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It is a
15-days Trek, an extension of the Jumolhari Trek
and offers diverse flora and fauna, including a
good opportunity to spot Blue Sheep, Takins and
the Blue Poppy (Bhutan 's national flower). It
introduces you to the unusual culture of the
Layap people and offers a stop at a natural hot
spring in Gasa. It is a popular Trek. Highest
point is 4115 Meter.
Day 01. Arrive Paro (By Druk Air): The flight
into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is
a befitting introduction to the spectacular
beauty of our country. In clear weather,
magnificent views of the world's highest peaks,
give way to the lush green Paro valley as you
land. Your Bhutanese escort from Yak Adventures
Travel will greet you on arrival, and then drive
you the short distance to the Hotel.
Day 02. Paro: Your journey into the Thunder
Dragon kingdom will begin with a drive in the
morning to the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km
up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of
medieval Bhutan , the dzong was destroyed by
accidental fire and left in ruins as an
evocative reminder of the great victories it was
built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and
on a clear day experience an unforgettable view
of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m). On the way back,
visit Kichu Lhakhang that was built in 659 by
the Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. Visit is Ta
Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses
the National Museum. Below the museum is the
Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and
religious authority in this valley. A short walk
takes you to the base of the dzong and across a
traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A
short distance further is one of the innumerable
archery grounds (Archery is the national sport
of Bhutan ). If we are lucky, we may catch a
match in action. The evening ends with a walk
through Paro's main shopping district.
Day 03. Paro, Excursion to Taktsang Monastery: A
very special day, with an excursion to view the
spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery -
After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam
Chorten, from there a 2 hour horse ride till the
viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail
climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of
the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an
occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We
stop for a rest and light refreshments at the
Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a
short distance until we see, clearly and
seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery.
Built in the 1600s, this incredible monastery
clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that
plunges 900 m into the valley below. Legend has
it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic
who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on
the back of a flying tiger. Lunch will be served
at the cafeteria, followed by a short walk to
Satsam Chorten for the drive to the hotel.
Day 04. Paro - Shana (Start of Trek): Our trek
to Shana starts at Drukgyal Dzong following the
Paro River and we pass cultivated fields and
tiny picturesque villages. The forests are alive
with numerous birds and brightly colored
butterflies. Overnight at camp Shana. Altitude
2,820m; Distance14Km; Time 5-6hours.
Day 05. Shana-Thangthangka: The trail follows
the river through a heavily forested area with a
few isolated farmhouses. It narrows and closes
in and the trail winds up and down along the
drainage. We pass a junction enroute, where
another path leads north over the Tremo La to
Tibet. Camp is in a meadow with a stone shelter.
Altitude 3610 m; Distance 21 Km; Time 7-8hours.
Day 06.Thangthangka-Jangothang: In the morning
after passing a small army post, the trail
slowly leaves the forest line and gradually
climbs into a beautiful valley, passing
Tegethang, a winter home of yak herdsmen. Lunch
will be served in one of these huts. Lots of
yaks will be seen today before we arrive at the
Jhomolhari base camp (4,115 m). High mountains
overlook the camp and visible nearby are the
ruins of an old fortress used to guard Bhutan
against Tibetan invasions. Altitude 4,115 m;
Distance 15 Km; Time 5 - 6 hours.
Day 07. Jangothang (Halt): A rest day. A chance
to acclimatize and walk up to the Jhomolhari
glacier or to the lakes in the opposite
direction.
Day 08. Jangothang - Lingshi: A good 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. Altitude 4000m; Distance
17 kms; Time 6 - 7 hours.
Day 09. Lingshi - Chebisa: This is a magical
day. Leaving Lingshi behind we gently climb
gently to reach another delightful village, Gom
Yu, which is set right below a 300 m cliff.
Another hours walk brings us to a lovely little
valley with 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 reasons and
opportunities to linger. Altitude 3,780m;
Distance 12 kms; Time 4 - 5 hours.
Day 10. Chebisa - Shomuthang: We start with
quite a stiff climb through high pastures up the
Gokula pass (4,320 m) before we drop through
forests of dwarf rhododendron. We climb
gradually and head down to the camp near a
riverbed. Altitude3, 890m;Distance17kms; Time
6-7hours.
Day 11. Shomuthang - Robluthang: 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 drop steeply down 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. Altitude 4,100m; Distance 22 kms; Time 7 -
8 hours.
Day 12. Robluthang - Lemithang: This is one of
the hardest days of the trek. We climb slowly 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. On a clear day practically all the
mountains on the northern border are visible.
Eagles, griffin vultures, blue sheep and yaks
abound in this area. We descend down to camp on
a lovely spot by the riverbank. Altitude 4,040m;
Distance kms; Time 6-7hours.
Day 13. Lemithang - Laya: We walk along the
river, one of the tributaries of the Mochu and
through a forest of rhododendron and silver fir
and then enter the village of Laya. The people
of Laya are famous for they're vertical stripe
yak hair clothing and their strange conical
bamboo hats. The women wear their hair long and
with great deal of turquoise and jade jewelry.
The features of the people are even more
Tibetan/ Mongolian than the Bhutanese who live
in the central valleys The rest of the day is
spent at leisure or visiting village houses and
mixing with the villagers. Good views of the
Masagang and the other peaks. Altitude3,
880m;Distance10kms; Time4-5hours.
Day 14. Laya (Halt): We have a rest day at Laya
and an opportunity to meet the local people.
Day 15. Laya - Koena: The rail winds along the
river valley offers breathtaking views of the
crashing river, feeder streams and waterfalls.
Over night at camp. Altitude3,
300m;Distance19kms; Time 6/7hours.
Day 16. Koena - GasaTsachu: 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!
Altitude: 2,638m; Distance 15kms; Time:
6/7hours.
Day 17: Gasa Tsachu - Goen Damji: 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.
Overnight in camp. Altitude: 2,280 m, Distance
21 kms; Time 7/8 hours.
Day 18. Goen Damji - Punakha (End of Trek): 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.
Over night at the hotel.
Day19. Punakha-Thimphu: (72 Kms) After
breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated
between Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female
river). For many years until the time of the
second king, it served as the seat of the
Government. The construction of the Dzong was
foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, ".a
person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that
looks like an elephant". There was a smaller
building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong)
that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that
Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to
sleep in front of the statue, while Palep was
sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams
to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru
Rimpoche . From his vision, the architect
conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in
keeping with the tradition, was never committed
to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang
Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The
war materials captured during the battle with
Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still
the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme
Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national
Assembly here in 1952. After lunch, drive to
Thimphu . Enroute visit Chimi Lhakhang also
called Temple of Fertility built by Lama Drukpa
kuenley in 17th century.
Day 20. Thimphu -Paro: After breakfast we visit
at the Dupthop Lhakhang, one of the few
surviving nunneries in Bhutan, and the National
Memorial Chorten built in honour of our late
King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. After lunch we shop
at the Handicrafts Emporium following which we
leave for Paro.
Day 21. Paro - Airport: In the morning our Yak
Adventures Travel representative will bid you
farewell at Paro airport.
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