March we should have the trail to ourselves. There are some places available for this trek so do get in touch if interested.

Who should join this trek?

A good choice for regular hill walkers, good level of fitness required.  It is a camping trek using tents.
1) Walking times: average  6 to 7  hours walking per day  uphill and downhill.
2) Altitude: up to 4350 metres
3) Terrain: for some of the time following well-travelled trails although also likely to some rocky conditions near the pass .

This is a full support camping trek with kitchen crew, ponies, guide and tents. Mobile phones etc will not work on the trek but will function in Paro and Ha.



Day 1 Fly into Paro
The flight into Paro on the wings of the Dragon, finally lands after making a couple of acrobatic maneuvers while negotiating the high mountains surrounding the small air strip in the Paro valley. We spend the first day acclimatizing and maybe visiting the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Altitude 7330ft/ 2235m.

 Day 2 Excursion to Taksang (Tigers Nest) monastery in the morning and then drive to our hotel at Ha in the evening. 
We spend the morning hiking up to Taksang Monastery, the most famous monastery in Bhutan. Taksang means “Tiger’s Nest” so named because Guru Rimpoche reportedly flew to the site on the back of the flying tigress in the early 8th century. The monastery perches miraculously on a cliff nearly 2,700ft above Paro’s valley floor. Break along the way for tea and snacks in small tea house and after this drive in the evening to our first hotel in Ha. Alt: 9480ft / 2890m

Day 3/ Haa 2890m to Tshokam 3622m: From Kajena (2735m) we leave the car and start walking through the Kajena village. The village has preserved the beauty of its traditional lifestyle and architecture which is unexploited by most visitors. This is just the beginning of a great trekking experience. The trail climbs upward for 2 & ½ hrs through, pine forest and beautiful flowers until we reach the DradenTashiChhoelingShedra (also know as Bjanadingkha monastery). The monastery was built by Lam CholayShacha Tenzin in 1773, the founder of Sangchoko monastery in Paro. The monastery was handed over to the DratshangLhengtshog by the community, when the villagers migrated to Kajena village. At and around the monastery different types of butterflies flutter around while you have a spectacular view of the Haa valley from the monastery. Visit the monastery. Lunch can be served here. From here it’s a gradual up hill climb till you reach a serene meadow of Tshokam (3622m). On the way wild mushrooms grow in the season and one can find edible Rozitescaperata (Dungshishamu), Kato shamu, JichuKangro, waleyshamu and many other edible mushrooms.
Walking Time:Approx 6-7 hrs Difficulty: Moderate with gradual ascend
Highest Elevation: 3622m Campsite:Tshokam (3622m)

Day4. Tshokam 3622m to Womji 3600m: The Trek starts with the gentle climb to the Talela Pass: 3780m. The trail passes through the forest of Blue pine and rhododendron forest. The gradual ascent continues to the Yak Harders camp at Tshojo, climb further to Gochula pass (4350m) After the pass the trail follows a ridge and then descends gradually to your camp at Womji. Today’s trek is approximately 7 hrs. Overnight at camp.


Day5. Womji 3600m to Tshonapata 3850m : Today’s trek starts with a steep climb through Juniper forest and rhododendron forest to the Gochhila pass (4350m) you will have spectacular views of the whole Tshejala range. Continuing on to Tshejalum, you will pass several Yak herder’s camps , you will enjoy the alpine flowers. After crossing the Tshejalapass and to overnight at Tshonapata.

Day6.  Tshonapata 3850m to Tsojo 3780m:Today we will resume the same trail till the Gochhila pass and take a new trail through the rhododendron forest and scenic views of mountains. Drop down to the camp to the lake Tsojo to the new campsite at the meadow of Tsojo.Alt: (3780m) 6 to 7 hours

Day7..Tsojo – to Haa (trek ends ) drive to Paro . 4 hours walk and 2 hours by car
your trail descends gradually through the forest of Juniper and rhododendron till Talila pass, which you will cross to reenter the Haa valley , Your trek finishes here and you will drive  back to Paro for the night. Alt:2320m.

Day 8 - Fly from Paro to your home country.

Dates
March 25th 2018 to April 1st 2018

COSTS

The cost of the trek is Rs 65,000 for Indian passports including taxes.  The Government of Bhutan charges a fixed sum of US $ 250 per day from all foreign passports or $2000 for this trek. 
 The cost per person for Paro to Paro (8 days ) as per the itinerary given earlier 
Costs given above are at current rates of 2017 and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 3 months before the trek.
Costs include:
Pick up from the airport and drop at airport
All Bhutan entry permits and trek permits.
Bhutan visa fees ( for foreign nationals)
Government Royalty and taxes ( for foreign nationals )
Transport from Paro to roadhead and pick up at the end of the trek
Two nights accommodation and breakfast in Paro in good standard hotel on twin sharing basis.
One night accommodation at Ha with dinner and breakfast at the hotel on twin sharing basis.
All accommodation in tents on twin sharing basis  and meals on trek for three days as per itinerary; breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Cost of guides/cook/helper/ponyman and ponies as needed for the trek.

Costs not included
Flight Costs from home country to Paro and back.
Airport taxes if any.
Lunch and Dinner at Paro  and Ha
Client travel and medical insurance of any kind. Emergency evacuation costs if needed.
Bottled drinks; boiled, filtered or bottled water; alcohol; snacks etc
Personal clothing and equipment; sleeping bag; /down/ goretek jacket, medicines for personal use etc.
Tips to guides/cook/helper/ponyman at the end of trek.
There are fights by Druk Air and Bhutan Air from Delhi and Kolkata to Paro. You will have to connect to these flights from your home cities.

 For more details please contact Sujoy Das sujoyrdas@gmail.com or +919831054569
www.southcol.com

Bhutan | Arrival and Departure Formalities for Indian Citizens

Paro airport

I visited Bhutan recently flying into Paro airport from Kolkata and I have been asked a lot of questions regarding entry formalities into Bhutan for Indians and whether any visa or permits are required.  Firstly no visa is required for Indians.

I am giving the current procedures below.

There is an arrival form which is usually given to you on the flight which you should fill up and keep with your passport.

On arrival in Paro airport you walk from the aircraft to the arrival building greeted by this photograph of the Royal Family

On entering the arrival hall there is separate line for SAARC passports - please join this line.

Present the arrival form and your passport at the counter. You may be asked where you are staying so have the hotel information ready. It was earlier reported that the hotel confirmation voucher was required at immigration but I did not find  the Immigration Officer asking for this.

After completing immigration which takes only a few minutes, if there is no long line, proceed to collect your baggage which is just behind the immigration area. Paro is a small airport so everything is easy and close by. You will see a sign prohibiting the use of Rs 500 Indian currency and above

After collecting your bags proceed through the green channel if you have nothing to declare and your departure form will be collected by customs at the exit. There is also an x-ray at the exit for baggage but all bags are not x-rayed only some of them at the discretion of the officials.

You are then out of the airport in the beautiful Paro valley! Enjoy your stay!

On leaving Paro, you will need to x-ray your bags at the entrance of the airport and then proceed with your ticket and passport to the check in counter. You need to fill up a departure form below:



Present this departure form and your passport to the immigration - it takes only a minute to get the passport stamped and you are through the the boarding lounge which has free wifi for you to browse while you wait for your flight.

Enjoy Bhutan - it's a beautiful country!

For information on some of the hotels where we stayed in Bhutan do visit
http://sujoyrdas.blogspot.in/2017/10/bhutan-hotels-some-recommendations.html
For photographs of Bhutan do visit
http://www.sujoydas.com/Bhutan-Himalaya

Bhutan | Hotels - Some Recommendations

Tenzinling Resort at dusk

On a recent visit to Bhutan I stayed at some very nice boutique properties in Paro, Thimpu and Punakha. I am reviewing these hotels below as this would be useful for visitors to Bhutan.

Tenzinling Resort, Paro
Located about six km away from Paro town up on a hill the Tenzinling is a stylish resort with large spotless rooms, wooden flooring and modern bathrooms. Most of the rooms have a small balcony as a sit-out with views overlooking the valley. Breakfast is usually included in the tariff and is a fairly extensive buffet. There is a bar as well. During our visit the wifi was working only in the reception and lobby areas but not in the rooms. However, this is likely to be resolved soon. Recommended.
Tariff - Nu 4000 with breakfast plus taxes  for a double room Tel: +975 8 272503 www.tenzinling.com

Tenzinling Resort

Kisa Villa Thimpu
This is one of the finest small boutique hotels that I have stayed in. Having only fifteen rooms in two small buildings, it has a lovely small garden overlooking the Thimpu Dzong which when lit up at night presents a fairly tale view. The double rooms are large some with a small kitchen unit with refrigerator and microwave, toaster, and electric kettle. The bathrooms are large and perfectly well equipped. Wifi works perfectly both in the lobby area and in the rooms. The small restaurant has a surprisingly well equipped menu with excellent Chinese food. Highly recommended.
Tariff - Nu 5,500 including breakfast for a double room plus taxes. +975 2 338811/22 and +975 17115580. kisavilla01@gmail.com

Lobby Kisa Villa

View of Thimpu Dzong from Kisa Villa garden

Meri Puensum  Punakha
This hotel set up in 1999 is one of the oldest establishments in Punakha. Situated above the river about 6 km from the Punakha Dzong it has rooms in cottages located on the hillside. Punakha has a semi tropical climate with an altitude of only 1275 metres so the garden has tropical bougainvillea, hibiscus, poinsettia and other tropical plants. The rooms have fans and the bathrooms though small are equipped with bathtubs.
Nu 4,000 plus taxes without breakfast; www.meripuensum.com.bt ; Tel: +975 2 584195.

The main building of Meri Puensum 

The rooms are in separate units around the main building 

Terraced paddy fields near Punakha

 Hotel Olathang, Paro

This is one of the oldest hotels in Paro built in 1974 to accommodate guests at the time of the coronation of the 4th King. It is built in a grand dzong style with corridors and rooms around a central courtyard. There are also separate cottages on the expansive grounds for families and couples. The rooms are well appointed and have definitely been refurbished - the downside is that the rooms in the main hotel tend to be a little dark which is accentuated by the dark colours used on the walls and the ceilings.
Tariff: Nu 4,500  to 6,000 per night depending on the rooms/cottages plus taxes; hotelolathang@gmail.com; Tel: +975 8 271304/271305 www.bhutanhotels.com.bt

Olathang garden 

For more photographs from Bhutan please do visit
http://sujoyrdas.blogspot.in/2017/10/bhutan-photographs-from-land-of.html