| Day |
Program |
| 01 |
Arrive at Paro: Upon arrival at Paro
airport, received by representative of yak adventures
travel, transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight
at the hotel in Paro.
|
02 |
Paro Sightseeing: After breakfast,
drive to the ruins of Drukgyel dzong, now in ruins
was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate
the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the
dzong name’s means indeed “ victorious
Druk “. The Dzong was used as an administrative
center until 1951 when a fire caused by butter lamp
destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s
oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the
introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century and then
visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses
administrative offices. After lunch visit the Ta dzong,
an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967,
the national museum of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight
at the hotel in Paro.
|
03 |
Paro – Shana (Start of Trek):
Our trek to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following
the Paro river and we pass cultivated fields and tiny
picturesque villages. The forests are alive with numerous
birds and brightly coloured butterflies. Overnight
at camp Shana. Altitude 2,820 m; Distance 14 Km; Time
5 - 6 hours.
|
04
|
Shana – Thangthangka: The trail
follows the river through a heavily forested area
with a few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes
in and the trail winds up and down along the drainage.
We pass a junction enroute, where another path leads
north over the Tremo La to Tibet. Camp is in a meadow
with a stone shelter. Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21
Km; Time 7 - 8 hours.
|
05 |
Thangthangka
– Jangothang: In the morning after
passing a small army post, the trail slowly leaves
the forest line and gradually climbs into a beautiful
valley, passing Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen.
Lunch will be served in one of these huts. Lots of
yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the Jhomolhari
base camp (4,115 m). High mountains overlook the camp
and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress
used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Altitude
4,115 m; Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours. |
06 |
Jangothang (Acclimatization): Rest day at
Jangothang, enjoy the superb view all around.
|
07 |
Jangothang – Lingshi: The trail
follows the stream for half an hour and crosses the
bridge to the right side. Start the climb up to the
first ridge with a breathtaking view of Jumolhari,
Jichu Drakey and Tsrim Ghang. Then walk towards the
valley, almost flat for a while, until the climb to
the Nyeley la pass at an altitude of 4,700 meters.
After the pass it’s a gradual descent to the
Lingshi camp, enjoying the panorama view of the peaks
and Lingshi dzong. Camp altitude is 4000 meters. Walking
time 7-8 hours.
|
08 |
Lingshi – Chebisa: Walk past the Lingshi
dzong, perched on the hilltop with a commanding view
of green hill, the Winding River and magnificent peaks.
This is a very easy day and a pleasant walk, through
villages and yak herders camps. Lunch will be at scenic
Goyuna village. After lunch, a short walk will reach
you to Chebisa village. We camp here by the side of
stream at an altitude of 3,850 meters. Walking time
5-6 hours.
|
09 |
Chebisa – Shomuthang: Today begins
with a stiff climb up a ridge to Gubula pass at an
altitude of 4,500 meters, taking nearly 4 hours to
the top. After the pass descend to a lunch spot, through
rhododendron bushes. Afternoon continue along the
up and down path, after crossing the stream, through
rhododendron forests and yak herders camps. You may
see herds of Blue sheep now and then. Arrive at camp.
Walking time 7-8 hours.
|
10 |
Shomuthang – Robluthang: The
trek starts with a climb to Jari la pass at the altitude
of 4,600 meters. Then descend to Tsharijathang valley,
the summer residence of the rare Himalayan Takin (national
animal of Bhutan). From here we may have to cross
the stream and get wet, as most of the time the foot
bridge is washed away, After crossing the stream towards
the left the trail ascends till you reach Robluthang
camp at an altitude of 4400meters, walking time 8-9
hours.
|
11 |
Robluthang - Lemithang: A long climb up to
the shinje la pass (altitude 4900meters). The views
of the mountains from the pass are breathtaking. After
the pass descend to Lemithang. The path is quit narrow
and you may have to cross the stream and get wet again.
The last part of the trek is very interesting, with
the view of Mount Gangchey Ta peak. Arrive at camp
at an altitude 4100 meters.
|
12 |
Lemithang – Laya: In the morning
you wake up with a superb view of Gangchey Ta peak
in front of you. The walk to laya is very pleasant
with wonderful views. You will pass through a damp
forest, filled with moss and singing birds. Arrive
at Laya village, the second highest settlement in
the country, at an altitude of 3,800 meter. Walking
time 5-6 hours.
|
13 |
Rest day at Laya: Explore around
the village. You can go and visit any of the houses
around. By tradition one can go to any house without
an invitation. A cup of tea or Chang (local drink)
is always offered. The people in this village are
very interesting with a unique dress, language and
ornaments.
|
14 |
Laya – Rhodophu: From Laya
descend to army camp and continue following the river
till the turn off point to Rhodophu. After lunch continue
the climb through rhododendron bushes until the camp.
Altitude 4,350m. Walking time 8-9 hours.
|
15 |
Rhodophu – Tarina: This is the longest
day of the trip and therefore very essential to start
very early. We start at 5 am by climbing to Tsimola
(4700m) After crossing the first pass and at the little
summit one can have a superb view of Lunana, Jumolhari
and Jichu Drake. This path is flat for another four
hours till the climb to Gangla Karchula pass (5,080m).
The view from the pass is breathtaking. The whole
range of mountains, including Masagang, Tsendegang,
Teri Gang can be seen, after the pass there is a very
long descent to Tarina valley. Altitude 3,980m. Walking
time 10-11 hours.
|
16 |
Tarina – Woche: The day is much easier
as the path follows the river down valley. Lunch at
the lowest point (3500m). After lunch climb up about
300 meters to the village of Woche. Altitude 3,800m.
Walking time 6-7 hours.
|
17 |
Woche – Lhedi: The Trek starts through
juniper and fir forests and then through rhododendron
bushes. We climb up to Keche la pass (4,480m) where
one can have a great view of the mountains. After
the pass, descend to the river walking through the
village with stunning views of Table Mountain and
others. Follow the river, one of the main source of
Phochu, till Lhedi village. Altitude 3,650m.
|
18 |
Lhedi – Thanza: The trek continues
following the river, rising gradually to Choejong
village. After lunch visit the Choejong dzong and
continue towards the wide valley. Cross the bridge
to reach Thanza camp 4,000m. Walking time 7/8 hours.
|
19 |
Thanza – Tsorim: The trek starts
with climb up to the ridge with great view of the
Table Mountain and Thanza valley below, The ridge
altitude is 4,500 m and rises gradually up to 4,650m
near by the foot bridge. After lunch walk up towards
the left side of the bridge enjoying the views of
the snow peaked mountains. Climb up ridge after ridge
until you reach the camp at Tsorim at the altitude
of 5, 150m. Then down to the camp at 5125m. Walking
time 8-9 hours.
|
20 |
Tshorim - Gangkar Puensum base camp: This
is the highest of the trip and we start the day with
a short climb to the Tshorim lakes. Walk on the side
of the lake enjoying the panoramic views of the Gophula
ranges. The last climb to Gophula pass (5,230m) is
very short. After the pass descend to the base camp
walking along the ridge. Enjoy the great view of Gangkar
Puensum. Those with a lot of energy can divert to
the left side to climb up the Pyramid Peak for better
view. Others can go down to the base camp nearly Sha
Chu at the altitude of 4,970m. Walking times 6-7 hours.
|
21 |
Rest day at the base camp, enjoy the great view.
|
22 |
Base camp - Geshe woma: Time to leave
the beautiful mountains, but the trek is far from
over. The path follows the Sha Chu and descends gradually
to Geshe woma at the altitude of 4,200m. Walking time
6-8 hours.
|
23 |
Geshe woma – Warathang: The
path continues following shachu for two and a half
hours until the stiff climb to Sakala begins. Visibility
along the Sakala trail is poor so one must watch the
top of the ridge for guidance. Lunch nearby a yak
herder’s camp. After lunch climb up to Sakala
pass at the altitude 4,800m. Descend to the lakes
and another short ascent to Wartangle pass (4,590m).
The scenery once again is stunning with small lakes
and mountain peaks. Camp at the altitude of 4,000m.
Walking time 8-9 hours.
|
24 |
Warathang - Dur Tsachu: A short half hour
climb to Juelela (4,400m). After the pass descend
to the riverside through dense rhododendron, juniper
and conifer forest. After the bridge a little climb
to Dur Tsachu hot spring, where Guru Padmasambava
is supposed to have bathed in the 8th hot spring.
Walking time 5 hours.
|
25 |
Dur Tsachu –Tshochenchen: Today we
go across the last pass of the trip (Juelela pass).
From the stream it is along and steady climb again
with great views of the mountains in Lunana. One comes
blue lakes and yak herders camps to arrive at the
Thochechen camp at an altitude of 3,850m. Walking
time 8-9 hours.
|
26 |
Tshochenchen – Dur – Jakar: This
is the last day of the trek. Here we change from yak
to pack ponies for carting trekking gear. The path
follows the Chamkhar Chu, descending gradually with
few climbs. The trek ends when you arrive at Dhur
village.
|
27 |
Jakar – Wangdi: Start early
to visit some of the famous monasteries in Bumthang
and drive to Trongsa (70km) for lunch at local hotel.
After lunch drive to Wangdi (130km) via Pelela. Overnight
at the lodge.
|
28 |
Drive to Thimphu: (68km) Afternoon free time
for shopping.
|