Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Paro
As the flight is about to land down, you are welcomed with the beautiful scene of the Paro valley. To assist you, our representative will be there and after the lunch hour, you will be taken for your excursion to get familiar with new place and the culture.Your first visit is to the Rimpung Dzong (Fortress). It is a fortress having both civil government and monastic body. So, you can see the integrate union in the architect. Next, before you are driven around the Paro town. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2: Hike to Paro Taktshang,2hours
Breakfast at the base camp of Tiger Nest, Taksang Monastery followed by a short hike to the monastery. It is believed that the Buddhist saint, Guru Rimpoche flew on the back of a tigress and had mediated to the very place. As you reached to the location, you can see the beautiful landscape and how the monastery is so wonderfully inclined with the nature around. Before heading to kichu Lhakang, one of the oldest temple of Bhutan don’t forget to take a picture in national attire at the spot.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 3: Drugyal Dzong to Shana (Trek starts), 17 km, 5-6 hours
Your tail starts from Drugyal Dzong; going down and then climbing up with the greenery around. You can see the emersion of rural settlement and urban settlement along with the agriculture landscape taking you deep into the forest. As you progress, you reach Gunitswa village and there on the opposite side of the army camp, you hold for the night.
Day 4: Shana to Sio Thangthangkha 21 km, 6-7 hours
Next day, the route remains the same getting yourself more close to the nature as you pass through the river and the valleys. The roads which were wide at the beginning starts to get narrow allowing just yourself pass through. It kind of makes you feel like you are the first ever person to discover that path. As you start to descend down to the low land if the day is clear, you will get to view the first glimpse of Mount. Jumolhari.
Halt at the campsite.
Day 5: Sio Thangthangkha to Jangothang 19 km,4 -5 hours
The sound of the river flowing becomes your alarm and the river itself becomes your guide to your trail. Walking further gets you into the wide forest filled with alpines and furthermore, you will get yourself surrounded by high mountains. There is an army checkpoint that you need to pass through and beyond that point, you will find yourself in the midst of the yak herders, their home and their yaks. There are three villages that you will be passing by; Sio, Takethang and Dangochang. Although they are the yak herders, are vary from village to village. Your stay will be at Jangothang, a little further from the three villages and as you reach to the campsite, you will get the most spectacular view of Mount. Jumolhari with other Mounts.
Day 6: Jangothang Halt
You will halt at Jangothang and let yourself be rested properly before continuing the trek. It is the perfect time to gain strength and also explore of the beautiful campsite that Himalaya has to offer. There are lakes for you to see (can take a short hike to the lake) and also to let your eyes be mesmerised with the snow-capped peaks.
Day 7: Jangothang to Lingshi 19 km,6-7 hours
The trail for the day is quit an adventure as it is not only long distance but also the trail is with ups and downs. As you cross the bridge, you climb up to the Nyilila pass and often times on the slopes of the mountain, you to see blue sheep grazing (added the view of Mount. Jumolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsherimgang).
Then you descent slowly down to the valley passing through the yak herders settlements. Further down, you enter the Lingshi basin, getting yourself the magical view of Lingshi Dzong if the day favors.
Day 8: Lingshi to Chebisa, 12km,5-6 hours
One of the easiest route of the whole trek is from Lingshi to Chebisa. The route will take you right below the Lingshi Dzong, there you can decide to halt or take a detour in and around. The view of the Dzong and the kind of the architect of the settlements are highlights of the place.
Day 9: Chebisa to Shomuthang, 17 km,6-7 hours
From the Chebisa Village to Gobu La pass, the trek is steep of about 2-3 hours as you have to climb up but the view from that location is worth for you get to see the pasture-land, the yaks and their herders and also blue sheep’s gazing. The path from Gobu la pass till Shakshepasa is all about ups and downs filled with rhododendrons on the way. Climbing from there will take you to your campsite at Shomuthang.
Day 10: Shomuthang to Robluthang, 15 km, 5-6 hours
Today, your first climb will give a perfect view of Kang Bum and edelweiss. The snow peak you can see to the southeast is Kang Bum (6526m). And another climb of about 2 hours will place you at Jhari La (4750m). It’s the point from where you get to see your next point, that is Sinche la and also you get to some of the big mountains like the Great Tiger Mountain. Then you need to descend down, crossing the river (Tsheri Jathang) and then you need to climb up a little before you at your campsite. The area is a takin sanctuary and you will find them during summer.
Day 11: Robluthang to Lingmithang, 19 km,7-8 hours
Today’s trek includes the final and highest pass, Shinche La pass. To reach there, you will have a long walk uneven trail. First, you need to ascend to a large glacial valley and then as you move down, you get to see stunning moraine taking your breath away. You get to see how nature has found its own place after fighting with all sort of weathers and man-made situations through the moraines. Right below the moraine, you will cross the Kango Chhu passing through the cedar forest to Lingmithang.
Day 12: Lingmithang to Laya, 10km,3-4 hours
Today, your trek will start with a downhill path taking you through a dense forest paving your way to the Laya Village. It’s a small community which is indigenous. The trek is a short one but with wholesomeness as it allows you to interact with the locals and understand them.
Day 13: Laya to Koina, 19 km, 6-7 hours
You will walk along the flow the Mo Chhu River till you reach Koina Laptsa, letting you breathe the fresh air and enjoy the music made by river. From that pass, your path will shift towards the Koina Chhu taking you to your campsite at Koina.
Day 14: Koena to Gasa (Trek ends), 19 km,6-7 hours
Before reaching Gasa Village, you will have to cross Barila pass through a dense forest and then you need to go all the way down to the village. Along the way, you get to view or visit the Gasa Dzong depending on your feasibility. After that, you can get yourself refreshed in the popular Gasa hot spring.
Day 15: Gasa to Punakha
A must visit place!
After breakfast, you will head towards Punakha where you can take for a detour to the Punakha Dzong. The Fortress built right on the convergence of the two river; Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu Rivers. It is the most beautiful fortress and it is highly recommended to visit it during summer time. Next, there is the popular monastery, Chimi Lhakhang which you can visit if time permits.
Overnight in Punakha.
Day 16: Punakha to Thimphu
While driving to Thimphu, a must stop needs to be made at Dochu La Pass. The place allows you to have the view of Mounts that you had the opportunity of seeing it up-close.
Likewise, for the excursion in Thimphu some of the some visit places are National Memorial Chorten, Kuenselphodrang (to see the giant standing Buddha Statue) and Changangkha Lhakhang.
Day 17: Thimphu to Paro and Depart
Breakfast before your Departure.