Trip Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Paro airport, meet our guide/representative and transfer to your hotel. Take a rest for few hour and afternoon time visit to ParoDzong and national museum of Bhutan. A visit to local market in Paro by evening is also a wonderful experience by the evening time.
Day 02: Paro sightseeing including visit to KyichuLakhang, which was constructed by Tibetan king SrongtsenGompo in 7th century. Afternoon hike to Takshang monastery, the most venerated and visited temple of Bhutan.
Day 03: Trek from Paro to Shana (2870m.). 5-6 hours of walking and covering about 16 km. The trek starts from nearby DrukgyalDzong which short descends and passes through cultivated terraces and ascends to reach the army post. The trek continues to reach Shana, which is the camping place for today.
Day 04: Trek from Shana to SoiThangthangkha (3760m.), 7-8 hours of walking and covering about 18 kms. After leaving the lovely campsite here, the trail passes through pine and oak forest following the Pachu or Paroriver. The lunch place is located after crossing the river and few hours after lunch to reach the campsite.
Day 05: Trek from SoiThangthangkha to Jangothang (4040 m.), 7-8 hours of walking. The trail follows upstream in the river. The vegetation keeps changing as the elevation goes high. The trail crosses the tree line. Lunch spot might be one of the yak herders camp and continue to reach Jangothang for overnight camping. The campsite is a viewpoint to see the Jhomolharimountain.
Day 06: Trek from Jangothang to Nyele-la pass (4700m.) and continue to Lingshi (4000m.), 8-9 hours of walking. The trail at the beginning follows the river upstream. After crossing the river the trail ascends to the ridge with spectacular view of the Jomolhari and Jitchhu drake. Jitchhu drake is considered as tutelary deity of Paro. The trail ascends continuously to reach the Nyele-la pass then starts descending to reach Lingishi, which is popular campsite.
Day 07: Trek from Lingshi to Chebisa (3860m.), 5-6 hours of walking. Early in the morning visit Lingshidzong, this was constructed in 17th century. LingshiDzong is also popular by the name Yugyeldzong. In the past the Dzong is famous for controlling entry to Tibet via Lingshi-La. The trek passes through beautiful villages and yak herders camp. Overnight camp is done by the side of the stream.
Day 08: Trek from Chebisa to Gomby-La 94450m.) and continue to Shomuthamg (4250m.), 6-7 hours of walking. The trek ascends at the beginning to reach the Gomby-la pass. After the pass the trail descends down to small stream. After crossing the stream the trail again ascends through cedar, birch and for forest in Jholethang valley. The camping place is located next to the yak pasture in the valley.
Day 09: Trek from Shomuthang to Robluthang (4200m.), 6-7 hours of waking. The trail ascends at the beginning to reach the Jari-la pass and descends down to Tasharijathang valley. Tasharijathang valley is also a summer residence of golden Takins, the Bhutan’s national animal. After crossing a stream the trail ascends to reach the camp site at 4200m. ofRobluthang.
Day 10: Trek from Robluthamg to Shinje-La (4900m.) and continue to Limithang (4150m.), 8-9 hours of walking. One of the toughest day with the high pass of Shinje-la. This is considered the highest pass of the whole trekking. The trail is quiet rocky after doing the pass. Camp is at Limithang.
Day 11: Trek from Limithang to Laya (3800m.), 4-5 hours of easy walking. After a long walk the following day today is considered an easy day and stay at Laya village, one of the highest settlement of the area.
Day 12: Trek from Laya to Chamsa (3500m.), 8-9 hours of walking. The trail descends down to the bank of Mochu River and follows the river. The overnight camp is located at Chamsa.
Day 13: Trek from Chamsa to Bari-La (3900m.) and down to GasaTsachu (2200m.), 6-7 hours of walking. The trail ascends slowly to cross the pass and make a pass with prayer flags. After the pass the trail descends and mostly passes through bamboo forest. GasaTsachu is famous for its hot spring.
Day 14: Trek from GasaTsachu to Damji (2400m.), 6-7 hours of walking. After leaving GasaTsachu the trail ascends and descends and passes through farmland, forest to reach GoenDamji for overnight stay.GasaDzong seems behind us and looks like it’s fixed to the hill.
Day 15: Trek from Damji to Tashithang and drive to Punakha. 5-6 hours of easy walking and a short drive to Punakha. The trail follows the Mochu valley downstream. The trail passes through sub-tropical vegetation.
Day 16: Sightseeing of Punakha and drive to Thimpu. Discover PunakhaDzong and visit to KhamsumYullyNamgyalChorten. Drive to Wangdupodrang and visit the Dzong and local market there.After finishing sightseeing, afternoon drive to Thimpu about two and half hours to reach Thimpu covering about 75 kms.
Day 17: Sightseeing of Thimpu and drive to Paro. Early morning visit to memorial chhorten, Trashichhodzong, national library, art and craft school and visit Bhutan’s oldest DzongSimtokha and drive to Paro.
Day 18: Departure from Paro. On a proper time transfer to Paro airport and say goodbye to happy Bhutanese people for another destination.
