Day 1 Arrive Paro

Arrive Paro. Check in the hotel. Visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong, and Kichu Lhakang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan,

O/N Paro Hotel

Day 2 Sightseeing in Paro. Drive to campsite.

Spend the morning sightseeing in Paro and in the afternoon drive along a rough road which reaches the campsite at Shana, passing through a few villages and following the rushing Pachu river. It is about a one-hour drive, allowing for stops en route to take pictures of villages and people in the field. The camp site is a 30-minute walk from where the road ends at an altitude of 2800mts. Tea and dinner will be served at the camp.

O/N Camp Shana

Day 3 Trek starts. Shana – Soi Thangthangkha. Alt. 12,664ft/3860m. Distance 19km. 7/8hours.

The trek follows the crystal clear Pachu river for most of the day through dense forest of oak and rhododendron trees. The river valley widens as you continue uphill, gradually climbing higher and higher until you reach to the camp site. The camp site is in among the juniper and birch forest at an altitude of 3860 mts.  You will get a view of the tip of the Jhomolhari mountain, if the weather is clear.

O/N Camp Soi Thangthangka

Day 4 Soi Thangthangkha – Jangothang. Alt. 13,254ft/4040m. Distance 19km. 5/6 hours.

Continue uphill through juniper, birch and rhododendron forest all the way to the Jhomolhari base camp. On the way you will come across a few nomadic settlements,a small army camp, a school and a small health unit to cater to the nomads. The valley widens and you will see views of mountains and high ridges all around. The camp site, at an altitude of 4,100m is near a ruined fort  with the imposing Jhomolhari mountain towering above. Your guide will tell you the history and legends of the place. Beyond the mountain is Tibet.

O/N Camp Jangothang

Day 5 Day halt at Jangothang.

Option for day hiking excursions towards the glaciers of the Jhomolhari mountain or in the direction of Jichu Drakey mountain or to the Turquoise lake.

O/N Camp Jangothang

Day 6 Jangothang – Lingshi.  Alt  12,844ft/3,915m. Distance 19km. 5/6 hours.

Traverse wide yak pastures as you continue uphill and enjoy ever closer views of the Jichu Drakey mountain. Lunch will be served before you reach the pass. After crossing the Nyelila Pass (4680m) Lingshi Dzong and the Tshering Gang mountain and its glaciers come into view at the north end of the valley. Camp on a meadow.

O/N Camp Lingshi

Day 7 Lingshi – Chebisa. Alt. 12,828ft/3910m. Distance 10km. 6 hours.

Lingshi – Shodu (19 km, 6-7 hrs4,950m. highest altitude).
Today is the shortest walking day. After breakfast visit Lingshi Dzong and pass through nomad villages. The trek passes through meadows with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.  Camp at Chebesa village.

O/N Camp Chebisa

Day 8 Chebisa – Shomuthang. Alt. 13,976ft/4,260. Distance 17km. 6 hours.

The walk is through wild high pasture populated by yaks and their herders. Cross the Gobula Pass (4350m.). The campsite here is above a river, a tributary to the Mo Chu which comes out just below the Gasa ‘Tshachu’ hot springs.

O/N Camp Shomuthang

Day 9 Shomuthang – Robluthang.  Alt. 14,400ft/4250m. Distance 18km. 6/7 hours.

Today’s trek starts early. After crossing the Jare-la pass (Alt. 15,088ft/4600m) descend towards the Tsharijathang valley where herds of Takin are normally seen grazing in the wide open fields.

O/N Camp Robluthang

Day 10 Robluthang – Lemithang.  Alt. 13, 567ft/4090m. Distance 19km. 6/7 hours.

After crossing Shingela pass (Alt.16072ft/4870m), the highest pass on this trek, you will descend all the way to Lemithang where you will camp for the night. Lemithang is beneath the Gang–Chen Ta, the Great Tiger Mountain from where flows the source of the Mochu river that passes through the Punakha valley.  People in traditional black yak-wool costume can usually be encountered around here.

O/N Camp Lemithang

Day 11 Lemithang – Laya. Alt. 12,680ft/3820. Distance 10km. 4/5 hours.

Today the trek consists mainly of downhill hiking along a winding river valley and through silver fur and dwarf rhododendron until you reach Laya village. All along you will have view of of the distant mountains and high pastures on the other side of the valley. Camp on a high, flat area to the east of the village with fantastic views.

O/N Camp Laya

Day 12 Halt Laya

Enjoy the views and visit the village to get an idea of the way of life of the people living in the highest village in Bhutan, many days’ walk away from the nearest road. You can also hike above the village.

O/N Camp Laya

Day 13 Laya –Roduphu Alt. 13,645ft/4,160m.. Distance 19 kms. 6/7 hours.

The trek begins with a gradual downhill and, after an hour or two taking the left side route with gradual ascent through the conifer, maples, rhododendron forest following the stream which is flowing from the Mt. Tsendey Gang ranges. Camp site is near the stream.

O/N Camp Roduphu

Day 14 Roduphu -Narithang   Alt. 14342ft/4346m. Distance 17kms about 5/6 hours.

Today the trail will lead uphill through rhododendron bushes and rough vegetation. The trails brings you up to the Tsimola pass.  After the pass you will reach Narithang, a small plateau and you will camp overnight here.

O/N Camp Narithang

Day 15 Narithang –Tarina Alt.16,720ft/5,100m. Distance 18kms about 5/6 hours.

After breakfast a gradual climb of approximately one and half hours all the way to Gangla Karchung pass alt 16720ft/5100m. After the pass it is downhill till you reach Tarina camp site.

O/N Camp Tarina

Day 16 Tarina – Woche Alt.. Distance 17kms about 5 hours.

The trail leads through a conifer forest following the stream flowing from Tarina and, after a gradual uphill climb of 2 hours you will reach Woche village. Visit the houses of Woche village. You are now in the Lunana District.

O/N Camp Woche

Day 17 Woche – Lhedi  Alt. 15,015ft/4,550m. Distance  17kms about 5/6 hours.

The trail climbs gradually till the Kechela Pass at 15,015ft/4,550m and then downhill till Thega village where we stop for lunch. The journey continues along a slightly straight route till you reach Lhedi village where the Basic Health centre and the wireless station for Lunana village are located.

O/N Camp Lhedi

Day 18 Lhedi   – Thanza  Alt 13,428ft/4,050m.    Distance 17kms about 5/6 hours

Today the trail is a gradual uphill following the main source of Phochu river till you reach Chojo  village where we will make a short stop to explore Chojo village before continuing the journey to Thangza village where we are going to camp with a view of the  snow-covered peak called Table Mountain.

O/N Camp Thanza

Day 19 Thanza  – Halt

Visit villages and mix with the people of Thangza. Or hike in and around the camp.

O/N Camp Thanza

Day 20 Thanza –Tshochena Alt 15,744ft/4800. Distance 20kms about 8/9 hours.

Today’s trek is longer and it is advisable to start early as possible. The trail starts with a 1½ hour gradual climb to the base of the Jaze – La Pass. A steeper climb brings you to the pass Jaze La. From there the trail leads all the way downhill till the camp site.

O/N Camp Tshochena

Day 21 Tshochena  -Jichu Dramo Alt 16,006ft/4,880m.Distance 14kms about 4/5 hours.

A day of gradual ups and down between the snow-covered mountains and crossing the Loju- La Pass Alt.16,203ft/4950m until you reach to the camp site at Jechu Dramo.

O/N Camp Jichu Dramo

Day 22 Jichu Dramo  -Chukarpo   Alt.16859ft/5140m. Distance 18kms to 5/6 hours.

Climb to Gang Rinchen Zoe pass (Alt.16859ft/5140m) and then all the way down till you reach Chukarpo camp site. (Alt 14731ft).

O/N Camp Chukarpo

Day 23 Chukarpo  -Tampe-tso  Alt 15015ft/4550m.  Distance 18kms 5/6 hours.

A two-hour descent brings you to the base of Tampe-La and now a steep climb follows up to the Tampe-La Pass (alt 15015ft/4550m) and all the way down to camp at Umtso, which is at an altitude of 13,895ft. Terton Pema Lingpa discovered religious treasures from the lake here.

O/N Camp Tampe-tsho

Day 24 Tampe-tso –Maorothang Distance is 18kms about 6/7 hours.

Today the trek is all the way downhill through bush rhododendron until you reach the campsite, located near the Nika-chu  river.

O/N Camp Maorothang

Day 25 Maorothang  -Nika chu Chazam. Distance 18kms about 5/6 hours.

Trek downhill till Nika chu (alt.8692ft/2650m.). Today is the last day of the trek and you will be met by your vehicles at Nika-chu Bridge. The trail is through the bamboo bushes fields and villages of Sephu.

O/N Camp Nika chu Chazam

Day 26 Trek Ends.  Nika Chu Chazam – Thimphu.

Early morning drive to Thimphu with packed lunch which will be served at Wangdue Phodrang or Punakha. The drive takes you over the Pele-La pass which divides East and West both culturally and climatically. Visit Punakha Dzong.

O/N Thimphu Hotel

Day 27 Thimphu – Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum. Watch traditional artisans at work in the Institute for the 13 traditional arts (Zorig Chusum). Visit Thimphu Dzong and circumambulate Memorial Chorten with the locals.

O/N Camp Thimphu Hotel

Day 28 Thimphu to Paro departure

After breakfast transfer to the airport for departure. Tashi Delek.