Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 13 Robluthang – Limithang(Altitude 4,040m; Distance kms; Time: 6 – 7 hours.)
This is one of the toughest days of the trek. We climb gradually up to Shinchela Pass at 4,870 m. and are rewarded with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. We descend to camp by the river bank side.
Day 14 Limithang – Laya (Altitude 3,880m; Distance 10 kms; Time 4 – 5 hours.)
We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mochu, and through a forest of rhododendrons and silver fir and then enter the village of Laya. The people of Laya are famous for their vertical stripe yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear a great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry with long hair. The features of the people are even more Tibetan than the Bhutanese who live in the central part of Bhutan. The rest of the day is spent at leisure or visiting village houses and mixing with the villagers.
Day 15 Laya
We have a rest day at Laya and an opportunity to meet the local people.
Day 16 Laya – Chamsa (Altitude 3,300m; Distance 19 kms; Time 6/7 hours.)
The trail winds along the river valley and offers breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams, and waterfalls. Overnight at camp.
Day 17 Chamsa – Gasa Tsachu (Altitude 2,638m; Distance 15 kms; Time 6/7 hours.)
We gradually climb up to Balela pass at 3,740 m and then descend to Gasa village. The first sight of the Gasa Dzong perched on the hillside over the village is one of the sights of the trip. We then drop steeply down to the river for an hour and camp near the Hot Spring – a chance for a good, hot bath!
Day 18 Gasa Tsachu – Goen damji – Tashithang (end of trek)
After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds through rolling hillsides with the vista of fields, villages, and forests of oak and pine. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you glued to the valley wall, seeming afloat in space. The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers, and the sight of an occasional monkey. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19 Punakha – Wangdue – Thimphu
In the morning visit the Punakha Dzong, the ancient capital of Bhutan built in 1637. In the winter Je Khenpo, Head Abbot of Bhutan, moves to Punakha with about 1000 monks. This Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the monk’s body is in Thimphu. We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and then drive to Thimphu the capital. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 20 Thimphu
Thimphu sightseeing includes a visit to the National Institute of Traditional Medicine; the National Library, stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Art & Craft School, where children still learn the ancient art of Buddhist painting. Other highlights include a visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; Zilukha Nunnery; Folk Heritage Museum; Textile Museum; Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory and Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts and shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21 Thimphu – Paro – Departure
We drive to Paro Airport from Thimphu for an international flight. You fly to Kathmandu transfer to the hotel and take a rest.
Day 02: Explore Kathmandu: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and Bouddhanath
After breakfast, the tour can begin with sightseeing world heritage sites within Kathmandu. Kathmandu is known for its rich art, culture, and architecture. The Malla dynasty ruled over the country from the 12th to 18th century. While Pashupatinath is known to be a religious Hindu temple and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Bouddhanath Stupa is one of the largest stupas in South Asia, which was built on the ancient trade route to Tibet.
Day 03: Arrival in Paro:
We fly from Kathmandu airport to Paro airport in Bhutan. We will witness the holy peaks of Jumolhari and Jichu Drake in splendid view. We will be welcomed at Paro and transferred to the hotel by a Pokalde Adventure Tours & travel representative. Normally, we reach Paro for Lunch where we will experience Bhutanese culture and food. After lunch, we visited the Ta Dzong – National Museum, which contains a gallery that embraces a variety of ancient canvases, armors “arena of Buddhas”. After touring the museum, we visited the Drugyal Dzong Ruins (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. In the evening you can stroll around town and experience the lifestyle of people.
Day 04: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
The popular Destination to hike in Bhutan is Tiger’s Nest Monastery, located at 10,400 feet, which is magnificent, and the guru is perched at the edge of a sharp cliff about 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley. Guru Rimpoche winged on a tigress to meditate here. We will have lunch in the cafeteria, which is situated around the middle of the peak. After Exploring the tiger nest, one can meditate within the leftover time and lastly back to the hotel and overnight at Paro.
Day 05: Paro-Shana (Altitude 2800m, 17km long 5-6 hours walk)
We drive up to Drukgyel Dzong to reach the trek starting point following the Paro River. The trail follows the river and we gain height slowly to the valley of paddy plants and many other traditional and organic farmlands. Whenever we complete the trek, we set camp near the army post of elevation 2800m.
Day 06: Shana-Soe Thangthangkha (Altitude 3610m, 22km long 7-8 hours walk)
The Trekking trail follows the river even though it is at a much higher elevation. After completing today’s tiring walk, we set up camp at the field at an elevation of 3400m.
Day 07: Soe Thangthangkha-Jangothang(Altitude 4115m 19km length 5-6 hours walk)
We continuously ascend to Pachu (Paro River) passing a small army camp and entering a beautiful valley. The valley is widened up and can see the spectacular view of snow-caped mountains, yaks, and pasture fields High mountains overlook the camp, and visible nearby are the ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan against Tibetan invasions.
Day 08: Acclimatize and Explore Jangothang
Explore around Jangothang and hike around Jhomolhari glacier or to the lakes in the opposite direction. This is for rest and readiness for the following day’s trekking.
Day 09 Jangothang – Lingshi (Altitude 4000m; Distance 17 km; Time 6 – 7 hours.)
We will have a beautiful day’s walk today with spectacular views of the Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake, and the Tserim Gang. We start climbing straight away and after some 3 to 4 hours reach the Nyelela pass (4,700 m). After the pass, we descend to a circular hut just below Lingshi, where we camp. Coming down from Lingshi we obtain our first views of the truly mystical Dzong atop a high hill.
Day 10 Lingshi – Chebisa (Altitude: 3,780m; Distance 12 kms; Time 4 – 5 hours.)
Today is a delightful day that we climb to reach another beautiful village leaving behind Lingshi is Gom Yu, which is set right below a 300 m cliff. Another hour’s walk brings us to a beautiful small valley having a huge waterfall at one end of the Shangri La village of Chebisa, where we camp by the side of the river. The walk is very leisurely with plenty of options and ways to engage.
Day 11 Chebisa – Shomuthang(Altitude 3,890 m; Distance 17 kms; Time: 6 – 7 hours.)
Today the trek is a bit difficult so we start a stiff climb through high pastures up to the Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop through forests of dwarf rhododendrons. We climb gradually and head down to the camp near a riverbed.
Day 12 Shomuthang – Robluthang(Altitude 4,100m; Distance 22 kms; Time 7 – 8 hours.)
A long haul over the Jarela pass at 4,640 m where we once again get stunning views of the Himalayan mountains above us. We descend steeply down via a forest trail to the Tsarigathang valley, where herds of Takin roam, then cross a knee-deep river before climbing up Robluthang where we camp.
Day 13 Robluthang – Limithang(Altitude 4,040m; Distance kms; Time: 6 – 7 hours.)
This is one of the toughest days of the trek. We climb gradually up to Shinchela Pass at 4,870 m. and are rewarded with stunning views of mountains, including the spectacular Gang Chen Ta at the head of the valley. We descend to camp by the river bank side.
Day 14 Limithang – Laya (Altitude 3,880m; Distance 10 kms; Time 4 – 5 hours.)
We walk along the river, one of the tributaries of the Mochu, and through a forest of rhododendrons and silver fir and then enter the village of Laya. The people of Laya are famous for their vertical stripe yak hair clothing and their strange conical bamboo hats. The women wear a great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry with long hair. The features of the people are even more Tibetan than the Bhutanese who live in the central part of Bhutan. The rest of the day is spent at leisure or visiting village houses and mixing with the villagers.
Day 15 Laya
We have a rest day at Laya and an opportunity to meet the local people.
Day 16 Laya – Chamsa (Altitude 3,300m; Distance 19 kms; Time 6/7 hours.)
The trail winds along the river valley and offers breathtaking views of the crashing river, feeder streams, and waterfalls. Overnight at camp.
Day 17 Chamsa – Gasa Tsachu (Altitude 2,638m; Distance 15 kms; Time 6/7 hours.)
We gradually climb up to Balela pass at 3,740 m and then descend to Gasa village. The first sight of the Gasa Dzong perched on the hillside over the village is one of the sights of the trip. We then drop steeply down to the river for an hour and camp near the Hot Spring – a chance for a good, hot bath!
Day 18 Gasa Tsachu – Goen damji – Tashithang (end of trek)
After the climb away from Gasa Tsachu the trail winds through rolling hillsides with the vista of fields, villages, and forests of oak and pine. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind you glued to the valley wall, seeming afloat in space. The trail descends from the high agricultural benches above the Mochu into a lush semi-tropical gorge filled with banana trees, creepers, and the sight of an occasional monkey. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19 Punakha – Wangdue – Thimphu
In the morning visit the Punakha Dzong, the ancient capital of Bhutan built in 1637. In the winter Je Khenpo, Head Abbot of Bhutan, moves to Punakha with about 1000 monks. This Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the monk’s body is in Thimphu. We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and then drive to Thimphu the capital. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 20 Thimphu
Thimphu sightseeing includes a visit to the National Institute of Traditional Medicine; the National Library, stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Art & Craft School, where children still learn the ancient art of Buddhist painting. Other highlights include a visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; Zilukha Nunnery; Folk Heritage Museum; Textile Museum; Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory and Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts and shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Overnight at hotel.
Day 21 Thimphu – Paro – Departure
We drive to Paro Airport from Thimphu for an international flight. You fly to Kathmandu, transfer to the hotel, and take a rest.
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