Category: Difficult trek
DAY 01: Arrive Paro
Our tour guide will escort you to your hotel in Paro. After lunch, enjoy sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the National Museum (Ta Dzong). Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong. Afterwards walk to the beautiful cantilever wooden bridge still in use. Overnight in Paro.
DAY 02: Paro sightseeing
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery or Tigers Nest that will be about 5 hours uphill and downhill trek. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument. On the return to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang (temple). Overnight in Paro.
DAY 03: Paro – Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours) (Trek Starts)
Drive to Drugyel Dzong (2580 m) and start the trek with a gentle climb through well maintained rice terraces and field of millet. The valley widens and we reach the army post of Gunitsawa (2810 m). This is the last stop before Tibet. We continue upwards to just beyond Sharma Zampa (2870 m), where there are several good camping places in meadows surrounded by trees. Overnight at campsite.
DAY 04: Shana – Soil Thangthangkha (20 km, 7-8 hours)
You will walk along Pa Chu (river), ascending and descending through pine, oak and spruce forest. After crossing a bridge to the left bank of the river, we stop for lunch. Then continue along the river, climbing upwards through Rhododendron forest, and crossing the river once more before reaching the campsite (3750 m). Overnight at campsite.
DAY 05: Soil Thangthangkha–Jangothang (19 km, 7-8 hours)
There will be a gradual climb until you reach the army camp. We then follow the river above the tree line, enjoying stunning views 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 (4040 m). From here the views of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake are marvelous. Overnight at campsite.
DAY 06: Jangothang – Lingshi (18 km, 7-8 hours)
You will walk along a stream for half an hour and crosses a bridge to the right bank. Begin your climb up the first ridge, enjoying breathtaking views of Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. Trek to Nyele-la Pass (4700 m) then descend gradually enjoying a panoramic view of the mountainous peaks and Lingshi Dzong from the pass until you reach your campsite at Lingshi (4000 m). Overnight at campsite
DAY 07: Lingshi – Shodu (22 km, 8-9 hours)
You will pass through Mo Chu valley and cross the river. Then climb steeply for two hours to Yeli-La (4820 m). On clear day you can see Chomolhari, Gangchenta, Tserimgang and Masagang from this pass. You will continue hiking downstream until Shodu (4100 m) where you will camp in a meadow with a chorten. Overnight at campsite.
DAY 08: Shodu – Barshong (16 km, 6-7 hours)
You will hike along Thimphu Chu (rive) descending through rhododendron, juniper and mixed alpine forests. There are stunning views 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 (3600 m), near which we camp for the night.
DAY 09: Barshong – Dolam Kencho (15 km, 5-6 hours)
We walk downhill through the lush forest and drop steeply to meet the Thimphu 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 3600 m.
DAY 10: Dolam Kencho – Dodena – Thimphu (8 km, 3 hours) (Trek ends)
The trail winds in and out of a side valley above the Thimphu chu, making a long ascent through a forest of conifers and high altitude broadleaf species to a pass at 3510 m. The trail then drops steeply down to the river, following it southward to the road head at Dodena (2600 m). Our driver meets us here, and we drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.
DAY 11: Thimphu sightseeing
On your last day, visit Kuensel Phodrang (tallest Buddha statue), National Memorial Chorten (temple), Takin Preserve, Tashichhoe Dzong (fortress), and Craft Bazaar. Overnight in Thimphu.
DAY 12: Depart Paro
Drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. We hope to serve you again with our other exciting tour packages in the future.
