| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, Paro | Arrival by plane to Paro or crossing border from India in Phuntsholing/Jaigon and drive to Paro. ➜ Visit of National museum of Bhutan and Paro dzong, castle where Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha film was shot. ➜ Sightseeing subject to the arrival time. |
| 2 | Paro – Gunitsawa | Morning visit of Kyichu lhakhang, the temple built in 8th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Climb to Taktsang gompa (Tiger's Nest), most venerated and holy place in Bhutan overlooking valley from the steep cliff. ➜ After lunch drive to Drukyel dzong. This used to be a place where the trek started before. See ruins of the old dzong (castle) and continue further to military camp of Gunitsawa on the new built road. ➜ Possibility to make detour to Lhadi Gompa just before military camp. First night camping just above military camp at the elevation of 2890 m. |
| 3 | Trek: Gunitsawa – Thangthangkha | 16 km, 7-8 hours, ➚ 770 m, ➘ 10 m, camp altitude 3610 m. ➜ On this long day there is a lot of up and downs, mostly through the forest along the Paro chhu river. Finally, you will reach to large chorten on the junction, where you will need take trail to the left. ➜ After about half hour, you will reach to Thangthangtha campsite. The place is equipped with dilapidated toilets, kitchen house, and caretaker's dwelling. If weather permits, you might glimpse the first great view of Jomolhari, best photographed right from the toilets. Camp is cold, and it gets dark early. |
| 4 | Trek: Thangthangkha – Jangothang | Trek 10 km, 5-6 hours, ➚ 480 m, camp altitude 4,080 m. ➜ If you did not see Jomolhari peak in the evening, you still have a chance to get a great view this morning. ➜ The trek continues up the Paro chhu valley which widens into patches of alpine meadow and scanty growths of forest. You will cross an army checkpoint along the way and enjoy a spectacular view of high mountain ridges and snow-capped peaks. In this area yaks and their herder’s homes become a regular feature of the landscape. ➜ Passing the villages Soe, Takethang, and Dangochang is another asset on this day. ➜ After reaching Jangothang, one of the most beautiful campsites of the Himalayas, you can enjoy most spectacular view of Jomolhari over the ruins of ancient temple or fortress. |
| 5 | Halt: Jangothang | Today we will make beautiful acclimatization hike to Tshophu lakes in 4450 m altitude. Start going from camp further north along the few hamlets and then turn to the steep ascend towards the east. ➜ Finally, you will reach long deep valley hidden from below and see the two spectacular ice lakes hidden at it's bottom. Walk to the first or even second lake since it offers great views back towards the summits of Jomolhari I, Jomolhari II, and Jichu Drakye. Herds of blue sheep are also common sight. If you are strong, you can even continue to the Bonte-la pass (4850 m) but not further. The trail ultimately leads back to Gunitsawa after two days trekking (is so called Jomolhari Yaksa trek). ➜ After enjoying the views around the lakes, descend back to Jangothang and have a good rest, making yourself ready for the next day. |
| 6 | Trek: Jangothang – Lingshi | Trek 13 km, 6-7 h, ➚ 840 m, ➘ 870 m, camp altitude 4010 m. ➜ This is one of the longest days of the trek. A short from the camp, the trail begins climbing rapidly for about half an hour and then becomes a gradual ascent to the Nyilila pass at 4870 m. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings while climbing. You might see herds of blue sheep grazing on the slopes. From the pass, you will have spectacular views of Jomolhari, Jichu Drake, and Tsherimgang peaks. It's a gradual and long descent to the camp. On clear days, you will be welcomed with the spectacular view of the Lingshi Dzong on the heap of the hill. Finally, descend to the valley. There are a few suitable campsites here, and your staff will select the most suitable given the actual conditions. |
| 7 | Trek: Lingshi – Wolethang | Trek 22 km, 7-8 h, ➚ 940 m, ➘870 m, camp in 4080 m. ➜ This will be quite long difficult day, crossing Yale-la pass in elevation of 4,990 meters. Luckily, the trail is well-marked as it’s main route for people of Lingshi to reach Thimphu. After descending from pass, you will reach to valley of Thim Chhu river, which ultimately flows to Thimphu. ➜ Anyway, after you reach Shodu camp which is used by trekking groups following the main valley train, you will divert to another valley to the south and will finish in Wolethang camp shortly after crossing sandy slope. |
| 8 | Trek: Shodu – Tshomigo Zhau | Trek 18 km, 7-8 h, ➚1050 m, ➘1200 m, camp in 4020 m. ➜ This will be another physically demanding long day. You will start gently ascending while following the stream, but soon the trail will start ascending more steeply to Lhedi-la, 4750 m high pass. ➜ After that the steep and later gentle descent with few up and down will start. At the end of the trekking day, after crossing Tango-Cheri Chhu stream over the new bridge, you will need to climb another two hundred meters steeply up and camp right after that at Tshomigo Zhau. |
| 9 | Trek: Tshomigo Zhau – Simtokra Tsho | Trek 14 km, 7-8 h, ➚ 1000 m, ➘ 950 m, camp in 4120 m. ➜ Today we will have two passes to cross. First we start steeply ascending along several lakes up to the Domle-la in 4420 m. Descend very steep and suddenly you will lose three hundred meters. ➜ After some up and down in hilly beautiful landscape, you will have to hike up to another pass, Saga-la in 4400 m. From here you will go down to Dungtsho lake, half surrounded by rock cliff and considered holy by local people. ➜ From here you will continue walking on the ridge with some ups and downs and views to all sides, until you descend to Simkotra Tsho, after which you will set for camping on this day. Camp elevation 4100 m. |
| 10 | Trek: Simtokra Tsho – Thimphu | Trek 13 km, 7-8 h, ➚185 m, ➘1500 m. ➜ Start from Simkotra tsho, first walking gently and then keeping mostly in the level until you finally reach to the pass marked with white chorten. You can see the highest mountain of Bhutan, the Gangkhar Punesum to the east and Thimphu valley just in front of you. ➜ Anyway before reaching back to the civilization you still need to keep descend steeply down. First reach to Phajoding monastery, with welcoming monk community. ➜ Continue on descending, either to fourth king's residence entry gate at Motithang, where the car will be waiting for you. Drive to hotel and take rest after the 8 nights sleeping in tent! |
| 11 | Thimphu – Paro | Early morning drive to Dochu-la pass with interesting 108 stupas and royal Chapel dedicated to Bhutan’s fourth king. ➜ Form pass we will start 4-5 hours round hike to the Lungchusey gompa with 360° mountains panorama viewpoint. Descend to Tashigang gompa and reaching back to road in Hontsho. ➜ Drive to Paro and evening in leisure. |
| 12 | Departure from Bhutan | Morning drive to airport and departure from Bhutan. In case of leaving Bhutan by land, drive to Jaigon/Phuntsholing and depart from Bhutan. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Halt in Lingshi (+1 day): Lingshi is small but interesting village located below the ancient castle. It’s good idea to visit local farmhouses and interact with welcoming people. You should also visit the castle which serves as Buddhist monastery. Finally, the demanding but rewarding hike will lead you to stunning view point from which you can clearly see Tserming Kang, Jichu Drakye and other surrounding peaks.