DAY 1
Upon your arrival, Drive to the hotel and in the afternoon visit National Museum, the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings. Also, visit Paro Dzong on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Later in the evening stroll around old Paro town and browse into some of the local handicraft products of Bhutan. One can also venture to try a local restaurant for dinner.
Overnight in Paro
DAY 2
Paro Sightseeing:
Early morning hike to Tiger nest which will take about one and half hour to reach the sacred temple. Lunch on the way back to a cafeteria. Later reaching to the hotel prepares you to for next day trekking.
Overnight in the Hotel
DAY 3
Paro to Shana(Trek starts)
Distance 15km, walking time 6 hours, sleeping altitude 2900m. As you pass by, you will glimpse over the Drugyel Dzong which was built around the 17th century by Zhabdrung to commemorate one of the many wars victorious against the Tibetans. Over the centuries, it guarded the trail from Tibet into Paro valley. We will be met at this historic site by our trekking crew for the start of our trek. Follow the Paro Chhu upstream through the village of Tsento on a dirt road for about an hour. You will pass through an army check post where your guide will produce the trekking permit.
Overnight Campaign.
DAY 4
Shana- Thangthangkha.
Distance 21km, Walking time 6 hrs. Altitude 3620m. The trail from Shana to Thangthangkha is very rocky series of small ups and downs along the Paro Chhu and can be very muddy if it rains. After 2.5 Hours you will come at a junction where trail branches to go to Tibet.
Overnight Campaign
DAY 5
Thangthangkha to Jangothang:
Distance is 16km, walking time 6 hrs, Sleeping altitude 4100m. Today you will come across small sparse settlement, and herds of yaks. You will also be crossing the tree line (4000m). Our campsite at Jangothang will bring us face to face with the majestic Jumolhari. Jangothang means the land of ruins. You will see some the old ruins of the settlement out there which no one seems to know much about it.
Overnight in the Camp
DAY 6
Janggothang Halt:
Acclimatization and rest day. A good optional hike is to climb to the Tshongphu lake at 4300m, which is about an hour and a half from Campsite.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 7
Jangothang to Lingshi:
Distance 17km, Walking time: 7 Hrs. Sleeping altitude: 4040m, Pass to cross: Nyela pass, 4890m, Today 4 hour’s uphill climbing will take us over the very windy Nyele pass. You will soon see a Lingzhi dzong from the distance.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 8
Lingzhi to Chebisa:
Distance 12km, Waling time: 4 hrs. Sleeping altitude: 3880m.Since today the trek won't be that much longer. You can visit Lingzhi Dzong if you wish to visit which was built by Zhabdrung in the 1600s on a commanding hill. After 3 hrs of the trek, you will reach a village of Gangyul, surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of cliffs. Our camp is in windyChebisa, a small village with 2 story stone houses.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 9
Chebisa to Shomuthang:
Distance: 16km, Walking time: 6hrs, Pass to cross: Gokula, 4350m, Sleeping altitude: 4000m.Two hours climbing from Chebisa will get us over the Goku La pass at 4350m. From the pass, we descend into a rhoderndorn filled valley, and continue past some yak harder camp to Shakaypasa.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 10
Shomuthng to Robluthang:
Distance 17km, Walking time: 7hrs, Pass to cross: Jari La.4747m. Sleeping altitude will be 4050m. An early morning start will get us on the way to Jari La pass at 4747m. From the pass its all the way downhill taking the picturesque valley of Tsharijatha where a herd of takin(national animal of Bhutan) are normally seen in the summer. From here a short climb will take us to our campsite.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 11
Robluthang to Limithang:
Distance: 10km, Walking time: 7 hrs. Pass to cross: Sinche la (5015m) Sleeping altitude: 4160m. Snow leopard country. Being a highly elusive animal, it is very rare to sport one but their pawmarks can be seen ocationally. Starting early, a strenuous hike will get us over the Sinchey La, the higest pass of our trek. Decending to Limithang we will see the snow covered peak of Gangchenta(6840m) and the glacially carved Gangchenta valley. Gangchenta means Great Tiger Mountain.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 12
Limithang to Laya:
Distance: 10km, Walking time: 5 hrs.Sleeping altitude: 3915m.Since we are nearing Laya, we will come across Layabs ging to tendto their yaks. We will be entering Laya from the west, through narrow cobbles stone path between houses, to camp in the wheat field that belongs to a friend.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 13
Laya Halt:
One can go up to the village of Laya at 3800 m or just laze around at camp. This day will help us to acclimatize before crossing the tree line.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 14
Laya to Rodophu.
Distance 21 km. Walking time: 8 hrs. Sleeping altitude: 4285m.Following the river downstream for a while and heading east will lead us to Rodophu. Certain sections of the trails are washed away by frequent land slidedmaking us negotiatethe tral over huge boulders. Rodophu is a small, narrow and rocky valley used by the people of Laya when they migrate with their yaks.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 15
Rodophu to Narithang:
Distance 16km, Walking time: 6hrs, Sleeping altitude: 4800m. Climbing out of the Rodophu valley, we will be out in the open. There is no vegetation except sparse short grass. Keep your eyes on the klook out for a blue sheep. This is also a snow leopard territory. At our camp, we come to to face to face with the Ganglakarchung, the sight overwhelming.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 16
Narithang to Tarina
Distance: 18km, walking time: 7 hrs, Pass to cross: Karchula pass 5215m, Sleeping altitude: 4100m. From our camp, the climb upto the karchu la passis long and hard. From the pass, the view is spectacular with the Tarina lakesi the north east flanked by Masangang, Tsendagand and Terigang. It is steep downhill from the pass, So if you have the bad knees, be careful and remember to go slow. Our camp tonight is in the valley on the bank of the Tarina stream.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 17
Tarina to Wochey:
Distance 12km, Walking time: 7hrs. Sleeping altitude 4160m. The day is much easier as the path fallows the river downstream along the valley. A climb of about 400m uphill after lunch will take us to the village of Wochey.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 18
Wochey to Lhedi
Distance: 18km, Walking time: 7 hrs. Pass to cross Kechey la pass Sleeping altitude: 3730m. The treks start through juniper snd fir forest and also through a rhododendron gushes. We climb upto the Kechey La pass (4580m) where one can have a great view of the mountains. From the pass, we climb down to the village of Tega made up of 2 houses. Walking along the sandy river side, we can see a stunning view of the table mountain. Follow the river, the main tributary of Pho Chhu, until the Lhedi village; we will camp infront of the community school.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 19
Lhedi to Tanza:
Distance: 16km, Walking Time: 6 hrs, Sleeping altitude: 4145m, The trek continuous following the river, rising gradually to the choezo village. The village was washed away by the glacial flood in 1994; forming the dramatic landscape. A bridge will finally take us to Thanza at 4000m of the remote human settlementon the face of the earth.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 20
Thanza Halt:
One can walk around and climb over the ridge to see the view of the lakes and mountains. Spend the day visiting the village and meeting with the locals there. Short hike will take you around the locality.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 21
Thanza to Tsochena:
Distance: 18km, Walking time: 6-7hrs., Sleeping altitude: 4500m.Todays trail passes through jelela pass at 5050m and give a wonderful experience of climbing high passes. The camp it will be pitch at Tsochena.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 22
Tsochena to Jitchu dramo
Distance: 14km, Walking time: 4-5 Hrs. Sleeping altitude: 4880m, The trail crosses Lojula pass at an altitude of 4940m.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 23
Jitchu Dramo to Chukarpo:
Distance: 15km, Walking time: 4-5hrs, Sleeping altitude: 4465m. The trail crosses Rinchenzoe pass at an altitude of 5140 mtrs.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 24
Chukarpo to Tampetso:
Distance: 20km, Walking time: 7-8hrs, Altitude: 4200mts. The trail crosses Tampela pass at an altitude of 4550mtrs. At the umtso lake, which is famous for the religious treasure, that Tertoen Pema Lingpa found there.
Overnight in the camp
DAY 25
Tampetso- Maorothang:
Distance: 23km, Walking time: 5 hrs, Altitude: 3589m. The trek is downhill all the way through stunted Rhodendron trees. The camp is situated near the Nika chu river. Overnight in the camp
DAY 26
Maorothang to Nika Chu Chazam:
Distance 23km, walking time6-7hrs, Sleeping Altitude: 2900m. This is the last day of the walking. The trail passes through the agricultural fields and the village of Sephu before seeing off our trekking crew at Chazam, where our transport will be waiting for us. Drive to a valley of the black necked crane and relax in the hotel at Phobjikha.
Overnight in the Hotel
DAY 27
Phobjikha to Punakha:
We will checkout from the hotel take a 2 hour hike from the nearest road head to the Nyingmapa temple. Vist Gangtay Goenpa, the largest Nyingmapa temple in the western region. En-route stops at and takes the picture of the Rinchengang village from the opposite side. Later visit Chimi lhakhang if the time permits.it is associated with religious art of phallus. Punakha Altitude: 1350m.
Overnight in the Hotel in Punakha
DAY 28
Punakha – Thimphu:
Punakha was the Capital of Bhutan untill1950s. Today the central monk body moves to Punakha in winter when it gets cold in Thimphu. With the climate almost tropical in the summer, the valley is blessed with an abundance of fruits and rice. Today you will visit the most beautiful Dzong (Fortress) which without a doubt showcase the finest example of Bhutanese arts and crafts. Later drive back to Thimphu via Dochu La pass which is marked with 108 stupas together in memory of Soldiers. Than drive back to Thimphu.
Overnight in the Hotel in Thimphu
DAY 29
Thimphu- Paro:
Continue exploring Thimphu until Lunch. Drive to Paro in the afternoon. Evening explore the charming small Paro town.
Overnight in the Hotel in Paro
DAY 30
Depart Bhutan. A Druk Air or Bhutan airline normally departs in the morning, so after breakfast, your transfer to Paro International Airport will be arranged depending on the flight schedule.
