Day by day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Paro Airport.
Day 2: Paro.
Day 3: Drugyel Dzong to Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours).
Day 4:Shana to Soi-Thangthangka (22 km, 6-7 Hours).
Day 5:Soi-Thangthangka to Jangothang (19 km, 5-6 hours).
Day 6: Day Halt at Jangothang.
Day 7: Jangothang to Lingshi (18km, 5-6 hours).
Day 8: Lingzhi to Chebisa (10km, 5-6 hours).
Day 9 :Chebisa to Shomuthang (17km, 6-7 hours).
Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang (18km, 6-7 Hours).
Day 11 :Robluthang to Limithang (19 km, 6-7 hours).
Day 12: Limithang to Laya (10 km, 4-5 hours).
Day 13: Day Halt at Laya.
Day 14: Laya to Koina (19 km, 6-7 hours).
Day 15:Koina to Gasa (14 km, 6-7 hours).
Day 16: Gasa to Damji (18 km, 5-6 hours).
Day 17: Damji to Tashithang (16 km, 5 hours)
Day 18: Full day sightseeing in Thimphu.
Day 19: Drive to Paro for departure.
Detail itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at Paro Airport and Transfer to Hotel.
Day 2: Paro Sightseeing.
Day 3: Drugyel Dzong to Shana (17 km, 5-6 hours). First day of the trek follows Paro Chhu valley climbing up the ridges. The actual trek starts from Drukgyel Dzong at 2580 m. From here you look back to see how dzong was positioned. After covering a short distance you will find the settlement of Chang Zampa. A further walk takes the settlement of Mitshi Zampa, finding little shops and hotels. The valley widens and you will reach the army post of Gunyitsawa at 2810 m, there is also a primary school and few shops..
Day 4:Shana to Soi-Thangthangka (22 km, 6-7 Hours). The trek continues at the side of Pa chhu through conifers and rhododendron coming across Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park. By making gentle climbs on the rock through oak, crossing several streams come across Phari Dzong of Tibet. Then climb a little ridge, cross the Paro Chhu on a wooden bridge. Finally come across Thangthangka at 3630 m, where Bhutanese style houses are there..
Day 5:Soi-Thangthangka to Jangothang (19 km, 5-6 hours). At night Jumolhariis covered with clouds, but be sure to view early in the morning. Jumolhari appears behind the ridge. Less than an hour from camp at 3730 m is an army post. A short climb leads to small chorten finding yak country. Making a further climb come across Takethang, a cluster of stone houses on a plateau at 3940 m..
Day 6: Day Halt at Jangothang. Here is the best viewpoint; you won't get better any better than here. The ridge is endless, after an hour of climb you can view Jichu drake (6989 m) and Jumolhari. If you like to see much of the country better to trek Nyile La to Lingzhi. .
Day 7: Jangothang to Lingshi (18km, 5-6 hours). If you have problems with altitude don't go to Lingzhi. Ten minutes beyond the camp, you will start to find settlements. This is the last settlement in the valley and is an extremely isolated place. From this place you can also view Jichu Drake. Passing by you can see Jumolharipeak. Then it comes across Nyile La at 4890 m. Dropping down to the valley at 4450 m and stopping for lunch here. Trekking further away, you will see Mt. Jumolharipeak in its full bloom; you will reach Chelela Pass, and descend down to reach Lingzhi..
Day 8: Lingzhi to Chebisa (10km, 5-6 hours). Walk down on the wooden bridge below the Lingzhi Dzong, along one house, which is part of Lingzhi village. Coming closer to dzong , make a close look by climbing to the dzong at 4220 m. After an hour from coming to ridges of prayer flags and further, settlement of Goyak at 3870m. Leaving Goyak, I came across Chebisa village at 3880 m..
Day 9 :Chebisa to Shomuthang (17km, 6-7 hours). The route climbs a ridge passing a few houses, where blue sheeps are living. Also you will have a chance to see vultures and Himalayan griffons flying overhead. Further climb reaches Gombu La (4440 m). There is little climb, you can reach yak herders huts and then over the side of the valley and down to Shakshepasa at 3980 m and helipad, marked by big H. Then drop down to Something and camp by the river at Shakshepasa..
Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang (18km, 6-7 Hours). Climb up the valley, you will see the show cap of Kang Bum (6526 m). Making a two hours climb come across Jhari La (4747 m), from here you can see Sincha La. The big show cap in the north is 6840 m Gangchhenta (Great Tiger mountain), as well Tserim Kang and top of Jumolhari visible in clear weather. The camp by the river is called Tsheri Jathang, where Takin is available and declared as Tankin Sanctuary. Climb up and reach Robluthang at 4160 m..
Day 11 :Robluthang to Limithang (19 km, 6-7 hours). Here is Sinche La; the last and highest pass on the trek. Above the camp, is a little stone house where a Laya woman lives. It's high altitude and will slow down very much. Passing through the prayer flags is a Sinche La (5005 m). Coming down to Kango Chhu and continuing to Limithang camp, there is a huge glacial lake at the foot of the valley. Now crossing the Kango Chhu at 4260 m and reaching Limithang at 4140 m. You can view the peak of Gangchhenta tower from a distance. .
Day 12: Limithang to Laya (10 km, 4-5 hours). Walk for 20 minutes and enter a deep forest. Drop down to the river valley at 3800 m and walk through heavily wooded forest. Coming ahead you will find a stone house and paddy field and monastery up above. From the west of the village you can view Gangchhenta and some part of Masang Gang, 7165 m. In the village center is a community school and hospital. Camping below school at 3840 m..
Day 13: Day Halt at Laya.
Day 14: Laya to Koina (19 km, 6-7 hours). The trail ends at Khonying stupa, passing to another stupa at Jaje-kha. Cross the wooden bridge and arrive at army camp and check the post near to that, where the guide registers the name of trekkers. The peak of Masang Gang (7165 m) is barely visible. The route follows Mo Chhu down stream all the way to Punakha. Lots of up and down climb to Kohi Lapcha at 3300 m. Then dropping down to a large stream is Koina (3050 m). Camping here is unpleasant..
Day 15:Koina to Gasa (14 km, 6-7 hours). Cross the bridge at Koina and start up a hill through a muddy trail to Bari La (3900 m). The route starts down, through bamboo forest to stream. At 3080 m see Gasa Dzong and drop the route to a large stream at 2780 m and pass by four chortens on the ridge at 2810 m. The trail passes through Jigme Dorji National Park and leads to Dzong School. You can camp near town or climb up a hill to a hot spring..
Day 16: Gasa to Damji (18 km, 5-6 hours). Trail towards south passing through a few houses and main wall; after sometime look back for a good view of the dzong. Cross the suspension bridge river at 2360 m, climb up the hill where you can view the hot spring and Laya. The trail climbs up and arrives at four houses of gun and climb to stupa. Taking a short walk, you will reach Damji at 2430 m..
Day 17: Damji to Tashithang (16 km, 5 hours), trek ends and drive to Punakha. Drive to Wangduephodrang for sightseeing & drive to Thimphu. The trail climbs to the southern part of the village and after a long descent you will cross a wooden bridge at 1960 m, making an up and down trail. You may encounter these monkeys playing alongside the river as well in this area. After a long walk, I crossed a high suspension bridge over the Chaka Lumbi Chhu. A short walk along the roadbed to the stream, finally to Tashithang and a vehicle will be waiting for you to take to Punakha.
Day 18: Full day sightseeing in Thimphu.
Day 19: Drive to Paro for departure.
What's the price included?
- Airport pickup and drop
- All accommodation & Meals (breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
- All Transportation by car van/Bus/Coaster
- One English Speaking Guide
- Sightseeing Entry fee
- Bhutan Travel Permit
- Equipment: Trekking tents, Dining tent, Kitchen Tent, Toilet Tent, Table and chairs, Mattresses during the trekking
- All Food for trekking ( Breakfast, lunch, dinner) prepared by our cook
- Staff: 1 Trekking Guide, 1 Cook, 1 Kitchen & necessary porters
- All transportation by car/ van/ bus
- Trekking crews of insurance Trekking allowance, food allowance for trekking crews
What's the price excluded?
- Airfare
- Bhutan Visa fee (USD 40.00)
- Tourism Development fund(TDF USD 10.00)
- Emergency Rescue evacuation
- Trekking Sleeping bag
- Personal expenses
- Tipping (Tips)