Day 1 Arrive Paro

Arrive Paro. Check in the hotel. Visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong, and Kichu Lhakang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan,

O/N Paro

Day 2 Sightseeing in Paro. Drive to campsite.

Spend the morning sightseeing in Paro and in the afternoon drive along a rough road which reaches the campsite at Shana, passing through a few villages and following the rushing Pachu river. It is about a one-hour drive, allowing for stops en route to take pictures of villages and people in the field. The camp site is a 30-minute walk from where the road ends at an altitude of 2800mts. Tea and dinner will be served at the camp.

O/N Camp Shana

Day 3 

Trek starts. Shana – Soi Thangthangkha. Alt. 12,664ft/3860m. Distance 19km. 7/8hours.
The trek follows the crystal clear Pachu river for most of the day through dense forest of oak and rhododendron trees. The river valley widens as you continue uphill, gradually climbing higher and higher until you reach to the camp site. The camp site is in among the juniper and birch forest at an altitude of 3860 mts. You will get a view of the tip of the Jhomolhari mountain, if the weather is clear.

O/N Camp Soi Thangthangka

Day 4

Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang. Alt. 13,254ft/4040m. Distance 19km. 5/6 hours

Continue uphill through juniper, birch and rhododendron forest all the way to the Jhomolhari base camp. On the way you will come across a few nomadic settlements,a small army camp, a school and a small health unit to cater to the nomads. The valley widens and you will see views of mountains and high ridges all around. The camp site, at an altitude of 4,100m is near a ruined fort with the imposing Jhomolhari mountain towering above. Your guide will tell you the history and legends of the place. Beyond the mountain is Tibet.

O/N Camp Jangothang

Day 5

Day halt at Jangothang.

Option for day hiking excursions towards the glaciers of the Jhomolhari mountain or in the direction of Jichu Drakey mountain or to the Turquoise lake.

O/N Camp Jangothang

Day 6

Jangothang – Lingshi. Alt 12,844ft/3,915m. Distance 19km. 5/6 hours.

Traverse wide yak pastures as you continue uphill and enjoy ever closer views of the Jichu Drakey mountain. Lunch will be served before you reach the pass. After crossing the Nyelila Pass (4680m) Lingshi Dzong and the Tshering Gang mountain and its glaciers come into view at the north end of the valley. Camp on a meadow.

O/N Camp Lingshi

Day 7

Lingshi – Chebisa. Alt. 12,828ft/3910m. Distance 10km. 6 hours.

Today is the shortest walking day. After breakfast visit Lingshi Dzong and pass through nomad villages. The trek passes through meadows with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Camp at Chebesa village.

O/N Camp Chebisa

Day 8

Chebisa – Shomuthang. Alt. 13,976ft/4,260. Distance 17km. 6 hours.

The walk is through wild high pasture populated by yaks and their herders. Cross the Gobula Pass (4350m.). The campsite here is above a river, a tributary to the Mo Chu which comes out just below the Gasa ‘Tshachu’ hot springs.

O/N Camp Shomuthang

Day 9

Shomuthang – Robluthang. Alt. 14,400ft/4250m. Distance 18km. 6/7 hours.

Today’s trek starts early. After crossing the Jare-la pass (Alt. 15,088ft/4600m) descend towards the Tsharijathang valley where herds of Takin are normally seen grazing in the wide open fields.

O/N Robluthang

Day 10

Robluthang – Lemithang.  Alt. 13, 567ft/4090m. Distance 19km. 6/7 hours.

After crossing Shingela pass (Alt.16072ft/4870m), the highest pass on this trek, you will descend all the way to Lemithang where you will camp for the night. Lemithang is beneath the Gang–Chen Ta, the Great Tiger Mountain from where flows the source of the Mochu river that passes through the Punakha valley. People in traditional black yak-wool costume can usually be encountered around here.

O/N Lemithang

Day 11

Lemithang – Laya. Alt. 12,680ft/3820. Distance 10km. 4/5 hours.

Today the trek consists mainly of downhill hiking along a winding river valley and through silver fur and dwarf rhododendron until you reach Laya village. All along you will have view of of the distant mountains and high pastures on the other side of the valley. Camp on a high, flat area to the east of the village with fantastic views.

O/N Laya

Day 12

Laya Halt.

Enjoy the views and visit the village to get an idea of the way of life of the people living in the highest village in Bhutan, many days’ walk away from the nearest road. You can also hike above the village.

O/N Laya

Day 13

Laya- Gasa. Alt. 9,514ft/2900m. Distance 19km 10 hours.

Start very early for a very long day’s hike with a short lunch break. Follow the river valley, past some impressive natural, rocky obstacles and awesome glacier-fed rivers. Depending on the season, varieties of flowers are in bloom. Cross the Balela pass (3740m.) before descending through mixed forests along trails well-trodden by the Laya ponies. After the pass the trail is all the way downhill till you reach Gasa. You will be walking along a rough road for the final stretch. The backdrop to the campsite is the beautiful Gasa Dzong and, beyond, a lovely view of the high mountain ranges.

O/N Gasa

Day 14

Gasa Halt

Have a leisurely breakfast before visiting the dzong and the village. During the school break time you may get a chance to interact with the school children and other locals. Any time after lunch set out on a short 30 – 40 minute hike down through orchid-laden forests to Gasa hot springs where your camp will be struck for the night. Relax in the hot springs. Enjoy some time at the hot springs before dinner.

O/N Gasa hot springs

Day 15

Gasa – Punakha and Sightseeing

Drive on the rough road from Gasa hot springs to Punakha. Sightseeing in the Punakha valley. Visit Punakha dzong, Chimmi Lhakhang, the suspension bridge and villages nearby. Alternative option for 2 hours rafting (additonal fee).

O/N Punakha

Day 16

Drive to Thimphu (2½ – 3 hrs drive)

Morning drive to Thimphu. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, Institute for the 13 Traditional Arts (Zorig Chusum) and the Textile Museum. You will have some time for browsing in town today. You may wish to make a postage stamp with your own photo on it or enjoy the shop displays of Bhutanese textiles and other items. Dinner in a restaurant in town.

O/N Thimphu

Day 17

Sightseeing in Thimphu

Full day sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the Buddha point, the takin reserve and Chang Gangkha Lhakhang (temple) and the Institute for Traditional Medicine. Take a stroll to the Memorial Chorten where people from all walks of life go to circumambulate the huge stupa Finally, visit the Thimphu Dzong and its huge temple. Dinner at the hotel.

O/N Thimphu

Day 18

Hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Early morning drive to Paro and hike to Taktsang Monastery (the “Tiger’s Nest”).The round-trip takes about 4 hours and includes a visit to the monastery. Free time in Paro. Lunch or dinner in a local farmhouse.

O/N Paro

Day 19

Departure from Paro airport……Tashi Delek.