Day 01: Arrive Paro
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 Bhutan’s 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 Paro’s 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 – Shana
Early in the morning drive about 2 hours through farm road to Shana, where you will start your trek. We ascend through the river valley and beautiful pine and rhododendron forests. Sadly much of the forest has been cut to make way for electricity to be run to Jangothang and Lingshi – the sight of fallen trees is a reminder of the cost of progress. We turn north towards Mount Jomolhari, which can be seen from the top of the valley. Our camp will be at 3680 metres. (19 km, 8 to 9 hours)
Day 04: Shana – 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 – 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 herder’s 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 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. Overnight at hotel in Thimpu.
Day 13: Thimpu – 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 over looking village of Kabina. PM drive back to Thimphu. Dinner at Hotel
Day 14: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast drive to Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the sky. Color flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honor dead. Visit the Motithang mini Zoo where you can see the national animal Takin where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to Zilukha Nunnery. Thimphu sight seeing continues with the folk heritage Musuem and national painting school. In the evening visit the national memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck ( a Wanderful opportunity to mix with local population). Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Thimphu-Paro-Departure (DrukAir)
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.
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***Please note that some of the sights/itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the rights to alter the itinerary since tours are made in advance and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve your overall travel experience in Bhutan. The driving and hiking times mentioned are approximate times and do not include breaks in the journey for sightseeing, photo/tea/meal/rest stops. Due to the ongoing up-gradation of the national highway (east-west), there may be delays in transfer time due to road conditions, road closures, inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances. During your journey, you will encounter areas of degraded roads, a bumpy ride and road closures – we apologize for the inconveniences. During the treks/hikes, there may be delays or diversion of hiking trails due to trail conditions, inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances.***