Day 02: Paro
Day 03: Paro to Shana (17km, 5-6 hours)
Day 04: Shana to Soi Thangkha (20km, 7-8 hours
Day 05: Soi Thangka to Jangothang (19km, 7-8 hours)
Day 06: Halt at Jangothang
Day 07: Jangothang to Lingshi (18km, 7-8 hours)
Day 08: Halt at Lingzhi
Day 09: Lingshi to Shodu (22km, 8-9 hours)
Day 10: Shodu to Barshong (16km, 6/-7 hours)
Day 11: Barshong to Dolam Kencho (15km, 5-6 hours)
Day 12: Dolam Kencho to Dodena Thimpu (8km, 3 hours)
Day 13: Excursion to Punakha
Day 14: Thimphu to Paro
Day 15: Paro-Departure
On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel after completion of arrival formalities. Evening visit to Paro market and town. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 02: Paro
Morning visit to Ta Dzong, built in 1651 as a watchtower and in 1968 inaugurated as Bhutans National Museum. The collection includes art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, as well as a small natural history collection. Below Ta Dzong is Rinpung Dzong ( Paro Dzong), the fortress of the heap of jewels, built in 1646, and now housing the offices of the district administration and Paros monk body. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu Lhakhang. Built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, it is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 03: Paro to Shana (17km, 5-6 hours)
The trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong (2,580m) with a short downhill walk on a wide trail. The trail then climbs gently through well maintained rice terraces and fields of millet. Later on we come to apple orchards and forests. Soon the valley widens, and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2,810m). This is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (2,870), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees.
Day 04: Shana to Soi Thangkha (20km, 7-8 hours
The trail again follows the Pa Chu (Paro river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forests. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for a hot lunch. Then we continue along the river, climbing upwards through rhododendron forests, and crossing the river once more before reaching our campsite (3,750m).
Day 05: Soi Thangka to Jangothang (19km, 7-8 hours)
The path ascends for a while until we reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning view of the surrounding peaks. Hot lunch is served at a yak herders camp. A short walk from here into the valley takes us to our campsite at Jangothang (4,040 m). From here, the view of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are superb.
Day 06: Halt at Jangothang
Today is a relaxing day and a chance to acclimatize and walk upto the Jhomolhari glaciers and the two beautiful lakes of I Tshophu. Here the route offers spectacular views to the steep ice-slopes of mount Jhomolhari and mount Jichu Drake. Overnight at camp
Day 07: Jangothang to Lingshi (18km, 7-8 hours)
The trail follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the bridge to the right bank. We
now start our climb up to the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking view of Chamolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. The trail then takes us across a fairly level valley floor until the climb up to Nyele-la pass (4,700m). We descend gradually from the pass to our camp site at Lingshi (4,000m), enjoying a panoramic view of the mountain peaks and Lingshi Dzong as we walk.
Day 08: Halt at Lingzhi
It is worth a visit to Lingshi Dzong. You can also make an excursion to Tshokha(Lake) i.e. to the base of Juchu Drake. During excursion you will also come across many Blue Sheeps and Musk Deer. Tsokha is about 4500m and hike will take us 4-5hours.
Day 09: Lingshi to Shodu (22km, 8-9 hours)
The Laya-Gasa route leaves the Chomolhari trek route here. Our trail climbs up towards a small white chorten on a ridge above the camp, then turns south up the deep Mo Chu valley. The trail stays on the west side of this largely treeless valley, climbing steadily a short distance above the Mo Chu. It then crosses the river, and climbs steeply for two hours to Yeli-la (4,820m). On a clear day you can see Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass. Descend alongside a stream to a rock shelter in the cliff face, and then continue on downstream till reaching Shodu (4,100m), where we camp in a meadow with a chorten in it.
Day 10: Shodu to Barshong (16km, 6/-7 hours)
We are now back at the tree line, and our path follows the course of the Thimpu Chu, descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views of rocky cliff faces and waterfalls along the way. We stop at the riverside for a hot lunch. Then the trail takes us gradually upwards to the ruins of Barshong Dzong (3,600m), near which we camp for the night.
Day 11: Barshong to Dolam Kencho (15km, 5-6 hours)
The trail decends gently through a dense forest of rhodendron, birch and conifers, then drops steeply to meet the Thimpu Chu. The trail runs along the left bank of the river, climbing over ridges and descending into gullies where side streams run down into the river. The final stage of the trail climbs around a cliff face high above the Thimphu Chu, coming out onto pastureland where we camp for the night at 3,600m.
Day 12: Dolam Kencho to Dodena Thimpu (8km, 3 hours)
The trail winds in and out of side valleys above the Thimpu Chu, making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species to a pass at 3,510m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (2,600m). Etho Metho transport meets us here, and we drive to Thimpu. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimpu.
Day 13: Excursion to Punakha
An early departure to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula Pass (3050m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for the tea we descend along the series of hair-pin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong which is remarkably located between the rives of Pho Chhu and Mo chhu. Lunch at a hotel inPunakha. After lunch take a hike to Khasum Yoeley Namgyel Chorten through the terraced rice fields and overlooking village of Kabina. PM drive back to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 14: Thimphu to Paro
After breakfast drive to Buddha statue built on hill overlooking the Thimphu valley. The statue is one of biggest in the country built with budget of 15 million dollar. Visit Memorial stupa built in 1974 for the late king Jigme Dorji Wangcuk and to bring peace and prosperity in the world and Visit Texile Museum, where the art of tradition weaving is still kept alive and preserved though exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its colors and design. After lunch visit painting school where Bhutan student are learning 13 different arts and preserve their culture and visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see national animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. In evening drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Paro.
Day 15: Paro-Departure
After breakfast drive to Paro international airport for your flight onward where our representative will bid you farewell and happy journey back to your home.
From our guests
Annie Harriz
It was very satisfying trip to Bhutan. We were welcomed by the guide Gasay Lhendup in the airport and provided a royal service throughout the trip. Both the driver and the guide were very helpful, efficient, attentive, expert, courteous ++++ Both of them were with a big smile throughout the trip. The food is different and spicy. May be we were too french.Guibert Nicolle Dominique Henriette
It was perfect: Sangay is a careful driver, always in a good mood. Gasay gave us all the explanation we needed and made sure everything is ok for us.